United States

• You can choose from a very wide range of colleges, programmes and locations.
• Undergraduate study is flexible, so you can explore subjects before picking a major.
• After graduating, OPT lets you work in your field for up to 12 months, and eligible STEM graduates can add a 24-month extension.
• Some colleges offer scholarships to international students, but they are competitive and often cover only part of the cost.

Teaching language

English

Intakes

The academic year usually runs from about September to May. Most students start in the fall (August or September), and some colleges also offer a spring start in January.

Bachelor's

Usually 4 years

Master's

Usually 1–2 years

PhD

Often 5–8 years

Tuition

There is no national fee level: each college sets its own tuition, and EducationUSA advises budgeting for rises of about 6–10% a year (EducationUSA, checked October 2026).

You apply to each college separately. Many undergraduate programmes accept the Common App, while graduate students apply directly to each university or department, usually with transcripts, English test scores, essays or a statement of purpose, recommendation letters and proof of funds for your I-20. EducationUSA suggests starting your search 12 to 18 months before you plan to enrol.

The Form I-20 (Certificate of Eligibility for Nonimmigrant Student Status) is issued by a designated school official (DSO) at an SEVP-certified school after you are accepted, and you use it to pay the SEVIS fee, apply for an F-1 visa and enter the US.

1. 1

   Step 1: Apply to SEVP-certified schools

   Only schools certified by the Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) can enrol F-1 students, so check each school on Study in the States before you apply.

   Official page (opens in a new tab)
2. 2

   Step 2: Accept your offer and prove funds

   After you accept admission, send the school the evidence of funding it asks for, such as bank statements, sponsor documents or scholarship letters, because the DSO must see proof you can pay tuition and living costs before issuing your I-20. Schools can set their own document lists, so follow your international office's instructions.

   Official page (opens in a new tab)
3. 3

   Step 3: Check and sign your I-20

   The school enters your details in SEVIS and sends you the I-20; check that your name and date of birth match your passport and ask the DSO to correct and resend it if they do not. Sign it (print it first if you received it electronically), and if you are under 18 a parent must also sign.

   Official page (opens in a new tab)
4. 4

   Step 4: Pay the I-901 SEVIS fee

   Use the SEVIS ID and school code printed on your I-20 to pay the I-901 SEVIS fee online at fmjfee.com before your visa interview, and print the payment confirmation.

   Official page (opens in a new tab)
5. 5

   Step 5: Complete DS-160 and book interview

   Fill in the online DS-160 with your SEVIS ID and school address from the I-20, upload your photo, list every social media account you have used in the past five years, and print the confirmation page. Then book your interview using the DS-160 barcode; F-1 applicants are also asked to set their social media profiles to public.

   Official page (opens in a new tab)
6. 6

   Step 6: Attend your visa interview

   Bring your passport, signed I-20 and DS-160 confirmation, and be ready to show how you will pay all study, living and travel costs, your academic records and test scores, and that you plan to leave the US after your course. F-1 visas can be issued up to 365 days before the programme start date on your I-20.

   Official page (opens in a new tab)
7. 7

   Step 7: Enter within 30 days of start

   You can enter the US no earlier than 30 days before the programme start date on your I-20. Keep your passport, visa, signed I-20, I-901 receipt and proof of funds in your hand luggage, and report to your school by the programme start date.

   Official page (opens in a new tab)

Visa

F-1 student visa

You need a Form I-20 from a SEVP-certified school, then you pay the I-901 SEVIS fee, complete the DS-160 and attend an interview, normally in your country of nationality or residence, where you must show how you will pay all study, living and travel costs. You must list every social media account you used in the past five years, F-1 applicants are asked to make their profiles public, and since 1 January 2026 nationals of some countries face full or partial visa suspensions under Presidential Proclamation 10998. A DHS rule to replace 'duration of status' with fixed admission periods was due on 15 September 2026, but a federal court postponed it on 14 September 2026, so the current system still applies for now.

Visa fee

USD 185 visa application (MRV) fee (since 17 June 2023) plus the USD 350 I-901 SEVIS fee; some nationalities also pay a visa issuance fee. A USD 250 'visa integrity fee' became US law in July 2025, but official collection details were not clear in October 2026, so check your embassy's fee page.

While you study

On-campus jobs: up to 20 hours a week while school is in session and full-time during breaks. Off-campus work needs authorisation, such as Curricular Practical Training (CPT) through your school, OPT, or USCIS approval for severe economic hardship after one full academic year.

After you graduate

Optional Practical Training (OPT): up to 12 months of work related to your field, which you apply for with USCIS from 90 days before to 60 days after you finish your degree. STEM graduates can apply for a 24-month extension if their employer uses E-Verify. On 8 October 2026 DHS proposed new OPT fees of USD 70,000 for initial OPT and USD 30,000 for a second year of practical training; this is only a proposal (comments close 9 November 2026) and is not in force. For longer-term work, H-1B selection has been weighted by wage level since the FY 2027 season (rule in force from 27 February 2026), and a USD 100,000 payment on some new H-1B petitions has been tied up in court during 2026.