International Applicants

The Harvard Graduate School of Education welcomes and encourages applicants from around the world. Of the 2010-2011 admitted class, international students represented 35 different countries and 12% of the student body.

Our Admissions Ambassador Program serves as a resource for prospective students who are interested in connecting with current students and alumni to learn more about their experience at HGSE and beyond.  If you would like to speak with an international Student or Alumni Admissions Ambassador, please email ambassadors@gse.harvard.edu and include any relevant details (e.g., degree level, program of interest, geography preference, etc.).

The Harvard International Office and the HGSE Office of Student Affairs provide extensive support for international students before they depart and once they arrive in Cambridge.

How to Apply

International applicants must submit all standard application materials outlined in the How to Apply section. All materials must be submitted in English, and applicants must verify the translations by including the original or a notarized copy of the original. All transcripts should show courses completed, grades received, grading scale, duration of study, and degree or diploma received.

In addition to the Graduate Record Exam (GRE) General Test, international applicants must submit current TOEFL scores when their native language is not English and when their baccalaureate is not from an institution where English is the language of instruction. Please note that a major or concentration in English is not sufficient to waive the TOEFL requirement. Additionally, completion of graduate-level degrees at an institution where the instruction is conducted in English does not exempt an applicant from the TOEFL requirement.

Visa

Once students have been admitted as degree candidates, HGSE will send detailed instructions about the process for acquiring a Harvard-sponsored student visa.