The University of Arizona: Admission for International Students

The University of Arizona (U of A) is a public research university in Tucson, known for astronomy, optical sciences, earth sciences and health programs. International first-year applicants need a secondary record equivalent to at least a B average over the last three years, IELTS 6.5 or TOEFL iBT 79, and no SAT or ACT. Applicants whose English falls short can be offered conditional admission through a bridge program. The university's published annual estimate for an international undergraduate is $67,083 including living costs and insurance, and it reports that more than 82% of new international undergraduates in fall 2024 received a Global Wildcat Scholarship.

This is not Arizona State University. ASU sits in the Phoenix area and has its own profile; Northern Arizona University in Flagstaff is the state's third public university. Check the web address when researching: the University of Arizona uses arizona.edu, ASU uses asu.edu.

University of Arizona vs Arizona State University

Both universities admit without the SAT and offer conditional admission for weaker English, yet applications, deadlines and scholarships are separate.

Who the University of Arizona suits

The University of Arizona works well for students who want a strong public university with predictable requirements and can plan for about $65,000 a year after a partial award. If being near a large city matters, compare it with ASU or the University of Washington in Seattle.

Undergraduate entry requirements

Grades and school subjects

According to the university, strong applicants have a recalculated GPA of at least 3.0 over their last three years of coursework. For the Russian attestat, the 3.0 equivalent is "B or 4", meaning mostly 4s and 5s. The university recalculates grades during review.

The Arizona Board of Regents also sets core subjects: four years of English, four years of math, three years of laboratory science, two years of social science, two years of one second language and one year of fine arts or career and technical education. Applicants who miss some of these can still be considered through comprehensive review, and the admissions office makes the final decision.

Documents

• For review, unofficial transcripts or self-reported grades are enough.
• Before enrollment, official records for all secondary years, the final certificate and English translations are required.
• Official records are originals or copies certified by the issuing school or the Ministry of Education, with an original signature and a colored seal. The university does not accept notary certification.
• Certified translations come from the issuing school, a member of the American Translators Association, the Ministry of Education or a NACES member.

The 500-word essay is optional but strongly encouraged, as it is one of the few places to show more than grades.

SAT and ACT

Neither is required for admission, merit scholarships or the W.A. Franke Honors College. Scores you do send help with course placement and can also satisfy English proficiency (SAT Evidence-Based Reading and Writing 580, ACT English 21). See our guide to the SAT or ACT.

English proficiency

Scores must be dated within two years of your application and sent directly by the testing agency.

Coursework can also count: for example, three years at a secondary school taught in English with at least a C in English. More on test formats in our Duolingo English Test guide.

Conditional admission

If you meet the academic standard but your English is below the minimum, the university may offer conditional admission. You then start at the Center for English as a Second Language (CESL) in the University-Track bridge program, combining English study with first academic courses. The route takes longer but stays within the same university.

Deadlines and steps

Applications after November 1 move to regular decision, released in batches during spring while space remains. The spring calendar on the deadlines page is set out for transfer students, so first-year applicants interested in a January start should ask their regional recruiter.

Steps:

1. Common App, selecting the University of Arizona, with the $80 fee and essay.
2. Transcripts, uploaded in the application or through the Future Wildcat portal.
3. English test, sent directly by the testing agency.
4. Decision, by email and in Future Wildcat.
5. After admission, pay the $450 enrollment fee in the Next Steps Center, request the I-20 in MyGlobal and apply for housing.

Some international admits are offered a first year in London through Verto Education before moving to Tucson. Others may be admitted to The A Center, an undeclared first year with structured advising.

Annual cost

The $18,250 living figure is exactly what you must prove on top of tuition to receive the I-20. Books are estimated at $450 per semester. A payment plan splits fall and spring charges into three installments for a $75 per-semester fee. The application fee, the $450 enrollment fee and visa costs are extra. Four years at current prices come to about $268,000 before any scholarship. Our guide to the cost of studying in the USA covers the wider budget.

Scholarships

International students are not eligible for federal or state aid. Options include:

• Global Wildcat Scholarship. The university reports that more than 82% of new international undergraduates received it in fall 2024. Applying by November 1 brings priority for merit aid. Award amounts are not listed on the international cost page, so budget with a margin.
• Scholarship Universe. Once admitted, you gain access to this matching platform for university and external awards you can apply to.
• GatosMX tuition discount, limited to graduates of high schools in four Mexican states, so not relevant to CIS applicants.

The university makes scholarship decisions. Compare approaches in our guide to financial aid for international students in the USA.

Housing

The university expects first-year undergraduates to live on campus, and every first-year resident needs a meal plan. Rates for 2026–27 per person in a double room, housing only:

Fall rent includes a non-refundable $400 rent down payment. Singles cost about 50% more and are scarce for new students. More in our guide to student housing in the USA.

F-1 student visa

After admission and the $450 enrollment fee, you request the I-20 in MyGlobal and document tuition plus $18,250 for living costs. The deadlines page lists July 1 as the fall I-20 request deadline, so request it soon after committing. Next come the SEVIS fee ($350), the visa fee ($185) and the interview. Russian nationals book interviews at the U.S. Embassy in Warsaw or Astana, as the embassy in Moscow does not offer routine nonimmigrant visa services. Kazakh citizens apply in Astana or Almaty. F-1 applicants must set social media profiles to public, and the consulate decides on the visa.

