International Applicants

International students have additional application requirements, which are listed below.

TOEFL

Scores from the TOEFL exam are required of all applicants whose first language is not English. Being a U.S. citizen does not automatically exempt an applicant from taking the TOEFL; if the applicant’s first language is not English, the applicant must meet the requirements for an exemption or waiver below or submit TOEFL scores. Stanford does not accept scores from the IELTS exam.

Exemptions

Exemptions to the TOEFL requirement are granted to applicants who have earned a U.S. bachelor’s, master’s, or doctoral degree from a college or university accredited by a regional accrediting association in the United States, or the international equivalent degree from a university of recognized standing in a country in which all instruction is provided in English. Therefore, applicants with degrees from the U.S., Australia, Canada (except Quebec), New Zealand, Singapore, and the United Kingdom (England, Scotland, Ireland, Wales) are exempt from taking the TOEFL and do not need to request a TOEFL waiver through the application portal.

Waivers

Applicants with degrees from institutions in countries other than those listed above and in which English was the only language of instruction must submit a request a waiver to the TOEFL requirement through our online application. This exception does not apply if the courses were completed in a country where English is spoken but not all courses were provided in English.

Score Validation

Scores must be submitted from a test taken within the last two years prior to the application deadline.

Class Deadline Date for Valid Test Scores
Fall 2024 01 Dec 2023 01 Dec 2021 – 01 Dec 2023

Minimum Score Requirements

Applicants for doctoral programs in all fields must obtain a minimum score as follows:

TOEFL Minimum Score
Paper-based 600
Internet-based 100

Submitting Your TOEFL Score

Official scores must be reported directly to Stanford by Educational Testing Service (ETS) using school code 4704. You may upload an unofficial copy of your scores through the online application.

Due to the volume of applications we receive we cannot confirm receipt of official test scores. If we need any additional information we will reach out to you directly.

Degrees from Foreign Institutions

Stanford GSB’s assessment of a foreign degree is based on the characteristics of a national educational system, the type of institution attended and the level of studies completed.

The following guidelines indicate the minimum level of study required of applicants from recognized academic institutions outside the United States.

Institution Region Institution Country Minimum Level Required
Africa All Countries Four-year bachelor’s, bachelor’s with honors, or maitrise.
Asia India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal Bachelor’s degree in engineering or medicine; or four-year bachelor’s degree. (Note: A three-year bachelor’s degree in any subject is not considered sufficient for graduate study at Stanford. The two-year master’s degree following the three-year bachelor’s degree from India is required.)
Asia Russia University diploma requiring four years of study. Three-year Bologna-compliant bachelor’s degree accepted (requires the Diploma Supplement issued in accordance with the Bologna Declaration).
Asia All remaining countries University degree requiring four years of study.
Europe France Diplome d’Ingenieur from grandes écoles, or completion of two years of classes préparatoires aux grandes écoles (CPGE) and two years of course work toward the Diplome d’Ingenieur degree. Otherwise, Maitrise from universities.
Europe Germany The diplom, magister artium (M.A.) or staatsexamen. Three-year Bologna-compliant bachelor’s degree accepted.
Europe United Kingdom British patterned education – bachelor’s degree with honours.
Europe All remaining countries University degree requiring four years of study. Three-year Bologna-compliant bachelor’s degree accepted.
Middle East All countries University degree requiring four years of study.
North/South America Canada Three-year bachelor’s degree from Quebec, four-year bachelor’s degree from other provinces.
North/South America Latin America University degree requiring four years of study.
North/South America United States Bachelor’s degree from a college or university accredited by a regional accrediting association.
Oceania All countries Bachelor’s degree (four years) or bachelor’s degree (honours). For French Polynesia, see the minimum qualifications for France.

Academic Records from Foreign Institutions

Academic records should give detailed information on the content and quality of your performance, courses taken each year, and grades received. Degrees must be verified by official copies of diplomas or conferral statements on academic records.

If the institution does not issue records in English, original-language records must be submitted with translations. All translations must be literal and complete versions of the original records. All supporting material must be in English.

The university reserves the right to require additional academic documents. If we are unable to verify the nature or authenticity of your academic documents, you may be asked to obtain an evaluation from a foreign credential evaluation service.

Tips for Scanning and Submitting Documents

  • Do not password-protect the document or embed macros
  • Limit the file size to 10 MB
  • Configure the document to print full-size on 8.5 x 11” letter-size paper