International students have additional application requirements, which are listed below.
TOEFL
If your first language is not English, you are required to submit an official test score from the Test of English as a Foreign Language Internet-Based Test (TOEFL iBT).
- We accept the TOEFL iBT Home Edition if you are unable to take the traditional TOEFL iBT test in a test center. If you take the Home Edition, you may be required to complete additional English placement testing prior to enrollment.
- We do not accept TOEFL Essentials scores or any other English proficiency test (e.g., IELTS, PTE).
Exemptions
You are exempt from submitting a TOEFL score if you meet one of the following criteria:
- You (will) have a bachelor’s, master’s, or doctoral degree from a regionally-accredited college or university in the United States (excluding territories and possessions).
- You (will) have an equivalent degree from an English-language university in Australia, Canada, Ireland, New Zealand, Singapore, or the United Kingdom.
The online application will not require you to submit a TOEFL score if you meet one of the criteria listed above for an exemption.
U.S. citizenship does not automatically exempt you from taking the TOEFL if your first language is not English.
Waivers
Applicants with degrees from institutions in countries other than those listed above and in which English was the only language of instruction must submit a request a waiver to the TOEFL requirement through our online application. This exception does not apply if the courses were completed in a country where English is spoken but not all courses were provided in English.
Score Validation
Scores must be submitted from a test taken within the last two years prior to the application deadline.
| Class | Deadline | Date for Valid Test Scores |
|---|---|---|
| Fall 2025 | 01 Dec 2024 | 01 Dec 2022 – 01 Dec 2024 |
Minimum Score Requirements
Applicants for doctoral programs in all fields must obtain a minimum score as follows:
| TOEFL | Minimum Score |
|---|---|
| Paper-based | 600 |
| Internet-based | 100 |
Submitting Your TOEFL Score
Official scores must be reported directly to Stanford by Educational Testing Service (ETS) using school code 4704. You may upload an unofficial copy of your scores through the online application.
Due to the volume of applications we receive we cannot confirm receipt of official test scores. If we need any additional information we will reach out to you directly.
We accept MyBest scores, which combine your highest section scores from all test dates within the last two years. All TOEFL scores we receive, including MyBest scores, will be made available to the admission committee. The admission committee may decide how they wish to evaluate the scores provided.
Degrees from Foreign Institutions
Stanford GSB’s assessment of a foreign degree is based on the characteristics of a national educational system, the type of institution attended and the level of studies completed.
The following guidelines indicate the minimum level of study required of applicants from recognized academic institutions outside the United States.
| Institution Region | Institution Country | Minimum Level Required |
|---|---|---|
| Africa | All Countries | Four-year bachelor’s, bachelor’s with honors, or maitrise. |
| Asia | India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal | Bachelor’s degree in engineering or medicine; or four-year bachelor’s degree. (Note: A three-year bachelor’s degree in any subject is not considered sufficient for graduate study at Stanford. The two-year master’s degree following the three-year bachelor’s degree from India is required.) |
| Asia | Russia | University diploma requiring four years of study. Three-year Bologna-compliant bachelor’s degree accepted (requires the Diploma Supplement issued in accordance with the Bologna Declaration). |
| Asia | All remaining countries | University degree requiring four years of study. |
| Europe | France | Diplome d’Ingenieur from grandes écoles, or completion of two years of classes préparatoires aux grandes écoles (CPGE) and two years of course work toward the Diplome d’Ingenieur degree. Otherwise, Maitrise from universities. |
| Europe | Germany | The diplom, magister artium (M.A.) or staatsexamen. Three-year Bologna-compliant bachelor’s degree accepted. |
| Europe | United Kingdom | British patterned education – bachelor’s degree with honours. |
| Europe | All remaining countries | University degree requiring four years of study. Three-year Bologna-compliant bachelor’s degree accepted. |
| Middle East | All countries | University degree requiring four years of study. |
| North/South America | Canada | Three-year bachelor’s degree from Quebec, four-year bachelor’s degree from other provinces. |
| North/South America | Latin America | University degree requiring four years of study. |
| North/South America | United States | Bachelor’s degree from a college or university accredited by a regional accrediting association. |
| Oceania | All countries | Bachelor’s degree (four years) or bachelor’s degree (honours). For French Polynesia, see the minimum qualifications for France. |
Academic Records from Foreign Institutions
Academic records should give detailed information on the content and quality of your performance, courses taken each year, and grades received. Degrees must be verified by official copies of diplomas or conferral statements on academic records.
If the institution does not issue records in English, original-language records must be submitted with translations. All translations must be literal and complete versions of the original records. All supporting material must be in English.
The university reserves the right to require additional academic documents. If we are unable to verify the nature or authenticity of your academic documents, you may be asked to obtain an evaluation from a foreign credential evaluation service.