International Students

Choose to study in one of our undergraduate program options across disciplines such as Architecture, Business, Design, Engineering, Fashion & Textiles, Health, Science and Social Science.  

There are some unique aspects to timing and required items as it relates to the application process for our international students. More information is found on our Apply as a First-Year Student page. Know that our team is here to help you navigate it. 

No matter which area of study you pursue at Jefferson, you’ll collaborate with classmates across majors to solve actual problems for actual companies like Verizon or NASA. Our students have created solutions for young adults with disabilities, designed new products for Tenneco, developed a vaccine and more. Our signature Nexus Learning™ approach gives you the tools, connections and confidence to reach your full potential.

Thomas Jefferson University remains committed to providing our students with the high quality education they deserve. Find your applicable tuition and fees information on the Tuition & Fees website.

All international applicants are considered for an International Merit Scholarship from Thomas Jefferson University at the time their application is reviewed. These awards can range from $15,000 - $24,500 and the unique terms are communicated to admitted students in their initial acceptance letters. 

If additional funding is needed in order to attend, international students are encouraged to explore student loan opportunities available in their home country or to contact their local banking institutions. Reaching out to an Education USA Office near you, might also help you to explore available options.

College is more than an education—it’s an experience. From activities and clubs on campus to Philadelphia’s parks, sporting events and incredible music scene, life at Jefferson includes time and space to live. As a new student, you’ll also make friends at our international student orientation program, complete with small-group meetups, Q&A sessions and more.

At Jefferson, you'll be steps away from the Liberty Bell and Independence Hall. Our students explore art and science at world-class museums like The Barnes Foundation or The Academy of Natural Sciences, eat at trendy new restaurants and visit high-end boutiques. They also participate in service missions and community initiatives—check out Park in a Truck!

One of the most walkable cities in the United States, Philadelphia is a city of neighborhoods—from the lively music scene in Fishtown to the Italian Market in South Philly. With a low cost of living and job-market growth above 10%, Philadelphia is a fantastic place to be.

Our admissions team is here to answer your questions and help you take the next step in applying and completing your international forms.

Jefferson has a policy that requires incoming, full-time, first-year undergraduate students who live more than 15 miles driving distance away (residing with their parent/guardian at their permanent residence) to live in University-owned or leased housing for their first two years of enrollment. This means that our international students are joining an active and supportive living and learning community. 

Once a student receives an offer of admission and then confirms their intent to enroll at Jefferson, our international team will invite them to join an International Services Portal where they can submit all of their required documentation and manage the process to secure their needed I-20 or DS-2019 for Visa purposes.  

Our international offices work with all University departments and individuals to facilitate exchange and to offer orientation to international visitors.

F-1 or J-1 students are supported by appropriate offices after they have been admitted to an academic program at the University. Permanent Residents in the U.S. are considered to be immigrants with employment authorization incidental to their immigration status and therefore, do not need any additional documents from our office to work or study at Jefferson.

New International Student Orientations are held each year prior to the start of a student's first semester.