International Transfers
All of the paperwork will be worth it.
As both an international and a transfer student, you’ll be required to provide us with a number of forms and applications. Rest assured, once you set foot on Notre Dame’s campus for your first day of classes, you’ll realize your hard work was well worth it.
In addition to submitting the required materials outlined in the Application Instructions, international students must submit the following:
- An English Proficiency test score (TOEFL, IELTS, DET, or PTE Academic), which must be taken if your native language is not English. An English Proficiency test is not required if you have a 650 or higher on the Evidence-Based Reading and Writing portion of the SAT or an ACT English subscore of 26 or higher (more on English Proficiency test scores below)
- A copy of the biographical and validity pages of your passport which should be uploaded via your applicant status portal upon application submission.
Financial Aid
The University of Notre Dame admissions evaluation process for undergraduate international transfer applicants is need-blind. Your ability to pay is not considered when evaluating your application for admission. Prospective transfer students wishing to be considered for need based financial assistance must complete the CSS Profile (available October 1).
Please visit our financial aid website for more information about financial aid for international students
English Proficiency Test Scores
Students whose native language is not English must also take the TOEFL, IELTS, DET, or PTE Academic unless you qualify for a waiver. Our TOEFL and College Board code is 1841. The TOEFL, IELTS, PTE Academic, and Duolingo English Test (DET) exams are used to determine an applicant's English language proficiency. We recognize that the SAT and the ACT are written for students within the United States, so a strong TOEFL/IELTS/PTE/DET Academic score can balance a student's testing profile, especially with respect to the SAT Evidence-Based Reading and Writing section. If no sittings of the TOEFL, IELTS, PTE Academics, and DET are offered in your country, please contact the Office of Undergraduate Admissions at admissions@nd.edu to review other options.
We strongly recommend the following scores:
- TOEFL: 100 or higher on the iBT TOEFL Exam
- IELTS: 7.5 or higher
- Duolingo English Test (DET): 125 or higher
- PTE Academic: 70
We will waive the English proficiency exams if:
- An applicant scores 650 or above on the Evidence-Based Reading and Writing section of the SAT and/or
- An applicant scores 26 or above on the English or Reading sections of the ACT.
To learn more, please visit: TOEFL, IELTS, PTE Academic, Duolingo English Test (DET)
Official Documents to Enter the United States
International students who are admitted and choose to enroll at Notre Dame will be sent the Form I-20, the official application for student visa (F-1) status. Find visa information here.