Full-Time MBA International Applicants

At Minnesota Carlson, we embrace applicants from around the globe. International students make up 18% Full-Time MBA class of 2026. Prepare for an immersive, life-changing journey where you'll cultivate skills, build connections, and gain insights to propel you toward a successful, impactful future.

Application Deadlines

We advise students to be mindful of the time needed to process visas and apply as early as possible to allow maximum time.

October 1
Decision Notification: Friday, November 15
December 1
Decision Notification: Friday, January 31
February 1 - final deadline for applicants who are currently living outside the United States
Decision Notification: Friday, March 14
April 1 - final deadline for applicants who are currently living in the United States
Decision Notification: Wednesday, May 15

Here’s what you need to pursue a Full-Time MBA

As an international student, you’ll follow the same application process as U.S.-based students, with a few additional items.

Bachelor's Degree or Equivalent

To be considered for admission, you must have a first university degree equivalent to a four-year U.S. bachelor's degree.

If a student holds a 3-year degree from India, they may be considered for admission into the Full-Time MBA or Management Science MBA program.

Academic Records & Transcripts

Unofficial transcripts must include your name and the name of the institution. or email them to [email protected] for attachment to your application file. Official transcripts will be required if you are admitted to the program.

See the details below for advice on the specific countries listed.

Please do not mail in paper copies of your transcript. International credentials must include both the original language document(s) and an English translation. English language translation services in the Twin Cities Please include copies of the original language diplomas if a degree was conferred, in addition to original language transcripts or mark sheets.

The University of Minnesota reserves the right to require the submission of official transcripts or credentials at any time during the admission review process.

Former USSR and Europe

Applicants from these countries should submit English translations along with credentials in the original language.

Bangladesh, India, Nepal, Pakistan, France, and Universities Outside North America on the French System

Applicants from universities in these countries may submit copies of certified or attested mark sheets or reports that detail results of all exams. These credentials must be certified by university personnel or government officials. They should bear the original signature of the certifying official. Do not certify your own credentials.

Funding Requirements

If you are admitted, you will receive a financial certification statement. The University issues I-20s only after receiving financial support verification.

You must demonstrate that you have sufficient funding to meet all educational expenses for the duration of your study in the U.S. This includes tuition, fees, room and board, transportation, and other expenses. Additional financial resources are required if your spouse or children will accompany you.

Visas

Full-time students must hold an F-1 student visa to pursue MBA study at the University of Minnesota unless your funding source requires you to hold a J-1 exchange/visitor visa. If you're admitted, you will receive a financial certification statement. The University issues I-20s only after receiving financial support verification.

English Language Testing

Proof of English Language Proficiency is required of all applicants and must be demonstrated in one of the following ways.

Complete at least the last 2 years of a bachelor's degree or 1 year of graduate school (Full-Time) in the U.S., U..K., Ireland, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Anglophone Africa, or the English-speaking Caribbean and will provide official transcripts..
Complete education solely in English in a country where English is not the official language and will provide documented proof (Ex. India)
Will provide the official results of an English language test taken within the last two years

You must take the TOEFL, IELTS, PTE Academic, or Duolingo exam if you do not meet one of the other requirements. We accept scores from any of these exams, it is not necessary to take more than one. Scores must be less than 2 years old when you apply.

You are not exempt if you have lived in an English-speaking country for several years but have not completed any prior education in English

TOEFL

Our admitted candidates have TOEFL scores within the following ranges:

90-105 internet-based TOEFL total score, with section scores above these thresholds:

Writing: minimum 22
Speaking: minimum 23
Listening: minimum 20
Reading: minimum 22

600-650 paper-based TOEFL, in total

We must receive an official score report directly from the testing service. The code for the Carlson MBA program is 6874; the department code is 02.

IELTS

To be considered for admission, we require a minimum overall band score of 7.0, with no section lower than 6.5.

IELTS test scores are verified using the Test Report Form (TRF) number. You may upload a scanned copy of your IELTS Test Report Form in your application or email the score report to [email protected].

Score reports will be accepted via email from applicants or the testing agency.

PTE Academic

To be considered for admission we require a minimum score of 65 on the PTE Academic. We must receive an official score report from Pearson. When you take the exam, please specify that you wish to have an official score report sent to Minnesota Carlson's MBA Programs. Our program code is JP3-5T-48.

Duolingo

To be considered for admission, we require a minimum overall score of 120, and a minimum literacy section score of 120. Please send your test score results directly to [email protected].