Admission Requirements

To enter UPP Stage II students must meet both the academic and English language requirements.

English Language Requirements

The language of instruction at Navitas at UMass Boston is English.

International students must be able to demonstrate English language proficiency before being admitted to a course. This can be done by obtaining one of the results shown in the table below.

English Language Requirements by program
English language qualification*	Direct entry (UPP stage II)	Mixed English Program	Intensive full-time English Program
IELTS	5.5	5.0	4.5 or lower
TOEFL Computer/paper/IBT	525/196/69	500/173/59	475/152/49 or lower
NET **	5.5	5.0	4.5 or lower

* English test results must be no more than two years old for entry to the Pathways program.

** Students can retake the test not earlier than 8 weeks after the last test. Students can be exempt from submission of English proficiency test if they completed at least 1 year at school where the language of instruction is English or completed school with an American, Canadian or British International curriculum.

Direct entry

If you meet one of the English language requirements below, and have the appropriate academic requirement, we'll give you direct entry to the 'Standard' (3 semesters) University Pathway Program. Most international students follow the 3-semester 'standard' program. Students who have a High Pass Grade average, and a level of English above TOEFL 525 or IELTS 5.5, may be eligible to complete their studies within 2 semesters.*

* Subject of formal evaluation and approval from the University

Mixed English ('Standard' with Pathway English)

If your English test scores meet the requirements for the Mixed English Program you may begin your University Pathway Program with the addition of Academic English in the first semester of study.

Do not meet the English requirements?

If you don't meet the minimum English language requirement for the Mixed English Program or for direct entry, you can enroll in a preparation course at UMass Boston to improve your language proficiency. The University Preparation English Program will assist you in improving your English language proficiency prior to starting at Navitas at UMass Boston.

Intensive English Program

Coursework will include intensive practice of the basic language skills of listening, speaking, reading, and writing. In addition to assigned readings and exercises, oral presentation and writing projects will be used to enhance the learning. Computer lab time is scheduled, and students are offered basic instruction in creating presentations and research.

University Preparation Program

The University Preparation Program combines intensive study of English with preparation for successful study at American colleges and universities.

Participants experience an integrated program focused on instruction in university study skills, academic writing, and content-based course work typical of an American university classroom. Computer lab time is scheduled, and students are offered instruction in creating presentations and research.

Students continuing studies with Navitas at UMass Boston will not be required to take a TOEFL test

Class Meetings

Classes take place Monday through Friday between 8:00am and 4:00pm, for a total of 20–24 hours per week. Participants are placed in classes appropriate to their level of proficiency after initial assessment and orientation sessions.

Assessment and Course Placement Testing

To ensure that students are placed in appropriate courses and levels, they must attend an assessment session. The session consists of several types of tests: grammar, listening and reading comprehension, and a writing sample. There is also an interview with a program instructor.

The assessment process is comprehensive. Tests are completed over the first few days of the semester, and take place in conjunction with a variety of classroom and orientation activities. Formal classes begin only after the orientation period.

Academic Requirements

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Entry to the 'Standard' and 'Fast Track' University Pathway Programs requires the successful completion of Year 12 or equivalent.

Specific academic entry requirements by country are listed below. Students with qualifications that are not listed should forward their application and academic results to Navitas at UMass Boston for assessment.

