Concordia University is liberal arts and professional studies university located in Irvine, U.S. It offers more than 140 major and minor undergraduate, graduate, certificate programs in the field of Business, Nursing, Education, Psychology, Forensics. The University is composed of six schools and colleges.

International students are an integral part of the university’s student population that roughly comprises 3,500+ students. The University received 3,727 applications in fall 2023 of which 71% were selected. Concordia University has a moderately selective acceptance rate. The selection rate of female candidates was 73% whereas the acceptance of male candidates was 67%. Aspirants seeking admission to Concordia University must refer to the points stated below:

  • The University invites admission applications in fall and spring semesters.
  • Deadlines for non-U.S. applicants are prior to that for domestic applicants to allow sufficient time for processing immigration documents.
  • International applicants must submit TOEFL or IELTS scores as proof of English language proficiency.
  • First year applicants must have a minimum GPA of 2.8 and complete the recommended college preparatory curriculum for higher chances of admission.
  • The incoming class of 2023 had an average GPA of 3.54, average SAT score of 1122 and composite ACT score of 23.
  • A cumulative GPA of 2.75 in college level coursework is necessary for admission to graduate programs.
  • The University does not require GMAT scores for admission consideration.
  • Concordia has the record of granting financial aid to 100% of the admitted students.
  • All the International Transcripts submitted by the students must be professionally evaluated to be equivalent to the US grading system through one of the companies listed in NACES. 

Highlights

Application Portal CUI online application
Application Fee USD 50 , now waived off!
Acceptance Rate 62%
Minimum SAT score required 980 Evidenced-Based Reading and Writing+Math score.
Minimum ACT required 18
Mode of Payment Electronic checks, cash, check by mail, wire transfer, payment plans, and international fund transfers.
Intake Sessions Fall and Spring
Financial Aid Available in the form of Scholarships

Concordia University Admission Deadlines

International students willing to study in the US are required to submit their applications before the deadlines. Once the application is completely submitted, it usually takes two weeks to receive an admissions decision, depending upon the time of year. The students whose applications are received after the due date or after February 15 are reviewed on a rolling basis. The important application deadlines are given below:

Type Apply By Notify By
Fall Semester
Early Action November 15 Mid-December
Early Action II February 15 March 1
Rolling Admission June 1 (Outside the US) July 1 (Inside the US)
Spring Semester
Regular Decision November 1 (Outside the US) December 1 (Inside the US)

Concordia University International Admissions

Concordia University accepts international applications from students in the form of Freshman International application and Transfer International applications. Freshman (first-time) international student is a current high school student who will be attending a college or university for the first time. 

Application Portal: The applications are accepted online. Also, the application form is available in pdf form. Students can download it and send it to the International Undergraduate Admission Office. Students can apply through Common Application or at CUI Online International Application or at Paper International Application (pdf)

Application fee: USD 50, now waived off!

Application Requirements: Students are required to submit the following documents while applying for Concordia University admissions:

  • Official High School Transcript- High School transcripts will be considered official only when sent directly from the high school guidance counselor to the admissions counselor through email. The student must have a minimum GPA of 2.8 on a 4.0 scale, or equivalent to that according to the grading system used by the country that a student is applying from.
  • Official Test Scores- submit one of the SAT/ACT scores
  • Reference Form
  • Affidavit of Financial Support- each student must demonstrate a significant amount of financial resources to meet the cost of education at Concordia University Irvine (tuition, room & board, etc). 
  • Current Official Bank Statement

Students must mail all the above-mentioned documents to the address given below:

Office of Undergraduate Admissions
Concordia University Irvine
1530 Concordia West
Irvine, CA 92612

Any queries related to Concordia University International Admission can be sent at internationalAdmissions@cui.edu or at contact number: 800.229.1200, ext. 3010 or 949.214.3010

English Proficiency Test Score for International Students

All international students applying for the Concordia University admissions are required to submit proof of English language Proficiency. Students who are unable to meet the minimum TOEFL/IELTS test score requirement can apply for CUI PathwayProgram. Following are the minimum scores accepted by the university :

