International Student Information

RIT is an intentionally inclusive and equitable community, where international students thrive and achieve exceptional success through our cooperative education and paid work programs, supportive environment, and career network.

1,934

Students from 103 Countries

Participate in dozens of cultural student organizations and events

889

Students Currently Studying on Optional Practical Training

Students stay and work in the U.S. for 1-3 years after graduation

5th

Among Top Schools for Co-op or Internship Programs

According to U.S. News & World Report, 2024

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International students who are deaf, hard of hearing, or hearing NTID-supported students can find additional information on RIT/NTID international admission.

Career Advancement Through CPT and OPT/OPT-STEM

As a student at RIT, you’ll learn in the classroom and in the real-world. Our instruction is future-focused, tech-infused, and designed for you to apply in hands-on environments.

Curricular Practical
Training (CPT)

Two people sitting at a table, talking to each other.

Gain work experience during your degree

CPT is work authorization for off-campus opportunities such as an internship or co-op. For RIT students, co-ops and internships are typically paid.

To be eligible, F-1 students at RIT complete one full academic year before participating in CPT. CPT is only used prior to graduation.

4,131 RIT students participated in co-op last year, earning an average of $14,040 each.

Optional Practical
Training (OPT)

A student sitting at a desk, working in 3d modeling software.

Stay and work in the US for 1 year after graduation

A 1-year work authorization available to F-1 international students who have been full-time students for at least two consecutive semesters and plan to seek employment in the United States in their fields of study.

F-1 students, regardless of major, may apply for OPT – usually for work after graduation.

889 RIT students are currently staying in the US after graduation and working through OPT.

OPT-STEM
Extension

A closeup of a pair of gloved hands working with laser lenses.

Extend your OPT for an additional 2 years

F-1 international students who completed a bachelor's, master's, or doctoral degree in STEM-designated programs and are currently working with post-completion OPT may apply for the STEM extension of 2 years of additional employment, for a total of 3 years.

While not guaranteed, the majority of our students are successful in finding OPT-STEM extension opportunities.

RIT offers 100+ OPT-STEM Extension eligible programs at the undergraduate and graduate levels.

Job Search Support

Our advisors in Career Services and Co-op and International Student Services provide comprehensive support in your career search, offering guidance on work applications, eligibility verification, and step-by-step instructions both pre- and post-graduation.

Learn more about job search support

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Apply for Admission

English Language Proficiency Requirements

  1. As an international student you are required to demonstrate English language proficiency. RIT will consider students at all levels of English language proficiency for admission.

  2. You should apply for undergraduate admission to be considered for these options:
    • Full university admission: If you meet English language proficiency standards, you will be considered for admission to the academic degree program you choose.

    • Conditional university admission: If you do not meet English language proficiency standards you will be considered for admission, and will need to complete additional courses through RIT’s English Language Center in addition to your academic degree program.  

  3. Undergraduate English Language Proficiency Requirements

    Test Type Minimum Score for Full Admission Score for Conditional Admission
    Internet Based TOEFL (iBT) 79 78 or lower
    PTE Academic 58 57 or lower
    IELTS 6.5 6.0 or lower
  4. You can visit the Undergraduate International Student Frequently Asked Questions page for more details on English language requirements and common questions about the admission process.
  1. Graduate applicants must demonstrate English Language proficiency and requirements vary by program. 

  2. An official score report for the TOEFL, IELTS Academic, PTE Academic exam, or RIT English Language Proficiency Test is required of all international applicants who do not meet the requirements for a waiver.
    • View the overall minimum score requirement for your intended program in the graduate admission deadlines and requirements table.

    • In addition, each program requires balanced sub-scores when determining an applicant’s need for additional English language courses. For example, a minimum overall score of 88, will require sub-scores of 22 for Reading, Writing, Speaking, and Listening.

  3. Additional information about test scores including exams accepted, how to submit scores, test requirement waivers, and more can be found in the English Language Test Scores section of Application Materials.

Questions?

Chat with an admissions counselor

Schedule a 30-minute virtual appointment with an international admissions counselor.

Schedule an appointment

Scholarships and Financial Aid

International scholarships are awarded to highly qualified applicants and all applicants are considered for merit scholarships just by applying. RIT does not typically offer full-cost or full-tuition scholarships, except to doctoral students. 

Funding Sources for Undergraduate Students

Scholarships

RIT offers scholarship funding to international students based on academic merit, financial need, or a combination of both. Admitted students are notified of their scholarship at the time of admission.

Need-Based Aid

First-year and transfer students may apply for need-based assistance.

On-Campus Student Employment

Over 7,000 students work on campus and earn money for personal expenses. RIT students who choose to work are successful in securing on-campus jobs.

Funding Sources for Graduate Students

Scholarships

RIT offers partial graduate tuition scholarships based on merit. These scholarships reduce the tuition you pay and they do not have to be paid back.

Loans

There are a number of private alternative educational loans that can help fund your degree.

Student Employment

Many RIT students earn money while working on co-op, as graduate assistants, and/or through on-campus employment. These sources can help cover your tuition, fees, and expenses while completing your degree.

Life at RIT

Nestled in Henrietta, NY, the vibrant 1,200 acre RIT campus offers a safe environment while being conveniently located near the city of Rochester, providing easy access to a plethora of entertainment, cultural experiences, and employment opportunities.

Major metropolitan cities, including New York, Toronto, and Boston are accessible by car, bus, or plane and offer opportunities for travel and work.

Take a virtual tour of the RIT campus or schedule an in-person visit.

Housing, Dining, Clubs, and More

With students coming to RIT from every U.S. state and more than 100 countries, you’re going to come into contact with a unique group of people. Through housing arrangements, dining over meals, sports, clubs, and other activities outside academics, you are sure to find your community and build lifelong friendships.

Learn more about life at RIT

 

Accepted Students

Once you have been admitted to RIT, we can’t wait to meet you on campus. Check out these resources to help you with your next steps.

Connect

We travel the world to meet you!

Our representatives are looking for the best and brightest students from around the world. Meet us to learn about our undergraduate and graduate programs and special services for international students.

Upcoming travel schedule 

If you don’t see us scheduled to visit you, check back as these events are updated regularly.

 

Contact Us

Talk to Any Counselor

Schedule a 30-minute virtual appointment with an international admissions counselor.

Schedule an appointment

admissions@rit.edu
Phone: +1-585-475-2229
WhatsApp: +1-585-208-7814
RIT 官方中文网站

Connect with Your Counselor

Ashutosh Agarwal

Associate Director of South Asian Affairs

Schedule a 30-minute call

Territory: Central and South Asia

Douglas Cotter

Assistant Director, International Enrollment

Schedule a 30-minute call
Territory: Africa, Europe, and the Middle East

Heather Emerson Jeremy

Associate Director of Admissions-Recruitment

Territory: Worldwide for Deaf, Hard of Hearing, and Hearing NTID-Supported Students

Daniel Kopperud

Assistant Director, International Enrollment
585-475-5332

Schedule a 30-minute call

Territory: South America, Latin America, the Caribbean, Korea, and Japan

Mark Muenzer

Senior Associate Director
585-475-2031

Schedule a 30-minute call

Territory: Canada

David Wivell

Associate Director, International Enrollment
585-475-5475

Schedule a 30-minute call

Territory: Asia Pacific