Undergraduate
International Transfer Student Admission Requirements
While the competition to be admitted to USF is at an all-time high, the process of applying is simple. Unless otherwise noted, our transfer requirements and deadlines are consistent across all three campuses: Tampa campus, St. Petersburg campus and Sarasota-Manatee campus.
GENERAL REQUIREMENTS FOR ALL MAJORS
USF has set standard requirements for admission that all applicants to our university must meet, outlined below.
Our How to Apply page will guide you through the process of applying to USF as a transfer student.
TERMINOLOGY
- Lower-Level (LL) Transfer = A lower-level transfer student is defined as someone who has completed 12-29 transferable
hours as determined by the USF Office of Admissions.
- Must have completed at least 12 hours of post-secondary work after high school graduation. If your college hours were completed during high school, you should apply as a first-time-in-college (FTIC) student.
- Mid-Level (ML) Transfer = A mid-level transfer student is defined as someone who has 30-59 transferable hours
as determined by the USF Office of Admissions.
- If your hours place you in the mid-level category, you’ll need to select the “fewer than 60 hours” option on the USF transfer application. USF admissions staff will place you in mid-level if they determine you meet the criteria.
- Upper-Level (UL) Transfer = An upper-level transfer student is defined as someone who has 60+ transferable hours as determined by the USF Office of Admissions.
- Second Bachelor’s Degree = You have already completed and received a Bachelor's Degree.
- Former USF Student Returning (FSR) = You have previously attempted or completed for-credit courses at the University of South Florida.
Lower-Level (LL) Transfer Applicants
Applicants are required to have successfully completed a minimum of 67% of all credit hours attempted at currently and previously enrolled institutions. In addition, you must meet the Florida Board of Governors minimums. A 2.50 transfer or postsecondary transferrable GPA (3.60 for nursing) is required.
- Transfer post-secondary GPA ≥ 2.5
- High school GPA ≥ 2.5
- High school units: 4 English, 4 math, 3 natural science, 3 social science, 2 foreign language
- Test score requirements:
- SAT
-
Evidence-Based Reading & Writing ≥ 490
- Mathematics ≥ 480
-
- ACT
- ACT Reading ≥ 19, ACT English ≥ 17, ACT Math ≥ 19
- CLT
- CLT Verbal Reasoning+Writing ≥38, Quantitative Reasoning ≥16
- SAT
You will need to submit:
- Application to USF
- Application fee
- Official high school transcripts
- Official college transcripts
- Official SAT, ACT or CLT scores
International students from non-English speaking countries must meet SAT, ACT, CLT minimum scores to satisfy English proficiency requirement. Check Additional Requirements for International Students for full details on English proficiency requirements.
You can find full details on how to apply to USF as a lower-level transfer student on our How to Apply page.
Mid-Level (ML) Transfer Applicants
Applicants are required to have successfully completed a minimum of 67% of all credit hours attempted at currently and previously enrolled institutions. In addition, you must meet the Florida Board of Governors minimums. A 2.50 transfer or postsecondary transferrable GPA (3.60 for nursing) is required.
- Transfer GPA ≥ 2.5
- 2 years of foreign language in high school and/or 2 semesters at the collegiate level
- C or better in college-level English composition course
- C or better in college-level math course
You will need to submit:
- Application to USF
- Application fee
- Official high school transcripts
- Official college transcripts
You can find full details on how to apply to USF as a mid-level transfer student on our How to Apply page.
Upper Level (UL) Transfer Applicants
If you have graduated from high school and obtained 60+ transferrable credits, USF considers you an upper-level transfer student. Applicants are required to have successfully completed a minimum of 67% of all credit hours attempted at currently and previously enrolled institutions.
Please note:
- For each credit hour beyond 132 (for students in a 120-hour degree program), students will be charged double the tuition rate.
- For each credit hour exceeding 110% of the credit hours required for their degree program, students will be charged double the tuition rate.
- Students who have attempted 180 credit hours are no longer eligible for financial aid as an undergraduate (including federal student loans).
