International Instructions

The application will ask for the student’s last name, which is also commonly referred to as the family name. Be sure that we can correctly identify all your documents by your last (family) name.

A $70 (U.S.) non-refundable application fee must accompany your application, payable online via credit card (Visa, MasterCard, American Express or Discover) at the end of the application process. Applications will not be processed or reviewed until the application fee has been received along with a submitted application.

All international applicants must submit an official test score directly from one of the two accepted language proficiency testing services: the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or the International English Language Testing System (IELTS). 

International applicants may self-report unofficial scores at the time of application submission and request official scores to be sent directly to the Auburn University Graduate School immediately thereafter. Applications will not be considered until one of these official test scores has been received by the office of the Graduate School.

International applicants who have completed a previous degree program from a regionally accredited institution in the USA may not be required to submit English proficiency test scores once the official transcript showing the degree was awarded has been received by the Auburn University Graduate School. If previous scores are available, it is recommended to have the testing service send an official score report to Auburn directly.

Exemptions to the English proficiency requirement are considered on a case-by-case basis, depending on the official government language and medium of instruction, after submission of the official transcript.

International applicants have several options to certify their English proficiency for admission:

• Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL)

  • Internet-based TOEFL (iBT), 79 or higher with minimum scores of 16 on listening, reading, speaking and writing components

  • Auburn University’s ETS institution code is 1005
    
    

• International English Language Testing System (IELTS) exam

  • 6.5 overall band score or higher

Some departments require higher scores; However, all applicants must meet the minimum language proficiency test score requirements listed above.

All international Graduate Teaching Assistants (GTAs) are required to submit evidence of satisfactory speaking skills by one of the following methods:

• Speaking Section of the Internet-based TOEFL (iBT), 23 or higher

• Speaking section of the IELTS, 7 or higher

• Speaking section of the iTEP, 4.5 or above

  • This test is administered at Auburn University prior to the start of classes

A student may be required to enroll in a course (not for graduate course credit) designed to improve the oral communication skills of international teaching assistants. Hiring units are responsible for making sure that international Graduate Teaching Assistants meet the minimum requirements for employment, including but not limited to a satisfactory background check and proficiency in English. For each international Graduate Teaching Assistant, hiring units are required to enter the speak test and speak score within hiring proposal.

Other tests may be required for admission to a specific degree program. Please review the website for your intended program of study for additional test requirements.

GRE or GMAT scores, where applicable, will be evaluated by the department in conjunction with your previous academic record.

The Graduate School must receive official copies of all test scores directly from the testing service.

A four-year bachelor's degree from an accredited U.S. college or university or its equivalent is required for admission. Equivalency is determined by credential evaluators in the Graduate School. When completing the Academic History section of the application, applicants must list each post-secondary institution they have attended, including any institutions at which they are currently enrolled.

Example:

Institution            Major Field     Date From – To     Received/Expected

Your University     Your Major     2000-2005            B.A. (1st) or B.A.

International applicants should provide an official original language transcript and a final diploma/certificate(s) accompanied by a certified English translation of each document. Applicants must include each transcript beyond secondary school in which you have previously attended or are currently enrolled. 

Prior to registration, official copies of transcripts from all institutions previously attended are required to be sent directly to:

The Graduate School
106 Hargis Hall
Auburn University, AL 36849-5122

334-844-4700
graduatetranscripts@auburn.edu

The Graduate Bulletin is currently available in an online format only. 

The estimated total cost to attend Auburn University for one year, 2025-2026, is $52,030 in U.S. currency.

International applicants must demonstrate the availability of adequate financial resources to meet personal and educational obligations. The properly completed “Official Statement of Finances” accompanied by certified evidence of your sponsor’s financial capability must be filed with the Auburn University Graduate School before an admission letter and your I-20 form can be released.

While the Graduate School cannot guarantee any form of financial aid, there are opportunities for funding your graduate studies in the form of graduate assistantships or fellowships for highly competitive students. Please visit our Tuition & Funding page for more information. For questions concerning graduate assistantships, contact the Graduate Program Officer (GPO) for your program of study.

All students (F/J) and scholars (J), and their (F2 and J2) dependents coming to Auburn University are automatically enrolled and billed for the mandatory international student and scholar health insurance plan. Insurance is a semester-based fee (fall and spring) and includes coverage over the summer months. No refunds are given for early departure for any reason including F2 and J2 dependents.

This plan has been designed to minimize the cost of health care during your stay at Auburn and ensure you are complying with all U.S. Department of Homeland Security and Department of State Regulations. All F, J and dependent status holders must carry insurance that is equal to or greater than the Auburn standard for health insurance. All benefits apply to covered F-1, F-2, J-1 and J-2’s. United States born dependents may also be enrolled in this plan.