The Office of International Admissions and Programs welcomes prospective students, current students, alumni, faculty and staff. Our services include international admissions and international advising for F-1 students, alumni and F-2 dependents.
General Information & Definitions
General Information
For general information, please refer to relevant sections in this catalog for information, including but not limited to: Admission Statuses, Acceptance into a Degree Program, Admission Appeals Process, Transcripts and Records Information, Transferable Credit, Automatic Admissions, Assured Admissions, Uniform Admission Requirements, Texas Success Initiative-TSI, Transfer Admission Requirements, Transient Admission Requirements and Admission Appeals Process, etc.
Definitions
International Applicant- individuals who apply to the university and either (a) hold a U.S. visa or (b) anticipate entering the U.S. with a visa. Individuals who are Legal Permanent Residents, on Temporary Protective Status (TPS), U.S. citizens (naturalized or by birth), Refugee/Asylee or Undocumented are not considered international applicants.
International Student- students who are in the U.S. or will be in the U.S. in F-1 status.
Conditional Admissions- a process in which the university reviews the application and submitted documentation to determine if the applicant meets the admission requirements outside of English Language Proficiency and SAT/ACT test (for freshmen applicants with less than 12 credits). This determination may be limited to UHCL-recognized English Language Programs (such as ELS) and government-sponsored students.
Conditionally Admitted- application status that signifies that the student hasn’t met English Language Proficiency Requirements or standardized test score requirement such as SAT/ACT (for students with less than 12 credits), but meets other academic requirements such as a minimum GPA and proof of degree/diploma (as applicable).
International Admissions
Application Fee
The application fee is $75.
The application fee is non-refundable and can be paid by credit card (VISA, Discover, or MasterCard). After submitting the admissions application, you will gain access to E-Services your UHCL student portal and can pay online. The application fee can also be paid in person at the Office of Student Business Services.
Application Deadlines
The application deadline dates for international applicants are as follows:
Fall Enrollment
Final Deadline: Apply by April 1
Document Deadline: April 15
Spring Enrollment
Final Deadline: Apply by October 1
Document Deadline: October 15
Summer Enrollment**
Final Deadline: Apply by March 1
Document Deadline: March 15
* Students interested in qualifying for scholarships and/or applying for visas outside the U.S. should apply and submit the application documents/test scores by the priority deadline.
** Freshmen will not be accepted for the summer semester.
Deferral Process
Freshman applicants who do not enroll may defer their application for one semester only. Transfer applicants who do not enroll are eligible to defer their application within three semesters of submitting their original application for admission. To defer to a new semester, students should submit an Application Update form, which can be found on the Office of International Admissions and Programs website. This form can also be used to request a change in academic programs during the admission process. Students who are ineligible to defer their application can re-apply and pay the application fee.
Notification of Admission
Upon receipt of appropriate documentation, the Office of International Admissions and Programs will determine applicant’s eligibility, and will notify them of the admission decision. If accepted, applicants will receive important information regarding registration dates and procedures. This information is also available on the university’s website through E-Services.
Freshman and Transfer Student Admissions Requirements
Admissions Requirements for Freshmen Educated Inside the United States
After submitting an International Undergraduate Freshman Application through GoApplyTexas.org along with the $75 application fee, applicants who earn their high school diploma in the United States must meet the university’s general freshman admission standards as explained in the New Student Admissions section of this catalog. Upon acceptance, students will be required to submit additional documents (see Additional Document Requirements).
Admission Requirements for Freshmen Educated Outside the United States
After submitting an International Undergraduate Freshman Application through GoApplyTexas.org and the $75 application fee, applicants who have attended an institution located outside the United States must:
- Possess the equivalent of a U.S. high school/secondary diploma*
- Submit official SAT (950+) or ACT (20+) scores
- Meet the English proficiency requirement
- Possess a minimum equivalent GPA of 2.5 (4.0 scale)
The Office of International Admissions and Programs will complete a holistic review of each applicant.
* International applicants submitting international documents must follow UHCL procedures for the submission of this documentation (see International Transcript and Document Requirements). Upon acceptance, the student will be required to submit additional documents (see Additional Document Requirements).
Transfer Admission Requirements
After submitting an International Transfer Application and the $75 application fee, applicants must meet the university’s general transfer admission standards as explained in the New Student Admissions section of the catalog and meet the English proficiency requirement. Upon acceptance, students will be required to submit additional documents (see Additional Document Requirements).
Transfer Applicant Information
Transfer students must submit official documents from each higher education institution attended (inside and outside of the U.S.) Documents must meet requirements for U.S. documents and international documents (see Documents for Acceptance).
International Conditional Admission
International applicants who meet the institution’s admission requirements for their chosen level and degree program, but who have not yet met the English proficiency requirement can be conditionally admitted. Please note that conditional admission does not allow registration or enrollment at UHCL.
