Apply as an International First-Year Student

Choose Your Application

Complete and submit only one of the applications below. A $50 non-refundable fee is required.

Select “University at Buffalo (SUNY).”

Select “Buffalo, University at."

After You Apply

We will send you an email with a unique link to your Applicant Status Page, where you can monitor your application status. You are strongly encouraged to check this page regularly for updates about your application.

Fall 2026 Dates & Deadlines

International Students (First-Year and Transfer)
Ìý Application opens August 1
Ìý Early Action November 1
Ìý Regular Decision application completion deadline February 1
Students can continue to submit an application for consideration until capacity is reached.
Ìý Honors College consideration December 1
Ìý Enrollment/Tuition Deposit deadline May 1
or 10 days after acceptance, whichever is later.
Ìý Housing Deposit deadline May 15
Ìý Classes begin August
See UB Academic Calendar

International First-Year Admissions Requirements

First-year/first-time admission to the University at Buffalo is based on a holistic review of your application that considers your academic marks, test scores, essay and recommendations.

We are looking for students who excel academically, engage in extracurricular activities and maintain a good school-life balance.

*Any document not written in English must be accompanied by an English translation. 

Academics English Proficiency Standardized Tests Other Requirements

English Proficiency Test Type and Minimum Scores

Below are the minimum scores to be eligible for consideration for admission to UB's undergraduate programs.

TEST

MINIMUM SCORES

Ìý(including MyBest scores)

 70
8.5
ÌýandÌý
 523

6.0
Ìý
 105

50

Ìý(English AND reading sections)

 18
ÌýERWS
 500
English A: Language & Literature IB grade of 5 or letter grade equivalent (HL and/or SL)
English Language & Composition Score of 4 on the exam AND/OR a grade of B in the class
British Curriculum (I)GCSE (O levels) English First Language Result of CÌý
British Curriculum GCE (AS/A levels) English Language and/or English Language & Literature Result of CÌý
  • Scores must be less than two years old at the time of admission.
  • Self-reported scores may be submitted for initial review.
  • Official scores must be sent directly to UB from the testing agency.
  • Use the following to send your scores to UB:
    • TOEFL: 2925
    • IELTS: University at Buffalo – SUNY
    • Duolingo: University at Buffalo, The State University of New York, Undergraduate, New York, USA

Undergraduate English Language Proficiency Test Exemption

English proficiency can be demonstrated without a test in one of the following ways:

1. Native Speaker

Applicants who meet all three criteria listed below may be exempted from the requirement of submitting an English proficiency test score. The applicant is:
  • A citizen of Australia, the Bahamas, Canada, Guam, Ireland, Jamaica, Kenya, New Zealand, Nigeria, Singapore or the United Kingdom (England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland); and    
  • A native speaker of English; and
  • Was educated entirely in English.

2. U.S. Post-Secondary Education

Transfer applicants currently enrolled in a U.S. college who have:

  • Completed at least one term (quarter or semester) of a U.S. college English composition class with an earned grade of B or better and an overall college GPA of at least 3.0 (out of 4.0) and strong grades in classes that typically require significant reading and writing. 

OR

  • Completed at least two terms (quarters or semesters) of a U.S. college English composition classes with an earned grade of C or better in each class, and good grades in classes that typically require significant reading and writing. 

ESL classes, remedial English classes, and foundation English classes (for example, non-credit intensive English classes/programs) are not recognized for this waiver.