Application process for international first-year students.
You should apply as a first-year applicant if you are currently attending secondary school or high school, or have never enrolled in college.
You should apply as a first-year applicant if you are currently attending secondary school or high school, or have never enrolled in college.
Apply earlier to get an admissions decision earlier. If you apply by Nov. 1, you’ll receive an admissions decision by Jan. 10, though using Early Action is not binding.
Why apply early?
Apply by February 1 and you’ll receive an admissions decision shortly after fully completing your application.
Apply by Nov. 1 for a spring semester start.
The decision deadline for admitted students is two weeks after receiving an offer of admission.
There is no separate application required to be considered for the Honors Program. All students will automatically be considered with their regular application. Learn more about Temple Honors.
Temple exclusively uses the Common App. When completing your application for Temple, be sure to indicate whether you’re applying Early Action or Regular Decision.
There’s a required application fee of $55, which you will submit at the same time as the Common App unless you qualify for a waiver.
The following documents may be necessary to complete your application. Please review the testing options to determine whether you wish to submit academic testing to support your application. If your documents are not in English, please provide them in the original language and with an English translation.
Your application must include all official and original academic records from any secondary school you have ever attended.
If you are attending a secondary school curriculum that is four years, Temple University reviews grades nine through 11 as well as your current progress in 12th grade (term/quarter/semester/predicted) or your final transcript if you completed secondary school.
If you are attending a secondary school curriculum that is only three years, we strongly recommend you submit the final year of your primary school as well.
Option 1: Apply without standardized testing
Temple University is test optional. This means that you are not required to submit ACT or SAT for admission consideration. Applicants who choose this option are equally eligible to receive merit scholarships.
Option 2: Apply with standardized testing. Submit official SAT or ACT results. These must be sent officially from the testing agency.
For any applicant submitting official testing, please use the following Temple University school codes or methods.
Submit documents and other testing to [click-for-email] through a school official or examining/testing body or submit by mailing to the following address.
Temple University International Admissions
Conwell Hall 103
1801 N. Broad St.
Philadelphia, PA 19122
Documents sent by mail may delay application processing. For information on how documents or testing can be submitted, please contact the International Admissions office. Submitted documents become the property of Temple University and we cannot return them to you. If you prefer, you can retain your originals and submit notarized copies.
Unsure about whether or not to submit testing? Contact [click-for-email].
All applicants, regardless of which option they choose, should review the English language proficiency test scores item to determine whether they are required to submit English language proficiency scores to support their application.
International first-year students must submit one of the following English language proficiency exams.
Students do not need to submit English-language proficiency if they meet one of the following exemptions.
UNIVERSITY ADMISSION | UNIVERSITY BRIDGE ADMISSION | |
|---|---|---|
TOEFL IBT & Home Edition (Inst. Code 2906) | 79 old score / 4.0 new score (no sub-score below 3.0) | 74-78 old score / 3.5 new score (no sub-score below 3.0) |
IELTS or IELTS Indicator | 6.0 | 5.5 |
PTE Academic | 53 | 50-52 |
ITEP Academic Plus | 4.1 | 3.8-4.0 |
Duolingo | 110 | 100-105 |
Cambridge C1 Advanced or Cambridge C2 Proficiency | 180 | 160-179 |
Michigan English Test (MET) | 56 | 53-55 |
SAT Evidence-Based Reading and Writing | 550 | 530 |
Submitting letters of recommendation is optional.
If you submit letters of recommendation, please request letters from individuals, such as a high school teacher or advisor, who can speak to your academic abilities and accomplishments. Please send no more than two letters to [click-for-email] or through the Common Application.
Some majors in the Boyer College of Music and Dance, the Tyler School of Art and Architecture and the School of Theater, Film and Media Arts may require additional supporting information such as an audition, interview or portfolio. Please check your intended major’s specific requirements with the school or college below.
For schools and colleges with such requirements, you may schedule your audition and submit your portfolio for review prior to completing the submission of your application.
Soon after you submit your Common App, you will receive an email about setting up your Undergraduate Applicant Portal, where you can track the status of your application and submit any requirements to complete your application. The undergraduate applicant portal is also where you can make any necessary changes to your account and connect directly with us.
If you’re admitted, you may need to obtain a nonimmigrant student visa—including a student (F-1) or an exchange visitor (J-1) visa—as a next step toward your enrollment at Temple. Learn how to obtain your I-20 or DS-2019 from Temple and apply for an F-1 or J-1 visa.
If you are admitted to Temple and you have submitted your enrollment deposit, you must have your secondary school send your final transcript or proof of graduation to Temple.
Need help determining what satisfies proof of graduation? Please contact the International Admissions office.
Temple’s generous policy accepts advanced credits as determined by the examining body. If you have successfully completed IB, A Level, AP or CLEP courses/subjects, learn more about our policy.
Temple University is proud to support international students with a variety of dedicated scholarship. Learn more about the scholarships and awards available here, but we also strongly encourage you to reach out to your specific college to learn about scholarships available in those specific departments.
Academically qualified students whose English language scores fall below the university’s minimum requirement may still be eligible for admission and matriculation through the Temple University Bridge Program. The program provides English language instruction and specialized advising and support as students adjust to life at Temple and prepare for academic success.
Bridge Program students take credit-bearing courses that count toward their degree while continuing to strengthen their English proficiency. Learn more about The Temple University Bridge Program.
Another option to consider when applying to Temple is starting your degree at our campuses in either Italy or Japan. Through the Temple Rome and Temple Japan Entry Year programs, you can spend your first year at Temple University Rome or Japan and then complete your studies at Main Campus in Philadelphia. The Temple Rome and Japan Entry Year programs offer an American university education with a global foundation.