Applying as an International Student

Learn about the international student application and our International Academic Excellence Scholarships. Find your place in the world. Start here!

A student walks through the Ole Miss campus during a fall day.

Your Guide to Applying to Ole Miss

We're thrilled you've chosen to study at the University of Mississippi. Wherever you are, we're dedicated to giving you a world-class educational experience.

Ole Miss offers more than 200 academic programs. No matter your major, you'll receive a quality education at an affordable price. Are you a budding researcher? We have top-notch facilities to support the groundbreaking research conducted here. Are you a gamer?  We have an Esports minor and competitive team.  A dancer, a sculptor, an entrepreneur?  The appeal of Ole Miss is easy to see.

On this page, you'll find information on how to apply to Ole Miss, admissions requirements, and student life on our campus.

We also invite you to connect with the Office of Global Engagement. They are ready and willing to assist you with your application, answer questions about scholarships, and help make your move to Ole Miss smooth and seamless.

Let's get started.

International Undergraduate Application and Admissions

Ready to apply? Find out more about the requirements for undergraduate students.

Below, you’ll find the application requirements for international students applying to the University of Mississippi.

  • Whether you’re applying as a first-time freshman or a transfer student, review the section that best fits your situation to ensure you submit all required materials.

First Time Freshmen Application Requirements

If you are applying to the University of Mississippi as a first-time freshman, you can submit your application through either:

Application Fee
  • $75 (U.S.), payable when you complete your application. 
  • The fee cannot be waived, and we cannot process your application without payment. 
High School Transcript(s)

Transcripts should be emailed to study@olemiss.edu

We consider transcripts official only if they are:

  • Sent directly from a high school counselor or school official, or
  • Submitted through the Common App.

Transcripts sent by students are unofficial. You must bring an official transcript and diploma upon arrival at the University of Mississippi. 

English Test Score

English proficiency can be demonstrated many ways.

  • Please see our list of accepted tests, waivers, and scores below. 
  • Submit your reports by email to study@olemiss.edu or directly to UM using code 1840. 

Transfer International Students Application Requirements

If you are transferring to the University of Mississippi from a college or university outside the United States, you can apply through:

Application Fee 
  • $75 (U.S.), payable upon completion of the application.
  • The fee cannot be waived, and we cannot process your application without payment. 

Transcript(s)

Transcripts can be submitted by email to study@olemiss.edu

Transcript requirements depend on your completed credit hours:

  • Fewer than 30 credit hours of university-level coursework: please send BOTH your high school transcript(s) and in-progress university transcript.
  • More than 30 credit hours of university-level coursework: please send your in-progress university transcript showing over 30 credit hours.

We consider transcripts official when they are sent directly from a high school counselor or school official or through Common App.

English Test Score

English proficiency can be demonstrated many ways.

  • Please see our list of accepted tests, waivers, and scores below.
  • Submit your reports by email to study@olemiss.edu or directly to UM using code 1840.

The ability to communicate effectively in the English language is critically important to students’ academic and personal success as well as to safety in laboratories and other academic and research environments.

International applicants whose primary language is not English and/or who have completed their secondary or tertiary education primarily outside of the U.S. must submit official scores from the acceptable tests in the table below.

  • English language proficiency requirements may be met by providing qualifying test scores.
  • To be considered official, test scores must be sent directly from the testing agency to the university and be less than two years old.
  • The school code for the University of Mississippi is 1840.

Test

Undergraduate and Graduate Admission

IE 090/091 Pathway

Intensive English Program (test not required)

CambridgeB2 First (FCE), C1Adv (CAE), or C2 Prof (PFE) score of 169+; no part below 162
Duolingo110100 - 10999 and below
GCSE/IGCSE/O-levelB (6)C (5)
IB HL English A (Language + Literature) or (Literature)5+
IB HL English B5+
IB SL English A (Language + Literature) or (Literature)5+
IB SL English B6+
IELTS6.05.55.0 and below
IELTS Indicator6.0
Password Skills Test6.0
PTE-A (Pearson Test of English- Academic)5347 - 5246 and below
TOEFL iBT7969 - 7868 and below
TOEFL My Best™ Score79 with no My Best™ Score subscore lower than 19

Exemptions

The following applicants are exempt from submitting one of the above English language proficiency scores:

  • International applicants who show evidence of having completed the Advanced Plus Level at the University of Mississippi’s Intensive English Program with a grade of B or higher.
  • International applicants who apply for admission as degree-seeking freshmen and who have completed two years minimum of high school education at, and graduated from, an accredited high school in the U.S. Such applicants must, however, comply with the admission standards for domestic (i.e., U.S.) applicants as stated in the undergraduate catalog.
  • International applicants who apply for admission as degree-seeking transfer students and who have completed at least 30 credits, including two English Writing/Composition courses, at an accredited institution of higher education in the U.S., and who have earned a cumulative grade-point average of 2.00 or higher on a 4.00 scale, and a grade of 2.00 or higher on a 4.00 scale on each of the English writing/composition courses.
  • International applicants who have earned a higher education degree (including the equivalent of an associate or bachelor’s degree) from an institution in one of a group of countries listed on the English Language Test Requirement exemption list while residing in that country.
  • Citizens of one of a group of countries listed on the English Language Test Requirement exemption list.

English Language Proficiency Test Exemption List

Applicants with English proficiency scores that are lower than the above minima may be admitted as follows:

  • Applicants with scores of 69-78 TOEFL IBT; 5.50 IELTS; or 47-52 PTE-A may be admitted but are required to enroll in IE 090 English for International Students and IE 091 Academic Writing Lab for International Students during their first term of enrollment at the university and, if necessary, in subsequent terms until they complete the courses successfully.  Successful completion of IE 090 and IE 091 means student much receive a C grade or higher on both courses IE 090 and IE 091.
  • Students who lack an acceptable English proficiency score and who wish to be considered for an exemption from the IE 090/IE 091 requirement may choose to take the English Placement Test upon arrival at the university.
  • Conditional admission may be granted to applicants with English proficiency scores below 69 TOEFL IBT; 5:50 IELTS; 47 PTE-A who meet all other requirements for undergraduate admission.

Please note that admission to the University of Mississippi’s Intensive English Language Program requires a separate application process in addition to the application process for conditional undergraduate admission.

The Intensive English Program (IEP) provides English language instruction for international students who wish to study at the University of Mississippi or other institutions in the United States.

  • The IEP offers classes in speaking and listening, reading, writing, and grammar at four different ability levels.
  • Content-based courses such as American Culture, Intercultural Communication, and Pronunciation are offered as well.
  • Full-time students are registered for between 18 and 20 hours of non-degree credit.

In addition to its intensive program, the IEP plans cultural activities and encourages students to participate in on- and off-campus events.

The program follows the university semester schedule and includes one eight-week session in the summer. Special shorter programs are available upon request.

Learn More and Apply

Student Life at Ole Miss

Learn more about student life, from living on campus to student support and resources.

Meet our Senior International Officer

Blair is here to answer all of your international questions.

Blair McElroy

Senior International Officer