International Students

In addition to the credentials required for first-year, transfer and degree completion applicants, an international student must also submit proof of English proficiency. To ensure a student’s ability to participate successfully in the Lesley curriculum, students whose native language is not English must demonstrate English proficiency through one of these six options:

1. Official TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) score of 80 on the internet-based test is required. The Lesley University code for TOEFL is 3483.
2. Official IELTS (International English Language Testing System) score of 6.5 or higher is required. To submit IELTS scores, contact the center where you took the test and request an official Test Report Form be sent to Lesley.
3. Official Cambridge English Exam. Take the Cambridge English Exam at the "Advanced" level and achieve a score of "C1" or "C2".
4. Duolingo English Test with a minimum score of 105. 
5. ESL Program Partnerships.  We have partnered with several language schools to help you meet the English requirement by completion of the curriculum, at the specified level. Applicants must provide proof of successful completion and a letter of reference from the Program Coordinator or Teacher in support of the student’s English language capabilities.  Applicants may visit lesley.edu/more-content-admissions-block-h-1-english-language-proficiency for a list of ESL partnership schools and the levels that must be completed in order to fulfill the English proficiency requirement.
6. Applicants who graduate from high school, secondary school, pathway programs or associate’s degree programs taught in English may qualify to have the English proficiency requirement waived. If this is not noted on your transcript, please request a letter from your school, college, or university stating that English was your language of instruction

Financial aid is not available for international freshman and transfer applicants; however, international students may be considered for merit scholarships, if applicable. Admitted students who intend to enroll must submit a certification of finances from a bank stating that sufficient funds are available to cover the cost of a Lesley education.

An I-20 form, for students wishing to study on Lesley’s F-1 sponsorship, will be provided after the student has been accepted and has submitted both the certification of finances, the required enrollment contract and enrollment deposit (if applicable) signifying their intent to enroll, and if they meet all other eligible requirements based on previous U.S. immigration history (if applicable). The certification of Finances must be dated and submitted no earlier than three months prior to the start of the student’s first semester so as to be a current reflection of funds. Check the F-1 and Form I-20 Information section of the Lesley International Student Services office and contact iss@lesley.edu for assistance.