
New York University (NYU) is a popular choice for international students, with over 24,000 international students and scholars from 130 countries. NYU defines an international student as any non-U.S. citizen applying to the New York campus or a U.S. citizen who has completed high school outside the U.S. The application process for international students at NYU can be stressful, with various requirements and expectations. International students must meet academic qualifications, demonstrate their talent and ability through extracurricular activities, and fulfil standardised testing requirements. Additionally, they must obtain an F-1/J-1 student visa and submit the necessary supporting documents. NYU offers scholarships for non-U.S. citizens and permanent residents, and all first-year applicants, regardless of nationality, can apply for financial aid.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| NYU campus location | New York, Abu Dhabi, Shanghai |
| NYU definition of "international student" | Non-U.S. citizens applying to the New York campus or U.S. citizens applying to the New York campus from a high school located outside of the United States |
| Academic qualification | Completion of secondary school graduation requirements from your country as outlined in the International Qualifications Tool |
| Application requirements | Standardized testing, English language testing, transcripts, teacher evaluations, letters of recommendation, artistic materials (for relevant programs) |
| Application deadline | Not specified; however, international students are advised to submit their applications early to allow time for visa processing |
| Visa requirements | F-1/J-1 student visa; I-20/DS-2019 application |
| Financial aid | Need-based scholarships available for non-U.S. citizens or permanent residents applying as first-year students; all first-year applicants, regardless of nationality, are eligible for financial aid |
| NYU office contacts | Undergraduate Admissions office: [email protected] or +1212-998-4500; NYU Office of Global Services: [email protected] |
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What You'll Learn

International student definition and visa requirements
International students form a significant part of the student body at NYU, with students from over 130 countries. The university defines an international student as any non-US citizen applying to the New York campus or a US citizen applying to the New York campus from a high school outside the United States.
Visa Requirements
International students enrolling at NYU need to obtain a visa. The type of visa depends on the student's situation and course of study.
- F-1 Visa: This is for full-time academic students enrolled in an accredited degree, diploma, or certificate program. It also includes language training programs.
- M-1 Visa: This is for students in vocational or other non-academic programs, excluding language training.
- J-1 Visa: This is for exchange programs, including high school and university studies.
Students must apply for a visa at a US Embassy or Consulate. The process and requirements may vary, so it is essential to check with the specific Embassy or Consulate. NYU's Office of Global Services (OGS) assists admitted students with the visa process and provides guidance on obtaining the necessary documents.
To initiate the visa process, international students must first fill out the NYU Application for a Certificate of Eligibility (AFCOE) and submit supporting documents. This is done after being admitted to the university and paying the enrollment deposit. The required documents may include proof of finances, such as savings, parental support, scholarships, or other sources of funding.
Once the AFCOE is approved, NYU will provide students with Form I-20 (for F and M visas) or Form DS-2019 (for J visas). These forms are crucial, as they allow students to maintain their student status even if their visa expires during their studies. With these forms, students can then proceed with their visa interviews at the US Embassy or Consulate.
It is important to note that NYU does not allow students to attend under a B-1/B-2 visa or visa waiver (ESTA). Additionally, students holding F-1 or J-1 visas are generally not permitted to work in the US to fund their education and must pursue a full course of study each semester.
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Academic qualifications and eligibility
NYU defines an international student as any non-US citizen applying to the New York campus or a US citizen applying to the New York campus from a high school located outside of the United States. International students applying to NYU must meet certain academic qualifications and eligibility criteria.
For undergraduate admissions, international students must have completed their country's secondary school graduation requirements, as outlined in the International Qualifications Tool. Additionally, they must have either a certificate or diploma as their highest degree before enrolling at NYU. Transfer applicants must first meet these high school requirements and then meet one of the following additional criteria: they must be or have been enrolled as a degree-seeking student at a regionally accredited college or university in the US or an accredited college or university outside the US; or they must be or have been enrolled in a non-degree-seeking program in the US.
For graduate admissions, international students must have the equivalent of a regionally accredited four-year US bachelor's degree before beginning their studies at NYU Steinhardt. Applicants with a three-year international degree and those with credentials from India are strongly encouraged to use WES. Applicants who completed their undergraduate or graduate degrees at institutions outside the US or Canada must provide a course-by-course evaluation of their transcripts, unless the degree was received from an accredited institution in the US or Canada. Applicants whose native language is not English must demonstrate English proficiency by submitting results from one of the accepted English proficiency exams: TOEFL iBT, TOEFL - MyBest Score, IELTS, or Duolingo English Test.
NYU accepts a wide variety of exams to fulfill standardised testing requirements, including predicted and/or final exam results from over 100 US and international examinations, such as the French Baccalaureate or A-Levels. English language testing is required for applicants whose native language is not English, and specific tests and minimum scores are outlined on the NYU English Language Testing webpage.
All international applicants must submit the NYU Application for Certificate of Eligibility (AFCOE) online after being admitted to the university and pay their enrollment deposit, along with submitting supporting documents. This is required for obtaining a student visa (Form I-20) or exchange visitor visa (Form DS-2019). International students must also demonstrate their ability to finance their studies by submitting official letters or certificates as proof of support.
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Application deadlines and supplementary materials
International students must enrol under an F-1 or J-1 visa. If you are offered admission, NYU will assist you in the next steps, including instructions for obtaining an I-20. The NYU Office of Global Services recommends submitting your application as soon as possible after receiving instructions.