Once completing ELS Level 112 or otherwise demonstrate proficiency of English*:
- Freshmen applicants (with less than 12 credits) must submit their SAT/ACT test scores for full admission consideration
- Applicants with at least 12 credits will be fully accepted
*(see English Proficiency Requirements for Students Educated Outside of the United States).
Information for Other Students (Non-Freshman/Non-Transfer)
Non-Degree-Seeking Status
International students who anticipate holding F-1 status with UHCL are not eligible for admission as non-degree-seeking students. They must enroll in a degree program. Although their primary program must be degree-seeking, these students can enroll simultaneously in a secondary, non-degree certificate or certification program. J-1 students or students with other immigration status can enroll in a non-degree program.
Transient Students (Regular or Summer)
Transfer students who wish to enroll in non-degree-seeking status at UHCL can enroll as a transient student. Enrollment as a transient can be for only one fall or spring semester; or, in one or both summer sessions. Students must have at least 12 transferable credit hours.
All required documentation for admission must be provided, prior to registration. Students in F-1 status must also submit a letter from their Designated School Official (DSO) that gives them permission to enroll as a transient student at UHCL. See Transient Admissions Requirements in New Student Admissions.
Documents for Acceptance and Enrollment
Applicants must indicate on their admissions application all previous schools attended. Degree-seeking students must submit official transcripts from each college or university attended. Transient students must provide documents from each institution attended to be eligible to register, and must be eligible to return immediately to the last school attended. Post-baccalaureate applicants who apply in non-degree-seeking status should only submit transcripts from the last institution attended, as well as the school where their highest degree was earned, if different.
The Office of International Admissions and Programs must receive all documents by the appropriate deadline (see Application Deadlines). An official transcript of any coursework in progress and proof of diploma/degree, prior to or during enrollment at University of Houston-Clear Lake should be sent to the Office of International Admissions and Programs immediately after grades are posted. To expedite processing, applicants should request that domestic (U.S.) transcripts be sent electronically. UHCL’s preferred method of transcript delivery is via EDI or SPEEDE download for transfer work and Trex electronic downloads for high school work. Hand-delivered transcripts must be no more than 60 days old, and enclosed in a sealed envelope from the issuing institution.
If students knowingly withhold information or submit fraudulent information regarding enrollment at another accredited institution, their application to UHCL will be considered invalid and they may be administratively withdrawn from classes without a refund of fees paid.
Domestic (U.S.) Transcripts
High school (secondary) transcripts (required for freshmen admissions) must be accredited by either the Texas Education Agency or the appropriate Regional Association of Schools and Colleges.
UHCL will accept official transcripts from regionally accredited colleges and universities. For purposes of transfer credit, UHCL only considers academic credit in evaluating hours earned. For more information on acceptable transfer coursework, see Transferable Credit in New Student Admissions.
International Transcript and Document Requirements
School Accreditation Status
Applicants submitting international college or university transcripts/documents must have attended an international institution recognized by the International Association of Universities (UNESCO) or Ministry of Education.
Transcripts from International Institutions
Students entering UHCL directly from an institution of secondary education must provide the Office of International Admissions and programs with the equivalent of transcripts and secondary diploma.
Students with higher education experience must provide the Office of International Admissions and Programs with official transcripts, mark (grade) sheets and confirmation of degrees or diplomas for all academic studies attempted and completed at those colleges/universities.
Transcripts and/or mark (grade) sheets must be in the original language and accompanied by official English translations (if applicable). These documents should clearly indicate dates of attendance, subjects taken, marks (grades) earned and reflect any degrees or diplomas awarded.
Official transcripts must be sent to UHCL by the registrar of each institution attended. When this is not possible, documents certified by an embassy or consulate, Education USA official, university authority (such as principal, registrar, controller of examinations, vice rector or rector), Ministry of Education or Ministry of Foreign Affairs official as “true copies” may be accepted. Copies of documents that are not certified will not be accepted.
Students who have taken university-level courses outside of the U.S. are required to submit a course-by-course evaluation by one of the following: NACES, SDR, or AACRAO Evaluation Services or by submitting the appropriate syllabus information. This additional documentation is used to determine transfer credit. Some required core courses cannot be transferred from non-Texas institutions. Any appropriate credit will be granted according to UHCL degree requirements in effect at the time of enrollment.
English Proficiency Requirements for Students Educated Outside the United States
Applicants educated in countries where English is not the native or first language must demonstrate English proficiency. The intent of this policy is to ensure that students for whom English is not the native language have a reasonable chance to succeed academically based on their ability to comprehend and use spoken and written English. For additional details refer to the New Student Admissions section of this catalog.
