University of Massachusetts Amherst
Amherst · Official website ↗
University of Massachusetts Amherst is in Amherst, United States. Tuition for international students: $43,819 per year (2026-27 figure). Language: IELTS 6.5, TOEFL iBT 80. Applying: intake: Fall; application fee $85. Scholarships: 2 from the university.
✓ 35 facts from 16 official pages, each with the exact sentence it comes from · checked 2026-11-12 · How we verify
International students should also budget for health insurance, visa and travel costs not shown here.
Quick summary
| Cost per year | tuition $43,819 per year The college asks you to show $69,465 in available funds for the I-20 (visa paperwork). This is proof you can pay, not a bill. |
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| Money from the college | Need-based aid: yes, and asking for it does not hurt the application. Merit scholarships: international students can receive them. 1 named scholarship(s) confirmed open to international students. |
| Chances of admission | not yet determined English minimum: IELTS 6.5, TOEFL (1–6) 4.5, TOEFL 80, Duolingo 115. |
| Application deadlines | Earliest: Nov 5 (Early Action — Apply early and hear early; not binding — you can still choose another college.) Last round: Regular Decision, Jan 15. |
| Where and how students live | Amherst · 52 km from BDL airport |
| Housing | First-year housing: Required |
| Working while studying | F-1 students may work on campus up to 20 hours per week while school is in session. Other work needs authorization: curricular practical training (CPT) during the program, or off-campus employment for economic hardship after one full academic year, approved by the DSO and USCIS. · co-op / paid work terms are part of degrees |
| After graduation | Optional Practical Training (OPT): 12 months of work in the field of study after a bachelor's degree; a 24-month extension applies to DHS-designated STEM degrees. · 88% of graduates employed or studying (2024-25) · 28% go on to further study (2024-25) |
Plain-language summary of the verified details below. Where it says “not yet determined”, we have not found it on an official page yet.
Financial aid & requirements for international students
| Aid & admission for international applicants | Need-blind for international applicants Applying for financial aid does not reduce an international applicant's chance of admission. Sources (1)“UMass Amherst is a need blind institution; this means that we do not consider an applicant's financial situation when deciding admission.”www.umass.edu ↗ · checked 2026-11-12 |
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| Meets full financial need | No — does not promise to meet full needSources (1)“Because UMass Amherst cannot offer financial assistance to undergraduate students from other countries, international students must certify that sufficient resources are available to cover expenses for the first calendar year at the university (exclusive of travel expenses).”www.umass.edu ↗ · checked 2026-11-12 |
| Merit scholarships | Yes — international students can receive merit scholarshipsSources (2)“International undergraduate students are considered for merit scholarships by the Admissions Office as part of their admission to the university.”www.umass.edu ↗ · checked 2026-11-12“However, we are proud to consider qualified international first-year undergraduate students for a limited amount of academic-based financial awards of up to $18,000 USD per academic year.”www.umass.edu ↗ · checked 2026-11-12 |
| Forms for international aid applicants | Not yet determined — check the college site ↗ |
| Must request aid when applying? | Not yet determined — check the college site ↗ |
| SAT / ACT policy | Test-optional (SAT/ACT may be submitted)Sources (1)“At UMass Amherst, standardized tests are optional for first-year entering applicants. UMass Amherst will review applications with or without standardized test scores.”www.umass.edu ↗ · checked 2026-11-12 |
| English proficiency | English test required unless an exemption applies
Sources (6)“UMass Amherst seeks to admit students who will contribute fully to campus life, inside and outside the classroom. Therefore, all non-native speakers of English must demonstrate English language proficiency. There are several ways to satisfy the requirement”www.umass.edu ↗ · checked 2026-11-12“You may be exempt from the English language proficiency requirement if you have completed two non-ESL English composition courses AND several humanities/social science courses with grades of B or better at a U.S. college or university.”www.umass.edu ↗ · checked 2026-11-12“TOEFL exams taken after January 21, 2026: A minimum composite score of 4.5 no section lower than 4 (code #3917).”www.umass.edu ↗ · checked 2026-11-12“TOEFL exams taken before January 21, 2026: A minimum composite score of 80 no subscore lower than 20 (code #3917).”www.umass.edu ↗ · checked 2026-11-12“IELTS: minimum composite score of 6.5 on the academic test with no subscore lower than 6.0 (We will not accept paper IELTS test report forms).”www.umass.edu ↗ · checked 2026-11-12“Duolingo English Test (DET): minimum score of 115 is required (Use the same email address as used with the Common Application).”www.umass.edu ↗ · checked 2026-11-12 |