Test Minimum Score Required
TOEFL (iBT) 79
IELTS 6.5

Visa Process for International Students

If the application of the student is approved and the admission is confirmed by the University, students will require an immigration document (I-20) to apply for an F-1 visa in the U.S. Embassy. The I-20 can be obtained by the student after paying the deposit fee and submitting the Financial Documents that demonstrate their ability to meet financial obligations for the first year of the academic program at the University. The University accepts the following documents as evidence of financial support:

  • Bank statements on letterhead with required signature/stamp
  • Scholarship letters
  • Lines of credit Governmental funding

After the documents are reviewed by the Global Programs Office, the I-20 will be issued within 2 weeks. Once the immigration documents are received and ready, the students need to apply at the US Embassy for an F-1 visa. The following documents required to be submitted while applying for a visa: 

  • Passport
  • Nonimmigrant Visa Application
  • Application fee payment receipt
  • Photo
  • Form I-20

Concordia University Undergraduate Admissions

Concordia University offers undergraduate programs in 26 majors and 50 specialization courses. Some of the popular courses of the university include Business Administration and Management, Nursing and Health, and Physical Education. International students are required to have a High school minimum cumulative academic GPA of 2.8 or above.

Where to Apply: Students can apply through Common Application or at CUI Online International Application or at Paper International Application (pdf)

Application Fee: USD 50

Admission Requirements: Students must submit the following documents at the time of admission: 

  • The most recent official high school transcript (average GPA of 3.42)
  • Evidence of financial arrangement to meet educational costs for the designated period.

Concordia University Graduate Admissions

There are in total nine courses offered for graduate programs at Concordia University. International students are required to submit an online application with a nonrefundable application fee of 150 USD and additional forms including Affidavit of Financial Support, Certificate of Bank Balance. The specific academic requirements for some of the popular graduate programs offered by the Concordia University are: 

Requirements Master of Arts in Coaching and Athletics Administration Master of Arts in International Studies Master of Science in Coaching and Exercise Sciences Master of Healthcare Administration Application Information
Application Fee USD 50 USD 50 USD 50 USD 50
Transcripts Required Required Required Required
GRE/GMAT Not Required Not Required Not Required Not Required
Statement of Intent Not Required Required Not Required Required
Professional CV/Resume Not Required Required Not Required Required
Recommendations Not Required Required Not Required Required

In case of any queries, students can contact at (949) 854-8002 or write to at admissions@cui.edu.

The Concordia University accepts international applications of students and offers degrees in undergraduate, graduate, certificate and online courses. The applications are accepted for fall and spring semesters only. All the students are recommended to submit the required documents before the deadlines in order to receive an I-20 timely and apply for a student visa. Late applications are reviewed on a rolling basis i.e. applications will be accepted until the class is full. 

FAQs

Ques. What is the F-1 Visa?

Ans. The F-1 Visa is a student visa issued to full-time students seeking a degree or certificate at an approved institution.

Ques. What is the I-94?

Ans. The I-94 is the departure portion of the Form I-94 (Arrival/Departure Record). You complete it before your arrival in the U.S. At your port of entry into the U.S. the Immigration Officer will write your SEVIS number (Student and Exchange Visitor Information System) on your I-94, along with a stamp indicating your place of entry, the date that you are permitted to stay until, and your status as an F-1 student. The Immigration Officer should write "F-1-D/S" (Duration of Status) on your I-94. Each time you leave the U.S you will be asked to return the I-94 at your port of departure

Ques. What is an I-20 form?

Ans. An I-20 form The Form I-20 is a United States Department of Homeland Security document. It enables students to apply for an F-1 student visa.

Ques. When must I renew my F-1 visa?

Ans. Students should renew their F-1 visa when they want to travel outside the U.S. and their current F-1 visa will expire before re-entering the U.S. to continue the program. If this is the case, students will need to apply for another F-1 visa at a U.S. Embassy or Consulate.

Ques. Who is required to live on campus?

Ans. Students who are 21 years of age and younger, as of August 14, 2023, are required to live on campus. Students who are 21 years of age or younger who desire to live off-campus must submit an Off-Campus Housing Appeal form, which can be obtained from the Housing Office (Rho building, 2nd floor).

Ques. Is there housing for graduate students?

Ans. Graduate students can live on campus after getting the approval of the Director of University & Residential Housing Services. However undergraduate students who are 21 years of age or younger are given priority for on-campus housing by the university.