International Students
International students find the city of San Francisco a welcoming place to live and study. International students are an essential and valuable part of the richly diverse community at USF. The university's 10,034 students includes 4,065 graduate students and 1,343 international students.
How To Apply
First, please review the main How to Apply page and the sections on your individual program’s How to Apply page.
In addition, international applicants are required to upload additional items to the online application.
No documents should be mailed or emailed to USF at time of application.
Additional Items
Proof of Funding for F-1 Visa
Proof of funding is required for any applicant seeking an F1 visa. If the funds are not in your name, a simple sponsor statement is also required.
Learn more about Proof of Funding for F1 Visas
English Language Exam
Visit our Tests & Scores page for English Language exam minimums, exam exceptions, and countries exempted from English Language exams.
Learn more about Tests & Scores
International Address
Your permanent address on the application needs to be an international address.
International Transcripts
Your transcripts need to be in the original language of your university, and in English translation. Include proof of degree conferral in the original language and in English. If you have not graduated yet, include proof of enrollment. Three-year Bachelor’s degrees are accepted for admission review.
Passport
Upload your passport’s photo/information page.
Financial Aid
At time of admission review, all international students are considered for scholarships or assistantships that may be offered by a graduate program. There is no separate application for these scholarships and teaching assistantships.
International Student and Scholar Services (ISSS)
ISSS provides important advice to international students about the visa application process, immigration documents, immunization requirements, pre-departure information, and mandatory International Student Orientation.
You are also required to attend your graduate program’s orientation, as well as the International Student Orientation.
The International Experience
- Brazil
- Italy
- Kenya
- Norway
- Turkey
Brazil
"USF, is centrally located. There are many options for internships and working after you graduate. You have full support from the university since day one."
— Gabriela Valpato
Italy
"USF gives Italian students the benefit or the advantage of experiencing something really different from the Italian system. You get to know people and professors, and everybody is super welcoming."
— Michele Robatto
Kenya
"You literally get a one-on-one with a professor if need be. You can get them on email anytime. And the fact that they are approachable, it's just different from back home. I would tell anyone who's going to study abroad, this is the place to be."
— Fiona Onyango
Norway
"What I like about USF is their affiliation with their alums. You can reach out to them and they're willing to help you. That's what I'm benefiting from today. they're helping me on my path of creating my own business."
— Ole Martin Vebenstad
Turkey
"San Francisco is a major hub of innovation. You can randomly meet someone and they happen to work at the biggest technology company in the world. You can get inspired easily by just meeting new people."
— Yagiz Yar
Office of Graduate Admission: College of Arts and Sciences
2130 Fulton St.
San Francisco, CA 94117
Monday–Friday
8:30 a.m. – 5 p.m.