Admission Information
Student Types
Students can be classified by both their residency type and their credits accomplished when entering the University of South Florida.
If you are classified as a U.S.-based student, you will work with the Office of Admissions toward enrollment. If you are classified as an International student, you will work with the Office of International Admissions toward enrollment.
Am I an International Student?
If you intend to enroll for credit at an accredited higher education institution in the U.S. on a temporary visa, and you are not an immigrant (permanent resident with an I-51 or Green Card), or an undocumented immigrant, or a refugee, then you are considered to be an international student.
Each International student is given a "student type" in addition to their residency classification. Learn what type of student you classify as according to the University of South Florida:
Am I a Freshman Applicant?
If you have not graduated from secondary school or completed your secondary school examinations, the State of Florida considers you a freshman, regardless of the amount of college credit you may have earned through dual enrollment, AP or IB coursework, or external examinations while in secondary school.
Thus, even though you may have sophomore or junior standing once you enroll and your credits are transferred, USF will review your application for admission as a freshman and consider you for all freshman admission scholarships. You also are considered a freshman if you have completed your secondary school studies and have attempted fewer than 12 college credits.
Learn more about International freshman admission:
Am I a Transfer Applicant?
If you have graduated from high school and attempted or earned 12 to 59 transferrable credits, USF considers you a lower-level transfer applicant. You are an upper-level transfer applicant if you have obtained 60+ transferrable credits. Before you apply, please determine whether you are a lower-level or upper-level transfer applicant and be sure to review the appropriate application requirements.
Learn more about International transfer admission:
Please note: the following student types are not considered traditional transfer students. If you think you fall into one of the below categories, click on the corresponding link to learn more:
- Second Bachelor's Degree-Seeking Student: You have already obtained a bachelor's degree and are pursuing a second bachelor's degree at USF
- Returning Student: You are a former USF student returning to complete or for a new degree-seeking program
- Transient Student: You are currently enrolled at a Florida Public College or State University and want to take classes at USF to transfer back to your college/university
- Non-Degree Seeking Student: You are interested in taking courses but are not interested in obtaining a degree
Am I a Graduate Applicant?
If you have earned a bachelor's degree (or U.S. Equivalency), or will have earned a bachelor's degree prior to enrollment at USF, and are seeking entrance to a master's, doctoral, education specialist or graduate certificate program, you are considered a graduate applicant (in some countries this is called "postgraduate" status).
Current graduate students who wish to enter a new graduate degree program upon completion of their current degree program (i.e. enter a Ph.D. program upon completing the master's degree) also are considered graduate applicants for the second program.
Learn more about International graduate admission:
Am I a Doctoral Applicant?
If you have earned a master's degree (or U.S. Equivalency), or will have earned a master's degree prior to enrollment at USF, and are seeking entrance to a doctoral program, you are considered a doctoral applicant.
Current graduate students who wish to enter a new graduate degree program upon completion of their current degree program (i.e. enter a Ph.D. program upon completing the master's degree at USF) also are considered doctoral applicants for the second program.
Learn more about international doctoral admission:
Am I an Exchange Student?
If you are currently studying at a post-secondary institution and you wish to attend the University of South Florida temporarily for a period of up to one year in length before returning to complete your program at your home institution, then you would be considered to be an exchange student.
Learn more and apply as an incoming exchange student through USF World:
Am I a Second Bachelor's Degree Seeking Applicant?
A second bachelor's degree applicant is any degree-seeking undergraduate applicant who has earned a bachelor's degree at USF or another institution and wishes to earn an additional bachelor's degree.
Learn more about International second bachelor's degree-seeking admission:
Please note: the following student types are not considered second bachelor's degree-seeking students. If you think you fall into one of the below categories, click on the corresponding link to learn more:
- Returning Student: You are a former USF student returning to complete or for a new degree-seeking program
- Transient Student: You are currently enrolled at a Florida Public College or State University and want to take classes at USF to transfer back to your college/university
- Non-Degree Seeking Student: You are interested in taking courses but are not interested in obtaining a degree
Am I a Returning/Former USF Student?
A returning student is any degree-seeking undergraduate student who has not earned their degree, who has not been enrolled at USF in any of the last three consecutive terms and who wishes to re-enroll in the University. Otherwise, you are considered a continuing student and can still register.
Learn more about International returning/former USF student admission:
Please note: the following student types are not considered returning USF students. If you think you fall into one of the below categories, click on the corresponding link to learn more:
- Second Bachelor's Degree-Seeking Student: You have already obtained a bachelor's degree and are pursuing a second bachelor's degree at USF
- Transient Student: You are currently enrolled at a Florida Public College or State University and want to take classes at USF to transfer back to your college/university
- Non-Degree Seeking Student: You are interested in taking courses but are not interested in obtaining a degree
If you have questions or need help, please contact the Office of International Admissions.