Application Process for International Students

Applying

International students are asked to submit the same set of credentials required of all first-year or transfer applicants. 

Primary emphasis in the admissions process is placed on evaluating candidates within the context of their national academic system. The admissions office is familiar with evaluating credentials from many different educational systems, such as the GCSE and GCE A-levels, the French Baccalaureate, the International Baccalaureate, and the Abitur, among others.

Tufts University is test-optional, giving applicants a choice about whether or not to submit SAT or ACT scores to be considered with their application. If students choose to have SAT or ACT test scores considered as part of their application, these tests are interpreted in the context of their international background. Similarly, the admissions office is aware of the varying levels of extracurricular opportunities available for many international students.

English Proficiency Testing

All applicants whose primary language is not English must submit proof of English proficiency, unless they have been enrolled in an English instruction school for at least three years. Students with at least three years of study in a secondary school where the primary language is English do not need to submit English proficiency testing, though they may if they would like. Students enrolled in ESOL classes during secondary school may be asked for proof of proficiency.

Tufts accepts the following English language tests: TOEFL, IELTS, PTE, Duolingo. While Tufts has no score minimums, generally successful applicants have at least the corresponding score below:

TOEFL ITP Plus test, the TOEFL iBT Special Home Edition test and the IELTS Indicator Test do NOT fulfill the English proficiency testing requirement for Tufts. We encourage students to take the Duolingo English Test, which does fulfill the requirement and can be taken in your home.

Self-reporting and Sending Scores

Tufts accepts self-reported testing including self-reported English proficiency test scores. Applicants must submit self-reported scores through their Application Status Page after their application has been submitted. Students who matriculate at Tufts will be required to send their official scores.

When self-reporting English proficiency testing, students must report the score for each section from the same test date, and test scores should be from the most recent test date. ‘Superscoring’ of English language testing is not accepted.

The Tufts code for TOEFL submission if you wish to send scores is 3901.

Please note that there is no code for students to submit IELTS scores. If you wish to send IELTS scores, please either contact your test center and have the scores directly sent to the Office of Undergraduate Admissions, or ask your school counselor to send a verified copy to undergraduate.admissions@tufts.edu.

Since score release for Duolingo carries no additional fee, students should request Duolingo to release their score to Tufts. 

GDPR European Economic Area and UK Privacy Statement

If you are located in one of the countries that is a member of the European Economic Area or in the UK when you provide us personal information, please review Tufts University's EEA and UK Privacy Statement for Prospective Students and Applicants.