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PhD Program

 

International Applicants

Fluency in English

The quantity and quality of academic work at Stanford University cannot be accomplished without mastery of the English language before arrival on the campus. This point is deliberately emphasized because students in the Graduate School of Business are expected to submit numerous reports, to take written examinations regularly, and to participate actively in classroom discussions. All applicants must be able to understand rapid, idiomatic English as spoken in lectures and group discussions by individuals of widely varying accents. Students from non-English-speaking countries must be able to communicate quickly and clearly in spoken and written English, as well as to read it with ease.

Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL)

Scores are required of all applicants whose first language is not English. Exception: individuals who have completed, or will complete by June 2008 a U.S. bachelor's degree or a two-year master's degree (or the equivalent of either degree) at a recognized institution where all instruction is provided in English are not required to submit TOEFL scores. This exception does not apply if the courses were completed in a country where English is spoken, though not all courses were provided in English. Being a citizen of the United States does not automatically exempt an applicant from taking the TOEFL. If the applicant's first language is not English, the applicant must meet the exception above or submit TOEFL scores.

  • Scores must be submitted from a test taken within the last eighteen months prior to our deadline of December 1, 2007.
  • For Autumn 2008, we will accept scores taken from June 1, 2006 through December 1, 2007.
  • Applicants for all fields taking the computer-based TOEFL are required to have a minimum total score in the range of 250-300.
  • Applicants for doctoral programs in all fields taking the paper-based TOEFL are required to have a minimum total score of 600.
  • Applicants for doctoral programs in all fields taking the internet-based TOEFL are required to have a minimum total score of 100.
  • Scores must be reported directly to Stanford from the Educational Testing Service. We do not accept score reports mailed by applicants as official.

Educational School Code

  • TOEFL - Educational School Code - 4704