{"id":3121,"date":"2026-02-06T12:14:00","date_gmt":"2026-02-06T18:14:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/uwm.edu\/policy\/?post_type=library&p=3121"},"modified":"2026-03-11T15:40:01","modified_gmt":"2026-03-11T20:40:01","slug":"undergraduate-international-student-admissions","status":"publish","type":"library","link":"https:\/\/uwm.edu\/policy\/library\/undergraduate-international-student-admissions\/","title":{"rendered":"Undergraduate International Student Admissions"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Purpose<\/h2>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
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Note: <\/strong>This document supersedes and replaces Faculty document 2425R2<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Rationale for change<\/strong>:  Because of the numerous changes made since 2004 to the international student admissions policy, the current policy \u2013 which includes obsolete test score references, and has a number of deletions and edits that make it difficult to follow \u2013 the following international student admissions policy is recommended as a full replacement for the current policy.   <\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Introduction<\/h2>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
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International students face specific challenges when coming to the United States for study.  Often chief among these challenges is the need for English language skills that will allow them to be successful in a U.S. academic setting.  International students also face cultural challenges, such as adapting to new social norms, understanding academic standards and practices unique to U.S. universities, and gaining access to social networks in a culture that is unfamiliar to them.  This policy is designed to foster welcoming and supportive living and learning environments for international students and thereby lead them to academic success.  The primary device intended in this policy for supporting international students in their study of English language, and in their acculturation to the U.S. university environment is called the \u201cacademic foundation program.\u201d  In keeping with 51ÁÔÆæ\u2019s access mission and commitment to student success, the academic foundation program is a set of credit-bearing and\/or non-credit courses specifically designed for this student population.  Students who are required to take the foundation program will be directed to the following web page for details of the program:  http:\/\/uwm.edu\/cie\/international-student-foundation-program    <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The details of structure and implementation for the foundation requirement will be determined by designated faculty, staff and administrators in CIE, EAP and the academic units involved.  The structure and length of program for an individual student, for example, will be determined based on standard assessments submitted by the student at the time of application.   CIE and EAP staff will monitor student progress and success, to determine whether or not foundation courses are achieving the desired outcomes, or whether students coming in to the program at a given level could benefit from more coursework in a particular area, or other coursework from that currently required. <\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Policy<\/h2>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
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Academic Criteria for International Admissions<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

International students who are admitted with a GPA of 3.0 or higher (and who meet the English language proficiency requirements for full admission) will be offered optional participation in the academic foundation program for one semester, focusing on acculturation to the U.S. university setting.\u00a0 International students with a GPA from 2.0 to 2.99 (and who meet English language proficiency requirements for full admission below) may be required to complete a one-semester academic foundation program focusing on acculturation to the U.S. university setting.\u00a0 Note that individual programs may have higher GPA standards than required by this document.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

English Language Proficiency for International Admissions<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

International students whose native language is not English can meet the English Language proficiency admissions requirements in the following ways:   <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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  1. By having studied for at least 18 months at an institution or school where the language of instruction is entirely English, immediately prior to enrolling at 51ÁÔÆæ.\u00a0<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  2. Submission of the following scores1<\/a><\/sup>:\u00a0<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n
    Admission Categories \u2192\u00a0<\/th>1. Eligible for full admission<\/th>2. Eligible for full admission with academic foundation program requirements<\/th>3. Eligible for admission via the intensive English program<\/th><\/tr><\/thead>
    TOEFL <\/td>79 <\/td>65-78 <\/td><65 <\/td><\/tr>
    IELTS <\/td>6.5 <\/td>5.0-6.0 <\/td><5.0 <\/td><\/tr>
    PTEA <\/td>53 <\/td>44-52 <\/td><44 <\/td><\/tr>
    SAT <\/td>500 Reading and Writing <\/td>450 Reading and Writing <\/td>N\/A <\/td><\/tr>
    ACT <\/td>19 Reading and Writing <\/td>17 Reading and Writing <\/td>N\/A <\/td><\/tr>
    IB <\/td>5 in HL English <\/td>N\/A <\/td>N\/A <\/td><\/tr>
    British A-level <\/td>C or better in English first-language courses <\/td>N\/A <\/td>N\/A <\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n