International Applicants
International Applicants
The Data Science and Business Analytics (DSBA) program attracts top-tier candidates from around the world, including countries such as Bangladesh, China, India, Korea, Mexico, South Africa, and many others. Approximately 30% of our DSBA students hold F-1 student visas. The MS in Data Science and Business Analytics is a STEM-designated program (CIP code: 52.1399). Under current DHS regulations, graduates are eligible for a 24-month STEM OPT extension, allowing international students to gain valuable work experience in the United States after completing their degree.
GRE/GMAT Test Scores
Official GRE or GMAT exam scores are required for all applicants to the DSBA Master’s degree. UNC Charlotte’s school code is 5105. The test score requirement can be waived if an applicant holds a degree from an accredited U.S. institution of higher education with a minimum 3.0 GPA, or a terminal degree (Ph.D., JD, or MD).
TOEFL/Duolingo/IELTS
Official TOEFL, Duolingo, or ELTS exam scores are required for all applicants whose native language is not English. Official scores are required and must be sent directly from Educational Testing Service (ETS). UNC Charlotte’s school code is 5105. A department code is not necessary.
- TOEFL – Minimum score of 83, Interenet based.
- Duolingo- Minimum score of 115
- IELTS – Minimum overall band score of 6.5
Applicants can request a test waiver if they have earned a degree from an accredited U.S. institution. International applicants should refer to the Graduate School’s International Admissions website for deadlines and additional admissions information.
Three-Year Bachelor’s Degrees
International applicants who have earned three-year bachelor’s degrees are required to submit a “foreign credential evaluation” along with their supplemental application requirement. Such evaluation must be performed by a member of the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (NACES), for example, the World Education Services (WES). Either a document-to-document or a course-by-course foreign credential evaluation meets this requirement. UNC Charlotte will consider such an agency’s assessment as to whether the academic credential earned is, or is not, equivalent to a U.S. bachelor’s degree as well as its recalculation of grades. A listing of other NACES members is available here.
Foreign Credential Evaluations
Foreign Credential Evaluations are not required for traditional four-year degrees earned outside the United States unless otherwise requested once your application is processed. While not required, a WES or NACES-accredited evaluation is strongly encouraged by the admissions committee. These evaluations provide more detail and grant a generic baseline, allowing for the admissions committee to better review international applications, particularly for institutions that do not use a 4.0 scale.
INTERNATIONAL APPLICANT FAQS
TOEFL, IELTS, and 3-Year Degrees
Is the TOEFL or IELTS required?
Yes. If English is not your native language, the Graduate School requires that applicants submit current scores from the TOEFL or IELTS academic exams, or the Duolingo English Test. Scores older than two years will not be accepted. Taking both tests is not required. Applicants who have received a degree from an institution in the U.S. or the United Kingdom are not required to take the TOEFL/ IELTS/ Duolingo test.
Register for exams here:
- TOEFL at www.toefl.org
- IELTS at www.ielts.org
- Duolingo English Test at www.englishtest.duolingo.com
What is the code to submit TOEFL/IELTS scores?
UNC Charlotte’s school code is 5105. A department code is not necessary.
What are the minimum required TOEFL/IELTS scores?
- A minimum TOEFL score of 220 (computer-based), 557 (paper-based), or 83 (Internet-based) is required.
- The minimum IELTS band score of 6.5 is required.
- The minimum score for the Duolingo English Test is 115.
As a reminder, this is a requirement for The Graduate School at UNC Charlotte. Only applicants who have received a degree from an accredited institution in the U.S. or United Kingdom can request a waiver.
My GPA percentage isn’t out of a 4.0, what can I do?
There are several conversion tools available online. We recommend the free WES evaluation tool.
Do I have to submit anything extra if I have a 3 year degree?
Yes. International applicants who have earned three-year bachelor’s degrees are required to submit a “foreign credential evaluation” along with their supplemental application requirement. Such evaluation must be performed by a member of the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (NACES), for example, the World Education Services (WES). Either a document-to-document or a course-by-course foreign credential evaluation meets this requirement. UNC Charlotte will consider such an agency’s assessment as to whether the academic credential earned is, or is not, equivalent to a U.S. bachelor’s degree as well as its recalculation of grades. A listing of other NACES members is available at https://www.naces.org/members.
Is this a STEM designated program?
Yes, this is a STEM-designated program (52.1399). Under current DHS regulations, those who complete the M.S. in Data Science and Business Analytics will qualify for a 24-month STEM-OPT extension after graduation.
“I recognized the immense potential of data science to drive insights and make informed decisions. The ability to extract valuable information from vast amounts of data and use it to solve complex problems fascinated me”
Richard Stern
from Johannesburg, South Africa
“The fully funded PhD program was a significant factor in my decision to pursue doctoral studies at this institution. Data science allows me to identify patterns and trends in large datasets, answer complex research questions, and make more evidence-based conclusions.”
Iván Flores Martínez
from Mexico
Esra became the first data scientist in the country of Bahrain after graduating from UNC Charlotte!
Esra Alshammari
from Bahrain
“No matter what background you come with, there is a lot of opportunity to use your domain of knowledge and choose the division that you find suitable. I would highly recommend developing strong basics of statistics, as this will go a long way. “
Himadri Verma
from Indore, India
Earning a full scholarship for US undergraduate studies opened new opportunities for Michael. Choosing UNC Charlotte was a proactive move due to its strong ties with Bank of America, aligning with his career goals.
Michael Whacha
from Harare, Zimbabwe