| Conditional admission / English pathway | Not yet determined — check the college site ↗ |
Scholarships for first-year students
International First-Year Merit Awards
- Who can receive it: International students only
- Amount: Up to $18,000 / year
- How to apply: Automatic — considered with your admission application
Sources (3)
“However, we are proud to consider qualified international first-year undergraduate students for a limited amount of academic-based financial awards of up to $18,000 USD per academic year.”www.umass.edu ↗ · checked 2026-11-12“No separate application is required, as students are automatically considered once admitted to the university.”www.umass.edu ↗ · checked 2026-11-12“(Available to undergraduate students only.)”www.umass.edu ↗ · checked 2026-11-12UMass Amherst Chancellor's Award
- Amount: $10,000–$18,000 / year
- Renewal: Renewable — up to 4 years
- How to apply: Automatic — considered with your admission application
Sources (4)
“UMass Amherst Undergraduate Admissions offers the Chancellor's Award to admitted first-year students from outside of Massachusetts whose academic and personal achievements are especially strong.”www.umass.edu ↗ · checked 2026-11-12“Awards range from $10,000-$18,000 per year.”www.umass.edu ↗ · checked 2026-11-12“Award application: None required”www.umass.edu ↗ · checked 2026-11-12“Renewable up to an aggregate total of four years (eight consecutive semesters) of full-time undergraduate enrollment at UMass Amherst.”www.umass.edu ↗ · checked 2026-11-12Programmes
| Bachelor's programme | B.S. in Kinesiology Source (2)“B.S. in Kinesiology”www.umass.edu ↗ · checked 2026-11-12“Put your passion into action with a B.S. in Kinesiology”www.umass.edu ↗ · checked 2026-11-12BS in Computer Science Source (1)“Our BS or BA in Computer Science (CS) provide a strong foundation in computing.”www.cics.umass.edu ↗ · checked 2026-11-12BS in Public Health Sciences Source (2)“BS in Public Health Sciences”www.umass.edu ↗ · checked 2026-11-12“Make a meaningful impact on society with our Public Health Sciences major.”www.umass.edu ↗ · checked 2026-11-12 |
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Applying
| Intakes (start months) for first-year entry | Fall (reference) Source (2)“A note on spring admission for international students: Due to the lengthy student visa process we are unable to admit international students for the spring semester unless they are currently in a U.S.-based high school with a valid student visa.”www.umass.edu ↗ · checked 2026-11-12“Fall 2027 Early Action Deadline November 5, 2026”www.umass.edu ↗ · checked 2026-11-12 |
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| Application fee | $85 one-time |
| Interview | Optional Source (1)“While not required for admission, all international students may choose to submit a third-party unscripted interview.”www.umass.edu ↗ · checked 2026-11-12 |
| Application requirement | English proficiency test: Required Source (2)“UMass Amherst seeks to admit students who will contribute fully to campus life, inside and outside the classroom. Therefore, all non-native speakers of English must demonstrate English language proficiency. There are several ways to satisfy the requirement”www.umass.edu ↗ · checked 2026-11-12“English Language Proficiency Requirements”www.umass.edu ↗ · checked 2026-11-12Counselor recommendation: Required Source (1)“In addition, all first-year applicants must have their counselor or principal submit the School Report or Counselor Recommendation on the Common Application for the application to be complete.”www.umass.edu ↗ · checked 2026-11-12Teacher recommendation: Required ×1 Source (1)“One academic letter of recommendation is required for all first-year applicants. This letter must be submitted by the recommender, preferably an academic teacher.”www.umass.edu ↗ · checked 2026-11-12Admission test scores (SAT/ACT/ATAR…): Optional School transcript / academic records: Required Source (2)“You can help us get to know you by submitting the required items outlined below.”www.umass.edu ↗ · checked 2026-11-12“Official high school transcript (grades 9-11) or Secondary School Exams”www.umass.edu ↗ · checked 2026-11-12 |
Deadlines (fall 2027 entry)
| Early Action — Application | Nov 5 Apply early and hear early; not binding — you can still choose another college. Source (2)“Common Application Opens August 1”www.umass.edu ↗ · checked 2026-11-12“Early Action* Application Deadline November 5”www.umass.edu ↗ · checked 2026-11-12 |
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| Regular Decision — Application | Jan 15 The normal round; not binding. |
| Financial aid deadline | Not yet determined — check the college site ↗ |
Dates as published by the college; check the official page for time zones and supporting-document deadlines.
