The Office of International Programs strives to build bridges between cultures and countries. Our services support the UND international population, promote global cultural awareness, and provide resources and support for UND students studying abroad.  ( for more )

Welcome Video for International Students

• Who is an international student?
• How do international students apply?
• Deadlines for application and required documents
• Where do I send application, fee and required documents?
• When can I expect to find out whether I have been admitted?
• Undergraduate International Admission requirements
• Graduate International Admission requirements
• TOEFL - Test of English as a Foreign Language

• How can I improve my English language skills?
• International student financial statement
• Costs
• Financial loans or scholarships
• On-campus jobs
• Medical Insurance
• Immunizations
• Obtaining an F-1 student visa
• Office of International Programs
• About Grand Forks, ND
• Countries represented at UND
• Contact the Office of International Programs

For more information on UND and UND programs of study click here.

See the links on the left for Requesting Info and Virtual Advice.

Who is an International Student?

An international student is studying at a U.S. institution on a non-immigrant visa. Most international students admitted to UND obtain F-1 or J-1 visas.

Students who are studying at other U.S. institutions and have valid documents can transfer to UND without applying for a new visa. Please see admission requirements for transfer students.

How do international students apply?

Undergraduate

International undergraduate students may apply by online or you may use the International Student Application which may be downloaded, printed, and mailed to the UND Admission Offices. This form and other information is found at International Student Admissions.

Graduate

Please visit http://apply.embark.com/grad/northdakota to apply online .

Transfer Students

Please click here for more information.

Application and required documents deadlines

Undergraduate

Fall Semester (August - December) - May 1

Spring Semester (January - May) - October 1

For list of required documents

Graduate

Fall (August - December) Admission - May 1
Spring (January - May) Admission - September 1
Summer (May - August) Admission - February 1

Completing your application by the deadline will ensure full consideration for admission and financial assistance.

For International Student Graduate School application information

 

Where do I send application, fee and required documents?

Undergraduate

Apply by online or you may use the International Student Application which may be downloaded, printed, and mailed to the UND Admission Offices.

Please make sure that all admissions documentation and inquiries are directed to:

Office of Admissions
PO Box 8357
University of North Dakota
Grand Forks, North Dakota, 58202, U.S.A.

tel (00 +1) 701.777.3821

fax (00 +1) 701.777.2721

Graduate

Please see International Student Graduate School application information.

Graduate School
Twamley Hall, Room 414
PO Box 8178
Grand Forks, ND 58202

tel (00 +1) 701.777.2784

fax (00 +1) 701.777.3619

E-mail: gradschool@mail.und.nodak.edu

When can I expect to find out whether I have been admitted?

Once you have completed all the requirements for admission and have been accepted to UND, the admissions office (either undergraduate or graduate depending on your application) will send an I-20 request to the Office of International Programs.  The OIP usually completes I-20 requests within two working days. At that point, the I-20 form will be sent to the student (graduate students) or returned to the admissions office for mailing (undergraduate students).

Undergraduate international admission requirements

All forms to be filled out in English and typewritten.

1. One copy of the form entitled " Application for Undergraduate Admission for International Applicants."
2. Certified or photostatic copies of official records from each secondary or middle school, university and/or professional school attended. These records should cover the entire secondary school, university and/or professional school period, not just the latest institution attended. Your application will not be considered until your secondary school records are in our office.
3. One certificate of health (on form entitled "Certificate of Health").
4. One copy of the completed form entitled "Statement of Financial Responsibility."
5. One copy of TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) score, or completion of ELS Language Centers' Level 112, to be sent directly from the College Entrance Exam Board. Any student, whose first language is not English, must take this test in order to be considered for admission no matter how long the student has been in the U.S. or how many English courses the student has completed.
6. $35 (U.S. Funds) application fee.

Graduate international admission requirements

In order to complete the application, you will be required to submit the following items before being considered for admission:

1. A completed Graduate School application.
2. A $35 application fee, which is required of all applicants and will not be waived for any reason.
3. Two complete sets of official transcripts (one with English translation) for all undergraduate and graduate work attempted.
4. Official copy of your diploma or degree certificate (if you have already received your degree).
5. Three letters of reference.
6. Statement of purpose.
7. Required test scores (TOEFL scores older than two years are not valid and will not be accepted). All test scores must be sent directly by ETS.
8. Certification of Finances form or letter of sponsorship (accompanied by a certified bank statement).
9. A photocopy of your passport is recommended, but not required at this time.

TOEFL - Test of English as a Foreign Language

Undergraduate Students

Your application cannot be considered unless you can give evidence of a command of both written and spoken English, adequate for the profitable pursuit of University courses conducted entirely in that language. For undergraduate studies, you will be required to earn a scoreon the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL), of at least:

• 527 (paper based - PBT) or
• 195 (computer based - CBT) or
• 71 (Internet based- iBT)

You may also complete ELS Level 112 , or earn an overall score of at least 6.0 (undergraduate) or 6.5 (graduate) on the IELTS.

Graduate Students

For graduate studies applicants whose native language is not English must have a minimum TOEFL score of:

• 550 (paper based - PBT) or
• 213 (computer based - CBT) or
• 76 (internet based - iBT) with the following minimal scores: Speaking 23, Listening 19, Reading 19, writing 15

International Graduate School applicants who have received their bachelor's or master's degree in the United States or English-speaking Canada are not required to submit the TOEFL.

