How to Apply as an International Student

Applying is straightforward — here’s what you’ll need.

Applying to UW-Superior as an international student involves a few important steps. Use this guide to understand the application process, required documents, English proficiency requirements and important deadlines. Our International Admissions team is available to help you along the way.

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Applying is straightforward — here's what you'll need.
How to Apply
Application Deadlines
Additional Information
Apply to UW-Superior

How to Apply

1. Complete the online application

Submit your application through the Universities of Wisconsin application portal. The written essay is an optional part of your application — it must be written by you. Applications with plagiarized or AI-generated essays will not be approved. View step-by-step application instructions →

Please note: International students applying as an exchange student through Ibaraki University, Oldenburg University, Yonsei University-Mirae or a Hessen university should contact [email protected] for more information.

2. Pay the $50 processing fee

After submitting your application, you’ll receive a direct link to pay the International Admissions Processing Service (IAPS) fee of $50. There is no general application fee — this processing fee is the only cost at this stage.

3. Submit your academic records & transcripts

Provide records for all secondary education — including your diploma, graduation certificate and any examining board results. If you’ve attended any post-secondary institutions, include those transcripts too, even if you didn’t complete the program. All non-English documents must include a professional English translation. View detailed information for transcripts and records →

4. Submit English proficiency evidence

Required for most international applicants, view accepted tests below. Some applicants may be exempt based on their country of education or prior U.S. study.

Applicants exempt from proof of English proficiency

All international applicants whose education has been primarily outside the U.S. must provide objective evidence of proficiency in the English language. However, the following exceptions apply:

1. Applicants primarily educated in the following countries/territories.
2. Applicants who have recently completed three years of full-time study at a high school in the U.S. or at a U.S. accredited high school abroad, and have received (or will receive) a U.S. high school diploma may be exempted from this requirement after supporting academic records have been reviewed by International Admissions.
3. Applicants who have received a U.S. bachelor’s, master’s or Ph.D. degree or who have successfully completed two years of full-time academic study at an accredited post-secondary institution within the U.S. or at a U.S. accredited post-secondary institution abroad.

UW-Superior partner language programs

– ELS: Successful completion of Level 110
– Wisconsin English as a Second Language Institute (WESLI): Letter of Recommendation
– FLS International: Successful completion of FLS Level 16
– The Language Company (TLC): Successful completion of Level 9

Complete list of proficiency tests and scores

Duolingo English Test (DET): 100
IELTS: 5.5
TOEFL (New Scale): 3.5 (Writing 3.0+)
TOEFL (Previous Scale): 61
TOEFL MyBest: 61 (Minimum Test Date Score: 56)
SAT ERW: 470
ACT English: 18
Pearson Test of English Academic: 47
MET: 69
TOEFL Paper-based Test: 500
STEP Eiken (Japan only): Pre-1st Grade
ITEP Academic: 4.0
Cambridge English: B2 First (FCE): 169
Cambridge English: C1 Advanced (CAE): Pass
Cambridge English: C2 Proficiency (CPE): Pass
GTEC (Japan Only): 1200

English Proficiency Requirement for Online Undergraduate Applicants
Online undergraduate applicants are required to meet one of the minimum requirements below.

Duolingo English Test (DET): 115
IELTS: 6.5
TOEFL (New Scale): 4.5
TOEFL (Previous Scale): 80
TOEFL MyBest: 80
SAT ERW: 470
ACT English: 18

Additional information

UW-Superior reserves the right to require evidence of English language proficiency for all applicants; the determination of whether a student has provided sufficient evidence of adequate English proficiency is at the sole discretion of UW-Superior. 

Applicants will be notified via email if required to submit evidence of English proficiency. The English proficiency requirement can be met in a variety of ways.

Depending on their test scores, students may be required to take a combination of English as a Second Language (ESL) and non-ESL courses during their first semester. See ESL at UW-Superior for additional information.

5. Submit financial documentation

U.S. regulations require you to demonstrate sufficient funds to cover your first year of educational and living expenses. You’ll need to submit a Financial Verification Form along with recent bank statements from your sponsor or yourself. Submission can be done before or after an admission decision is made. Learn more about the NTW Scholarship Award →

Submitting Your Financial Documentation

1. Submit the Financial Verification Form 2. Original bank letter(s) or statement(s) from the student and/or sponsor(s) indicating a current balance with sufficient funds to pay the first year of total expected costs. The name(s) on the bank document(s) must match the name(s) on the Financial Verification Form. 

Additional Guidance Regarding Financial Documentation Sponsors who live in the United States (only) must also submit a completed, signed Declaration of Financial Support, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services Form I-134. 

Financial documentation is required for UW-Superior to issue a Form I-20, the document needed to apply for an F-1 student visa. Per U.S. regulations, students must demonstrate that they have sufficient funding to pay for all educational and living expenses while in the U.S. 

Financial documents must be in English and issued within the previous three months. Examples of bank documents that are acceptable:
– Bank statements issued directly from the bank or printed from an online bank account
– Loan or award letters stamped or certified by a lending institution
– Original bank letters signed by a bank official with the official’s name and contact information indicated 

Examples of bank documents that cannot be accepted:
– Bank letters/statements that are not legible or do not indicate the name of the bank or account holder;
– Bank letters without the name of the account holder or do not specify an amount of available funds at least equal to the first year of total expected expenses
– Bank letters/statements from businesses.

6. Submit a copy of your passport

Provide a clear paper or scanned copy of the identification page of your passport.

7. Submit ACT or SAT scores – optional

Test scores are not required for admission. If you’d like to include them: SAT code 1920, ACT code 4682.

Application Deadlines

When to Apply

No application fee
ACT/SAT: Optional

Applying by the priority deadline gives you more time for visa processing. All materials must be received by 11:59 PM Central Time.

International Student Application Deadlines

Upcoming Term	Deadline Date
Spring Semester – 2026	November 15, 2026 (Priority: October 1, 2026)
Fall Semester – 2027	July 1, 2027 (Priority: May 1, 2027)

Students currently in F-1 status inside the U.S. may be considered after the final deadline on a case-by-case basis. Contact International Admissions to discuss your situation.

Please note: Meeting the application deadline does not guarantee there will be enough time to obtain an F-1 visa for your intended semester.

Additional Information

Processing Time

Once all required documents have been received, allow 2–3 weeks for a decision. Applying early gives you more time for visa processing and planning your move.

Submitting Application Materials

For admissions purposes, in most cases UW-Superior will accept scanned copies of application materials if they are clear and complete. Please mail scanned copies as PDFs to [email protected] and be sure to include your full name. Admitted students are required to submit official paper copies of their application documents after they arrive to campus.

Please Note: You should request additional original documentation for your own records and to present to the U.S. Consulate or Embassy. Original documentation will be required when applying for a student visa and when entering the United States.

Academic Record/Transcripts

The following official (or clear scans of official) documents are needed:

Records for all secondary education (high school), including diploma, graduation certificate and results issued by an examining board, where applicable.

Transcripts for all post-secondary (college or university-level) education, even if you did not complete the program.

All original-language documents, as well as professional-quality, literal English translations, where applicable.

Please visit our International Student Transcripts and Academic Records page for more details.