GPA requirements:
- C or better in college-level English composition course
- C or better in college-level math course
- With an Associate of Arts (AA) from a Florida College System institution
- Transfer GPA ≥ 2.0
- Transfer GPA ≥ 2.0
- Without an Associate of Arts (AA) from a Florida College System institution
- Transfer GPA ≥ 2.3
- Transfer GPA ≥ 2.3
- If you are from a non-English speaking country, you must also meet the minimum English
test score requirements:
- TOEFL > 79
- IELTS > 6.5
- Duolingo > 110
You will need to submit:
- Application to USF
- Application fee
- Official college transcripts
- Official IELTS, TOEFL or Duolingo scores (required only for students from a non-English-speaking country)
You can find full details on how to apply to USF as an upper-level transfer student on our How to Apply page.
Second Bachelor’s Degree Applicants
If you have already completed and been awarded a bachelor’s degree, USF considers you a second bachelor’s degree applicant. You are expected to take only those courses necessary to complete a degree within three terms. Applicants are required to have successfully completed a minimum of 67% of all credit hours attempted at currently and previously enrolled institutions.
Please note:
- For each credit hour beyond 132 (for students in a 120-hour degree program), students will be charged double the tuition rate.
- For each credit hour exceeding 110% of the credit hours required for their degree program, students will be charged double the tuition rate.
- Students who have attempted 180 credit hours are no longer eligible for financial aid as an undergraduate (including federal student loans).
GPA requirements:
- With a USF bachelor’s degree
- Bachelor’s GPA ≥ 2.0
- Without a USF bachelor’s degree
- Bachelors GPA ≥ 2.5
You must submit official transcripts showing college or university coursework that you completed at a non-U.S. institution. For any coursework not in English you must also provide an official certified English translation. On a case-by-case bases you might be required to submit an official course-by-course Foreign Credential Evaluation from a NACES member evaluation service. International students whose native language is not English will also need to meet English proficiency standards (e.g., TOEFL or IELTS).
You will need to submit:
- Application to USF
- Application fee
- Official college transcripts
- Official IELTS, TOEFL or Duolingo scores (required only for students from a non-English speaking country)
You can find full details on how to apply to USF as a second bachelor's degree-seeking student on our How to Apply page.
Former USF Student Returning (FSR) Applicants
For admission requirements as well as how to apply as a returning USF student please
visit our Transfer Admission Requirements page.
Former students returning to USF have slightly different deadlines than typical transfer
students. If you are a former USF student, please review the Transfer Admission Dates and Deadlines page to ensure your application is submitted on time.
Priority Admission Consideration
Transfer applicants who have received an Associate of Arts (A.A.) degree from a Florida public institution immediately prior to transferring receive priority consideration for transfer admissions to USF, provided the transfer application and all required application materials are received by the Office of Admissions by the transfer deadline. Applicants applying for Selective Majors must meet additional requirements for their intended major.
Note: All high school students, including those earning an A.A. degree through Dual Enrollment, must submit a Freshman (First-Year) application to USF by the Freshman deadline. For more information about applying as a Freshman with a Florida A.A. degree, please click here.
Additional Requirements for Selective Majors
Students must meet the minimums based on student type, but also must meet pre-requisites for their intended degree. Therefore, even if you meet the general requirements, your admission to specific academic programs may depend on meeting additional requirements.
Please look at your intended academic college and major to see if there are any additional requirements needed for admission:
Additional requirements are also outlined in the Undergraduate Catalog.
Nursing Requirements
Spring | Summer | Fall | |
---|---|---|---|
Transfer Students | No Admission | No Admission |
Tampa campus Minimum 3.6 Transfer GPA |
V-CARE Students (Military medics & corpsmen only) | No Admission | No Admission | Tampa campus Minimum 2.9 Transfer GPA |
Second Bachelors Degree Students (students with a first bachelors degree only) |
Sarasota-Manatee campus Minimum 3.0 GPA |
Tampa campus Minimum 3.0 GPA |
St. Petersburg campus Minimum 3.0 Transfer GPA |
Nursing programs have limited access. Transfer students meeting minimum criteria will be admitted to USF as Pre-Nursing. They must then submit a secondary application to the College of Nursing through NursingCAS. Please visit the College of Nursing website for complete details.
