How to Apply as an International Student

Please review the international qualifications page for your specific criteria by country of instruction.

International Qualifications By Country

For students participating in a Cambridge curricula, admissions decisions are based on the GSCE/IGCSE/O-level results, and we generally expect at least 6 passes, graded C or higher. Students who are going on to complete GCE Advanced Subsidiary (AS-levels) and/or Advanced Levels (A-levels) may be awarded transfer credit for successfully completed exams.

For students studying an International Baccalaureate (IB) curriculum, we generally expect an average of 5 out of 7 on your college-preparatory subjects. IB Higher Level examinations may also be eligible for transfer credit.

Some of our programs have more selective criteria above and beyond general admission guidelines.

More Selective Program Criteria for Freshman Admission

More Selective Program Criteria for Transfer Admission

You may either use the Common App application or OHIO's alternate online application. Additionally, if you are unable to complete your application online, you may print and mail the alternative printable application form that corresponds to the academic year for which you are applying.

Common App

Alternate Online Application

Alternative Printable Application form

For consideration, you must submit the USD $70 international application fee.

First-year applicants:

• You must submit records from every secondary institution you have attended. 
• If the original document is not in English, you must also supply a certified or attested English translation. 
• If unofficial academic documents are submitted for an admission decision, official* documents must be submitted prior to the first day of classes.

Transfer applicants (Note: you are a transfer applicant if you have completed 9 or more credit hours of university coursework):

• Provide an original course-by-course transcript evaluation conducted by a NACES member evaluation agency for every post-secondary institution attended. Arrange to have both the evaluation and the official transcript you submitted to the agency sent directly to Ohio University Undergraduate Admissions. If you have taken less than a full-year of post-secondary work, submit secondary transcripts and/or relevant school leaving exam results.
• If the original documents are not in English, you must also supply a certified or attested English translation. 

All documents should be submitted via email to admissions@ohio.edu or sent via postal mail or courier as instructed in the postal mail section. 

*To be considered official, an academic record must be submitted via one of four options:

• Option 1: Uploaded by your secondary school counselor or principal via the Common Application
• Option 2: Emailed directly to admissions@ohio.edu by your secondary school counselor or principal, or the university registrar
• Option 3: Sent via post or courier in an envelope that is sealed and stamped by one of the following:
  • The issuing secondary school or university
  • Ministry of Education of your home country
  • EducationUSA or related binational organization
    
    Mail or deliver to: Undergraduate Admissions
    Chubb Hall 120
    1 Ohio University
    Athens OH 45701 – USA
• Option 4: Bring a hard copy of the official documents to Undergraduate Admissions prior to the start of classes. The documents must be in an unopened envelope that has been sealed, signed and stamped by the institution.

All students seeking direct admission for full-time academic study must demonstrate English proficiency through exams taken no more than a year prior. English proficiency exam options include:

• TOEFL Paper: Minimum score 520 (composition score of 5)
• TOEFL Internet (IBT): Minimum score of 68 (writing subscore of 17)
• IELTS: Minimum score 6.0 (no sub-score below 5.5)
• Duolingo English Test: 95
• SAT: Minimum total score of 1060 with 540 Evidence-Based Reading and Writing sub-score
• ACT: Minimum composite score of 21 with 21 English and Reading sub-scores

Students who choose not to submit a test score and do not meet one of the previously mentioned minimum requirements may choose to be admitted to the Ohio Program of Intensive English (OPIE). Upon reaching the required level of proficiency, students may apply for a change of level to begin full-time academic study.

Students educated in one of the countries listed in the Exempt Countries table or who have completed at least three years of higher secondary schooling in an English-speaking system, such as Cambridge or IB, including three years of non-ESL, college preparatory English courses with grades of "B" or better are not required to show additional proof of English proficiency except upon request.

English Proficiency Requirements: Exempt Countries

You must submit a copy of your current passport information page via email to admissions@ohio.edu.

You may submit optional materials to Undergraduate Admissions by emailing admissions@ohio.edu or via post or courier to:

Undergraduate Admissions
Chubb Hall 120
1 Ohio University
Athens OH 45701 – USA

Optional materials may include:

• SAT or ACT scores. Ohio University has adopted a test-optional pathway for first-year applicants to the Athens campus. If you choose to submit SAT/ACT scores, they must be submitted directly from the testing agency: SAT (school code 1593) or ACT (school code 3314).
• Essay(s)
• Letter(s) of recommendation
• Lists of extra-curricular interests and activities