International
First-Year Students
Academics
Students who are currently enrolled in or have completed secondary school, but have not attended any colleges or universities should have an educational background in the core curriculum of laboratory science, mathematics, social science, and English. A secondary or high school grade point average of at least 2.75 (4.0 scale) or the equivalent in core subjects is recommended. Students who do not meet these guidelines will still be considered for admission if there is evidence in the academic record that demonstrates a high probability of success.
English Proficiency
All applicants must demonstrate English proficiency for admission consideration.
International Transfer Students
Academics
Students who have attended or are currently enrolled in a postsecondary college or university should have an educational background in the core curriculum of: laboratory science, mathematics, social science and English to be considered for admission. A post-secondary/university grade point average (GPA) of 2.0 (4.0 scale) or the equivalent, is recommended. Students who do not meet these minimum guidelines will still be considered for admission if there is evidence in the student's academic record that demonstrates a high probability of success.
English Proficiency
All applicants must demonstrate English proficiency for admission consideration.
Additional Resources
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We offer advising for prospective and enrolled international students, providing support with immigration requirements, employment, health and personal issues, and academic needs.
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With more than 300 student organizations at NDSU, you will have many ways to connect and gain leadership experience. Approximately 20 of these organizations have a cultural focus.
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The Center for Community and Belonging is central to our commitment to fostering a safe and welcoming campus for everyone at NDSU.
Ready to Apply?
1) Complete and Submit the Application for Admission
A nonrefundable application fee will be collected through your online application upon submission. An admission decision is not made until the fee is paid.
2) Send Your Secondary Transcript
All first-year applicants must upload unofficial academic documents to the online application. Official documents will be required to be mailed to NDSU post-acceptance. More detail will be provided to the applicant after admission. If you have questions, please email us at ndsu.intl.admissions@ndsu.edu.
3) Submit Credential Evaluation for University Coursework
Non-U.S. institutions: Request a course-by-course evaluation report from World Education Services (WES), Educational Credential Evaluators (ECE) or SpanTran. Click here for more information.
U.S. institutions: Request that official transcripts be sent directly to NDSU from your institution. We also accept the following versions of official transcripts from U.S. institutions sent from the following electronic delivery services: National Student Clearinghouse (send to Int’l Undergrad Admissions), Parchment, Credentials eScrip-Safe, SMART/Joint Service Transcript.
4) Submit English Proficiency Exam Results
All applicants must submit an official English proficiency test score or completion report that meets one of the posted levels (see chart below). All test scores are valid for two years, and score reports must be sent directly to NDSU. Applicants may also meet this requirement through one of the English Proficiency Exemptions below.
| English Proficiency Exam | Required Minimum Score |
|---|---|
| TOEFL | 71 IBT |
| IELTS | 6.0 Overall |
| Duolingo English Test | 105 |
| Pearson's (PTE) Academic | 50 |
| ACT English subscore | 18 |
| SAT Evidence-Based Reading and Writing | 480 |
| ELS Language Center | Level 112 completion |
English Proficiency Exemptions
Applicants meeting any one of the following are not required to submit additional evidence of English proficiency:
Dates and Deadlines
We have a rolling admission policy and evaluate documents as they are received. We encourage students to apply by the following dates.
The recommended deadline to apply for admission for Fall 2025 (August start) semester is May 15.
The recommended deadline to apply for admission for Spring 2026 (January start) semester is November 1.