A TOEFL or IELTS score is required of all international applicants whose native language is not English (unless you have studied in the US for 2 or more years). The required minimum scores are TOEFL - 79 and IELTS - 6.5.

Undergraduate Applicants: Students may self-report their scores in the following ways:

• On their application for admission
• Via email at admissions@rit.edu
• From your school/college counselor via mail or email

Admitted students will be required to submit their official scores once they choose to enroll at RIT.

All admitted students scoring in a conditional admission range will be tested by RIT's English Language Center upon arrival at RIT. The results of this testing will determine if English instruction for non-native speakers will be required before a student may begin academic courses. RIT also offers conditional admission where students can integrate English Language studies with their academic program.

If you feel there is a reason for the English test requirement to be waived, contact our office.

Graduate Applicants: Please view the minimum score requirements for your particular intended program of study via the Programs Offered page. International applicants may be considered for an English test requirement waiver. Refer to the English Language Test Scores section within Application Materials to review waiver eligibility.

Official scores must be received by RIT in order for your application to be completed and sent for review.

RIT does not require SAT/ACT scores for undergraduate applicants, though submission of a standardized test score is highly encouraged for RIT’s most competitive programs.  

Graduate applicants can check test requirements for each individual program on our Graduate Admissions Deadlines and Requirements page. 

Undergraduate Applicants: RIT offers scholarship funding to international students based on academic merit, financial need or a combination of both. Merit scholarship consideration is automatic. First-year and Transfer students may apply for need-based assistance. To apply for need-based grants, students must complete the College Board CSS Profile for International Students, Canadian Student Financial Aid Application, or the RIT International Student Financial Aid Application (RITISFAA) and submit it to RIT by uploading to your admissions portal. 

• When completing the Canadian Student Financial Aid Application, please upload a scanned copy of your financial aid application to our Secure Document Upload.
• When completing the College Board CSS Profile, enter code 2760 on your CSS Profile application to have your Profile information sent to RIT.

RIT does not offer full cost or full tuition scholarships. The typical maximum scholarship amount is $20,000 per year. In addition, international students are eligible to work on campus up to 20 hours per week.

Graduate Applicants: We will automatically consider all graduate applicants for available merit-based tuition scholarships and assistantships. Scholarship and assistantship awards are made by the academic department at the time you apply for admission, are based on academic excellence, and vary by student and department. To be considered, complete the graduate application for admission.

RIT requires first-year international students to live on campus in RIT Housing. 

For graduate students, on-campus living is optional. RIT Housing is available for graduate students but cannot be guaranteed. View our housing options guide for helpful information to aid in your on- or off-campus housing search. The majority of our graduate students choose to live off campus, in one of the many apartment complexes near campus. On-campus apartments and residence halls are assigned on a first-come, first-served basis, and early application for RIT Housing is encouraged. 

The staff at RIT’s International Student Services Office (ISS) provide a solid foundation for RIT's commitment to international education, assisting individuals from more than 100 countries. They advise students, faculty, clubs and departments on immigration, cultural, academic and personal matters.

All RIT students also have access to faculty and academic advisors, Academic Support to help you succeed in your program, and one of the largest Offices of Career Services and Co-operative Education in the United States. 

Rest assured that if you ever need support on campus, there are multiple places to receive it. The RIT community is here to help. 

RIT automatically reviews all international applicants for merit scholarships. Merit scholarships are based on a holistic review of each applicant’s grades, test scores, and other supporting documents. Admitted students are notified of their scholarship at the time of admission.

Undergraduate applicants can apply for need-based scholarships by completing the College Board CSS Profile for International Students, Canadian Student Financial Aid Application, or the RIT International Student Financial Aid Application (RITISFAA) and submitting it to RIT by uploading to your admissions portal. 

• When completing the Canadian Student Financial Aid Application, please upload a scanned copy of your financial aid application to our Secure Document Upload.
• When completing the College Board CSS Profile, enter code 2760 on your CSS Profile application to have your Profile information sent to RIT.

Visit the Scholarships and Other Aid section of our website for additional information.

RIT is located on a 1,300-acre campus in suburban Rochester with plenty of open space for leisure and recreation. Our campus is a safe, secure residential campus that has blue-light emergency notification kiosks throughout the campus, a well-staffed security team, student health center and our own ambulance service. The urban and suburban areas also offer safe and secure living communities for those students who choose to live off campus.

When your child arrives in Rochester for the fall semester temperatures can range up to 80 degrees Fahrenheit (26 degrees Celsius). As the semester progresses seasons will change from fall to winter, and warmer clothes will be required.

Students can bring (or purchase in Rochester) a warm winter jacket and boots for the winter season. Rochester has ample stores for students to shop and RIT’s shuttle services provides free transportation.

Most of our international students thoroughly enjoy experiencing snow (often for the first time!) and the winter season is celebrated at RIT.

Undergraduate international students are required to live on campus their freshman year. RIT’s large, residential campus offers 21 campus dining locations, a market, post office, bank, hair salon, and shuttle service to easily navigate between work, class, and play.

On-campus housing options can be found on our Housing Office website.

Campus involvement is an important aspect of student life. Getting involved in a student group or another organization is a great way for your student to meet friends with mutual interests, boost a resume, and get leadership experience. With over 200 student groups at RIT, your student should have no problems finding one that fits his/her interests!

More information about student groups and activities may be found on our Parents & Families website.

As a parent of a college student, it can be painful to hear that your student isn’t feeling well, is struggling, or isn't happy. Even if the problem is as simple as a cold, it will be hard to not be right there for your son or daughter. It will be difficult for your student to not have you there as well, but there are resources at RIT to help your student through the small and large health issues.

If your student is sick and needs to visit the Student Health Center, allow them to make the appointment. This way, your student can work the appointment around class schedules and learn to advocate for his or her own health needs.

While college is a time for opportunity and growth, the pressures of college life can lead to stress and anxiety for some students. As a parent, you know how your student responds in stressful situations, and may recognize when your student needs help. If you have mental health concerns about your student, remind them that they can talk to someone at Counseling and Psychological Services (CPS). If you are unsure how to approach this topic with your student, you can call CPS for advice.

RIT is focused not just on providing health care for students, but also on creating an environment where students can think about their wellness on a broader level. Student Wellness Services assists students in learning how to take care of themselves and develop healthy lifestyles across all areas of life.

RIT’s campus is conveniently located five miles from the Greater Rochester International Airport (airport code: ROC) and the New York State Thruway (Interstate 90).

Rochester is served by Greyhound and Trailways bus lines, Amtrak trains and public bus lines. The Greater Rochester International Airport is served by most major airlines including United, Delta, American, JetBlue, Southwest and others. RIT's main campus is five miles from both the airport and the New York State Thruway (Interstate 90), exit 46.

Taxis and ride services (Uber, Lyft) are available at the train and bus stations, as well as the airport. RIT is also a stop on Route 24 of the Regional Transit Service, the area's mass transit bus system.