International Applicants

If you will graduate from a high school outside of the U.S., neither the SAT or ACT are required for admission. Results from either examination are not reviewed by the admissions committee during the evaluation of your application. Applicants are, however, encouraged to submit results or predictions from any of the following:

• AP exam scores
• International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma
• IB exam scores, if you are not an IB Diploma candidate
• Nationally or regionally accredited exam results*

International students who will graduate from a high school in the U.S. and U.S. territories are excluded from Northeastern’s “test not required” policy and must submit either the SAT or ACT. Northeastern’s SAT CEEB code is 3667. Our ACT College Code is 1880.

* Please review the currently approved examinations. Approved nationally or regionally accredited examinations must signify completion of high school, be administered by an independent organization (not your high school), and be required for university entrance. If an exam is not listed, contact [email protected]

If your first language and/or language spoken at home is not English, you will be required to demonstrate English language proficiency by submitting valid results directly from the testing agency for one of the following exams:

• TOEFL iBT (Composite 92+; Reading, Writing, and Listening subscores 22+; Speaking 24+)
• IELTS Academic (6.5 Overall Band Score, with no subscore band below 6.0)
• PTE Academic (62+)
• C1 Advanced or C2 Proficiency (Cambridge English Scale 176+)

While neither citizenship or country in which your high school is located will exempt you from Northeastern’s English language proficiency requirement, the admissions committee will waive the requirement for students who will graduate with at least four years of study in a high school where the primary language is academic English, as opposed to English as a second language.

Some students admitted to Northeastern may require further English language assessment prior to enrolling. Results will determine whether or not supplemental English language instruction will be required in the first semester of the freshman year. Students requiring further assessment include:

• Students with scores below the minimum requirements.
• Students whose applications indicate the need for further assessment. (Students will be notified before May 1.)

Highly motivated international students looking to improve English skills before beginning an undergraduate program at Northeastern may directly apply to or be considered by Undergraduate Admissions for the American Classroom Program, in Northeastern’s College of Professional Studies.

Interviews are not required for admission to Northeastern. International students can, however, submit virtual interviews for consideration, alongside other materials required for admission. Virtual and video interviews submitted from InitialView, Vericant, and the Duolingo English Test may be considered in our evaluation process, but please note that these interviews do not replace English language proficiency testing, when required.

Non-U.S. Citizens and Non-U.S. Permanent Residents are required to submit Northeastern’s Certification of Finances, which helps us obtain complete and accurate information about an applicant’s available funds. Verifying your financial resources is an essential process because Northeastern is unable to offer state or federally funded financial support to international applicants.

Northeastern expects all applicants to submit an application (essays, transcripts, test scores, etc.) that is entirely their own work. No part of the application can have been completed partially or completely, or significantly enhanced partially or completely, by persons (including paid agents, admissions support agencies, or personnel) other than the student. Use of such services violates Northeastern University policies, and may lead to the rejection of application materials, the revocation of an admissions offer, cancellation of admission, or involuntary withdrawal from the university.

You will receive several communications in the coming months, including financial planning resources, required international student documentation, registration details for spring admitted student events and New Student Orientation, housing and roommate assignments, and moving-in information. Please be sure to contact the Office of Undergraduate Admissions if your email address changes.

In addition, please review your Application Status Check and myNortheastern Admitted Student Portal for the most up-to-date information, and refer to what admitted students can expect and when.

Your Application Status Check provides an enrollment checklist, next steps, and important dates for enrollment. All international students must submit several forms and documents.

Please log into myOGS to submit a request for the issuance of the Certificate of Eligibility for F-1 or J-1 Student Status (Form I-20/DS-2019), along with all required supporting documents:

• Financial documentation indicating availability of funds equal to or exceeding the amount needed to attend Northeastern and pay for living expenses for at least a full academic year.
• A copy of the identity page of your passport.

MyOGS will guide you through every step of the process needed to request your Form I-20 or DS-2019 in order to either obtain or maintain your international student status.

Your nonrefundable enrollment deposit must be paid to reserve a place at Northeastern. The deposit includes a $250 international student fee, which covers a variety of services and programs to support international student life on campus.