International Student Requirements

a cellist with her instrument on the rooftop of bowes

Daniela Gonzales Siu.

Welcome International Students!

Drawn from around the globe, our students contribute to a rich mixture of ideas, talents, customs, and backgrounds in a collaborative environment. Within a total collegiate student body numbering around 450, students hail from 34 countries, and speak more than 20 languages. Approximately 40 percent of our students are international.

On this page, you will discover information about English proficiency requirements and waivers, the 3+2 Collegiate Program, and other important resources.

Please visit the Audition & ��߲ݴ�ý page for full audition and application requirements.

Application now open for Fall and Spring 2025!

How to Apply ›

English Language Proficiency

The ability to communicate in English is extremely important for the success of our students, both musically and academically. English Language Proficiency is determined through a combination of official English test scores and a holistic interview administered by our English Language faculty. See Interview section below for full details.

International applicants whose first language is not English are required to submit either a TOEFL or IELTS score. Applicants whose test scores are below our minimum requirements listed below will be required to undergo a holistic interview and diagnostic test with our English Language faculty in February. Select the drop downs to review full details.

Accepted Tests

All tests must have been taken no earlier than September 1, 2023. Tests taken prior to this date will not meet our requirements.

TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) In School TOEFL Code: 4744
IELTS (International English Language Testing System)

Not Accepted Test/Scores

We do not accept Duolingo, "MyBest" scores, scores dated after September 1, 2023.

Timeline

Application: Submit your TOEFL or IELTS score within your application. TOEFL iBT Home Edition and IELTS Online exams are temporarily accepted within the application as a temporary score, due December 1, 2024. If you have an in-person exam score (TOEFL iBT or IELTS Academic) you may submit that score within your application.
February: Complete an in-person or Zoom interview/diagnostic assessment with our English Language faculty. You will be notified no later than December 20, 2024 if you are required to complete our holistic interview. (see Interview section for more details)
In-Person and Final Scores: In-person exams scores (TOEFL iBT or IELTS Academic), are required by May 1. If a student is admitted with a non-passing score on TOEFL/IELTS probation, a new score that meets our minimum requirements listed below is due no later than May 1.

Total Assessment

If you are required to complete our holistic interview and diagnostic test, your English language proficiency will be determined based on a combination of your official TOEFL/IELTS score and our holistic interview

Required Interview

Below Minimum: If your test scores do not meet the minimum requirements for your degree program, you will be required to undergo a holistic interview and diagnostic test with our English language faculty in February.
Sub-score Variations: Applicants whose sub-scores differ significantly may be asked to complete our holistic interview and diagnostic test (for example TOEFL 25 reading, TOEFL 15 speaking / IELTS 6.0 reading, IELTS 4.5 listening).

Degree Level/Program	Score Requirements
Technology & Applied Comp (all degrees)	80 iBT TOEFL, 6.5 IELTS
Certificate	61 iBT TOEFL, 5.5 IELTS
Bachelor of Music	71 iBT TOEFL, 6.0 IELTS
Master of Music	80 iBT TOEFL, 6.5 IELTS
Advanced Certificate	71 iBT TOEFL, 6.0 IELTS
Professional Studies Certificate (non RJAM)	61 iBT TOEFL, 5.5 IELTS
Professional Studies Certificate, RJAM	80 iBT TOEFL, 6.5 IELTS
Artist Diploma	80 iBT TOEFL, 6.5 IELTS

We do not want your English Language Proficiency score to stop you from applying.

You can still apply with a score below the minimum requirement for your degree program. However, all applicants should still work hard to achieve a score that meets the minimum requirements.

Admitted students must provide a final official TOEFL/IELTS score that meets our minimum requirements by May 1, 2025 in order to enroll.

Eligibility for ELP Waiver

Applicants who attended an institution where English was the primary language of instruction for 4 years can request an English Language Proficiency (ELP) waiver.

Deadlines

October 15, 2024, for Spring 2025 applicants.
November 25, 2024, for Fall 2025 applicants.

How to Submit

Access the ELP waiver request under the language page of the application.

Transcript Review

All students must provide unofficial transcripts within the application to verify their institution.

SFCM takes academic integrity very seriously. If an applicant is caught submitting fraudulent TOEFL/IELTS test scores, their application will be canceled and no application refund will be issued.

