It is a goal of Purdue University to promote human and intellectual diversity by providing equal access and opportunity to representatives of a rich variety of populations and cultures. Purdue is home to nearly 5,000 international students, including almost 3,000 graduate and professional students. Approximately 40 percent of graduate students are international students. Purdue ranks second in international enrollment among all public colleges and universities in the United States. And, almost 900 faculty and staff members are international. Overall, students from nearly 130 countries and 75 nations attend Purdue. Click on the links below to learn more:
Funding opportunities are available for both domestic and international students. Approximately 75 percent of Purdue’s international graduate students receive some funding by or through the University. There are three primary options for financial assistance:
Incentive and travel grants are also available. You should begin your search for funding approximately one year before you will need it to support your graduate education.
Grants
Grants are free money for which you are not required to work or repay the funds. Fellowships are the most common type of grant, but others include scholarships, travel grants, and monetary awards. Fellowships are usually available from both the program to which you apply for admission and the Graduate School. Typically, when you apply for admission, a program will consider you for available fellowships without a separate application. To be considered for fellowships offered by the Graduate School, you must be admitted to your program of interest. The Funding Web page provides information regarding specific Graduate School fellowships, the application process, and each fellowship’s requirements. Fellowship benefits generally include:
Monthly stipend*
Tuition scholarship
Medical insurance supplement
*Stipend amounts are determined by the academic program.
Assistantships
Assistantships are the most common method of funding graduate study. Over 60 percent of Purdue graduate students hold graduate student assistantships. You may secure teaching, research, or administrative/professional assistantships to help pay for the costs of your education while gaining employment experience. When you receive an assistantship, you work part-time for the University. Assistantship benefits generally include:
Monthly stipend*
Tuition waiver
Medical insurance at employee rates**
*Stipend amounts are determined by the hiring department.
**Only available for .5 FTE assistantships.
Teaching and research assistantships are generally offered by your program of interest; however, some may require a separate application for consideration, while others may consider you when your application for admission is completed. To be considered for assistantships offered by the academic program to which you are applying, please visit that program's Web page or contact the program to determine the appropriate process for applying for an assistantship.
Other departments outside your program of interest may also offer assistantships. For more information about these opportunities, please consult the Graduate School’s Funding Database.
Loans
Student loan information is available through the Division of Financial Aid (DFA) and the U.S. Department of Education. You can also apply to serve as a residence hall counselor, or seek other employment to help finance your graduate education.
For information regarding the tuition and fee rates for the West Lafayette campus, visit the Bursar’s Office online. Also check out the Tuition Calculator to determine the estimated tuition and housing expenses at the West Lafayette campus.
Juan Carlos Ramirez - (Colombia)
Recently graduated from Purdue with a PhD in Civil Engineering. He is a Postdoctoral Researcher in Purdue's Agricultural and Biological Engineering department.
"The multiple practical experiences, projects, instrumentation, and techniques available at Purdue allowed me to be an excellent candidate for my current postdoctoral position. Among the diverse personal skills I developed are my oral and writing skills, where the program offered me many opportunities to interact with diverse audiences. The diverse ethnic background of my classmates gave me a better understanding of the challenges of working with persons with different lifestyles, which is very important to be successful in our diverse society."
How to Apply
Applying to the Graduate School at Purdue University is easy. Just apply online! All applications must include:
Completed electronic application
Application fee payment
Official transcripts from all institutions attended
Proof of English proficiency
Letters of recommendation
Statement of purpose
Program requirements and deadlines for admission vary. Please visit the Academic Program Instructions Web page for the requirements of the program to which you wish to apply.
Dachuang Cao - (People's Republic of China)
Recently graduated from Purdue with a PhD in Statistics. She is a research scientist at Eli Lilly and Company.
"If I were to choose my graduate school again, Purdue would be the answer. There is a lot of respect for Purdue’s name. Not only is Purdue famous for its Engineering programs, it also has strong programs in Science, Agriculture, Education, Nursing, and other areas as well as wide collaboration across the departments. For a graduate student, Purdue provides a comprehensive environment to face challenges and solve problems."
Testing Information
Depending upon your field of study, you may be required to take one or more standardized tests. Standardized tests are uniform in nature and are administered and scored in the same fashion for all students by organizations not affiliated with Purdue University.
Typically these tests are completed in your senior year before you begin applying for graduate study, but always be sure to check with the Purdue program to which you may apply in order to determine its specific requirements and deadlines.
