International Graduate Admissions Guidelines
The University of New Mexico welcomes applications from international students who have earned distinguished academic records and have demonstrated English proficiency. At UNM we are proud to claim one of the most ethnically diverse student bodies among universities anywhere in the United States. Our academic programs consistently rank among the top in universities across the US, year after year. UNM's faculty is distinguished by Nobel Laureates, Fulbright recipients, and nationally recognized academians.
To be eligible for graduate study at the University of New Mexico, graduate applicants must satisfy the following requirements:
1. Have earned a degree that is equivalent to the American bachelor's degree. For example: some bachelor's degrees are based on three-year programs and are not considered equivalent to the U.S. bachelor's degree. Also, completion of upper secondary or high school education and is not equivalent to a U.S. bachelor's degree.
International university level transcripts require a course-by-course evaluation with a calculated U.S. equivalent grade point average. UNM will review your credentials during review of your application for admission. For faster service, you may elect to have your transcripts evaluated by a member of the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (NACES). Official evaluations must be forwarded directly to UNM from the evaluation service.
2. Have earned a minimum of a 3.0 gpa (on a U.S. 4.0 scale) or comparable grade point average in upper-division (junior and senior level) work and in any graduate work already completed.
3. Have earned a satisfactory score on the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) or the Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT) as required by the major academic department or college.
4.Have completed adequate subject preparation for your proposed graduate major. Meeting the minimum requirements does not guarantee admission since some graduate programs have higher standards and may have limited space. Therefore, it is very important that you also contact the department to which you wish to be admitted.
5.Demonstrate proficiency in English. If English is not your first language or if English is not the official language spoken in your country, you must submit results of either the International English Language Testing System (IELTS), the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL), the University of Cambridge Examinations Certificate of Proficiency in English (CPE), or Certificate of Advanced English (CAE). International students whose native language is not English and are seeking graduate teaching assistantships, may also be required to submit an acceptable score on the Test of Spoken English (TSE). Applicants who have received a bachelor's or graduate degree from an accredited institution in the United States, English-speaking Canada, the United Kingdom, South Africa, Australia, or New Zealand are exempt from submitting IELTS, TOEFL, CPE, or CAE scores. Please contact this office if you require additional information
Apply by mail.
English Proficiency Test Requirements
|
Paper Test |
Computer Test |
IBT |
| Graduate TOEFL |
550 |
213 |
79-80 |
|
Graduate IELTS
|
7.0 |
7.0 |
7.0 |
The Cambridge test may also be accepted with a satisfactory score of C or better for graduate students.
Submitting Academic Documents
All academic records must be original or certified copy with the original seal of the issuing institution or ministry of education, signed by an appropriate authority. Records must be in their original language and an official certified English translation must accompany the records. Credentialed certified by a Notary Public, Commissioner of Oath or Sworn Translator are NOT accepted. If you have attended a U.S. institution, official credentials must be sent to our office directly from the institution attended in a sealed envelope.
International university level transcripts require a course-by-course evaluation with a calculated U.S. equivalent grade point average. UNM will review your credentials during review of your application for admission. For faster service, you may elect to have your transcripts evaluated by a member of the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (NACES). Official evaluations must be forwarded directly to UNM from the evaluation service.
Financial Responsibility Form
Once admissions is offered, the student must submit the Certification of Financial Responsibility Form and official bank statements indicating that you have sufficient funds to support your studies at the University. If you are being sponsored by an agency or relatives, you must submit an official statement from your sponsor. The estimated cost for the academic year 2010/2011 is as follow:
- Undergraduate = $32,485.00
- Graduate = $28,041.00
Please see breakdown of cost for out-of-state/international students: Financial Responsibility Form.
Amigo Scholarship Program for International Graduate Students
Stipend: The Amigo Scholarship program, formally designated as the Competitive Scholarship Program by the New Mexico Department of Higher Education, allows qualified international graduate students to pay in-state tuition rates (including differential tuition) and receive a $200.00 stipend per academic year if they meet the eligibility criteria. The Amigo Scholarship is a tuition-specific award and does not convert to a cash award if the recipient’s tuition is covered by other means, such as an assistantship or scholarship.
Eligibility: Potential recipients of the Amigo scholarship will be divided into three categories, with priority for awards by statute going to Category 1 and 2 candidates.
- Category 1 recipients must be new, first time international graduate students, attending fulltime (at least 9 credit hours a semester for a total of 18 credit hours for the academic year), who do not have assistantship or other support that pays tuition.
- Category 2 recipients are returning fulltime UNM international graduate who were previously awarded the Amigo scholarship, whose award falls within the renewal period (four semesters for Master’s students, eight semesters for doctoral students), who are in good academic standing and who do not have assistantship or other support that pays tuition.
- Category 3 recipients are returning full-time international graduate students in good academic standing who have not previously held an Amigo Scholarship and who do not have assistantship or other support that pays tuition.
Note to students: If you will be a new, first-time international graduate student enrolled fulltime or if you are a returning international graduate student and do not hold an assistantship or any other award that pays tuition, please contact your department before March 1 to get on the list of proposed candidates from your department for this award.
Renewal: Category 1 and Category 2 scholarships within their renewal period may be renewed automatically so long as the recipients remain in good academic standing and continue to meet all of the eligibility criteria. Master’s scholarships are renewable for up to four semesters; doctoral scholarships, for up to eight semesters. Category 3 scholarships are awarded for one year (two semesters) only and do not renew automatically. Priority for Category 3 recipients will go to those students who have only one year left in their program.
