International Students
The University of Hawaiʻi–West Oʻahu offers a distinct educational experience that is student-focused and innovative. Students are engaged through integrated learning opportunities that link learning to significant issues that impact our community.
How to Apply
International students who need an F-1 or J-1 visa to study in the United States or are currently living in the U.S. on any type of visa must meet the admissions requirements below:
- A Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) for applicants from countries where English is not the primary language must be sent directly to UH West O‘ahu from Educational Testing Services. The minimum score for admission:
- Paper – 550 or higher
- Computer – 213 or higher
- Internet – 79 or higher
- TOEFL Exemptions
- Applicants with an International English Language Testing System (IELTS) score of 6.5 or better (academic section only)
- Applicants with a SAT Writing score of 510 or higher
- Applicants with an ACT English score of 22 or higher
- Grade of C or better in English 100 or equivalent (as determined by the UH West O’ahu Office of Admissions
* In addition to the TOEFL, an EIKEN Grade Pre-1 score is also acceptable.
- Official Secondary and Post-secondary School Transcripts
- All official transcripts, examination certifications (e.g., General Certificate of Education) and other documents showing all high school and any completed post-secondary work must be submitted to the Office of Admissions. All official transcripts must be mailed directly by the institution or Ministry of Education to the Office of Admissions. Documents mailed or hand carried by you or anyone else will not be accepted as official or used for admission consideration.
- Secondary school transcripts must include a list of courses taken and grades/internal marks received each year, class rank for the last four years of secondary school, and an explanation of the school’s grading system. If transcripts with annual internal marks are unavailable directly from the school, you may photocopy your mark sheets or grade reports and have them certified by a school official who verifies that a transcript is otherwise not available.
- Post-secondary school transcripts must include a list of courses taken, grades/marks received, number of hours spent in each class per term, explanation of the school’s grading system, and your rank in class. You may also be asked to provide course descriptions and a list of text books used in each course.
- Photocopies of external examination certificates must be certified by a school or Ministry of Education official or issued by the examining board and be sent directly to the Office of Admissions.
- All documents must be in English or accompanied by an English translation that has been certified by a school or Ministry of Education official
Create an online account and start the application process to UH West Oʻahu.
$50.00 (USD) application fee
- The application fee is nonrefundable and non-transferable and valid only for the semester that you are applying. Upon submission of your online application, you will be prompted to pay the application fee by credit card.
- If you would like to request an application fee waiver, please complete the Fee Waiver section in your online application.
Complete the University of Hawai’i Supplementary Information Form for Undergraduate International Applicants (PDF) per the instructions below:
Sections A & B: Educational Information
International applicants, including U.S. citizens and permanent residents whose native language is not English, who were born outside the United States, or who graduated from a foreign high school must complete page 2.
Section C: Confidential Financial Information
All nonimmigrant students who are to be issued an I-20 for their F-1 student visa must complete this section and document that sufficient funds in U.S. dollars will be available for one year of study. Certification of Support and accompanying bank statements must be signed within the last six months.
Documents may be submitted securely through the UH FileDrop Secure File Transfer at https://www.hawaii.edu/filedrop/.
Submitting your Documents via UH FileDrop
UH FileDrop is a University of Hawaiʻi Secure File Transfer service. Below are instructions for submitting documents.
- Go to the UH FileDrop website.
- Submit your name and email address.
- You will receive an email with a link to send your documents.
- For Recipient: uhwoadm@hawaii.edu.
- For Require Authentication: select the Yes option.
- For Expiration Timer: Set to the maximum number of days, 14 days.
- For Optional Message: Please type in your name and UH Student ID if applicable.
- Click on Proceed.
Official transcripts must be received by UH West O‘ahu from all non-University of Hawai‘i regionally-accredited, post-secondary educational institutions previously attended. Transcripts are considered official when sent directly to UH West O‘ahu by the previous institution.
Official transcripts can be submitted as:
- Paper transcripts mailed directly to UH West Oʻahu by your previous institution in a sealed envelope
- Electronic transcripts sent directly to uhwo.admissions@hawaii.edu via a third-party vendor that provides transcript fulfillment services (such as eScrip, Parchment, Docufide and National Student Clearinghouse)
Students on F-1 or J-1 visas must provide a certified bank statement in U.S. dollars signed within the last 6 months attesting to financial support of the estimated Cost of Attendance which is calculated based upon two semesters and includes Cost of Living plus Tuition. See Cost of Attendance or email uhwo.admissions@hawaii.edu.
Students using J-1 visas should contact their sponsoring agency for information on obtaining a J-1 visa.
Application materials, including official paper transcripts, may be mailed to:
University of Hawai‘i–West O‘ahu
91-1001 Farrington Highway
Kapolei, HI 96707
Application Processing Time
Please allow two to four weeks for the processing of your completed application. You will then receive a decision letter by mail. If there are any incomplete items in your application, your admission decision may be delayed.
Application Deadlines
The deadline for an upcoming Fall semester is May 1. The deadline for an upcoming Spring semester is October 1. More information can be found on the Application Deadlines page.
| Upcoming Semester | Deadline |
|---|---|
| Fall | May 1 |
| Spring | October 1 |
Note: Deadlines for International student applications are different than other applications.
More Transfer Info
Related Links
Office of Global Engagement
Campus Tour
Residency
Financial Aid