Application instructions for government-sponsored students

Congratulations on your scholarship and thank you for your interest in the University of Missouri!

The University of Missouri is considered one of the top-tier universities in the United States. It enrolls almost 30,000 students in 14 academic colleges.

MU is located in the heart of the United States, in the city of Columbia (population 116,000). Columbia frequently wins national recognition for its affordability and high quality of life, and has a diverse and safe community that welcomes international students. Currently, MU hosts more than 2,000 international students, including approximately 250 sponsored students. The Sponsored Student Program at MU works with 16 home-country government sponsors, and the top three student populations in this area are Iraq, Saudi Arabia and Kuwait.

The instructions below offer guidance for the application and admission process by degree level. Do not hesitate to contact the Sponsored Student Program with any questions (musponsoredstudentprogram@missouri.edu).

Undergraduate non-degree seeking students

Interested in joining MU for just a semester or year as a non-degree seeking student? We can help! Carefully review these instructions for applying as a non-degree seeking international sponsored students.

  1. MU offers more than 300 different degree programs for undergraduate study. Review the majors and fields of study available to determine if we offer your area of interest.
  2. Review the undergraduate International Admissions requirements and compile and send required documents and test scores:
    • Academic transcripts
    • TOEFL/IELTS scores
  3. Begin the online undergraduate application, making sure to indicate that you are applying as a visiting international student.
  4. Contact the Sponsored Student Program by email (musponsoredstudentprogram@missouri.edu) and provide the following information:
    • Copy of scholarship letter
    • Scholarship adviser name and email address
  5. Once our team has reviewed your file and approved, submit your online application and pay the application fee.

Undergraduate degree-seeking students

  1. MU offers more than 300 different degree programs for undergraduate study. Review the majors and fields of study available to determine if we offer your area of interest.
  2. Review the undergraduate International Admissions requirements and compile and send required documents and test scores:
    • Academic transcripts
    • TOEFL/IELTS scores
    • ACT/SAT scores
  3. Begin the online undergraduate application, making sure to indicate that you are applying as a visiting international student.
  4. Contact the Sponsored Student Program by email (musponsoredstudentprogram@missouri.edu) and provide the following information:
    • Copy of scholarship letter
    • Scholarship adviser name and email address
  5. Submit your online application and pay the application fee.

Graduate (master’s/Ph.D.) students

MU offers a wide variety of master’s programs and doctoral/Ph.D. programs on campus.

Applying to a graduate degree program at MU is two-part process. Application materials will be reviewed first by the specific degree program and then by the Graduate School.

Because admission requirements vary by academic program, you must refer to a degree program’s website to learn about the application process, including specific admission criteria, application deadlines and required documents. To find a program’s website, refer to the list of graduate degree programs.

All graduate programs at MU have the following minimum admission requirements for applicants:

  • Have earned a U.S. bachelor’s degree or its equivalent from a regionally accredited institution. If your degree is from a non-U.S. institution, it must be recognized and approved by the Ministry of Education or Commission responsible for higher education in the country where the degree is earned. The degree must be equivalent to a four-year U.S. bachelor’s degree, or higher degree.
  • Have earned a 3.0 or better GPA in the last 60 hours of baccalaureate coursework (if you have less than a master’s degree).
  • Meet additional requirements for international applicants, including proof of English language proficiency.
English language proficiency
All non-native English speakers are also required to provide proof of English language ability. The Graduate School accepts scores from:

You must earn a minimum total score as well as subsection scores according to the table below. Test scores are considered valid for two years beyond the test date.

Test Total Reading Listening Speaking Writing
TOEFL internet-based 80 17 17 17 17
IELTS Academic 6.5 6 6 6 6
PTE 59 – – – –
Cambridge C1 Advanced 180 – – – –

Some degree programs require test scores that are higher than the minimum university requirements. Refer to the program’s website for details.

Application instructions
  1. Required application materials and deadlines vary by degree program. Review the specific requirements and deadlines for your program of interest.
  2. Compile the required materials and prepare for required standardized exams.
  3. Submit an online Graduate School application.
    • Include your sponsor information when asked to select your sponsoring organization.
  4. Send your required test scores and official transcripts to the Graduate School.
  5. Contact the Sponsored Student Program by email (musponsoredstudentprogram@missouri.edu) and provide:
    • Copy of your passport biographical page
    • Copy of your financial guarantee from your scholarship program
Conditional acceptance process
Some graduate degree programs at MU may offer conditional acceptance to international sponsored applicants who do not meet the program’s general acceptance requirements. This is an option if you lack language proficiency test scores and standardized exams at the time of application. Conditional acceptance can allow you to obtain the funding required to pursue English language training in the United States.

You should contact your program of interest to determine if the program offers conditional acceptance. You must meet all of the university’s general admission requirements before enrolling in graduate courses.

Application instructions for conditional acceptance
  1. Required application materials and deadlines vary by degree program. Review the specific requirements and deadlines for your program of interest.
  2. Compile the required materials except for standardized exams.
  3. Submit an online Graduate School application.
    • Include your sponsor information when asked to select your sponsoring organization.
    • Indicate that you are seeking conditional acceptance.
  4. Send your official transcripts to the Graduate School.
  5. Contact the Sponsored Student Program by email (musponsoredstudentprogram@missouri.edu) and provide:
    • Copy of your passport biographical page
    • Copy of your financial guarantee from your scholarship program
    • Indicate that you are seeking conditional acceptance
  6. If you are conditionally accepted by an academic program, the Sponsored Student Program will apply on your behalf to the MU Intensive English Program for the next available term and create your DS-2019 or I-20, depending on your home government’s preference.