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International Student Admissions Process and Requirements

Applying to an international university has unique processes and requirements. We’ve broken down the application steps for new students and transfer students below.


New International Students

A new international student is a current high school student who will be attending a college or university for the first time. Entering students may submit an application at any time after the completion of their junior year of high school. To apply to Concordia as a first-time international student, follow the steps below.

Application Steps

Note: Concordia grants college credit for Credit by Exam Scores. Students may transfer a maximum of 30 non-accredited credits by exam (AP, CLEP, DSST, or IB units).

Mail to:

Office of Undergraduate Admissions
Concordia University Irvine
1530 Concordia West
Irvine, CA 92612

The student must submit scores from one of the following standardized tests: SAT, ACT, TOEFL, IELTS. Scores must be sent directly from the testing institution to the Office of Undergraduate Admissions. Copies are considered unofficial documents.

  1. Complete the Application
  2. Submit Official College Transcripts
    • Submit a transcript from each secondary and post-secondary school attended, current through the time of application. High School transcripts will be considered official only when sent through the mail in a sealed envelope or hand-carried to Concordia University Irvine in a sealed envelope.
    • ALL non-US equivalent transcripts must arrive with a certified English evaluation and translation documenting your coursework, examinations taken, grades received, passing and maximum marks, and evidence of secondary school graduation. The student must have a minimum GPA of 2.8 on a 4.0 scale, or equivalent to that according to the grading system used by the country that a student is applying from.
    • (Please note that CUI does not have a translation or evaluation service, and students are required to submit records in English. If the school does not issue an English translation, or if the transcript is not calculated into the US GPA grading system, the student is responsible for getting an official translation done. Please contact IERF and ask for a Detail Report (also known as a course-by-course report)
  3. Submit Official Test Scores
    • SAT: The student must have at least a 430 Evidenced-Based Reading and Writing score, Total Score for Evidenced-Based Reading, Writing and Math 980. School Code 4069
    • ACT: The student must have a minimum composite score of 18. School Code 0027
    • TOEFL: This is an English language proficiency test taken by non-native English speakers. Students must have a minimum iBT score of 79
    • IELTS: Students must have a minimum band of 6.5.

Note: Official Test Score Reports must be mailed directly from the Testing Center in a sealed envelope or hand-carried to the Admissions Office:

Office of Undergraduate Admissions
Concordia University Irvine
1530 Concordia West
Irvine, CA 92612


International Transfer Admission Requirements

Concordia welcomes students who have already begun their undergraduate studies and wish to transfer to CUI. To apply to Concordia as a transfer international student, follow the steps below.

Application Steps

Note: Official transcripts must be mailed directly from the college in a sealed envelope or hand-carried to the Admissions Office:

Office of Undergraduate Admissions
Concordia University Irvine
1530 Concordia West
Irvine, CA 92612

The student must submit scores from one of the following standardized tests: SAT, ACT, TOEFL, IELTS. Scores must be sent directly from the testing institution to the Office of Undergraduate Admissions. Copies are considered unofficial documents.

  1. Complete the Application
  2. Submit Official College Transcripts

    Office of Undergraduate Admissions
    Concordia University Irvine
    1530 Concordia West
    Irvine, CA 92612

    • If transferring from a school within the United States:
    • Official transcript from each institution attended, covering all collegiate-level work undertaken outside of Concordia. Good standing at each institution is required.
    • If transferring from a school outside of the United States:
    • Official transcript from each institution attended, covering all collegiate-level work undertaken outside of Concordia. Good standing at each institution is required.
    • ALL non-US equivalent transcripts must arrive with a certified English evaluation and translation documenting your coursework, examinations taken, grades received, passing and maximum marks, and evidence of secondary school graduation. The student must have a minimum GPA of 2.8 on a 4.0 scale, or equivalent to that according to the grading system used by the country that a student is applying from.
    • (Please note that CUI does not have a translation or evaluation service, and students are required to submit records in English. If the school does not issue an English translation, or if the transcript is not calculated into the US GPA grading system, the student is responsible for getting an official translation done. Please contact IERF and ask for a Detail Report (also known as a course-by-course report).
  3. Submit Official Test Scores
    • SAT: The student must have at least a 430 Evidenced-Based Reading and Writing score, Total Score for Evidenced-Based Reading, Writing and Math 980. School Code 4069.
    • ACT: The student must have a minimum composite score of 18. School Code 0027.
    • TOEFL: This is an English language proficiency test taken by non-native English speakers. Students must have a minimum iBT score of 79.
    • IELTS: Students must have a minimum band of 6.5.

Note: Official Test Score Reports must be mailed directly from the Testing Center in a sealed envelope or hand-carried to the Admissions Office:

Office of Undergraduate Admissions
Concordia University Irvine
1530 Concordia West
Irvine, CA 92612


Application Deadlines

Fall Semester

Type Outside the US Inside the US
Application Deadline June 1 July 1
Deposit Deadline July 15 August 1

Spring Semester

Type Outside the US Inside the US
Application Deadline November 1 December 1
Deposit Deadline December 1 December 15

Contact us

If you have questions about our admissions process or requirements, please contact us.

Phone: 800.229.1200, ext. 3010 or 949.214.3010
Email: [email protected]

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