International Student Admissions

As one of the United States’ most global universities, the University at Buffalo is home to more than 4,500 students from 110 countries.

We value international students as members of our community and will provide outstanding support services for you and your dependent family members, if they accompany you to Buffalo.

Our resources that will help you succeed at UB include:

  • one of the best and most thorough international student orientation programs offered by any U.S. university
  • a mentoring program for new international students
  • world-class learning and research opportunities
  • many opportunities to be involved in campus life, including international and local clubs and activities

In addition to being an affordable, friendly and fun city, Buffalo welcomes and respects international students.

Apply Now

How to Apply

You can apply online. You'll need to submit scanned copies of all required supporting documents before your application will be reviewed. You may save and edit your application as you go.

Official documents will be required if you are offered admission.

Once your application is ready, you must formally submit it to upload your documents.

Check Your Status

You may log in at any time to check your status.

The online checklist is your best source about the status of your application during the review process; please check it frequently. 

You will receive an email when your admission decision is available in the portal.

We strongly recommend that you identify a faculty member whose lab you are interested in before applying to our program.  Click here to learn more about our participating faculty.

Requirements

The following credentials are required for application consideration:

  • transcript(s) from every institution you have previously attended
  • three letters of recommendation
  • a resume
  • a personal letter stating career objectives and research experience. Research experience is highly desirable.

GRE Score Report

Submission of GRE scores is now optional for all applicants to the Genetics, Genomics and Bioinformatics MS program.  However, international applicants for the GGB MS program are strongly encouraged to submit GRE scores to be considered for admission.

GRE score reporting codes:

  • Institution code: R2925
  • Department code: 0699

Eligibility

A bachelor’s degree is required to enter the program. Admission is based on:

  • a grade point average of B (3.0) or better
  • examination scores
  • letters of recommendation
  • academic performance
  • research experience

Undergraduate preparation most suited to this program includes biology, biochemistry, genetics, bioinformatics, computational biology and computer science.

Ideally, MS candidates will have some background in both biology and computer science or mathematics. Either background area, with sufficient interest in the other, might be adequate.

Deadline

Your application must  be completed and official documentation should be filed no later than March 1st.

The program admissions committee will review your complete application and contact you directly.

Fees

Once you submit your application online for formal review, you will be provided with a link to our online payment system, where you can pay the application fee.

English Proficiency Requirement

International applicants must present a valid English Language Proficiency test score. It is university policy that test dates be no older than two years when students enter a program.

  • Institution code: R2925 (SUNY-University at Buffalo)
Accepted Tests and Minimum Scores
  • Department code: 06

The minimum score that we accept is:

Internet-based TOEFL Test (iBT) 100
Paper-based TOEFL Test (PBT) 550
Computer-based TOEFL Test (CBT) 213