Steps to Apply
1. Complete your application.
Applications must be completed prior to the following dates:
- Spring (January) Application Deadline: Nov. 1
- Fall (August) Application Deadline: June 15
2. Submit English proficiency exams.
Submit ONE of the following options:
- Official TOEFL iBT (sent from the testing agency): 61*
- Official TOEFL PBT (sent from the testing agency): 500*
- Official Pearson PTE (sent from the testing agency): 44
- Scanned Academic IELTS result with clear TRF: 5.5*
- Online E3PT Exam (sent from the testing agency): 62
- Online iTEP Exam (sent from the testing agency): 3.6
- Duolingo (sent from the testing agency): 90
*Note: TOEFL or Academic IELTS scores must be submitted within two years of examination date.
Institution code for SDSU is 6653 for TOEFL. Certified true copies may be submitted for initial review.
- Official TOEFL Results: Valid scores from test taken in the last two years must be sent to SDSU School Code 6653. *MyBest score is now accepted.
- iBT: 61
- Paper-delivered test: 48
- Paper Based: 500
- IELTS Valid scores from test taken in the last two years with clear TRF must be sent with your admission documents.
- IELTS Academic overall score 5.5
- Online E3PT Exam must be sent to SDSU directly from E3PT.
- E3PT overall score 62
- Online iTEP Exam must be sent to SDSU directly from iTEP.
- iTEP overall score 3.6
- Duolingo Exam must be sent to SDSU directly from Duolingo.
- Duolingo overall score 90.
- Pearson Valid scores from test taken in the last two years must be sent to SDSU directly from Pearson.
- PTE Academic overall score 44
- Scholastic Aptitude Test “SAT” scores must be sent to SDSU School Code 6653.
- (Redesigned): 490 Reading and Writing
- (Old): 480 Critical Reading
- ACT scores must be sent to SDSU School Code 3924.
- Composite score of 18
- IGCSE O-level English: “B” or higher
- IB Curriculum English A Higher Level: Score of 5 or higher
- C or better on College English Composition Class from U.S. University or Community College
- Cambridge CAE or CPE (pass grade)
Countries that may receive a waiver from exams:
- Antigua and Barbuda
- Anguilla
- Australia
- Bahamas, The
- Barbados
- Belize
- British Virgin Islands
- Canada (except Quebec)
- Cook Islands
- Dominica
- Fiji
- Ghana (with B3 or better on WAEC English)
- Grenada
- Ireland
- Jamaica
- Liberia (with B3 or better on WAEC English)
- Malta
- Micronesia
- Montserrat
- New Zealand
- Nigeria (with B3 or better on WAEC English)
- Pitcairn Islands
- Saint Helena
- Saint Kitts and Nevis
- Saint Lucia
- Samoa
- Singapore
- South Africa
- Trinidad and Tobago
- Turks and Caicos Islands
- UK (England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland)
3. Submit all academic records.
We require original or attested copies of all academic records at the time of application. This includes all transcripts, certificates, diplomas (including secondary and post-secondary).
