To successfully gain admission to a US degree or pathway program, students must meet minimum academic and English level entry requirements.
Academic entry requirements
You need good grades in previous academic study – high school or undergraduate degree – that are equivalent to the minimum Grade Point Average (GPA) for entry to your chosen degree, whether you join a pathway or enter directly.
English language level
If you have advanced English proficiency, you may be able to join a bachelor’s or master’s degree program immediately. You can start with a pathway program if your English level does not yet meet the requirements for a degree. Your English proficiency determines the length of your pathway program, normally from 1 to 3 semesters.
Generally, we accept scores from any of the following English language exams:
Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) iBT
Kaplan iBT
International English Language Testing System (IELTS)
Pearson Test of English (PTE)
For detailed entry requirements by US university and degree, download the relevant International Student Guide.
Our admissions team will be happy to advise you on the specific entry requirements for the pathway or program you wish to apply for. Contact one of our advisors.
What are the entry requirements?
Learn what you need to qualify for one of our programs
Typical academic and English requirements for US universities
For a completed US university application, you usually need to submit the following documents:
Proof of English Language Proficiency – this can be a TOEFL®, IELTS, Pearson PTE, Kaplan iBT or KITE result, or completion of a previous degree taught in English
Academic transcripts from previous study (including grade scale and English translation if originals are in another language)
Personal statement
Reference letters
Curriculum vitae (CV)/résumé (master’s applicants only)
Some US bachelor’s degrees require you to complete specific classes – called “pre-requisites” – and to submit the grades you earned, before you can start the program.
Master’s programs may require that you studied a specific degree subject (or “major”) during your undergraduate studies.
Some bachelor’s degree programs encourage applicants to submit standardized admission test scores (SAT or ACT) to be considered for tuition scholarships, but these are not required for international students.
Many master’s degree programs require students to submit graduate admission test scores (such as the GMAT or GRE) before their application is considered.
What if I need to improve my English before a pathway program?
For some of our pathway programs, if you do not meet the English language requirements, we can offer you conditional admission and advice on additional English preparation at one of our worldwide Kaplan International English schools. Get in touch with us for more information about your different options.
What can I do next?
We provide a streamlined way to apply to a US university. Click on one of the links below to start your application:
