International Applicants

Evaluation of International Credentials

The City College of New York completes a full assessment of a student's academic records if they are applying with academic coursework and/or a degree obtained outside of the United States. We accept transcript or degree evaluations completed by the following credential services: 

Education Credential Evaluators, Inc.: www.ece.org
Evaluation Service Inc.: www.evaluationservice.net
Josef Silny & Associates, Inc.: www.jsilny.org
Transcript Research: www.transcriptresearch.com
 

We do not accept transcript or degree evaluations completed by a credential services, such as WES or Globe. While students may submit copies of their credential evaluations, the ultimate decision of a degree's equivalency lies at the discretion of the City College of New York.

TOEFL/IELTS/PTE/Duolingo Scores:

If you are on a temporary visa and educated in a non-English speaking environment, you must demonstrate proficiency in the English language by submitting test scores from TOEFL or IELTS (Academic Level) or PTE (Academic level) or Duolingo. Please request to have your official test scores sent to the City College of New York and/or list our University code 2083 when registering for the exams. Visit the TOEFL, IELTS, PTE or Duolingo website for more information.

Proficiency in the English language is not required of permanent residents of the U.S. or individuals who have been granted official refugee or asylum status by the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). It is also not required of students from exempt countries where English is the official language, or by students that have studied full-time at a university for at least two years at an institution in a country where English is the official language. The following courses will not fulfill this requirement: (1) courses in English as a Second Language, (2) courses conducted in another language other than English, (3) courses that will be completed after you apply, and (4) courses of a nonacademic nature. Applicants who attend a university in a foreign country where English is the medium of instruction are NOT waived from this requirement.

Each graduate program may require a different minimum score for consideration than another. Please consult the program requirements for you program's minimum score.

If you have previously been denied admission to City College on the basis of your English language proficiency, you must submit new scores that meet the current minimum.

All scores expire after two years. Scores sent directly to any academic department will delay the processing of your application. City College does not use department codes.

Public Service Management, MPA applicants who are permanent residents AND have not completed a postsecondary degree from an English speaking country are NOT exempt from the TOEFL/IELTS.

City College's English Language Institute

City College now offers an intensive English program that is available to all students, domestic and international. Foreign students who do not meet the minimum TOEFL requirement for CCNY can enroll in this program to improve their English skills and receive a F-1 visa. To learn more, click here.

Visas for International Students

Students who are not U.S. citizens or permanent residents must have a student visa status that allows study at The City College of New York. The F-1 Student Visa is obtained with an I-20 Certificate of Eligibility which is issued by The City College of New York. Certificates of eligibility are issued to international students who have accepted our offer of admission, meet the English language proficiency requirement, and verified sufficient financial resources for at least one academic year. Students who are on visas must maintain continuous, full-time enrollment and are subject to U.S. immigration laws covering such items as employment on and off campus, change of degree, transfer of school, and extension of stay. Additional information on visas is sent to admitted students. International students should allow at least six months for completion of the application process. 

The desired deadlines for international applicants are:

International Academic Credentials

Assessment of a foreign degree is based on the characteristics of a national educational system, the type of institution attended, and the level of studies completed. The following guidelines indicate the minimum level of study required of applicants who wish to apply for graduate study at The City College of New York:

1. British patterned education: bachelor’s degree with honors
2. France: maîtrise from university or completion of three-year diplôme d’ingénieur from grandes écoles Note: The gradue’ (graduate certificate) or license does not meet minimum requirements.
3. Germany: the diplom, magister atrium (M.A.), or staatsexamen. Note: The German educational system is currently going through revision. Consideration will be given to students who apply prior to the imposition of the new system.
4. Other European countries: university degree requiring four years of study
5. Middle East: university degree requiring four years of study
6. Canada: three-year bachelor’s degree from Quebec, four- year bachelor’s degree from other provinces
7. Latin America: university degree requiring four years of study
8. India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal: bachelor’s degree in engineering or medicine, master’s degree in all other fields Note: A three-year bachelor’s degree is not considered sufficient for graduate study at City College. The two-year master’s degree following the three-year bachelor’s degree from India is required.
9. Philippines: five-year bachelor’s degree or four-year bachelor’s degree plus one year of graduate work
10. Russian republics: university diploma requiring four-and-a-half to six years of study
11. Other Asian countries: university degree requiring four years of study

Academic records from every postsecondary institution attended as a student should be submitted with your application. Academic records should give detailed information on the content and the quality of your performance, courses taken each year and grades received. The grading scale of the institution and your rank in class should be noted whenever possible. Official copies of diplomas or conferral statements on academic records must verify degrees.

All academic records must be delivered in a sealed official envelope of the issuing institution. Original documents must bear the seal and signature of the Registrar or copies verified by a school administrative officer.

Providing Proof of Degree: Prior to obtaining an I-20, you must provide proof of degree by providing an official transcript issued by your institution confirming that your degree/degree equivalency was awarded. Failure to provide proof of degree in time for the visa process, will result in a postponement of your application for the next available term. Postponements will not guarantee a seat. 
 

Guidelines for Official Translation of Documents

If the institution does not issue records in English, original language records must be submitted with translations. All translations must be literal and complete versions of the original records. All supporting material must be in English.

International students, educated in countries where English is not the official language, must provide official academic transcripts and diploma in both their native language and the English language translation. The following guidelines must be followed for translations to be official. The Office of Graduate Admissions reserves the right to reject translations that do not meet these guidelines. Please see your local telephone book directory for listings of translation services. The University reserves the right to request additional academic documents if we are unable to verify the nature or authenticity of your academic documents.

Home Country Assistance

For further assistance with the application process and information specific to your country, please contact your local U.S. Embassy/U.S. Consulate/Office of Public Affairs for referral to an overseas educational advising center near you, or consult the list available on the U.S. Department of State’s website at http://educationusa.state.gov