Country | Minimum Average Requirement | Records Required |
---|---|---|
Afghanistan | 65% |
|
Algeria | 11.0/20.0 |
|
Argentina | 7.0/10.0 |
|
Australia | 65% |
|
Austria | Pass with good results |
|
Bahamas | Minimum average 66 out of 100, or the equivalent in the U.S. system a 2.60 grade point average (GPA) on a 4.00 GPA grading scale |
|
Bahrain | Minimum average 67 out of 100, or the equivalent in the U.S. system: 2.60 grade point average (GPA) on a 4.00 GPA grading scale |
|
Bangladesh | Minimum average of 50 on a 100 point grading scale (Bangla medium), 60 out of 100 (English medium), or II (Second Division). Or the equivalent in the U.S. system: a 'B' average or a 2.60 grade point average (GPA) on a 4.00 GPA grading scale. |
|
Belarus | 3.2/5.0 |
|
Belgium | 12.5/20.0 |
|
Belize | 5 passes of IV © on CSEC, or 2 passes of V on CAPE |
|
Benin | 12.0/20.0 |
|
Bhutan | 12.0/20.0 |
|
Bolivia | 5.0/7.0 (Bueno) |
|
Minimum average of 6 out of 10 or MS-Average Superior/Above Average. Or the equivalent in the U.S. system: a 'B' average or a 2.60 grade point average (GPA) on a 4.00 GPA grading scale. |
| |
Bulgaria | 4.0/6.0 |
|
Burkina Faso | 11.0/20.0 |
|
Burma (please see Myanmar) | ||
Burundi | 65% |
|
A minimum average of a 'B-' or 66 out of 100 ("Good"). Or the equivalent in the U.S. system: a 'B-' average or a 2.60 grade point average (GPA) on a 4.00 GPA grading scale. |
| |
Chile | 4.5/7.0 |
|
Minimum average of 75 on a 100 point grading. Or the equivalent in the U.S. system: a 'B' average or a 2.60 grade point average (GPA) on a 4.00 GPA grading scale. |
| |
Colombia | 3.5/5.0 or 7.5/10.0 |
|
Congo (Democratic Republic of) | Need a 52.5% or 10.5 average on a 20 point scale or the equivalent in the U.S. system: a 'B' average or a 2.60 grade point average (GPA) on a 4.00 GPA grading scale. |
|
Congo (Brazzaville) | Need a 52.5% or 10.5 average on a 20 point scale or the equivalent in the U.S. system: a 'B' average or a 2.60 grade point average (GPA) on a 4.00 GPA grading scale. |
|
Costa Rica | Minimum average of 7 out of 10, 70 out of 100, Notable, or Very Good. Or the equivalent in the U.S. system: a 'B' average or a 2.60 grade point average (GPA) on a 4.00 GPA grading scale. |
|
Côte d'Ivoire | 11.0/20.0 |
|
Denmark | 4.0/12.0 or C's on ECTS grading scale |
|
Djibouti | 12.0/20.0 |
|
Dominican Republic | Dominican Republic's system: 70 out of 100, 3 out of 5, Muy Bueno/Very Good. |
|
Ecuador | Minimum average of 7 out of 10, 15 out of 20, 60 out of 80, 75 out of 100 or Bueno/Good. |
|
Egypt | Minimum average of 65 out of 100, Gayed, Good |
|
El Salvador | 6.75/10.0 |
|
Ethiopia | Minimum average of 65 out of 100. |
|
France | Minimum average of 12 out of 20, Assez Bien, Good |
|
Gabon | 11.0/20.0 |
|
Gambia | WAEC/WASSCE: 5 C4s or one C5 is allowed with B3 or better in English to waive TOEFL or IELTS. The equivalent in the U.S. system: A 'B' average or a 3.00 grade point average (GPA) on a 4.00 GPA grading scale. |
|
Georgia | 6.75/10.0 |
|
Germany | 3.5/6.0 or 7.0/15.0 (Befriedigend) |
|
Ghana | WAEC/WASSCE: 5 C4s or one C5 is allowed with B3 or better in English to waive TOEFL or IELTS. The equivalent in the U.S. system: a 'B' average or a 3.00 grade point average (GPA) on a 4.00 GPA grading scale. |
|
Great Britain | Minimum C pass in all core subjects. |
|
Greece | Average high school academic performance of at least 6 out of 10 or 12.5 out of 20. |
|
GSCE, IGCSE, AS, A Level Curriculum | Minimum 5 Credit Passes at O Level. (Grade C or better.) |
|
Guatemala | Minimum average of 65 out of 100 (when minimum passing grade equals 51), 70 out of 100 (when minimum passing grade equals 61), Muy Bueno. |
|
Guyana | 5 passes of IV on CSEC or 2 passes of V on CAPE |
|
Honduras | Minimum average of 3.50 out of 5, 67 out of 100, Muy Bueno . Or the equivalent in the U.S. system: a 'B' average or a 2.60 grade point average (GPA) on a 4.00 GPA grading scale. |
