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International Requirements (Non U.S.)

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The requirements below are for individuals who require a visa in order to enter the United States to pursue their education. Please select a requirement and learn more about what we are asking. Feel free to contact Admissions at admissions@byuh.edu for any further assistance regarding these requirements.

Application Requirements
Ecclesiastical Endorsement
Secondary Education Transcripts
English Proficiency Exam
Financial Documents
Seminary Attendence

All students applying to Brigham Young University–Hawaii are required to have an Ecclesiastical Endorsement. You are responsible to schedule appointments with appropriate Church leaders and ensure the endorsements are complete by the application deadline. All students are expected to abide by the Honor Code, which includes (1) the Academic Honesty Policy, (2) the Dress and Grooming Standards, and (3) the applicable Residential Living Standards.

Education systems throughout the world differ from the U.S. education system. Applicants should send cited transcripts along with that institution's grading scale so that the admissions international transcript evaluators can process your transcripts accordingly.

BYU–Hawaii BYU-Pathway Partnership Program

BYU–Hawaii and BYU-Pathway Worldwide announced a new partnership that will expand educational options for international students. Here are the eligibility requirements:

  1. Complete BYU-Pathway's foundational PathwayConnect curriculum with a minimum grade of B- in PC 101-103 and the introductory course. Achieve a minimum cumulative grade point average (CGPA) of 3.0 or higher, and/or successfully complete a BYU-Pathway Worldwide certificate and/or associate degree.
  2. Meet the English test requirement.

The completion of a BYU-Pathway Worldwide program will waive BYU–Hawaii’s high school diploma/secondary education requirements.

For more information, please visit BYU–Hawaii BYU-Pathway Partnership Program.

Search for your country in the country criteria to find specific instructions on what is required. Be sure to follow the instructions below when sending documents to Admissions.

International students whose first language is not English must demonstrate English proficiency by taking one of the approved English proficiency tests listed below.

During each application period, students have the opportunity to take the TOEFL and IELTS tests multiple times. However, the ELAT test can only be taken once per application period. Keep in mind that the scores for the TOEFL and IELTS tests are valid for two years, while the ELAT test score is only valid for one year after the test.

Based on the English test results, students may be required to complete the EIL program at BYU–Hawaii, which may take one to three semesters.

Acceptable Exams

  • BYU–Hawaii requires a minimum score in each English language skill area to pass the ELAT.

    Reading - score of 10 or more
    Listening - score of 11 or more
    Writing - score of 3.5 or more
    Speaking - score of 3.5 or more

    The ELAT is a free, online English test exclusively for BYU–Hawaii applicants. Testing dates will be available before each semester's application deadline dates. To register for the ELAT, please email admissions@byuh.edu.

  • BYU–Hawaii requires a minimum composite score of 66 on the IBT (Internet-based Test) with a minimum score of 17 on reading and writing and 16 on listening and speaking.

    BYU–Hawaii does NOT accept the TOEFL PBT (paper-based test) or ITP (Institutional TOEFL). To find out the dates, locations, and cost of TOEFL tests, contact TOEFL.

  • BYU–Hawaii requires a minimum score of 6.0 with a minimum score of 5.5 for each sub-score (BAND).

    To find out dates, locations, and cost of IELTS tests, contact IELTS at ielts.org.

  • Beginning the Winter 2024 Semester, BYU–Hawaii will no longer accept the Michigan, SLEP, EIKEN, and PTE tests.

  • At the present time, EnglishConnect 3 (EC3) is not an approved English proficiency test for admission to BYU–Hawaii. However, we highly recommend that you enroll in EC3 to prepare for the ELAT.

    To join EnglishConnect please go to englishconnect.org.

    Read more about the BYU–Hawaii BYU-Pathway Worldwide partnership.

To attend BYU–Hawaii, you must be able to show us that you can afford the cost of attendance. International students can apply for financial aid through BYU–Hawaii's IWORK program.

Types of financial documents you should consider to gather are:

  • Bank statements.
  • Pay slips (three most recent).
  • Sponsor's letter for each sponsor.

Those who need to fill out a bishop's letter can do so online.

Financial documents do not need to be cited. Please send them to iwork@byuh.edu.

Seminary or Missionary Service

In accordance with BYU–Hawaii's mission "to integrate both spiritual and secular learning", applicants that finished four years of seminary or institute and/or served a full-time mission will be given priority.

Leadership responsibilities and extracurricular activities may also be used as determining factors in admission decisions.

Sending Documents to Admissions


International (Non-U.S.) applicants have the option to send an official copy of their transcripts either through mail or electronically. Before sending the transcripts to Admissions, please ensure that you have completed the following items.
  • To cite a transcript please do the following

    1. Official transcripts need to be taken to the appropriate leader. The leader needs to include the following:
      1. Leader's printed name, title (branch president, bishop, etc.) and the date.
      2. The following words: "Official transcript has been cited."
    2. The leader then signs the transcript underneath the above information.
  • The Admission Office has taken on the responsibility of transcript evaluation. Please ensure that your official transcript includes your institution's grading scale. Any transcripts that are unable to be processed in our office will be referred to IEE, IERF or SpanTran for evaluation.

  • If your official transcript is in a foreign language (non-English), please include a cited and translated copy in English to facilitate a smooth evaluation process.

  • All documents must be received two weeks before the application deadline for the semester you are applying.

    All documents received within the two weeks before the deadline will be considered late and may not be processed before the deadline, resulting in an incomplete application.

    If you are sending your transcripts through the mail, please send them to the admissions office far enough in advance to arrive two weeks before the deadline.

Important Links

Ecclesiastical Endorsement

Begin your ecclesiastical endorsement.
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Country Criteria

Find your country and learn more about your application requirements.
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English Test Requirements

View the acceptable exams and their required scores.
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IWORK Program

Learn more about the IWORK program and apply.
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Application Deadlines and Decisions Schedule

View the application and decision schedule.
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Contact Us

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