College of Engineering, North Carolina State University

International Students

The College of Engineering attracts top students from across the world. Qualified international students are encouraged to apply to our degree programs. Application for admission to an engineering graduate program is made online through the Graduate School.

Certificate of Financial Responsibility:

In addition to transcripts and references, international applicants must submit a Certificate of Financial Responsibility (CFR), which certifies that the applicant has adequate financial resources for the intended period of enrollment. Many outstanding international applicants receive full or partial financial support in the form of teaching and research assistantships and tuition reduction.

English Proficiency Requirements:

In order to be eligible for admission to the Graduate School all international applicants, regardless of citizenship, must demonstrate proficiency in English at a level necessary to be successful in a graduate program at NC State. This requirement can be met for most applicants in one of the following ways; however, some programs may require additional evidence of English proficiency:

1. Provide Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) with a total score of at least 80 on the Internet-based Test (iBT) . Minimum test scores for each section are listed below:
   
   

   Minimum TOEFL iBT Section Scores

   Section	Scores
   Listening	18 points
   Reading	18 points
   Writing	18 points
   Speaking	18 points - for admission to the Graduate School
   	23 points - for TA appointment where TA has direct verbal interactions with students
   	26 points - for TA appointment where TA presents lectures in the class or laboratory

   
   NOTE: The current computer- and paper-based versions of the TOEFL test will be given until the iBT version is implemented in a particular location. Computer-based TOEFL scores must be 213 or higher (with at least 17 on three sections and no section score below 13). The paper-based test requires a score of 550 or higher (with scores of 50 on at least two of the three sections and no section score below 45).
2. Provide International English Language Testing System (IELTS) scores with an overall band score of at least 6.5 . Minimum test scores for each section are listed below:
   
   

   Minimum IELTS Section Scores

   Section	Scores
   Listening	6.5
   Reading	6.5
   Writing	6.5
   Speaking	6.5 - for admission to the Graduate School
   	7.0 - for TA appointment

3. Be a citizen of a country where English is an official language and the language of instruction in higher education.
4. Have successfully completed at least one year of full-time study in a degree program at a four-year US College or university.
5. TOEFL or IELTS test date must be no older than two years (24 months) prior to the beginning of the requested entry term.

For more on requirements and other information, please visit NC State's Office of International Services (OIS).