International Admissions Requirements

Requirements for International Admissions

On This Page

• International Freshman Requirements
• International Transfer Requirements
  • US Transfer
  • Overseas Transfer
• International Master's Requirements
• International Credit by Examination

International Freshman Requirements

International students who apply for freshman admissions must meet certain academic, course, and English language requirements.

If you completed a US high school program and graduated with a US high school diploma, then the CSU’s domestic “A-G” admissions standards apply.

Academic Performance

“B” or 3.0 Grade Point Average (GPA) on the US 4 pt. scale

Education

Graduate from a “college-preparatory” high school program and have not attempted any college/university classes after graduation.

Courses

Complete university-preparatory mathematics courses including beginning algebra, geometry, and intermediate algebra. All courses must have passing grades (C or better, or the equivalent).

English Language Proficiency

Satisfy the English Language Proficiency Requirement and submit qualifying English exam scores.

Tests

No SAT or ACT test scores are required! Although not required, higher-level test scores may allow you to be placed into higher-level English and/or math courses

International Transfer Requirements

Admissions requirements for international transfer students depend on whether you have completed your college/university credits in the United States or overseas.

US Transfer

An applicant who has completed college/university credits in the US after high school.

US Transfer (Lower Division) - Fewer Than 60 Transferable Credits

• Successful completion of a secondary/high school program
• Completion of at least 24-semester credits (remedial coursework will be counted toward unit total)
• Minimum 2.0 GPA in all transferable-level coursework
• GE Area A courses completed with a grade of C- or higher
  • A1 – Oral Communication
  • A2 – Written Communication
  • A4/B4 – Quantitative Reasoning/Mathematics
• Language proficiency is met by completing GE Areas A1 and A2 with a grade of C- or higher

US Transfer (Upper Division) – 60 or More Transferable Credits

• Completion of at least 60 transferable-level credits
• Minimum of 2.0 GPA in all transferable-level coursework
• Must have GE Area A courses completed with a grade of C- or higher
  • A1 – Oral Communication
  • A2 – Written Communication
  • A4/B4 – Quantitative Reasoning/Mathematics
• Language proficiency is met by completing GE Areas A1 and A2 with a grade of C- or higher

Overseas Transfer

An applicant who has completed college/university credits outside the US after high school.

Overseas Transfer (Lower Division) – Fewer Than 60 Transferable Credits

• Completion of a university-preparatory secondary/high school program with a 3.0 (B in the US system) or "Very Good" average
• University-preparatory mathematics courses include beginning algebra, geometry, and intermediate algebra. All must have passing grades (C or better, or the equivalent)
• Minimum cumulative GPA of 2.40 in all college coursework
• Must have  English Proficiency
• The SAT test is  not required for admission
  • Although not required, higher-level test scores may allow you to be placed into higher-level English and/or Math courses

Overseas Transfer (Upper Division) – 60 or More Transferable Credits

• Minimum cumulative GPA of 2.40 for all college coursework
• Must have  English Proficiency
• The SAT test is  not required for admission
  • Although not required, higher-level test scores may allow you to be placed into higher-level English and/or Math courses

International Master's Requirements

International students applying for a master’s degree program must meet academic performance, education, and language requirements.

Academic Performance

2.5 cumulative Grade Point Average (GPA) on the US 4 pt. scale and 2.5 GPA in the last 60 units/credits of an acceptable earned bachelor's degree.

Education

Completion of an equivalent to a US 4-year bachelor’s degree.

Courses

Pre-requisites vary depending on the graduate program.

English Language Proficiency

Satisfy the English Language Proficiency Requirement and submit qualifying English exam scores.

Tests

Most programs do not require test scores. The GRE exam is only required for Computer Science MS applicants whose bachelor’s degree is not from an ABET accredited school in a computer science related discipline.

International Credit by Examination

The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) is a national level board of education for public and private secondary-level schools in India, controlled and managed by the Government of India. Under a pilot project launched in 2023, a limited number of CSU campuses will accept CBSE class XII examinations toward General Education credit. Each of the selected CSU campuses participating in the pilot determines how it will apply these examinations toward credit at their institution.

Below is the list of approved CBSE exam subjects approved by California State University, Chico for students applying for admission in academic year 2024-25 and beyond. Note that while 57 units in total have been approved for credit, a maximum of 30 units will be accepted for credit per student.

See also: Credit by External Standardized Examination (AP, IB, and CLEP)

1. Areas of GE Breadth (A1 through E) are defined in the CSU Policy on CSU General Education Breadth Requirements.