International Students

Located in Raleigh, North Carolina, we are proud to be home to the most diverse student body in North Carolina hosting students from more than 110 different countries.

For admissions purposes, an international applicant is someone who is not a U.S. Citizen and is not a Permanent Resident (Green Card holder).

A Top Public Institution

We have been awarded nearly 2,000 patents worldwide and have generated 200+ startups and spinoffs based on NC State research. NC State has received numerous national and international rankings for outstanding academic quality, affordable tuition rates, employability, and exceptional degree programs in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics.

Top 20 Best Schools for Internships

Princeton Review

Top 1% of Universities Worldwide

Center for World University Rankings

#60 Best National Universities

U.S. News & World Report

Preparing You For Your Future

We are leading the field in producing graduates that the global economy needs. NC State and the city of Raleigh are integral parts of North Carolina’s vibrant Research Triangle region, which is home to many of the country’s leading research and technology companies.

Over 1,700 employers participated in recruiting events at NC State in the 2022-2023 academic year, including ABB, Altec Industries, Caterpillar, Cisco, Deloitte, Duke Energy, Fidelity Investments, GKN Automotive, Hitachi Energy, John Deere, Kimley-Horn, Martin Marietta, Merck, NetApp, Novo Nordisk, Red Hat, SAS,Siemens Energy, WestRock, Wolfspeed and Volvo Group.

International First-Year Students

International students who have graduated or will graduate from secondary school (high school) but have not earned credits at a post-secondary institution should apply as a first-year applicant.

International students work in a classroom

International Transfer Students

International students who have graduated from secondary school (high school) and have enrolled at a post-secondary institution should apply as a transfer student.

Office of International Services

NC State’s main resource to provide assistance to you and your family as you transition to studying in the U.S. regarding immigration regulations, university policies, employment and travel.

See the resources

#2 Best Public College in North Carolina for Value

Money

Top 30 Best Public College for Your Money in America

Money

#5 Best Value Among U.S. Public Universities

U.S. News & World Report

NC State Intensive English Program (IEP)

Applicants who are academically competitive but do not meet the English proficiency requirements for full admission may be considered for conditional admission to NC State’s Intensive English Program (IEP). IEP is a full-time, non-credit academic program for international students to gain the cultural, academic, and English skills essential for a smooth transition to a degree-seeking program.

Learn more

NC State IEP students work in small groups in a classroom setting. — IEP students work in small groups and in a classroom setting at the Intensive English Program office at NC State. Photo by Marc Hall

Admissions Sessions

College-Specific Sessions

Register for a virtual information session with one of our academic colleges to learn more about specific majors and first-year programs.

Virtual Campus Tour

If you can’t visit Raleigh in person, we’ve created a virtual tour so that you can explore campus from the comfort of your home.

Use of Agents or Educational Agencies

NC State does not partner with incentive-based agents or educational agencies to represent the university or to administer any part of the application process.

We recognize that in many countries agents or consultants are retained by students and their families to assist in applying to universities in the United States. It is not necessary to engage an agent in order to have a strong chance of admission to NC State. Admission decisions are not based on the recommendations of agents.

NC State expects an application to be the work of the applicant and that all information on the application is complete, accurate and truthful. We may reject application materials, cancel an admissions offer or dismiss a student from attendance, if it is determined that application materials have been falsified.

It is critical that applicants use their own email address, phone number, and mailing address on their application to ensure that all communication from NC State is delivered in an accurate and timely manner. Missing any important communication from NC State may delay applicants’ application process and admission decisions.