International Students

Genetics & Genomics student Sahana Manohar Sindhu presenting a poster at the UFGI 2022 Winter Research Mixer. 

We welcome international applicants to our program!

If you are not a U.S. citizen or do not hold a U.S. Permanent Resident Visa, you must apply as an international student for admission to our graduate program. Please see below our detailed information on requirements. Additional information and help for international applicants can be found on the UF International Admissions page.

International students comprise about one quarter of our student body, and bring a rich diversity of cultural backgrounds, knowledge, and expertise to our graduate program. The applicant pool varies in composition (i.e., number of applicants from each country) each year. We welcome applications from a diverse pool of qualified applicants and seek no predetermined number of students from any one country.

However, due to the vast number of international inquiries we receive, and the large number of applications reviewed, the following information about the review process for international applicants is provided.

It should be noted that most of our current international students resided in the United States at the time of application, and, hence, are able to be interviewed in person. Because of the extremely strong domestic international pool of applicants, it is extremely rare that international students residing overseas will be considered for admission.

Most successful international applicants have a B.S. degree in genetics, or a related field, with extensive research experience as evidenced by letters of recommendation from research mentors, publications, and work outside their home country, and are also in contact with UF faculty with whom they are interested in working. The initial evaluation of international applicants residing outside of the United States is conducted as follows:

  • University of Florida faculty members native to and/or familiar with the educational systems of other countries assist the Admissions Committee with the review of the international candidates.
  • After consideration by the Admissions Committee, highly qualified international candidates outside of the United States will be interviewed virtually.

English Proficiency Requirements

UF requires proficiency in spoken and written academic English. Score reports are valid for two years from the date of testing, and must be reported electronically to the University of Florida. UF’s TOEFL and GRE school code is 5812.

Transfer and graduate applicants are required to satisfy English proficiency by one of the following examinations:

  • TOEFL (iBT & Home Edition): 80
  • TOEFL (PBT): 550
  • UF ELI Exit Certificate (For graduate admissions. See more information here.)
  • Verbal GRE: 140
  • IELTS Academic: 6.0
    • UF is registered to receive IELTS scores using the IELTS Results Service E-Delivery. Scores should be sent to the University of Florida, which only accepts scores from this E-delivery service. UF does not accept paper Test Report Forms or unofficial copies of IELTS Test Report Forms from students. Applicants should contact the IELTS test center where they took the IELTS to request their official test results be sent to our account name: The University of Florida. An institution code is not required.
    • The address associated with our IELTS Results Service account is:
      • The University of Florida, Criser Hall, Gainesville, FL 32611 United States

Exemptions are granted if applicants:

  • Have successfully completed one academic year in a degree-seeking program at a recognized/regionally accredited university or college in the United States or a country where English is the official language.
  • Hold an earned equivalent of associate’s, bachelor’s, master’s or PhD degree from a recognized/regionally accredited college or university in the United States or country where English is the official language.

Please note that English translations of transcripts and degrees are required for admission consideration.

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