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Cooper Union

International Applicants

At Cooper Union, we value the importance of a diverse student body. As such, we attract and enroll students from around the world.  We welcome all students to apply regardless of immigration status.  Please note that immigration status is not considered in your application review and decision. 

Definition: International students are those who do not hold U.S. citizenship or permanent residency.

Financial Aid: International students are not eligible for Federal or State Financial Aid. However, they are eligible for the half-tuition scholarship and additional merit aid.

English Language Proficiency Requirement:

Cooper Union does not require TOEFL, IELTS, or DET scores for applicants:

  • Whose native language is English
  • Who have attended 3 years of high school or more where English is the primary language of instruction
  • Who have earned a four-year degree from a U.S. college/university or from a university where English is the primary language of instruction (minimum of three years attendance) 

Everyone else is required to submit TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language), IELTS (International English Language Testing System), or DET (Duolingo English Testing) Scores per the below requirements. Your scores must be submitted directly by the testing service to admissions@cooper.edu.

  • TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language): A minimum score of 600 (paper-based test) or 100 (Internet-based test) is necessary for admission to The Cooper Union. Cooper Union accepts only TOEFL iBT® scores by test administration date (e.g. full test administration results for one sitting) and does not accept MyBest™ scores.  You may send multiple results for consideration. 
  • IELTS (International English Language Testing System): A minimum score of 7.0 is necessary for admission to The Cooper Union. 
  • DET (Duolingo English Test): A minimum score of 120 on the current DET (or 75 on the DET prior to July 2019) is necessary for admission to Cooper Union.
  • All applicants to The Cooper Union are required to submit scores from the SAT exam or ACT exam.
  • Make sure the name on your passport matches your name on the application, TOEFL and SAT/ACT scores.

Required Documentation:

  • All high school and college transcripts must be translated into English, notarized and sent to The Cooper Union.
  • Students planning to attend Cooper Union as an F-1 international student will need a Form I-20. To obtain a Form I-20 from Cooper Union, you will be required to submit an I-20 Request Form with supporting documents to International Student Advisement (ISA). ISA will contact you with the I-20 requirements and forms after you've been admitted, made your deposit, and completed the Citizenship Verification Form.

Additional fees:

  • International students are assessed a fee of $1,005 per semester.
  • In addition to the international student fee, please click here to review all costs of attendance.

Other Questions?

 

  • Founded by inventor, industrialist and philanthropist Peter Cooper in 1859, The Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art offers education in art, architecture and engineering, as well as courses in the humanities and social sciences.

  • “My feelings, my desires, my hopes, embrace humanity throughout the world,” Peter Cooper proclaimed in a speech in 1853. He looked forward to a time when, “knowledge shall cover the earth as waters cover the great deep.”

  • From its beginnings, Cooper Union was a unique institution, dedicated to founder Peter Cooper's proposition that education is the key not only to personal prosperity but to civic virtue and harmony.

  • Peter Cooper wanted his graduates to acquire the technical mastery and entrepreneurial skills, enrich their intellects and spark their creativity, and develop a sense of social justice that would translate into action.