NYU accepts a wide variety of exams to fulfil the standardised testing requirement. The university will continue to be test-optional for students applying for Fall 2023 admission. However, students in a non-US curriculum that culminates in a final school-leaving or university entrance examination, such as the French Baccalaureate or A-Levels, are expected to provide predicted and/or final results from that examination.
If your native language is not English, you must submit results from one of the following English proficiency exams: TOEFL iBT (not TOEFL Essentials), TOEFL - MyBest Score, IELTS, or Duolingo English Test.
NYU requires all applicants who have completed, or are completing, undergraduate and/or graduate degrees at institutions outside the US or Canada to provide a course-by-course evaluation of their transcripts. However, if you received one of your undergraduate or graduate degrees from an accredited institution in the US or Canada, this evaluation requirement may be waived.
International students should submit their application, including all required supplementary materials, by the following deadlines: submit supporting materials by the deadline, but materials can be accepted after the application deadline but before the material deadline reflected in your application portal. If English is not your native language, you may be asked to show your proficiency by taking a test and submitting test results by the application deadline.
If you are offered admission and decide to accept, you will be required to submit a certification of finances showing you can fund your four years of study. You will also need to fill out the NYU Application for Certificate of Eligibility (AFCOE) online and pay your enrolment deposit.
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English proficiency tests and financial aid
English Proficiency Tests
If English is not your native language, you may be asked to demonstrate your proficiency by taking a test and submitting your results by the application deadline. NYU accepts a variety of English language proficiency tests, including:
- TOEFL iBT (Test of English as a Foreign Language Internet-Based Test)
- IELTS Academic
- PTE Academic
- Duolingo English Test
- ITEP (International Test of English Proficiency - Academic-Plus)
For most students, this means that you must have been in an English-language curriculum since the equivalent of 9th grade. If you have only been taught in English since the equivalent of 10th grade, you will need to take an English language test.
Financial Aid
All first-year applicants, regardless of nationality, are eligible to apply for financial aid. Students qualify for need-based assistance based on the information presented in their CSS Profile. You must submit the CSS Profile by the deadline to be considered for scholarships.
US citizens and permanent residents may also file the FAFSA to be considered for federal aid. Transfer applicants are ineligible for NYU scholarships. However, US citizens and permanent residents can apply for federal aid by filing the FAFSA.
If you are offered admission and decide to accept, you will be required to submit a certification of finances showing that you'll be able to fund your four years of study. If you plan to use savings, parental support, scholarships, or any combination of these to finance your studies, you'll need to send official letters or certificates as proof of support.
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Scholarships, grants, and work opportunities
International students at NYU are eligible for several scholarships, grants, and work opportunities. NYU offers scholarships for non-U.S. citizens or permanent residents applying as first-year students. These scholarships are need-based, and students must submit the CSS Profile by the deadline to be considered. Additionally, NYU schools and colleges award their own scholarships, which may be merit-based, need-based, or program-specific. Some scholarships are automatically awarded upon admission, while others require a separate application.
One notable scholarship for international students is the Rudin Scholars program, which selects outstanding entering first-year students from public and parochial high schools in all five boroughs of New York City. The program provides academic and cultural activities, seminars, service-learning activities, funding for research and unpaid internships, and global and domestic travel opportunities.
Another scholarship opportunity for international students is the Community College Transfer Opportunity Program (CCTOP), which is a need-based scholarship for qualified students transferring from community colleges. Students must be nominated by the dean, department chairperson, professor, or transfer counselor of their community college to be considered for this scholarship.
In addition to scholarships, international students may also explore external funding opportunities, such as grants and work-study programs. The Federal Pell Grant, for example, is available to students with financial need who are enrolled in their first bachelor's degree program. The TEACH Grant provides grants of up to $3,772 per year to students who plan to teach in a public or private elementary or secondary school that serves low-income families.
It is important to note that students holding an F-1 or J-1 student visa are generally not allowed to work in the U.S. to help pay for their education and are required to pursue a full-time course load each semester. However, there may be opportunities for on-campus employment or internships that can provide income during their studies. International students should check with the NYU Office of Global Services (OGS) for specific information on work opportunities and visa requirements.
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Frequently asked questions
For undergraduate admissions, international students must have completed secondary school graduation requirements from their country as outlined in the International Qualifications Tool. For graduate admissions, students must have the equivalent of a regionally accredited four-year US bachelor's degree.
If English is not your native language, you may be asked to demonstrate proficiency by taking a test and submitting the results by the application deadline. NYU accepts a variety of English language tests, including TOEFL iBT, IELTS, and the Duolingo English Test.
International students must enroll under an F-1 or J-1 visa. After receiving an offer of admission, students will receive instructions for obtaining an I-20 or DS-2019 visa. It is recommended to complete the visa application as soon as possible to ensure sufficient time to obtain the visa before the start of the semester.
International students must demonstrate their ability to fund their studies at NYU. Students may use a combination of savings, parental support, scholarships, or other sources, and must provide official letters or certificates as proof of financial support. Additionally, NYU offers scholarships and financial aid for international students based on need.
NYU recommends submitting the application and all required supplemental materials by the specified deadlines to allow enough time between admission and the start of the semester. The exact deadlines may vary depending on the program and semester of enrollment.











