|
International Baccalaureate (IB) | Applicants should be averaging 4's and 5's |
|
Iceland | 6.0/10.0 |
|
India | Minimum average of 60 on a 100 point grading scale, or the equivalent in the U.S. system: a 'B' average or a 2.60 grade point average (GPA) on a 4.00 GPA grading scale. |
|
Indonesia | Minimum average of 6 on a 10 point grading scale |
|
Iran (Islamic Republic of) | 14.0/20.0 |
|
Iraq | Minimum cumulative percentage of 70% or higher out of 100%. |
|
Ireland | 75% or Cs |
|
Italy | 7.7/10.0 average or 50/60 on Maturita |
|
Jamaica | 5 passes of IV on CSEC or 2 passes of V on CAPE |
|
Japan | Minimum average of 3.5 on a 5 point grading scale. |
|
Jordan | Minimum average of 65 on the 100 point grading scale. |
|
Kazakhstan | Minimum average of 3 out of 5 (before 2011) or ECTS average of Cs. The equivalent in the U.S. system: A 'B-' average or a 2.6 grade point average (GPA) on a 4.00 GPA grading scale. |
|
Kenya | Kenya National Examinations Council (KNEC), equivalent 2.6 GPA or better (B- average) |
|
Korea (Republic of) | 75% or Rank 5 (U of Mi) |
|
Minimum average of 70 on the 100 point grading scale. |
| |
Kyrgyzstan | 75% |
|
Latvia | Minimum C pass in all core subjects. |
|
Lebanon | 11.0/20.0 |
|
Lesotho | 5 passes of C |
|
Liberia | 5 passes of Grade 5 with an aggregate between 9-30 (or 75% if exam results not yet available) |
|
Libya | Minimum average of 65 on a 100 point grading scale. Or the equivalent in the U.S. system: a 'B' average or a 2.60 grade point average (GPA) on a 4.00 GPA grading scale. |
|
Lithuania | 7.0/10.0 |
|
Luxembourg | 35/60 or 11.0/20.0 (assez bien) |
|
Malaysia | Min. C pass in all core subjects |
|
Mauritania | 12.0/20.0 |
|
Mexico | Minimum average of 7 on a 10 point grading scale. |
|
Mongolia | GPA of 2.6 on a scale of 4; or 76% out of 100. |
|
Montenegro | 3.5/5.0 or 70% |
|
Morocco | A minimum average of 10 out of 20, Assez Bien, Good |
|
Myanmar (Burma) | 65% |
|
Nepal | A minimum average of top half of the Second Division, Merit. or 52.5%. Or the equivalent in the U.S. system: a 'B' average or a 2.60 grade point average (GPA) on a 4.00 GPA grading scale. |
|
Netherlands | 7.0/10.0 |
|
New Zealand | 75% or A (Achieved) |
|
Niger | 11.0/20.0 |
|
Nigeria | WAEC/WASSCE: A student must earn 5 C4s or better in 5 separate subject areas. At the University's discretion, one C5 may be considered in place of one C4. Students must earn a B3 or better in English to waive TOEFL or IELTS. The equivalent in the U.S. system: a 'B' average or a 3.00-grade point average (GPA) on a 4.00 GPA grading scale. |
|
Norway | 3.0/6.0 |
|
Pakistan | Minimum Average of 60% on the HSC or equivalent in the U.S. system: B average or 2.60 on a 4.00 GPA grading scale. |
|
Palestinian National Authority | 65% |
|
Peru | 11.0/20.0 |
|
Philippines | 3.0/5.0 or 80% (MS) |
|
Poland | 4.0/6.0 |
|
Portugal | 11.0/20.0 |
|
Qatar | 840 or 65% in Obtained Marks |
|
Russia | Minimum average of 3 out of 5, Khorosho, Good |
|
Rwanda | 65% |
|
Saudi Arabia | Minimum average of 70 on a 100 point grading scale. |
|
Senegal | 11.0/20.0 |
|
Serbia | 3.5/5.0 or 70% |
|
Singapore | 5 passes of C |
|
South Africa | Minimum average of 60 out of 100 (Good),4 out of 7 (Good). |
|
Spain | 6.5/10.0 or Cs on ECTS scale |
|
Sri Lanka | 2.6 GPA Equivalent (B-) average for both O and A levels |
|
Sudan | 70% |
|
Sweden | 13.0/20.0 (where VG=15 and G=10) |
|
Syria | 62.5% |
|
Taiwan | 70% |
|
Tanzania | Cs |
|
Thailand | Minimum average of 2.60 on a 4 point grading scale. Or the equivalent in the U.S. system: a 'B' average or a 2.60 grade point average (GPA) on a 4.00 GPA grading scale. |
|
Togo | 11.0/20.0 |
|
Trinidad and Tobago | 5 passes of IV on CSEC, 2 passes of V on CAPE, or minimum C pass in all core subjects |
