Admissions

International Applicants

Office of International Students and Scholars (OISS)

All international applicants who submit an application for graduate study are encouraged to contact the Office of International Students and Scholars for current information regarding international student expenses, visas, and other non-admissions questions you may have. Once admitted to UCSB, OISS will contact you with additional assistance.

Required Academic Preparation

International applicants who have conducted their post-secondary education outside of the United States must have completed an undergraduate degree program equivalent to a University of California bachelor's degree by the beginning of their graduate program at UCSB. Equivalent undergraduate degrees usually include a minimum four years of university work and above-average scholarship.

Applicants holding only professional diplomas, higher certificates in accounting, business, physical education, or health education from universities or technical and vocational schools may not apply.

English as a Second Language (ESL) Requirements

There are two language examinations concerning international students whose first language is not English.

English Language Placement Exam (ELPE)

• All incoming international graduate students and permanent residents whose first language is not English must take the English Language Placement Examination (ELPE) at the beginning of their first quarter of enrollment.
• This required exam is conducted by faculty of the English as a Second Language (ESL) Program.
• For graduate students, the ELPE includes both a written and an oral examination. After the writing exam, students make individual appointments through their department to take the oral exam on a different day.
• The results of the ELPE are communicated to each department by the ESL Program.
• As a result of the student's performance on the ELPE, the student will either (1) be placed in an ESL course or (2) be exempted from ESL courses.
• Students are advised to complete the ESL course progression within three quarters.
• Testing dates, times, and locations are available through the ESL Program, the Office of International Students and Scholars, and the Schedule of Classes.

• NOTE: International students whose first language is not English but were exempt from the TOEFL or IELTS requirement must still take the ELPE.
• Students visiting UCSB under the Education Abroad Program and other non-degree reciprocity statuses are exempt from taking the ELPE. If they later apply for admission to a graduate program to seek a graduate degree, they must take the ELPE at the beginning of their first quarter of enrollment.

Teaching Assistant Language Evaluations

Graduate Council policy requires all prospective teaching assistants (TAs) whose first language is not English to take the TA Language Evaluation prior to being  certified to hold sole classroom teaching or laboratory responsibilities.

• Students slated to be teaching assistants (TAs) at any time during their graduate career must take the TA Language Evaluation.
• The TA Language Evaluation simulates instruction in an undergraduate discussion section. It involves a faculty representative from the student’s department and a faculty member from ESL. The exam is a 10 minute oral presentation during which the prospective TA teaches a basic, non-technical concept assigned by the department to the examining committee. Additionally, the prospective TA is asked questions by the evaluators who play the role of undergraduates.
• Students not certified for sole classroom responsibilities during the TA Language Evaluation are required to complete ESL coursework to improve their spoken English. After completion of the assigned ESL coursework, the student is re-evaluated for certification by a committee of ESL faculty at the end of the quarter.
• TAs who fail the Language Evaluation are assigned to alternate, non-teaching responsibilities determined by the department until the student passes the exam.
• Graduate Division and/or ESL will schedule a TA Language Evaluation only for students whose department requests one. Students cannot self-nominate to take a Language Evaluation. The Graduate Division will need the names of each prospective TA and the faculty member who will serve as the faculty representative, as well as any dates that represent scheduling conflicts from the department prior to the beginning of the quarter.
• Once determined, scheduling information will be sent to each department. In turn, the department is asked to convey this information to the prospective TA along with the presentation topic.

Further pre-instructional information and activities are outlined in the Schedule of Classes available through the Office of the Registrar.

Expenses for International Students

For information about the estimated costs of attendance for international students, please visit the Office of International Students and Scholars.

International student employment is limited, and limited funds are available for work-study opportunities. Information about other employment and fellowship opportunities may be found at Financing a Graduate Education.

To be issued the required immigration forms needed to obtain your visa from an American embassy or consulate, you must provide the UCSB Office of International Students and Scholars with documented evidence of your ability to pay all required fees and expenses for the first twelve months of your program. You should also indicate sources and amounts of financial support for the duration of your entire program. American embassies and consulates will require the same type of funding evidence for visa issuance.

Additional information about financial requirements for international students is available on the OISS Web site.

Student Visa Categories

Two student visa categories are available to you for study at UCSB: F-1 Student and J-1 Exchange Visitor. Applicants wishing to obtain J1 status cannot be solely supported by personal or family funds. Substantial financial support from some other source, such as government or other university support is required for a J1 Exchange Visitor visa. If you have further questions concerning your visa status, contact the American embassy or consulate in your area. Your I-20 or DS-2019 form will be sent to you by the Office of International Students and Scholars after you have been accepted for admission and have returned the Financial Statement form.

F-1 Student

• Applying: Present your I-20 form to the American Consulate or Embassy abroad with your passport and evidence of financial support.
• Validity: Length of degree program: 4 years for masters, 7 years for Ph.D.
• On-Campus Employment: Allowed up to 20 hours per week while school is in session, and 40 hours per week during academic breaks (i.e. holiday and summer breaks).
• Off-Campus Employment: Only with prior approval from Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS) or OISS, and after nine months in U.S. as an F-1 status. Allowed up to 20 hours per week while school is in session, and 40 hours per week during academic breaks (i.e. holiday and summer breaks).
• Spouse Employment: Spouse on F-2 visa not allowed to work.
• Optional Practical Training (OPT): 12 months post-graduate practical training employment available.
• Home Country Residence Requirement: None
• Complete Visa Information: Visa information is available through the Office of International Students and Scholars. Please visit F-1 Visa Information and F-1 Student Employment for full details. Contact OISS for further questions.

J-1 Exchange Visitor

• Applying: Present your DS-2019 form to the American Consulate or Embassy abroad with your passport and evidence of financial support.
• Validity: One year at a time, or for the length of the funding period up to the end of the study period.
• On-Campus Employment: Allowed up to 20 hours per week while school is in session, and 40 hours per week during academic breaks (i.e. holiday and summer breaks).
• Off-Campus Employment: Only with prior approval from UCSB Office of International Students and Scholars. Allowed up to 20 hours per week while school is in session, and 40 hours per week during academic breaks (i.e. holiday and summer breaks).
• Spouse Employment: Only with prior approval from Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS), and based on J-2 spouse's or dependent's financial need.
• Academic Training: 18 months post-graduate academic training employment available.
• Home Country Residence Requirement: You may be subject to a required stay in your home country for two years upon completion of your studies before you can immigrate or return to the U.S. for employment purposes. Check with the nearest American Consulate or Embassy to see if this requirement will apply to you if you enter on a J-1 visa.
• Complete Visa Information: Visa information is available through the Office of International Students and Scholars. Please visit J-1 Visa Information and J-1 Student Employment for full details. Contact OISS for further questions.

Financial Statement for International Students Seeking Non-Immigrant Visas

Proof of funding may take the form of the Confidential Financial Statement, or you may simply provide OISS with a bank or financial letter attested by a bank or financial institution. For full instructions, please visit OISS's Financial Requirements for International Students.