Common standardized tests that may be required for admission include:
The TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) and IELTS (International English Language Testing System) evaluate a person’s level of English proficiency for individuals whose first language is not English.
The GRE (Graduate Record Examinations) has a general test component, which is most often required for graduate admission. Some programs will also require the completion of a GRE Subject Test that focuses on a specific field of study.
The GMAT (Graduate Management Admission Test) is often required for individuals interested in management or other business-related programs.
Testing Requirements
International degree-seeking applicants whose native language is not English are required to submit TOEFL or IELTS scores for admission to Graduate School at Purdue. Many programs also require the Graduate Record Examinations (GRE).
Minimum TOEFL and IELTS Scores
The Graduate School accepts all valid TOEFL scores, including those earned through the paper-based, computer-based, and Internet-based tests. The minimum TOEFL test scores for admission are:
Paper-based - 550
Computer-based - 213
Internet-based
Writing - 18
Speaking - 18
Listening - 14
Reading - 19
Total - 77
(Note that the minimum total TOEFL score is greater than the sum of the minimums for the individual test components.)
IELTS - overall band score of 6.5
Some graduate programs require higher minimum scores. Please check the program instruction pages for additional requirements. For additional information regarding these tests and testing requirements, visit the Admissions Web page.
Application Deadlines
It is generally recommended that completed applications be submitted within the following time frames:
For August enrollment, apply by early January
For January enrollment, apply by August
Program application deadlines vary, so be sure to check with your program of interest to determine its deadline. For more information, please visit the Graduate Programs Web page to locate program information and a list of graduate program contacts. After you submit your application to the Graduate School, it will be available for review by the graduate program to which you have applied.
Renata Naoumov (Brazil)
Pursuing her Master’s in Human Resource Management
"Earning a degree from Purdue makes you a respectable professional in any area. Every day I learn new concepts and my abilities are challenged. I feel that at the end of my program, I will really be a specialist in my field."
Indiana state law requires all new, regularly enrolled students attending residential campuses of Indiana public universities to be immunized against Rubeola (10 day measles), Rubella (German measles), Mumps, Diphtheria, and Tetanus. In addition, international students must be tested for tuberculosis after arriving in the United States. For additional information, visit the Purdue University Student Health Center Web Page.
Housing
The Purdue Village offers on campus apartment living to students and families. Students from over 60 countries call Purdue Village home. This diversity creates an exciting global community in which to live, work, and learn. Purdue Village is easily accessible to campus and shopping. The apartments are located on the southwest side of campus and include a setting with yard space, mature trees, and playgrounds. The Purdue Village also offers the English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) course. This course prepares students with English speaking skills necessary to achieve their academic, cultural, and social goals.
Hawkins Hall offers both single and double rooms on campus for academically focused graduate students and older undergraduate students (20 years old or older). The residents of Hawkins Hall come from many countries around the world, in addition to the United States, forming a unique international community.
In addition to the housing options listed above, off-campus housing is also available. To investigate these options, please refer to the following resources:
Muralikrishna Ramanathan (India)
Pursuing his PhD in Computer Sciences
"Apart from its reputation as a world class research institution, Purdue provides a multiethnic environment. Interaction with students originating from various parts of the world has inculcated in me a sense of appreciation for the diversity of cultures."
The Office of International Students and Scholars (ISS) seeks to enhance the academic, cultural, and social pursuits of students and scholars from abroad. ISS provides knowledge and expertise in admissions, immigration, advising, and cross-cultural programming. For more information, e-mail iss@purdue.edu.
Nearly 40 international student groups offer social and cultural activities at Purdue. The student organizations represent countries in Africa, Asia, Europe, Latin America, Oceania, and the Middle East. These groups bring together students from all countries.
The International Center fosters the spirit of international cooperation and understanding, and enriches the cultural diversity within Greater Lafayette. It promotes interaction among American and international community residents and visitors, including students, visiting scholars, faculty, and staff from Purdue University. The International Center also offers English classes and the Conversation Partner Program to strengthen language skills.
EducationUSA is a network of over 450 advising and information centers in 170 countries supported by the United States Department of State. Centers offer information about educational opportunities in the United States and guidance to qualified individuals.
Shimon Modi (United Kingdom)
Pursuing his PhD in Industrial Technology
"While pursuing my graduate degree at Purdue, I have had a chance to present at various conferences, both domestic and international, and also to serve on national and international standards committees. From a professional point of view, such exposure is always an advantage and improves my career prospects."
