College of Charleston - International Admissions

Achieve & Enjoy

At the College of Charleston (CofC), we feel strongly that diverse backgrounds, perspectives and experiences are integral parts of a liberal arts education. We attract international students from all over the world and offer a lively mix of cultural exchange both in and out of the classroom.

You'll study in the heart of one of the most historic cities in the United States, as Charleston is the epitome of American history.  Charleston, South Carolina was ranked the #1 City in the U.S. by Travel + Leisure magazine.

“Charleston is an amazing place to live as it is very small and extremely beautiful. People at the College of Charleston were very welcoming and I was able to adapt to the new living environment very easily. I can’t imagine myself going to any other school after having such a positive experience here.”
- Kelly Ann Arrindell, Trinidad and Tobago, Exercise Science

Welcoming International Students

The College of Charleston has a long tradition of welcoming international students to our campus and community.  Currently, we have over 150 students from 62 countries who study at the College of Charleston to complete a degree or as part of an exchange program. Our international students study a wide range of subjects including Accounting, Biology, Business Administration, History, International Business, Music, Political Science, and Psychology.

Embodying Diversity

College of Charleston students embody the concept of diversity.

• The Global Generation. Some come from right down the road, and others travel around the world to get here.  And their pursuits tend to be a mash-up of wildly divergent interests.
   
• Thirst for Innovation. They’ve already begun to follow their passions, but they’re open to new ideas.
   
• Hands-On. In order to be competitive, they do internships, volunteer, conduct research, and obtain campus employment.
   
• High Achievers. They take advantage of the extraordinary choices they have in what to study, learn and explore. Some are in the Honors College; 85% of them will complete graduate and professional schools such as Harvard Medical School, Yale Law School and The Graduate School of Duke University.

The College of Charleston was selected as one of just 50 schools focused on providing students with practical experiences that take their academics to the next level, with, according to the guide, “tons of opportunities to gain the authentic, real-world experience they need to launch great careers.”  - ‘Colleges That Create Futures’, The Princeton Review

CofC At a Glance

• 9,880 undergraduate students
• 62 majors
• 15:1 student to faculty ratio
• 62 countries represented
• Alumni chapters in Beijing, Hong Kong and London
• 343 clubs and organizations on campus (20+ with an international focus)
• 19 Division I varsity sports teams
• 30 club sports

Tuition and Scholarships

“One of the best educational values in the nation.” – Forbes Magazine

The College of Charleston is a state-affiliated institution, which means tuition rates differ for South Carolina residents vs. non-resident students. Our academic fees are less than those of many other institutions in the U.S., and we also award scholarships to international students.  

The International Ambassador Scholarship

International students who apply by March 1 are automatically eligible for this $10,000 annual scholarship that is awarded only to students who commit to attending the College of Charleston.  

Eurasia International Ambassador Scholarship

The Eurasia International Ambassador Scholarship is awarded to international students who are citizens of Armenia, Azerbaijan, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyz Republic, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan. Apply by March 1, and upon acceptance you will receive $20,000 per year for a total of $80,000 towards your CofC bachelor degree.

Merit-based Scholarships

In addition to the International Ambassador Scholarship, we review every international student for merit scholarships. These scholarships are awarded to international students who have exceptional academic records.

Sister-State Scholarship for Taiwan, Germany, and Australia

The College of Charleston offers reduced, in-state tuition (over a 50% tuition reduction) to both bachelor and master-degree seeking international students who are citizens of the following states:

• Rhineland Pfalz, Germany
• Thüringen, Germany
• Brandenburg, Germany
• Queensland, Australia
• Taiwan

Applicants must be admitted to an academic degree program at the College of Charleston and must demonstrate citizenship of one of these five Sister-State locations with a valid passport. The Sister-State alliances were formed in the spirit of mutual collaboration, friendship, and economic development between the people of South Carolina and the world.

How to Apply

APPLICATION CHECKLIST FOR INTERNATIONAL FRESHMEN:

1. Free online CofC application or Common Application
2. Certified English translation of official transcripts
3. Minimum suggested standardized test scores (one of the following):

• iBT TOEFL: 80
• IELTS: 6.5
• iTEP: 3.8
• SAT: 500 (EBRW: Evidence-Based Reading and Writing)
• ACT: 18 (reading) and 20 (English)