Lana Oconnell
UC Berkeley is a highly sought-after university, with an annual acceptance rate of approximately 16%. The university offers a wide range of courses and programs for international students, including on-campus learning and Berkeley College Online®. The application process for international students involves several requirements, including proof of English language proficiency, academic transcripts, and financial support documentation. International students must also complete a Non-immigrant Information Form (NIF) and obtain a student visa. To stand out as an applicant, it is beneficial to demonstrate academic excellence and cultural diversity.
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What You'll Learn
English language proficiency requirements
Proficiency in English is critical for success at UC Berkeley. International students can demonstrate their English language proficiency by taking one of the following exams and earning the required scores:
- Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) with a minimum score of 80 or better (Berkeley prefers scores of 100 or more)
- International English Language Testing System (IELTS) with a minimum score of 6.5
- DuoLingo English Test (DET) with a minimum score of 115
Language exam results must be received by the Office of Undergraduate Admissions no later than January of the year prior to the fall semester in which the student wishes to enrol.
Other ways for international students to meet the language requirement include:
- Three or more years of Language of Instruction (LOI) in English
- Scoring 3, 4 or 5 on the AP examination in English Language and Composition, or English Literature and Composition
- Scoring 6 or 7 on the IB Standard Level examination in English (Language A only)
- Scoring 5, 6 or 7 on the IB Higher Level examination in English (Language A only)
- Scoring 24 or higher for the ACT English Language Arts (ELA)
- Scoring 31 or higher on Writing and Language in the SAT
- Completing one year of full-time, college-level instruction entirely in the English language
- Completing two UC-transferable English composition courses required for transfer admission and receiving at least a “C” or “B” grade/mark, depending on the campus you’re applying to.
Please note that UC Berkeley does not accept English composition courses from international universities where English is not the language of instruction. Depending on the campus, you may need to take an English as a Second Language (ESL) class or an exam.
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Application requirements
To apply to UC Berkeley as an international student, you must meet the following application requirements:
Proficiency in English
English proficiency is critical to success at UC Berkeley. You can demonstrate proficiency by taking one of the following exams and earning the required scores:
- Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) with a minimum score of 80 or better (Berkeley prefers 100)
- International English Language Testing System (IELTS) with a minimum score of 6.5
- DuoLingo English Test (DET) with a minimum score of 115
- Score 3, 4 or 5 on the AP examination in English Language and Composition, or English Literature and Composition
- Score 6 or 7 on the IB Standard Level examination in English (Language A only)
- Score 5, 6 or 7 on the IB Higher Level examination in English (Language A only)
- Score 24 or higher for the ACT English Language Arts (ELA)
- Score 31 or higher on Writing and Language in the SAT
Language exam results must be received in the Office of Undergraduate Admissions no later than January of the year you wish to enrol.
Academic Requirements
UC Berkeley requires evidence that you have followed A-G high school courses. These requirements vary according to the course you wish to study. You must also complete the educational history section of the application exactly as it appears on your school records.
International applicants must also earn a certificate of completion, which allows admission to a university in their home country or country of graduation. Students who have completed the IGCSE or O-level exams will need to complete further study, either with the two-year A-level program with a minimum of three academic exams, the IB diploma program, or another similar academic curriculum.
Financial Requirements
All admitted international students will be required to complete a Non-immigrant Information Form (NIF). A guarantee by the applicant’s financial sponsor, proving sufficient funds for the first year of study, is also required. This can be verified by a certified bank statement showing $42,000 from your sponsor.
Visa Requirements
To study at UC Berkeley, you will need a passport from your home country and a visa from the U.S. To apply for a SEVIS I-20 (which is needed to obtain an F-1 student visa), students must demonstrate that they have sufficient finances to pay for tuition and living expenses. Once accepted, UC Berkeley will issue the document needed for the student visa application.
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Financial requirements
UC Berkeley does not offer financial aid to international students. International students are also ineligible for federal, state, and need-based aid. The cost of attendance for international students is roughly $68,000 per year.
International students must demonstrate that they have sufficient funds to cover their first year of study. This can be done by providing financial support documentation showing at least $42,000. This can be verified by a certified bank statement from a financial sponsor.
Students from countries requiring entry into military service upon completion of secondary education should not submit an application until this obligation has been met. UC Berkeley cannot defer admission to a later term.