Please note:
- Second Bachelor’s Degree students applying for Spring admission must submit an application to the Tampa campus. If admitted to the Nursing program, these students will take their courses at the Sarasota-Manatee campus.
- Second Bachelor’s Degree students applying for Fall admission must submit an application to the Tampa campus. If admitted to the Nursing program, these students will take their courses at the St Petersburg campus.
Term | App Available | App Priority Deadline | Transcript Submission Priority Deadline | App Completion Deadline | Admission to USF Deadline | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Upper Division | Fall |
September 1 |
December 1 |
January 15 |
February 1 |
March 1 |
V-CARE | Fall |
September 1 |
December 1 |
January 15 |
February 1 |
March 1 |
Accelerated Second Degree - Tampa | Summer |
September 1 |
December 1 |
January 15 |
February 1 |
March 1 |
Accelerated Second Degree - St. Petersburg | Fall |
September 1 |
February 1 |
May 15 |
June 1 |
July 1 |
Accelerated Second Degree- Sarasota-Manatee | Spring |
February 1 |
July 1 |
August 15 |
September 1 |
October 1 |
WHen to Apply
Here is a good rule of thumb on when to apply as a transfer student:
- If you are currently enrolled at another college or university: Apply no more than 90 days before your final grades will be posted for the current semester (e.g., if your final semester grades will be posted on June 1, apply after March 1 for transfer admission to USF).
- If you are not currently enrolled at another college or university: Apply as soon as you have prepared all required documents necessary to reach an admissions decision.
ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS for international students
Academic Credential Requirements
Post-Secondary Credential Requirements
USF may require a credential evaluation for all college or university transcripts located outside of the US, as well as an official translation for transcripts not issued in English.
All foreign transcripts/documents that are not in English must be accompanied by a certified English translation. We will not accept documents signed by a notary or any other person with no educational affiliation.
You must submit the credential evaluation directly to the Office of Admissions at the following address. All documents issued by the service that performs the evaluation must include a copy of the original document, along with an English translation (if necessary).
University of South Florida
Office of Admissions
4202 E. Fowler Avenue, SVC 1036
Tampa, FL 33620
For your convenience, we have listed several credential evaluation services. Additional recommended services can be found at www.naces.org.
- Academic Evaluation Services
- Educational Credential Evaluators, Inc.
- Josef Silny and Associates, Inc.
- SpanTran Evaluation Company
- World Evaluation Services
Note: USF does not guarantee that all coursework attempted at the post-secondary level will be transferable. Transferability of courses is determined on a course-by-course basis.
Secondary credentials (lower-level applicants only)
If you completed secondary education in any country outside the U.S., USF requires you to submit the appropriate documents to confirm that you've completed that country's equivalent of graduation from high school in the U.S. Generally, completion of secondary education will consist of 12-13 years of study and the awarding of a diploma or graduation certificate. Please include academic transcripts and exam results for all secondary work.
If you earned an IB diploma or certificate, you will need to submit an official International Baccalaureate transcript directly from the International Baccalaureate Organization.
English Proficiency Requirements
Lower-level applicants
International students from non-English-speaking countries must demonstrate English language proficiency by achieving the following minimum scores on one of the standardized tests listed below:
- SAT: Reading and Writing ≥ 490
- ACT: English ≥ 17, Reading ≥ 19
- CLT: Verbal Reasoning and Writing ≥ 38
Please note that we do not accept English proficiency tests such as TOEFL, IELTS, Duolingo, or other as substitutes for these minimum test score requirements.
Upper-level applicants
International applicants from non-English speaking countries must provide a minimum score on one of the following tests:
- TOEFL > 79
- IELTS > 6.5
- Duolingo > 110
If you are from one of the English-speaking countries on this list, you are not required to submit TOEFL, IELTS or Duolingo scores.
Note: Successful completion with a grade of "C" or higher in the equivalents of ENC 1101
Freshman Composition Skills I, as outlined on the Florida Department of Education Statewide Course Numbering System, at a U.S. regionally accredited institution can be used to waive the TOEFL/IELTS/Duolingo
requirement. These course equivalencies are established at the discretion of the University
of South Florida.
