International Admissions

You are an international freshman if you meet all of the following requirements.

1. You have not yet completed high school OR you have not enrolled in college coursework AFTER completing high school.
2. You are not a citizen of the United States and are not classified by United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) as a Legal Permanent Resident (Green Card holder)
3. You have a valid U.S. visa OR you plan to apply for a student visa

The following documents are required of ALL international freshman:

1. Submit the Application (Bear Application or Common Application)
2. Pay the non-refundable application fee OR apply with a valid free application code.
3. Submit official high school transcripts, mark sheets, and graduation certificates from all secondary or high schools attended.

Additional notes about submitting official documents:

• Official documents must be submitted at the time of application. Documents can either be submitted in an envelope sealed by the issuing institution or local ministry of education, or sent electronically directly from the institution.
• Please note that all documents issued in a foreign language must be accompanied by a certified literal and complete English translation.
• If you have taken external examinations to complete your secondary education (e.g. GCSE, A Levels, GCE, etc.) – please request the official results to be sent directly to us by the external examining body.

Optional Materials

Within both the Bear Application and Common Application you will have the opportunity to provide additional insight and information regarding your academic experiences.  We encourage all applicants, especially those with a GPA below a 3.0/4.o scale, to submit one or more optional materials.

• Personal Statement/Essay
• Academic Explanation
• Letter(s) of Recommendation

Submit the Bear Application

Submit the Common Application

Applications must be submitted 90 calendar days before the semester start date. Required supporting materials must be received by the Office of Admissions no later than 60 calendar days before the semester you wish to enroll.

Succeeding academically at UNC requires strong academic English skills prior to enrollment. To support student success, UNC requires applicants whose native language is not English, or who were educated in a language other than English, to demonstrate their English proficiency in one of the following ways.

To be fully admitted to UNC, applicants must meet demonstrated English proficiency requirements as well as academic requirements. Students who are not fully admitted will be provided a pathway to full admission through the university’s Intensive English Program.

Read UNC’s English Proficiency Policy

You are an international transfer if you meet all of the following requirements.

1. You have completed high school AND since graduating you have not enrolled in college coursework (regardless of credits earned)
2. You are not a citizen of the United States and are not classified by United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) as a Legal Permanent Resident (Green Card holder)
3. You have a valid U.S. visa OR you plan to apply for a student visa

The following documents are required of ALL international transfer students:

1. Submit the Bear Application
2. Pay the non-refundable application fee OR apply with a valid free application code.
3. Submit official high school transcripts, mark sheets, and graduation certificates from all secondary or high schools attended. Unless you have completed more than 30 semester hours of college/university coursework OR you have taken external examinations to complete your secondary education (e.g. GCSE, A Levels, GCE, etc.)
4. Official transcripts, mark sheets, graduation certificates and degree certificates from all colleges/universities attended. Official transcripts from US colleges/universities need to be requested and sent directly from the institution’s Registrar’s office

Additional notes about submitting official documents:

• Official documents must be submitted at the time of application. Documents can either be submitted in an envelope sealed by the issuing institution or local ministry of education OR sent electronically directly from the institution.
• Please note that all documents issued in a foreign language must be accompanied by a certified literal and complete English translation.
• If you have taken external examinations to complete your secondary education (e.g. GCSE, A Levels, GCE, etc.) – please request the official results to be sent directly to us by the external examining body.

Optional Materials

Within both Bear Application you will have the opportunity to provide additional insight and information regarding your academic and previous job experiences.  We encourage all applicants, especially those with a GPA below a 3.0/4.o scale or who have gaps in college enrollment, to submit optional materials.

• Personal Statement/Essay
• Academic Explanation / Job History
• Letter(s) of Recommendation

Submit the Bear Application

Applications must be submitted 90 calendar days before the semester start date. Required supporting materials must be received by the Office of Admissions no later than 60 calendar days before the semester you wish to enroll. Students with active application records who cannot meet these deadlines.

The process starts with completing your application online. This typically takes 20-30 minutes to complete, and you can save and return to your application as needed plus the time needed to submit optional materials and submit supporting documents.

Upon submission, you’ll receive access to your Admissions Portal.

International applicants will be sent a letter of admission and the proper immigration forms will be issued.

Access My Undergraduate Admissions Portal

Succeeding academically at UNC requires strong academic English skills prior to enrollment. To support student success, UNC requires applicants whose native language is not English, or who were educated in a language other than English, to demonstrate their English proficiency in one of the following ways.

To be fully admitted to UNC, applicants must meet demonstrated English proficiency requirements as well as academic requirements. Students who are not fully admitted will be provided a pathway to full admission through the university’s Intensive English Program.

Read UNC’s English Proficiency Policy

There is $ 100 non-refundable application fee. Upon submission of the application you will be prompted to pay the fee by credit card.

Access the IEP Application

We do not provide fee waivers for any IEP applicants at this time.

Please provide a clear, high resolution photocopy of the photo page of your passport. If you are currently in the U.S. please include a copy of your visa.

If you bringing  your dependent(s) to the U.S. please submit photocopies of their passports and proof of relationship such as a marriage certificate or birth certificates for children.

Transcripts should be from high school or highest level of education achieved. Upload your transcripts as an attachment after filling out the IEP application online.

Students planning to pursue the Intensive English Program who have already submitted transcripts for other applications will not be required to re-submit documents.

All required documents must be received no more than 30 days after the application deadline has passed.

• Fall 1 (Aug): May 31
• Fall 2 (Oct): July 31
• Spring 1 (Jan): Sept. 30
• Spring 2 (March): Dec. 31
• Summer (June): Feb. 28

This documentation is required for international students to receive an I-20.

All financial documents must be dated within the last 6 months. Acceptable forms of financial documents include check and/or savings account bank statements or certification on a bank’s letterhead, financial guarantee from your government, scholarship/assistantship awards letters, and loan confirmation letters.  An affidavit of support needs to accompany financial documents that are not issued with the student’s name.