The University of Tennessee accepts only students who have superior records. An international student must have the equivalent of a 4-year Bachelor's degree with at least a B average on undergraduate coursework and a B+ on all previous graduate work. Grading systems will be evaluated upon receipt of transcripts. An international student may apply for admission in any semester, but normally enters the fall semester. Deadlines for Submission of Applications and $35 Application Fee are:

The Office of Graduate and International Admissions must be notified of any change in entering date after admission has been granted. In addition to the application procedures and materials detailed on the Admission page , the following items must be submitted to The Graduate School before admission will be considered:

• Official or attested university records, with certified translations if the records are not in English (notarized copies are not acceptable).
• $35 non-refundable application fee.  Payment should be made in United States dollars by either a cashier check, money order, or a personal check payable to University of Tennessee.  If payment is by personal check, the check must be drawn on a United States bank to be honored in U.S. currency.  Checks drawn on overseas banks are not accepted.  International money orders are suggested.  Attach fee with application.  If fee is not attached, the application will be destroyed, no exceptions made.
• Certification of English proficiency. Each applicant whose native language is not English must submit the results of  the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL), taken within the past two years, or have received a degree from an accredited U.S. institution in the last two years from the date of entry.   Official scores must be submitted directly to the University of Tennessee from the Educational Testing Service.  A minimum score of 550 for paper-based test or 213 for computer-based test or 80 for Internet-based test (iBT) is required for admission consideration.
• Documented evidence of financial resources sufficient to support the student as stated on the financial statement form supplied to the applicant.

Admission must be granted and financial documentation and degree confirmation must be received prior to issuance of a Certificate of Eligibility (Form I-20)  needed to obtain a visa from the United States Consulate. Students on the University's Exchange Visitor Program will be mailed a Form DS-2019 to be used in obtaining a J-1 visa.  Students intending to obtain a J-1 visa or those already in the United States in J-1 status should notify the admissions office as soon as possible if a DS-2019 is required. A student may not be issued both an I-20 and a DS-2019.  The Graduate School will not issue these forms after the following dates:

The University will not enroll any student who has not been approved initially or for transfer by the Immigration and Naturalization Services (INS) to attend UT.  An international student may not enroll as a provisional or non-degree student. All students whose native language is not English must take an English proficiency examination after arrival at UT.