Costs for international students
| Tuition | $43,819 per year (2026–27 figure) |
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| Student health insurance | $2,470 per year (2026–27 figure) Required — cannot be waived |
| Proof of funds for the I-20 | $69,465 per year (2026–27 figure) Funds you must document for the first year to receive the I-20 (needed for the student visa). |
Sources (8)
“2026-2027 Costs (9-Month)”www.umass.edu ↗ · checked 2026-11-12“Instate On/Off Campus Out of State On/Off Campus Regional* On/Off Campus International** On/Off Campus Instate Living with Parent”www.umass.edu ↗ · checked 2026-11-12“Tuition & Fees 1 19,212 43,299 36,362 43,819 19,212”www.umass.edu ↗ · checked 2026-11-12“Supplemental Health Insurance 4 2,470”www.umass.edu ↗ · checked 2026-11-12“The Student Health Benefit Plan (SHBP) is student health insurance that can be waived for domestic students if the student is enrolled in a comparable health insurance plan. At UMass Amherst, all international students must enroll and maintain coverage under this plan.”www.umass.edu ↗ · checked 2026-11-12“At UMass Amherst, all international students must enroll and maintain coverage under this plan.”www.umass.edu ↗ · checked 2026-11-12“Estimated Cost of Attendance 39,896 63,983 57,046 69,465 25,752”www.umass.edu ↗ · checked 2026-11-12“This itemized estimate will correspond to a new international student's I-20 form for educational expenses.”www.umass.edu ↗ · checked 2026-11-12Where students live
| First-year on-campus housing | Required Source (1)“First-time, first-year undergraduate students enrolled in a degree-granting program are required to reside on campus for the first two semesters that they are enrolled. Therefore, Residential Life guarantees on-campus housing for first-time, first-year students.”www.umass.edu ↗ · checked 2026-11-12 |
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| Years of guaranteed campus housing | 1 Source (1)“First-time, first-year undergraduate students enrolled in a degree-granting program are required to reside on campus for the first two semesters that they are enrolled. Therefore, Residential Life guarantees on-campus housing for first-time, first-year students.”www.umass.edu ↗ · checked 2026-11-12 |
| Housing available during breaks | Yes Source (1)“The campus closes during break periods, and “break housing” halls are the only residential spaces that remain open during Thanksgiving, Winter and Spring Breaks. There is an additional cost to live in these halls.”www.umass.edu ↗ · checked 2026-11-12 |
Work and after graduation
| Work allowed while studying (rule as stated by the government) | F-1 students may work on campus up to 20 hours per week while school is in session. Other work needs authorization: curricular practical training (CPT) during the program, or off-campus employment for economic hardship after one full academic year, approved by the DSO and USCIS. government rule Source (4)“If you participate in on-campus employment, you may not work more than 20 hours per week when school is in session.”studyinthestates.dhs.gov ↗ · checked 2026-11-12“F students are eligible for curricular practical training (CPT) at either the undergraduate or the graduate level during the program of study. CPT employment must be an integral part of an established curriculum and the position must directly relate to your major area of study.”studyinthestates.dhs.gov ↗ · checked 2026-11-12“Off-campus employment is only available to you if you have completed at least one full academic year of your program of study and have an economic hardship that qualifies for the U.S. Department of Homeland Security's emergent circumstances.”studyinthestates.dhs.gov ↗ · checked 2026-11-12“To work off campus, you must receive approval from your DSO, obtain an updated Form I-20 and apply for and receive employment authorization from U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS).”studyinthestates.dhs.gov ↗ · checked 2026-11-12 |
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| Work hours allowed per week during term (student visa) | 20 (reference) government rule Source (1)“If you participate in on-campus employment, you may not work more than 20 hours per week when school is in session.”studyinthestates.dhs.gov ↗ · checked 2026-11-12 |
| Co-op / paid work terms built into degrees | Yes (reference) Source (1)“An engineering co-op is a paid, semester-long position that occurs during the academic year. While on co-op, you will maintain your status as an enrolled UMass Amherst student.”www.umass.edu ↗ · checked 2026-11-12 |
| Post-study work visa (name and length) | Optional Practical Training (OPT): 12 months of work in the field of study after a bachelor's degree; a 24-month extension applies to DHS-designated STEM degrees. government rule Source (4)“Twelve months of Regular OPT is available for each higher level of study. (For example a student may have 12 months for a bachelor's degree and another 12 months for a master's degree.)”studyinthestates.dhs.gov ↗ · checked 2026-11-12“Optional practical training is one type of work permission available for eligible F-1 students. It allows students to get real-world work experience related to their field of study.”studyinthestates.dhs.gov ↗ · checked 2026-11-12“For students who majored in designated Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) degrees approved by DHS. This type of OPT is a 24-month extension of OPT.”studyinthestates.dhs.gov ↗ · checked 2026-11-12“Have earned a bachelor's, master's, or doctoral degree from a school that is accredited by a U.S. Department of Education-recognized accrediting agency and is certified by the Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) at the time you submit your STEM OPT extension application.”www.uscis.gov ↗ · checked 2026-11-12 |
| Accelerated bachelor's + master's programme | Yes Source (1)“The 4+1 program is rigorous and demanding, offering eligible undergraduates a quick pathway to a terminal graduate degree. Students will finish the health education degree program with both a BS and an MPH degree, for a total of 162 credits.”www.umass.edu ↗ · checked 2026-11-12 |
| Graduates employed or in further study (college survey) | 88% (2024–25 figure) Source (2)“Outcome Summary - Class of 2025”www.umass.edu ↗ · checked 2026-11-12“Graduates who responded they were employed, in military service, volunteering, or continuing their education: 88%”www.umass.edu ↗ · checked 2026-11-12 |
| Graduates going on to further study (college survey) | 28% (2024–25 figure) (reference) Source (3)“Outcome Summary - Class of 2025”www.umass.edu ↗ · checked 2026-11-12“Placement Distribution of Those Who Reported:”www.umass.edu ↗ · checked 2026-11-12“Continuing Education: 28%”www.umass.edu ↗ · checked 2026-11-12 |
Location
| City / state | Amherst |
|---|---|
| Nearest major airport | Bradley International Airport (BDL), about 52 km in a straight line |
| Map | View on OpenStreetMap ↗ |
Setting from the U.S. Department of Education (College Scorecard); airport from OurAirports (public-domain data).