Admission Information for Freshmen with Foreign Records

Am I Considered An International or Domestic Student?

You are considered an international applicant if you need a visa in order to reside and study in the United States. If you are a U.S. citizen, permanent resident, refugee or asylee, you are considered a domestic applicant even if you currently reside outside the United States.

If you will be residing in the United States on a visa, learn about special requirements for international students.

Applying with Foreign Education

To be considered for freshman admission, you must complete secondary school earning superior marks in academic subjects and receive a certificate of completion that grants you admission to university-level studies in your country. All freshman applicants are considered using the same eligibility requirements and are included in the same selection process. If you have attended both foreign and U.S. high schools, both your foreign and U.S. courses and grades will be considered. You may also be required to demonstrate English proficiency.

English Proficiency

If you have been studying in the United States for less than two years and your native language and school language of instruction prior to your study in the United States was not English, you must demonstrate English proficiency. You may do so in one of the following ways:

• Complete two transferable college courses (3 semester or 4-5 quarter units each) in English composition with "C" grades or better at an accredited U.S. college or university.
• Achieve a minimum score of 550 on the paper-based Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL), 213 on the computer-based TOEFL or 80 on the Internet-based TOEFL. For more information, visit the TOEFL Web site.
• Achieve a minimum score of 7 (academic module) on the International English Language Testing System (IELTS). For more information see the IELTS Web site. Your IELTS score must be sent directly to the following address: Undergraduate Admissions University of California One Shields Avenue Davis, CA 95616-8507
• Achieve a score of 3, 4 or 5 on the AP Exam in English Language and Composition or English Literature and Composition.
• Achieve a score of 5, 6 or 7 on the International Baccalaureate (IB), Higher Level examination in English (Language A).
• Achieve a score of 6 or higher on the International Baccalaureate (IB), Standard Level examination in English (Language A).
• Achieve a score of 560 or higher on the Writing section of the SAT Reasoning Test.

Foreign Academic Records

When you apply, you must report ALL foreign coursework as it would appear on your foreign academic records. Find out how to report foreign education in your application and get answers to some of the most frequently asked questions about foreign academic records.

Admission Information for Specific Countries and Educational Systems

The information in this section is intended to supplement the general eligibility requirements, not replace them. Please make sure you are also familiar with the eligibility requirements for freshmen.

• 13-Year Educational Systems: If pre-university education is 13 years long in your country, you must complete all 13 years before entering UC Davis. You must graduate from secondary school in your country earning a certificate of completion that enables you to attend a university in your country. Admission to UC Davis is not offered prior to completion of the 13th year.
• British System and Singapore: You must complete at least 5 IGCSE/GCSE/GCE O Levels, and at least 2 GCE A Levels to be considered for admission. AS levels will also be considered. If you receive A, B or C grades on your GCE A level examinations, UC Davis may consider granting you transfer credit toward your bachelor's degree. The exact credit amount will be determined after you have been formally admitted and provide your official certificate.
• Hong Kong: You must complete at least 5 HKCEE subjects and at least 2 HKALE subjects to be considered for freshman admission. If you receive A, B or C grades on your HKALE examinations, UC Davis may consider granting you transfer credit toward your bachelor's degree. The exact credit amount will be determined after you have been formally admitted and provide your official certificate.
• India and Pakistan: You must complete your standard XII years of education and sit for 10th and 12th year board/state examinations.
• International Schools: Your international school must have an appropriate level of recognition in the educational system it follows. You must also be earning a certificate of completion that will allow you to enter a university in that educational system. If your international school follows a U.S. curriculum, your school must have U.S. accreditation and you must graduate with a U.S. high school diploma or an equivalent credential.
• International Baccalaureate: If you are completing your IB diploma or simply taking some IB courses, make sure to report your IB status in your application. There are instructions in the application for reporting IB coursework and examinations.
• Malaysia: You must complete your SPM and STPM or A Levels to be considered for admission.
• Sri Lanka: You must complete Sri Lankan GCE O and A Levels. You may also complete O and A Levels through a British Examination Authority.
• New Zealand: You must complete Form 7 earning your Higher School Certificate. If you will be receiving a Bursary or NCEA Level 3, please indicate this in your application.