English Proficiency Requirements for Students Educated Outside of the United States
Applicants educated in countries where English is not the official language must demonstrate English proficiency. This requirement must be met during the admissions process. The intent of this policy is to ensure applicants have reasonable chances to succeed academically, based on their ability to comprehend, speak and write in English. The English proficiency requirement may be met by meeting one of the following criteria:*
- Earning a U.S. high school diploma or conferral of a U.S. associate degree or higher from regionally accredited institutions of higher education (applied science degrees cannot be used to waive the English proficiency requirement).
- Earning qualifying test scores from the SAT, ACT, TAKS, STAAR or Stanford exams. (see TSI Assessment Exemptions through Test Scores).
- Achievement Tests (for deaf students only). Specific exemption information can be obtained by contacting the Office of Admissions.
- Earning 12 or more transferable hours in the following subjects (English, Speech, and heavy reading-related subjects such as Government, Political Science, History, etc.) from regionally accredited institutions of higher education. Grades earned must be C or higher; and, six (6) of the 12 hours must be in English Composition. English as Second Language courses (ESL or ESOL) do not count toward English proficiency exemptions.
To satisfy English proficiency by test results, one of the following is required:
- Official Pearson Test of English (PTE) score of 53 or higher, or
- Official International English Language System (IELTS) score of 6.0 or higher, or
- Successful completion of ELS Level 112 - Intensive English Program, or
- iBT TOEFL Test total of 79 or higher, or
- GRE Verbal score 11% or higher
- 115 Duolingo or higher
The University of Houston-Clear Lake is accepting the Duolingo English Test for English as a proficiency exam. Duolingo English Tests are valid for two years from the date the test was taken. The exam costs $49 (USD) and may be taken from any computer that has a camera, audio, and reliable internet. The exam portion of the Duolingo English Test contains a series of speaking, reading, writing, and listening exercises. Following the exam, there will be an interview portion that will ask you to respond to various prompts in 30 to 90 seconds. The exam will take approximately 45 minutes to complete. The score results are generally received within a few days of exam completion.
Duolingo English Test access information:
Information on preparing for the exam | Take the exam or practice exam
A few days after completing the exam, a verification email will be sent to you which contains a link to send your score to UHCL. A minimum score of 115 is required, although some programs may require a higher score.
Additional Document Requirements
Prior to being allowed to enroll, accepted students who are in the U.S. or plan on entering the U.S. in F or J visa status are required to submit:
Students who are already in the U.S. must also submit:
- Copy of current I-94
- Copy of SEVIS I-20 or DS-2019 (if applicable)
The following documents are required for students entering the U.S. in another visa status:
- Copy of photo page of passport
- Copy of current I-94 or U.S. visa (if currently out of the U.S.)
The university recommends submitting these additional required documents immediately after the student applies to avoid a delay in the enrollment process.
Other Policies Applicable for International Students
Transfer-In Policy
Students who hold F-1 visas and are currently studying at another SEVIS approved institution of higher education in the United States must do the following:
- Be accepted by University of Houston-Clear Lake
- Request the “transfer-out” school to transfer their SEVIS record to UHCL
- The “transfer-out” school must then set up the SEVIS transfer to UHCL, prior to the student receiving eligibility to enroll
Health Insurance
All international students holding F or J visas are required to have health insurance, including medical evacuation and repatriation coverage. The university provides such insurance and automatically adds the premium to applicable tuition/fee statements. International students with health insurance comparable to the university’s coverage may request a waiver of the university’s health insurance.
To be considered for a waiver, students must submit a waiver request online by the dates posted. The University of Houston-Clear Lake will not accept waiver requests by U.S. mail, email, fax or documents brought to the university. Incomplete requests, late requests or insurance policies not meeting the minimum requirements will not be approved. Each F or J visa holder is responsible for any late fees associated with the waiver process.
Check-In
All international students holding F and J visas are required to check in with the Office of International Admissions and Programs upon arrival to campus. Students must complete this check-in process through the International Student Document Portal. Additionally, students must submit all official transcripts, other academic documents showing degree completion and final semester coursework. Failure to complete the check-in process and/or submit the final transcript or degree will cause a hold to be put on the student’s account. This hold will prevent the student from registering for a future semester.
International Student Orientation
New International Student Orientation is offered prior to each fall, spring and summer semester, and is mandatory for all new international students. A comprehensive program is offered to all new international students to the university. The orientation provides information regarding health insurance, visa regulations, cross-cultural adjustment, transition to college, negotiating campus setting, academic and peer advising.
Concurrent Enrollment
International students seeking undergraduate degrees at UHCL may obtain an international student adviser’s permission to co-enroll at another institution. Permission for concurrent enrollment must be obtained from a UHCL international student adviser through the International Student Document Portal prior to attempting to register and enroll concurrently at a different institution. At the beginning of the semester, a registration printout or transcript from the host school must be provided to the UHCL international student adviser as proof of student’s enrollment status. International students must provide official transcripts after the semester has completed from the other institution.
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