International Admission to Portland State

Choose Success

Portland State University is located on the scenic west coast of the United States, just minutes from Portland International Airport. Portland, Oregon, is a nationally recognized center of beauty and livability. With 26,000 students, Portland State is a large, diverse university located in the heart of the city and ideally situated between the Pacific Ocean and the Cascade Mountains. Its clean, safe, urban setting allows students opportunities for internships and other learning partnerships in science, industry, business, and government. Close to Pacific Ocean beaches and snow-capped mountains, Portland State is perfectly located for living and learning.

Our Campus

Portland State welcomes nearly 1,500 students from 97 different countries each year into its educational community. The largest university in Oregon, Portland State has the most international enrollment of any college in the region. Students at Portland State may choose from more than 120 degree programs. Whether your goal is a bachelor’s degree, master’s degree, or doctoral program, it’s likely you’ll find the program, the research, and the educational support you need for success.

English Proficiency

Undergraduate students who are academically prepared for college and who do not yet have a sufficient TOEFL or IELTS score may be conditionally admitted to the University. Students who do not meet University language proficiency begin their studies with an intensive English curriculum. Once English proficiency is demonstrated through coursework, TOEFL, or IELTS, students enter the degree program of their choice. Some graduate programs also allow admission without sufficient TOEFL or IELTS scores; please contact your prospective graduate program to inquire about its policy.

Advising

The entire International Advising Staff is eager to introduce you to Portland State University and guide you through the admission process. Once admitted, you’ll receive assistance to locate campus housing and with registration for courses. Newly-admitted students are invited to Orientation and Welcome programs prior to their first term. These Orientation and Welcome programs provide opportunities to meet new friends and connect with faculty and staff. You'll also be introduced to many student organizations on campus to enhance your education with new friends and colleagues.

Getting Started

The Portland State admission application process is easy. The categories below will help you determine which application is right for you.

Undergraduate (undergrad) Freshman: Freshman (first-year) applicants must have completed high school or secondary school with a cumulative (overall) grade point average (G.P.A.) of at least 3.0 (when converted to the U.S. 4.0 grading scale). International students are not required to submit S.A.T. or A.C.T. scores; however, a low G.P.A. can be offset by an S.A.T. score of 1000 or A.C.T. score of 21.

Undergraduate (undergrad) Transfer: Transfer students should have completed 30 transferable college quarter credits (excluding English as a Second Language courses) with a cumulative grade point average (G.P.A.) of at least 2.25 (when converted to the U.S. 4.0 grading scale). These transferable credits must have been completed at a regionally accredited U.S. college or university, or a college or university recognized as an institution of higher education by the Ministry of Education in the respective country.

Postbaccalaureate (postbac): Postbac applicants must hold a degree equivalent to a 4-year U.S. bachelor's degree from a college or university recognized as an institution of higher education by the Ministry of Education in the respective country. If you have completed credits since earning your first degree, you must have earned a grade point average (G.P.A.) of at least 2.50 (when converted to the U.S. grading scale).

Graduate: Masters and doctoral applicants must hold a degree equivalent to a 4-year U.S. bachelor's degree from a college or university recognized as an institution of higher education by the Ministry of Education in the respective country. The applicant must have earned a cumulative (overall) grade point average (G.P.A.) in all undergraduate courses of at least 2.50 (when converted to the U.S. 4.0 grading scale) for conditional admission and a G.P.A. of at least 2.75 for regular admission. Applicants with 12 or more graduate credits must have a cumulative G.P.A. of at least 3.00 and this G.P.A supercedes the undergraduate G.P.A.