Please write to TOEFL, Educational Testing Service, Princeton, New Jersey, 08540, U.S.A., for an application form to take the test you may also access their web page at TOFEL.   The Institution Code for UND is 6878.

You must request that your scores be sent to:

Office of Admissions
PO Box 8357
University of North Dakota
Grand Forks, North Dakota, 58202, U.S.A.

How can I improve my English language skills?

ELS Language Centers is currently the provider for the intensive English language instruction at the University of North Dakota and can provide you with the English skills necessary for academic success.  The ELS Intensive English Programs are structured to accelerate your learning with maximum time in the classroom. Its design enables students to reach their academic and career goals in the shortest possible time period. You are encouraged to enroll in ELS if you haven't acquired the minimum TOEFL score to be admitted to UND or if you need assistance in improving your language skills. ELS programs are offered on a monthly basis.  See the ELS calendar for details.

International Student Financial Statement

For students who plan to enter the U.S. on an F-1 or J-1 student visa they are required to certify that you will have adequate financial support for your program of study at the University of North Dakota.  Complete support for your entire time of study at UND must be provided. Form I-20 or DS-2019 cannot be issued until you have completed this form satisfactorily and returned it to the Admissions Office. Information provided must be no more than six months old at the time of enrollment.

An international undergraduate student is required to use the UND form:

Undergraduate International Admissions Statement of Financial Responsibility

An international graduate student is required to use the UND form:

Graduate School Certification of Finances for International Students

Costs

What fees and cost of living expenses do international students pay?

Financial loans or scholarships

While many scholarships to U.S. schools seem to be only for U.S. citizens, there are some for which international and Canadian students are eligible. Contact the Financial Aid Office or visit their website for possibilities. Check out the possibilities on their Links page.

After the first year of school and upon the completion of 24 hours of credit, undergraduate students are eligible to apply for the International Student Tuition Scholarship. This scholarship is awarded in partial and full tuition amounts. A minimum GPA of 2.50 is required.

On-campus jobs

International students may work on campus up to 20 hours per week during the semester and up to 40 hours per week during winter/spring break and summer. To find out about on-campus jobs, go to http://www.und.edu/employment/

F-1/J-1 visa students are only eligible for on-campus jobs that are non-work study. Work Study jobs are a part of the federal financial aid program.

Medical Insurance Requirement

All international students are required to pay for mandatory student health insurance upon arrival to the university.  The student is automatically billed for this health insurance. The health insurance premium for the 2007-2008 is $894 for one academic year.

Immunizations

The State of North Dakota policy requires documentation of immunity against measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR). Documentation of immunity means:

a) Evidence of two doses of measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine no less than one month apart from a licensed physician or authorized representative of a state or local health department.

b) Proof of a positive serologic test for measles, mumps, and rubella

For more information follow this link to UND student health requirements.

Obtaining an F-1 student visa

You should apply for a visa at the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate in your home country using the Letter of Admissions and an I-20 from UND. If you have been accepted by several U.S. colleges or universities, do not apply for your F-1 student visa until you decide which institution you want to attend. Please only use the UND I-20 form to apply for a visa and enter the U.S. if you are planning to attend UND.

Office of International Programs

The Office of International Programs (OIP) helps international students who would like to apply to UND. Once a student is enrolled at UND, the OIP helps students adjust to life at the University and in the United States. The OIP offers orientation programs, workshops on important topics, and one-on-one counseling on immigration, academic, employment and financial matters.

The OIP employs courteous staff members who are sensitive to the needs and concerns of international students and eager to help make your stay enjoyable, omfortable and safe. Please contact the OIP at 701.777.4231 for further information. The OIP is located in the International Centre.

About Grand Forks, ND

Grand Forks is a city of approximately 50,000 people. Located in the heart of a rich agricultural area, at the fork of the Red Lake River and the Red River of the North, Grand Forks serves as a hub of agriculture, commerce, education, research, and health care for Northeastern North Dakota.

There are many indoor and outdoor recreational, cultural, and athletic activities throughout the year. The community offers the Alerus Center, the Ralph Engelstad Arena, the Grand Forks Symphony Orchestra, the Greater Grand Forks Master Chorale, the Fire Hall Theater, the Grand Forks County Historical Society and Myra Museum, the North Dakota Museum of Art and Hughes Fines Arts Center at UND, and many other cultural activities.

Grand Forks is a center of education, with 25 public schools and 7 private or parochial schools and the University of North Dakota. The excellent medical facilities include Altru Hospital, UND Family Practice Center, Grand Forks Clinic, Meritcare and Family Medical Center as well as many others.

It is very easy to travel in Grand Forks. There are city and UND buses that provide transportation on campus or around the city.

For more information and Grand Forks highlights visit the Greater Grand Forks Convention & Visitors Bureau.

Countries represented at UND

Currently there are students at UND from these countries:

Contact the Office of International Programs

University of North Dakota

Office of International Programs

2908 University Avenue

Box 7109

Grand Forks, ND  58202-7109   USA

tel  (00+1) 701.777.4231

fax (00+1) 701.777.4773

email: internationalprograms@mail.und.edu