Country	Requirements
USA	Successful completion of Year 12 with GPA of 2.0
Argentina	Bachiller with a 6/10
Australia	Year 12 with a C or 50% average or higher
Bahrain	Tawjahiya Secondary School Certificate with a 50% average or higher
Bangladesh	Higher Secondary Certificate (HSC) with a 40-49.99% average
Botswana	Botswana General Certificate of Secondary Education with a 2nd Class, 2nd Division or C average
Brazil	Brazilian Secondary School Leaving Certificate (Certificado de Ensino Médio) with a 5/10
Brunei	Third class honors (C) or see GCE 'O' Level criteria
Cambodia	Baccalauréat (Baccalaureate) with 6 or 60%
Canada	Successful completion of grade 12 with 60% average with minimum 4 academic subjects
Chile	Licencia de Educación Media (academic) with 4 or higher
Colombia	Título de Bachiller 6 or higher
Ecuador	Bachiller with a 6/10
Egypt	General Secondary Education Certificate with a 50% average or pass
Fiji	Fiji School Leaving Certificate (Form 7) with a 7 average
France	Baccalauréat Général with an overall score of 10
GCE – O Level	Completion with an D or 7 in a minimum 5 subjects
Ghana	Senior Secondary School Certificate Examination with D average or Credit
Hong Kong	HKCEE (Form 5) - D or higher in 5 subjects HKDSE - Minimum level 2 in 4 academic units
India	All India Senior Secondary Certificate (CSBE/CISCE) with C2 (6 pass with credit) or higher in 3 academic subjects or 35% (Pass Class) or higher
Indonesia	SMU3 with an average grade of 5 or higher in 4 academic subjects
International Baccalaureate	Completion with an overall 22 or IB Score 3.5
Iran	Peesh-daneshgahii (High School Diploma) with 12 average or higher
Israel	Teudat Bagrut with 55% average or better
Japan	Kotogakko Sotsugyo Shosho (Upper Secondary School Leaving Certificate) with a 3 GPA
Jordan	Tawjihi (Academic) with 60% average or better
Kazakhstan	Attestat with 3.0 GPA
Kenya	Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) with a C or 6 average or higher
Korea, Republic of (South Korea)	Inmungye Kodung Hakkyo (High School Certificate) with a 70% average (Mi) or higher or Rank 6 or less
Kuwait	Shahadat Al-Thanawiya-Al-A'ama (Secondary School Diploma) with a 70% average or better
Laos	Baccalaureat II with a score of 10
Macau	See criteria for China, Hong Kong, Taiwan or GCE
Malaysia	SPM with C6 or higher
Mauritius	See GCE criteria
Mexico	Certificado de Bachillerato with a 6.0 average or better
Mongolia	School Leaving Certificate (Gerchilgee) with 2.0 (C) average or higher
Myanmar	Basic Education Standard Exam Diploma (Academic & Vocational) with a 3 or 40% average or higher
Nepal	Higher Secondary Certificate (HSC) with 35% (third division) or higher
Nigeria	General Certificate of Education with a Grade 4 (credit) or higher
Oman	Thanawiya Amma (General Secondary School Certificate) with 65% average or better
Pakistan	Higher Secondary Certificate (HSC) with 35% (3rd or Pass Class) average or above
Panama	Diploma de Bachiller with a 71% or better
Peru	Bachillerato Académic with 11 or better
Philippines	High School Diploma with 75% (Grade C) or better
Qatar	Al-Thanawiya Aama Qatari with 60% average or better
Russia	Certificate of [Complete] General Secondary Education with a 3.0 GPA
Saudi Arabia	Shahadat Al-Marhalat Al-Thanawiyyat (General Secondary Education Certificate) with a 65% (Good) average or better
Singapore	GCE O Level - 5 academic subjects with 7 or lower or GCE A Level D (pass) or higher
South Africa	Senior Certificate with Matriculation with 'D' average or matriculation endorsement with 50–59%
Sri Lanka	Sri Lanka A Levels with S grade (Ordinary Pass) in 3 subjects or 45% and above
Sweden	Avgångsbetyg with 'G' grade (Godkand) in 3 subjects
Taiwan	Senior High School Graduation Certificate with a C (60%) average or higher
Tanzania	Certificate of Secondary Education with minimum E/5 average
Thailand	Matayom 6 with 60% average or higher
Turkey	Lise Diplomasi with a minimum 3 points (orta) or 60% average
UAE	Tawjihiyya (General Secondary Education Certificate) with a 70% average or higher
Uganda	Uganda Certificate of Education with a C (7,8) average or higher
Ukraine	Attestat with a Grade 4 or higher
United Kingdom	See GCE criteria
Vietnam	Bàng Tốt Nghiệp Phố Thông Trung Học (Diploma of Completion of Secondary School) with a Grade 6 or better
West African School Certificate	Completion with a 6 or better in a minimum 5 subjects
Zambia	Zambian School Certificate Examination with 5 (Credit) or better average
Zimbabwe	See GCE criteria
Note: *The Navitas Undergraduate Pathways Programs are not available to any applicants from the People Republic of China for any University of Massachusetts campus where Navitas conducts these programs. US passport holders are not eligible for Navitas at UMass Boston programs. *Navitas at UMass Boston programs are not available to ESL students in the greater Boston area.

Age requirements

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Navitas at UMass Boston does not accept students under 17 years of age.

Students under 18 years of age must have parental/guardian consent to attend Navitas at UMass Boston. Application forms must be signed by a parent/guardian.

Students under 18 years of age must be in accommodation that is deemed acceptable by their parent/guardian and Navitas at UMass Boston. All students under age 18 who come to study and who are not accompanied by a parent or legal guardian must be cared for by a responsible adult. Navitas at UMass Boston strongly recommends homestay for underage students.

Credit transfer

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Students with credits earned from post secondary study outside of UMass Boston may transfer up to 9 credits towards their UMass Boston undergraduate degree, as determined by UMass Boston on a case-by-case basis. Students with more than 9 transferrable credits are not eligible for Navitas at UMass Boston.