International Students

We welcomed our first international student to UMass in 1870, and today we have 7,537 international students, all of whom are an essential part of our identity as a world-class public research university dedicated to advancing knowledge and transforming lives.

At UMass, we actively recruit the most innovative faculty, the brightest minds and the most promising entrepreneurs from around the world. We invite them to enrich our campuses with their knowledge and their perspectives, to spark the economy with cutting-edge ideas and inventions, and to work on collaborative research that solves global problems like HIV-AIDS and Ebola.

International students not only enrich our campuses; they are enriched by the opportunity to learn from and work with our distinguished faculty, who are a driving force for revolutionary research, development and discovery. In fact, UMass faculty include a Nobel Laureate, Pulitzer Prize winners, members of the National Academy of Sciences, an American Book Award winner and Fulbright, Guggenheim, MacArthur and Mellon fellows, making them some of the brightest minds in the world.

Because we are firmly committed to the quality of the international student experience at UMass, all of our campuses offer resources to ensure that international students have the support they need while living and learning in the U.S.

Learn More About UMass

Explore Academic Programs

UMass campuses offer hundreds of degree programs for both undergraduate and graduate students. Use our program finder to find the right one for you.

Learn About Our Campuses

The University of Massachusetts is a world-class public research university system with four comprehensive undergraduate and graduate campuses. Use this tool to determine which UMass campus is the best fit for you.

Undergraduate and Graduate Admissions Process

Admissions for international undergraduate students is handled by individual UMass campuses. Each campus has dedicated staff to help guide you through the process.

The application process for international students at UMass typically includes:

  • A completed application for undergraduate or graduate admission, which is available on each campus website. Applications may require scores from the Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT) of the College Entrance Examination Board (CEEB) or the American College Test (ACT). Requirements may include an essay and at least one letter recommendation.
  • Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL), International English Language Testing System (IELTS). This test is required of most international applicants, except in some native English-speaking countries. Consult each campus website for more information.
  • An application fee, which varies by campus.
  • A statement of purpose (graduate students).
  • A resume (graduate students)

Financial Aid and Scholarships

Financial aid is not typically offered for international students, but some of our campuses do offer merit scholarships

Obtaining a Student Visa

After acceptance to the University of Massachusetts, international students require a Form I-20 document to obtain a student visa to enter the United States. The I-20 is an immigration document issued by a campus certifying that a student has been admitted to a full-time study program and has the financial resources to live in the United States. The student will need to bring the I-20 to an American embassy or consulate when applying for a student visa.


Traveling to the United States

Our campus international offices provide resources and recommendations on traveling to and from the United States. Our campuses are close to several international airports, including Logan International Airport in Boston, Mass.; Bradley International Airport in Windsor Locks, Conn.; and T. F. Green International Airport in Providence, R.I.

Each UMass campus has an International Student and Scholars Office with dedicated professionals to provide support with I-20 issuance and help you navigate the student visa process.

Use the links below to connect with the international student offices on our campuses.