|
Tunisia | Applicants must have an overall average of 12/20 in their academic subjects. |
|
Turkey | Level 5 or C (Orta) |
|
Turkmenistan | 3.5/5.0 |
|
Uganda | Level 5 or C |
|
United Arab Emirates | In the U.A.E. system: a minimum average of 70 on a 100 point grading scale. Or the equivalent in the U.S. system: a 'B-' average or a 2.60 grade point average (GPA) on a 4.00 GPA grading scale. |
|
Uruguay | 4.0/6.0 or 6.0/12.0 |
|
Uzbekistan | 70% or 3.5/5.0 |
|
Venezuela | Minimum average of 11 out of 20, 6 out of 9, Bueno/Good or Outstanding. Or the equivalent in the U.S. system: a 'B' average or a 2.60 grade point average (GPA) on a 4.00 GPA grading scale. |
|
Vietnam | Minimum average of 6 on a 10 point grading scale, or 24 on a 40 point grading scale. Or the equivalent in the U.S. system: a 'B' average or a 2.60 grade point average (GPA) on a 4.00 GPA grading scale. |
|
Zambia | 62.5% |
|
Zimbabwe | Minimum C pass in all core subjects. |
|
International students transferring from a College or University within the United States:
As part of the admission process, you must request official transcripts be sent directly from your home institution to SDSU. Transcripts delivered by the applicant are not considered official. The international office will send the documents to the Records and Registration Office to be evaluated. This evaluation will determine the number of credits that will transfer to SDSU and the class standing of the incoming student.
If you would like an idea of how the courses you have taken at a U.S. College or University, please use our transfer equivalency calculator.
International students transferring from a College or University outside of the United States:
Coursework completed at post-secondary institutions outside of the U.S. must be submitted for a course-by-course evaluation. South Dakota State University considers evaluations from World Education Services (WES) to be more accurate than other evaluation services. If you would like to have an idea about how many credits may transfer BEFORE you arrive in the U.S., you must provide SDSU with a course-by-course evaluation from WES. We also recommend requesting the WES International Credential Advantage (ICAP) package, as that includes an official copy of your transcript. If you do not select that option, you must request that official post-secondary transcripts be sent to SDSU directly from your previous institution(s).
The cost of the evaluation is paid by the student. This process should be started as soon as the student receives a visa. Due to the differences in the educational systems around the world, South Dakota State University reserves the right to require you to take the necessary courses to meet the requirements of your desired program.
The sooner you complete the credit evaluation process, the better we will be able to provide you with accurate, academic advising for you to fulfill your degree requirements at SDSU.
4. Submit the Financial Certification Form.
5. Submit Current Bank Documents to support the amount listed on the Financial Certification*.
The bank documents must meet the following requirements:
- Bank Statement or Bank Letter with signatures and bank seal or stamp
- Clearly list the type of currency and amount of funds
- Match the name of the signer on the Financial Certification
- Have an issue date within 6 months of the receipt of the application
- Written in English or provided with a certified translation
6. Submit a copy of your passport biographical page.
7. Submit a copy of your I-20.
- If you are currently in the U.S.
* The 2023-2024 estimated cost of attendance for an average plan of study is $25,322.00, depending on the applicant's age (not including dependents). See the amount required for I-20 issuance.
Submit materials and documents in one of two ways.