Transcripts

Requirements

Bachelor of Music/Undergraduate (BM).

Student Type	Required Transcripts
BM, Freshman	All high schools and college/universities attended (running-start, dual enrollment, etc.)
BM, Freshman/Home-School	Official transcript from an accredited institution or a GED/CHSPE diploma. Any college/universities attended.
BM, Transfer	All high schools and college/universities attended. Credit assessments are completed before orientation, review policies.
Graduate and Postgraduate	All college/universities attended. SFCM will not accept any transfer credit at the graduate or postgraduate level, but requires transcripts to determine academic eligibility for accreditation purposes.

English Translation

Notarized Translation: International students must provide notarized course-by-course translations of their final official transcripts if the originals are not in English or a translation is not provided by the school.
Diploma/Certificate: If the transcript does not show the degree earned, students may also need to submit a degree diploma or certificate.

Transcript Evaluation

When is an evaluation required? An evaluation will be required if transcripts are not in English, do not include a GPA on a U.S. 4.0 scale, do not list the degree earned, or if the graduation date is missing without an attached diploma or certificate
Accepted Evaluators: , or .

Unofficial Transcripts - Application

Where to upload: Upload your unofficial transcript in the "Academic History" section of your application.
What we accept: We accept PDFs or screenshots from your student record or school portal, as long as your name, GPA, and academic records are visible.
Official vs. Unofficial: Documents uploaded by you in the application are considered "unofficial" because they are not sent directly by your school.

Final Official Transcripts - Sent by your school

Final official transcripts must be sent directly from your institution through one of the following methods:

Mail: Sent to our office address (see below)
School Email: Sent directly from the institution to apply@sfcm.edu.
Secure Portal: Uploaded through services like Parchment or National Student Clearinghouse.

To be considered "final," transcripts must:

Include all completed coursework with final grades.
Show a cumulative GPA on a US 4.0 scale.
Have an official seal, stamp, or signature.
Indicate the degree awarded and graduation date.**
Translated to English (if international).

**The only exception is for transfer students or those attending college without seeking a degree; for these cases, a degree and graduation date are not required.

Mailing Address

Office of Admissions
��߲ݴ�ý Francisco Conservatory of Music
50 Oak Street, ��߲ݴ�ý Francisco, CA 94102

Important Information and Resources

3+2 Collegiate Program

SFCM has a 3+2 program with the Xinghai Conservatory of Music in Guangzhou, China. Students at the Xinghai Conservatory must apply for the 3+2 program in the first semester of their third year.

Those approved for the program must still complete the full application and audition process for the two-year Master of Music program at SFCM. Acceptance into the Master of Music program is not guaranteed.

Program acceptance, studio assignment, English proficiency, and scholarship granting will all be determined using the same deadlines and requirements as detailed on our Application and Auditions page and listed above. Applicants with questions regarding their 3+2 program should reach out to apply@sfcm.edu.

3+2 students must submit final official in-progress transcripts once their most recent grades have been posted at Xinghai Conservatory. These are due July 1st, but can be accepted until August 15 for enrollment.

Financial Aid and Scholarships

International applicants are eligible to receive scholarships from the Conservatory as long as they submit the . International applicants are not eligible for any U.S. federal or state grants or loans. Applying for Financial Aid

I-20 and Visa Process

Please visit International Student Resources page for more information regarding I-20, Visa and Documentation, and other important information.

Equal Educational Opportunity

SFCM is an equal opportunity institution of higher education and employer and is firmly committed to nondiscrimination in its delivery of educational services and employment practices. In compliance with all applicable federal and state laws, Conservatory policy prohibits unlawful discrimination based on race, color, creed, gender, religion, marital status, registered domestic partner status, age, national origin or ancestry, physical or mental disability, medical condition (including cancer and genetic characteristics), sexual orientation, or any other consideration made unlawful by federal, state, or local laws. It also prohibits unlawful discrimination based on the perception that anyone has any of those characteristics, or is associated with a person who has or is perceived as having any of those characteristics. When necessary, SFCM will reasonably accommodate individuals with disabilities if the individual is otherwise qualified to meet the fundamental requirements and aspects of the educational program and/or safely perform all essential functions, without undue hardship to SFCM and/or without altering fundamental aspects of SFCM’s educational program.

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