International Applicants

International applicants should follow the standard application procedures, as well as those listed below.

Expected Level of Study for International Applicants

International applicants should visit UC Davis Graduate Studies Expected Level of Study to view the minimum level of study expected of international applicants prior to graduate enrollment at UC Davis. Successful applicants generally rank high in their graduating classes and have excellent test scores. Not all well-qualified applicants may be offered admissions due to the limited number of spaces available in highly competitive programs.

Required Academic Records

Applicants are required to submit official records from each academic institution attended after secondary/high school. All official academic records must be issued in the original language and accompanied by English translations prepared by the issuing institution.

International Transcripts

You may scan and upload copies of your non-U.S. transcripts and degree certificates in the online application. If your institution awards a provisional degree certificate, we ask that you please provide only the final degree certificate, as provisional degree certificates will not be accepted.

Should you be recommended for admission, you will be required to provide our office with the original official records within one week of your application decision.

Official records are original documents issued by the institution that bears the original stamp or embossed seal of the issuing institution and the stamped or signed signature of the appropriate authorizing official. All other documents are unofficial and will not be accepted.

Non-English Transcripts

All official academic records must be issued in the original language and accompanied by English translation prepared by the issuing institution.

If you are in the United States and have only an official copy of your academic records or diploma certificate in the original language, only translations prepared by an ATA Certified translator from the American Translators Association are acceptable. For more information and the directory of members, consult the ATA website.

Credential evaluations prepared by other schools or private agencies cannot be submitted in place of original academic records and diploma certificates.

If you completed an undergraduate program outside of the U.S., please review the English Language Proficiency Requirement information on our page for international applicants.

You may mail academic documents to:

Graduate School of Management – Admissions
Gallagher Hall, Suite 1101
University of California, Davis
One Shields Ave.
Davis, CA 95616

English Language Proficiency

Applicants must submit official TOEFL or IELTS examination scores unless they have earned or will be earning a bachelor’s, master’s, or doctoral degree from either:

A regionally accredited U.S. college or university where English is the sole language of instruction, OR
A foreign college or university which provides instruction solely in English. UC Davis Graduate School of Management will only approve waivers for foreign colleges and universities that list English as the sole language of instruction in the IAU World Higher Education Database. We will not review or accept any other documentation.

Language Proficiency Exams TOEFL/IELTS English Test

There are two standardized tests you may take: the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) and the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) assessment. Unless you are exempt from the standardized English language proficiency test requirement per above, you must take the TOEFL or IELTS assessment.

TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language)

The minimum score required for admissions is 105. The institution code is 4834 and the division is the Graduate Business Organization. For more information on TOEFL, please contact: Educational Testing Service (ETS) at (609) 771-7100. We accept TOEFL scores from tests administered by the Educational Testing Service and sent to us directly by the TOEFL office.

IELTS (International English Language Testing System)

The UC Davis Graduate School of Management also accepts the IELTS Academic (in-person) and IELTS indicator (online) exams. Candidates may also submit updated section scores via the IELTS One Skills retake exam.

You can submit scores from the Academic Modules of the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) administered by the British Council worldwide.

The minimum band score requirement for the IELTS is 7.5. You must request that the testing center send us your official scores directly.

UC Davis Graduate School of Management is registered to receive IELTS Academic and IELTS Indicator scores using the IELTS Results Service E-Delivery, so please send your scores to: University of California, Davis Graduate School of Management.

For more information on the IELTS, please contact IELTS International at (323) 255-2771.

TOEFL iBT and IELTS exam scores are valid for two years from the date the test was taken. Scores may be used in your application only if the official score report is valid through September 1 of the year you plan to start your program. It is your duty to confirm with the admissions office receipt of your official test score prior to its expiration.

What are the resources available for international students?

UC Davis Services for International Students and Scholars (SISS), within Global Affairs serves more than 10,000 international students, faculty, and researchers and their accompanying family members who come to UC Davis each year.

SISS can assist you and your family with visa and immigration issues while you are at UC Davis. In addition to preparing the necessary documents to apply for a U.S. visa, SISS assists international students and scholars in maintaining legal status while in the United States. SISS also provides orientation, assistance, information, and referral to international students, faculty, and researchers regarding financial, personal, cultural, and academic concerns.

Visit the UC Davis Services for International Students & Scholars Office (SISS) or call (530) 752-0864.