International Students

Penn GSE is one of the most diverse schools on the University of Pennsylvania’s campus. We have students from all walks of life in various stages of their education and careers, coming from more than 35 countries across the globe, representing nearly 40 percent of our student body. 

International Student Application Requirements

In addition to the standard application requirements, international students should review the instructions for English language requirements and transcript evaluations. Due to the additional time associated with the international credential evaluation process, international applicants are strongly encouraged to plan ahead and begin gathering their transcripts at least 12 weeks in advance of the stated program deadlines.

English Language Proficiency Exams (TOEFL/IELTS)

The internet-based Test of English as a Foreign Language: TOEFL (iBT) or the International English Language Testing System: IELTS is required of applicants whose native language is not English. If you have an undergraduate or graduate degree from an institution in which the sole language of instruction is English, you are exempt from this requirement. 

If you are submitting TOEFL (iBT) scores, request an official copy of your scores to be sent directly to Penn GSE using institution code 2943. To submit IELTS scores, request an official copy of your standardized test scores to be sent directly to Penn GSE using the IELTS E-Delivery Account Name: University of Pennsylvania Graduate School of Education. Confirm that you have selected the correct department by verifying that the associated address is for the account is: 3700 Walnut Street, Philadelphia, PA 19104-6216.

Transcript Evaluation

All students must have (or will have prior to matriculation) the equivalent of a U.S. bachelor's degree to be considered for admission. Applicants with international degrees and/or coursework must have their educational credentials evaluated, course-by-course, using a member of the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (NACES). A course-by-course evaluation includes elements related to your prior studies: (1) the courses taken as part of your studies; (2) the grades received for those courses; (3) the actual degree or title conferred; and (4) the date the degree was conferred or awarded. For a list of NACES agencies, go to www.naces.org/members.

Penn GSE does not accept transcripts directly from institutions outside the U.S. nor English language translations of such transcripts. Any document uploaded as a transcript for an institution outside of the U.S. without the NACES course-by-course evaluation will not be reviewed and your application will be considered incomplete. Be mindful of the application's deadline and plan in advance; transcript evaluations can take 8-12 weeks to complete.

Financial Aid for International Students

Find information on funding and financial aid on the Penn GSE Funding Opportunities and External Funding Opportunities pages.