On July 17, 2026 the Department of Homeland Security published a final rule replacing "duration of status" with a fixed admission period for F-1 students. According to the university's International Student Services, a U.S. District Court temporarily postponed its effective date on September 14, 2026, so the existing framework still applies for now; ISS posts updates on its page. See our F-1 student visa guide and working while studying and OPT.

The University of Arizona in Kazakhstan

Searches for "University of Arizona in Kazakhstan", "in Petropavlovsk" and "in Almaty" point to different things.

• Petropavl. Since fall 2022, the University of Arizona has run dual degree programs with North Kazakhstan University (formerly Kozybayev University). It started with applied biotechnology and information science, added inclusive education in 2023 and announced a business administration bachelor's for fall 2026. According to the university, tuition for these students is fully funded by Kazakhstan's Ministry of Science and Higher Education; graduates receive both degrees and may spend a semester in Tucson. The first 31 graduates finished in July 2026. Applications go through the Kazakh university, not the Common App.
• Almaty. The University of Arizona's official pages list no campus or program of its own in Almaty. If an Almaty institution is described as "Arizona", check its website to see which U.S. university is involved, as the University of Arizona and ASU are often confused.

A Kazakh citizen applying to the main Tucson campus uses the standard international application, and the university applies its own grade conversion for the Kazakh certificate.

Notes for applicants from Russia

• Notarized copies do not work. Use copies certified by the school or the Ministry of Education, with signature and colored seal.
• Translations follow the same logic. School, ATA member, Ministry of Education or NACES agency.
• Three years of grades. The review covers your last three years, not only the final certificate.
• Early action pays off. Applying by November 1 gives scholarship priority.
• Payments. Legal routes are covered in how to pay for studies abroad from Russia.

Mistakes to avoid

• Confusing the two Arizona universities. Applications and scholarships do not transfer between them.
• Sending notarized copies. They are not accepted as official records.
• Waiting until spring. After November 1, decisions depend on remaining space and priority aid has gone.
• Forgetting the I-20 request. Without the enrollment fee and the MyGlobal request, no I-20 is issued.
• Budgeting tuition only. The I-20 also requires proof of $18,250 for living costs.

The University of Arizona in the rankings

FAQ

Where is the University of Arizona?

In Tucson, southern Arizona, about two hours by car from Phoenix. The main campus is close to the historic center, and Tucson has its own international airport.

How is the University of Arizona different from Arizona State University?

They are separate public universities: the University of Arizona is in Tucson, ASU is in the Phoenix area. Each has its own application, English requirements, costs and scholarships.

How much does the University of Arizona cost for international students?

The estimate is $46,068 in tuition and fees, $18,250 in living expenses and $2,765 for insurance, about $67,083 a year before any scholarship.

Is the SAT required?

No. SAT and ACT scores are not required for admission or merit aid. Scores you send can satisfy English proficiency, and the admissions office decides on the whole application.

Can I be admitted without IELTS?

Not without proof of English, but strong students may receive conditional admission and start in the CESL University-Track program alongside first academic courses. The admissions office decides whether to offer this option.

Does the University of Arizona have a campus in Kazakhstan?

It runs dual degree programs with North Kazakhstan University in Petropavl, where the Kazakh university handles enrollment. Its official pages list no campus or program of its own in Almaty.

Can international students get scholarships?

Yes. The university reports that over 82% of new international undergraduates received a Global Wildcat Scholarship in fall 2024. Amounts are not published, and the university decides each award.

Sources

• University of Arizona International Admissions
• University of Arizona: Country requirements (Russian Federation, Kazakhstan)
• University of Arizona: English proficiency
• University of Arizona: Transcript requirements
• University of Arizona: Undergraduate dates and deadlines
• University of Arizona: International FAQ
• University of Arizona: Undergraduate cost and scholarships
• University of Arizona: First-year applying and requirements
• University of Arizona: High school course requirements
• University of Arizona: Application review process
• University of Arizona Housing: 2026–27 rates
• University of Arizona: International Student Services
• ICE SEVP: final rule published July 17, 2026
• Arizona International: microcampus locations
• University of Arizona News: first Kazakhstan commencement (July 2026)
• Arizona International: Microcampus in Northern Kazakhstan
• U.S. Embassy in Russia: Visas
• U.S. Embassy in Kazakhstan: Visas
• ICE: I-901 SEVIS fee
• eCFR, 22 CFR 22.1: Schedule of consular fees
• THE World University Rankings 2027
• ShanghaiRanking ARWU 2026

All amounts are published by the university in U.S. dollars, so no conversion is needed; figures checked on October 2, 2026. More universities are on our study in the USA page, and the general process is in applying to US universities. If you want to work through your route, send a request: document preparation and submission are provided under an agreement with StudyU, and the university makes the admission decision.

During the free initial consultation, we clarify your goal, profile, timing, and budget and identify the next realistic step.