International Students
The Dashew Center for International Students & Scholars (DCISS) is the home for all international students and scholars at UCLA. The counselors at the Dashew Center will be able to answer specific questions on rules and regulations regarding your visa status.
F-1 and J-1 international students MUST register for iSTART@UCLA in order to complete MANDATORY pre-arrival online orientation, visa check-in, and international student orientation.
More information for new F-1 Students
More information for new J-1 Students
It is the student's responsibility to follow the visa regulations in order to ensure a successful experience at UCLA. Failure to comply with visa regulations may result in the termination of visa status and loss of future eligibility to enter the U.S.
English as a Second Language Placement Exam
All international graduate students must satisfy the ESL Requirement during their first year of study, preferably before their first quarter, and are notified of this requirement in their Graduate Admission Checklist they received when they were admitted to UCLA. This requirement can be met in the following ways:
An “exempt” score on the English as a Second Language Placement Examination (ESLPE)
If you do not receive an “exempt” on the ESLPE, you will need to take up to two ESL graduate writing courses (ESL 300, 301) as indicated in your ESLPE exam results. These courses must be completed during the first year and may not be taken concurrently. The courses must be passed with a grade of C or better if taken for a letter grade, or B or better if taken on an S/U basis. Taking required ESL courses may prolong students’ time to degree.
If you enter UCLA with a score of 100 or above on the TOEFL iBT or at least a 7.5 on the IELTS exam, you do not need to take the ESLPE.
If you have a bachelor’s or higher degree from a university in the U.S or another country in which English is the primary language and medium of instruction, you do not need to take the ESLPE.
Students may take the ESLPE once only. Click here for more information about the ESLPE.
If you have questions about the ESLPE, please contact Leslie Sherwood, ESLPE Exam Coordinator, lsherwood@humnet.ucla.edu. You may also contact wpinfo@humnet.ucla.edu.