Other important notes you should consider as you submit your application:
- No Essay Requirement: We do not request an essay or personal statement to be evaluated for admission to USF. Any essay or personal statement that you submit will not be opened or reviewed.
- Dual Enrollment Students: All high school students, including those earning an A.A. degree through Dual Enrollment, must submit a freshman (first-year) application to USF by the freshman deadline. They are not considered transfer students. Only students who have earned 12 or more credits post-high school graduation are considered transfer students.
Foreign Language Entrance Requirements (FLENT)
To be considered for admission, students must have completed two academic units of the same foreign language in high school or two semesters of the same foreign language or American Sign Language (ASL) in college. If you have already fulfilled this requirement, submit official transcripts showing the completed foreign language or ASL courses. Refer to the following bullets, which describe the methods to meet the requirement, as well as possible exemptions. Students who have not met FLENT at point of admission may still be admissible, but must meet FLENT before they can graduate from USF.
- Two academic units (years) of the same foreign language or American sign language in high school (9th-12th grades), or one academic unit (year) at level 2.
- Two passing semesters of the same foreign language (e.g., SPN 1120 and SPN 1121) or sign language in college, earning no less than eight credit hours.
- Successfully passing the USF Language Placement Test by placing into the third course or higher.
- Passing College Level Examination Program (CLEP) Foreign Language subject test level 2.
- One year of an Advanced Placement (AP) foreign language course in high school.
- Advanced Placement (AP) Credit for two semesters (AP score = 4).
- Passing the Brigham Young University (BYU) Foreign Language Achievement Testing Services (FLATS) test.
SAT/ACT/CLT Requirements
USF requires lower-level transfer applicants to submit official results for at least one college entrance exam (SAT, ACT or CLT). Currently, USF does not require or consider the optional essay section of the SAT or ACT during the admission or scholarship review processes. Similarly, SAT subject tests are not considered for admission or placement.
USF's code for SAT is 5828 and for ACT is 0761. Please select University of South Florida from the dropdown on CLT website.
Superscoring
USF considers your highest submitted section scores across all SAT, ACT or CLT test dates. We make final admission decisions using only your highest cumulative scores. Each time you submit test scores to USF, we will update your record with any new high scores. We strongly encourage you to submit your scores each time you take the SAT, ACT or CLT. Sending your scores each time you take a test allows us to consider you for all available enrollment-related opportunities — a huge benefit to you.
Concordance and the Redesigned SAT
The Redesigned SAT was launched by the College Board in March 2016. USF will accept both the Original (pre-March 2016) SAT and the Redesigned (March 2016 and later) SAT for admission. For admission and scholarship purposes, we will concord any Original SAT scores to the Redesigned SAT scale. We will also superscore all administrations of the SAT. If you took the Original SAT and want to understand how your scores will concord to the new scale, please refer to the SAT Score Converter. For more information on the Redesigned SAT, visit the College Board website.
English Speaking Countries
- Antigua
- Australia
- Bahamas
- Barbados
- Barbuda
- Belize
- Bermuda
- Botswana
- Canada, except Quebec (French)
- Cayman Islands
- Commonwealth Caribbean
- Dominica
- England (UK)
- Fiji
- Gambia
- Ghana
- Grenada
- Guyana
- Ireland (UK)
- Irish Republic
- Jamaica, Republic of
- Kenya
- Lesotho
- Liberia
- Malawi
- New Zealand
- Nigeria
- Northern Ireland (UK)
- Papua New Guinea
- Rwanda (if secondary school completed after 2009)
- Scotland (UK)
- Sierra Leone
- Singapore
- South Africa (if Afrikaans is not listed as native language)
- St. Kitts & Nevis
- St. Lucia
- St. Vincent & the Grenadines
- Swaziland
- Tanzania
- Trinidad
- Tobago
- Uganda (UK)
- United Kingdom
- United States, except Puerto Rico
- Virgin Islands
- Wales (UK)
- Zambia
- Zimbabwe