International students must also demonstrate proficiency in English. This can be done by taking one of the following exams and earning the required scores:
- Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) with a minimum score of 80 (Berkeley prefers 100)
- International English Language Testing System (IELTS) with a minimum score of 6.5
- DuoLingo English Test (DET) with a minimum score of 115
Language exam results must be received by the Office of Undergraduate Admissions no later than January of the year the student wishes to enrol.
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Visa requirements
International students intending to study at UC Berkeley must obtain a student visa to enter the United States. The type of visa required is the F-1 student visa, which is specifically designed for full-time academic students attending a university or college. To apply for this visa, students must first receive an I-20 form from UC Berkeley, which is issued by the Berkeley International Office (BIO). The I-20 form confirms that the student has been admitted to the university and meets the necessary financial and academic requirements to study in the US.
To obtain the I-20 form, international students must demonstrate that they have sufficient financial resources to cover their tuition and living expenses while studying at UC Berkeley. This can be done by providing a certified bank statement showing at least $42,000 from their sponsor. Additionally, students must meet the academic requirements, including proficiency in the English language. UC Berkeley accepts various English proficiency test scores, such as TOEFL, IELTS, Duolingo English Test, and others. The minimum required scores vary for each test.
Once the student has received the I-20 form, they can proceed with the student visa application process. The specific steps may vary depending on the US embassy or consulate where the student is applying, but generally, an online application must be submitted, and a visa interview may be required. During the visa application process, students may need to provide additional documentation, such as proof of financial support, academic records, and proof of English language proficiency. It is important to initiate the visa application process early, as obtaining a student visa can take several weeks or even months in some cases.
It is worth noting that international students on a visa cannot be classified as California residents for tuition purposes. Additionally, students from countries that require military service upon completion of secondary education should fulfil this obligation before applying to UC Berkeley, as the university cannot defer admission to a later term. Furthermore, international students must complete a Non-immigrant Information Form (NIF) and provide verification of their enrolment to the campus International Student Advisor if their country requires this before forwarding funds.
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Academic requirements
UC Berkeley has a holistic admissions process that does not require SAT or ACT results. The university also does not ask for transcripts during the application process, instead expecting applicants to self-report their grades and achievements. However, UC Berkeley does require proof of English language proficiency, which can be demonstrated through various exams, including:
- Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL): minimum score of 80, but Berkeley prefers 100
- International English Language Testing System (IELTS): minimum score of 6.5
- DuoLingo English Test (DET): minimum score of 115
- AP examination in English Language and Composition, or English Literature and Composition: score of 3, 4 or 5
- IB Standard Level examination in English (Language A only): score of 6 or 7
- IB Higher Level examination in English (Language A only): score of 5, 6 or 7
- ACT English Language Arts (ELA): score of 24 or higher
Language exam results must be received by the Office of Undergraduate Admissions no later than January of the year of enrolment.
In addition to the above, international applicants must also earn a certificate of completion, which allows admission to a university in their home country or country of graduation. Students who have completed the IGCSE or O-level exams will need to undertake further study, either through the completion of a two-year A-level programme with a minimum of three academic exams, the IB diploma programme, or another similar academic curriculum.
International students must also complete the educational history section of the application exactly as it appears on their school records. They will also need to provide official transcripts from all undergraduate institutions (with certified English translations) and proof of graduation.
For international students applying on an F-1 student visa, they must satisfy the College that they have sufficient finances to pay for tuition and living expenses. This can be done by providing a certified bank statement showing at least $42,000 from their sponsor. All admitted international students will also be required to complete a Non-immigrant Information Form (NIF), which includes a guarantee from the applicant's financial sponsor proving sufficient funds for the first year of study.
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Frequently asked questions
You will need to demonstrate proficiency in English by taking one of the following exams and achieving the required scores: Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) with a minimum score of 80 (Berkeley prefers 100); International English Language Testing System (IELTS) with a minimum score of 6.5; DuoLingo English Test (DET) with a minimum score of 115; or one of the other options outlined on the UC website.
International applicants must earn a certificate of completion, which allows admission to a university in their home country or country of graduation. Students from countries requiring entry into military service upon completion of secondary education should not submit an application until this obligation has been met.
You will need official transcripts from all undergraduate institutions (with certified English translations) and proof of graduation. You will also need to provide financial support documentation showing at least $42,000.
The cost of living in Berkeley is 80% higher than the national average for the USA.
UC Berkeley has an annual acceptance rate of approximately 16%.
