Want to know your chances of getting in to the University of Houston before you apply? Here's some information about how we evaluate applications from international students. Please note that certain UH colleges have their own admission criteria.

The admission criteria are different depending on whether you're applying as an international freshman, transfer, post-baccalaureate, or graduate student. In any event, you'll need to provide adequate proof of English proficiency by submitting TOEFL scores of at least 550 (paper-based exam) or 213 (computer-based exam).

Criteria for Freshmen

If you have never attended a college or university and have completed the equivalent of 12 years or more of elementary and secondary schooling, you'll be considered as a freshman applicant. If you are a international student graduating from a United States accredited high school, you must meet the admissions requirements for U.S. freshmen.

Admission as an international freshman is based on:

• At least a B average in all academic studies, and
• A minimum score of 550 on the TOEFL paper exam or 213 on the computerized test.

Criteria for Transfers

If you have completed more than one year of full-time, university-level study, you will be considered a transfer student.

Transfer admission is based solely on your completed university record and your TOEFL results. A minimum grade point average (GPA) of 2.5 (C+) is required (4.0 = A, 3.0 = B and 2.0 = C). For those educational systems that do not have a higher or lower division (+ or -) in the grading scale, a cumulative grade of B is required. The minimum required score on the TOEFL is 550 on the paper test or 213 on the computerized test or 79 on the Internet Test. TOEFL requirement is not waived unless the student meets an exemption.

Criteria for Post-Baccalaureate Students

Post-baccalaureate applicants are those who have completed the equivalent of a U.S. bachelor's degree prior to enrolling in UH. Post-baccalaureate students can take undergraduate courses, pursue a second degree, or meet the prerequisites needed for the graduate majors. Students are required to submit an official transcript from the student's previous institution showing a bachelor's degree.

Criteria for Graduate Students

Graduate applications are processed through the combined efforts of the Office of International Admissions and the individual colleges and departments. The Office of International Admissions is primarily responsible for gathering and evaluating foreign documents that are then forwarded to the colleges and departments where they are reviewed and an admission decision is made. Because admission requirements are subject to change, applicants are considered for specific semesters only. If you do not enroll for the original semester for which you applied, you must submit a letter requesting that your application be considered for a subsequent semester. Nonimmigrant applicants may have to submit an updated application fee and any additional documents prior to an admission decision.

Admission criteria are established both by the Graduate School and by the graduate program of study. The minimum academic criteria for admission include:

• Credentials documenting completed prerequisite academic work that gives evidence of ability to pursue a graduate program in your chosen area. Consult your intended graduate program for more information.
• Have earned a 4-year baccalaureate or higher degree from an accredited college or university prior to beginning graduate studies.
• Have earned a cumulative grade-point average (GPA) equivalent to at least 3.0 out of 4.0 (or B) in your previous undergraduate college-level course work.
• Evidence of satisfactory English Proficiency.
• Evidence of ability for F-1 and J-1 visa holders to maintain a full course of study while at the university.

You must submit evidence of satisfactory completion of college-or university-level studies. Please send a complete set of school transcripts and diplomas. The transcripts should indicate the following:

• Date studies were undertaken
• The subjects covered
• Grades or marks earned in each subject
• Proof of any degree you received
• When the degree was conferred.

All documents must be official and sent directly to the UH from the granting institution and certified by that institution. You must submit one copy in the original language as well as an official English translation. The university will maintain all records for one academic year for applicants who apply and do not attend.

Please note that all application materials sent to the University of Houston becomes the property of the university and cannot be returned to the applicant.