How do I apply?

International Applicant Information

Each year the Nicholas School of the Environment welcomes a number of international students among its professional degree candidates. Applicants from other countries must meet the same criteria as applicants from the United States, including a four-year bachelor’s degree or its equivalent. All academic transcripts and other documents in support of admission must be accompanied by an official translation if the original document is not in English. The non refundable application fee must accompany the application.

Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL)
Applicants must have a fluent command of oral and written English. No allowance is made for language difficulty in arranging course schedules or in evaluating performance. If the native language is not English, the applicant must submit scores on the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) to be considered for admission. All arrangements for taking the TOEFL must be made directly with the Educational Testing Service, Box 6151, Princeton, NJ 08540-6151; telephone 609-771-7100. In cases in which an applicant’s TOEFL score is low, the applicant may be accepted on the provision that he/she completes an intensive English language program in the United States prior to enrollment. Proficiency exams in written and spoken English will be given to non-native speakers during orientation week. Students found to lack the proficiency in English needed to do well at Duke will be required to enroll in additional English language instruction. Students should be prepared to assume all costs for being tutored in English and may need to reduce their course or research program while being tutored. English language courses do not count toward credit hours required for the M.E.M./M.F. degrees.

Proof of Funding
The visa-granting authority in the student’s country of origin, ordinarily the United States Embassy, requires proof that sufficient funds are available to the student to cover the expenses of all academic years of study before a visa can be granted. Foreign students are not eligible for federal and state loans, although they may qualify for certain educational loans through private United States agencies. Current immigration laws make it difficult for the foreign student to find summer employment and permanent employment in the United States after graduation. Merit-based financial assistance, if it is offered, is not sufficient to cover all of the costs associated with studying at the Nicholas School. International students should expect to demonstrate other sources of support in order to obtain a visa.

The best resource for general information useful to international students from all parts of Duke University is the International House. Visit their web site to find information on lots of things you’ll need to know both before and after you arrive in Durham – finding housing, learning English, arranging for banking, and on and on.  (Note that the International House does NOT handle visa and immigration matters – that’s the International Office. The Nicholas School tries to assign a second-year Nicholas School student as a “mentor” to each international student so that there is someone you can email to ask questions before you arrive.  Please feel free to ask your 2nd year mentor questions about both academic and non-academic aspects of enrolling in the Nicholas School.

Visas for International Students
The International Office works closely with admitted graduate students and guides students with the visa process for entrance into The Nicholas School.