You belong here, wherever “here” started for you.
For more than a century, Saint Leo University has welcomed students from every corner of the globe into one of Florida’s most diverse Catholic Benedictine communities. Our International Admissions team will walk you through every step, from your first application to your first day as a Saint Leo Lion.
101
Countries Represented
750+
International Students
107,000+
Alumni Worldwide
22%
of Our Campus Community
Why Saint Leo
Founded on values that show up in how we support you
Saint Leo was founded on Benedictine values that have guided our community for more than 135 years: community, excellence, respect, personal development, integrity, and responsible stewardship. For international students, that translates into something practical: a campus where you’re known by name, supported by people whose job is to help you succeed far from home, and prepared for a career that matters.
A global community
More than 100 countries are represented on our campus: classmates, mentors, and friends who understand what it’s like to build a new life.
Dedicated support, start to finish
Our Center for Global Engagement helps with everything from visa paperwork to cultural adjustment, so you always have someone in your corner.
A bridge to success, if you need it
Our Bridge Program (built for international students since 2012) helps graduates post higher retention rates and GPAs, on average, than the overall campus population.
Career-ready, from day one
Through dedicated Career Services support, you’ll navigate job searches, internships, and questions like OPT and CPT.
Real support for paying tuition
Through PayMyTuition, pay from any bank, in any country, in your own currency, with step-by-step guidance in 13 languages.
Admission Requirements
What it takes to be admitted
One unified path for every applicant: on campus, undergraduate or graduate.
Undergraduate
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GPA
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Minimum 2.0 / 4.0 (holistic review for borderline cases)
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English · Direct
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IELTS 6.0 · TOEFL iBT 71 · Duolingo 105 · PTE 59
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Bridge Pathway
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IELTS 5.5–6.0 · TOEFL 59–70 · Duolingo 90–104 · PTE 50–58
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MOI
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Medium of Instruction letter accepted
No ACT / SAT required · Average program length: 4 years
Graduate
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GPA
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Minimum 3.0 / 4.0 (2.7–2.9 via holistic review)
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English · Direct
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IELTS 6.0 · TOEFL iBT 71 · Duolingo 105 · PTE 59
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Bridge Pathway
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IELTS 5.5–6.0 · TOEFL 59–70 · Duolingo 90–104 · PTE 50–58
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MOI
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Medium of Instruction letter accepted
No GMAT / GRE required · Average program length: 2 years
Required Documents for Admission
| To Apply | Additionally, for Form I-20 | Additionally, for Holistic Review |
|---|---|---|
| Color copy of your passport | Certificate of Finance form | Resume |
| Unofficial transcripts | Bank statement or other proof of finance (issued within the last 6 months) | Letter of recommendation / statement of purpose (SOP) |
| English proficiency documentation (test scores) | ||
IELTS 6.0 requires a minimum writing sub-score. TOEFL iBT uses the new band-score system (0–120 scale); MyBest scores are accepted. Bridge Pathway students may be required to complete additional English support coursework. GPA requirements are subject to holistic review for borderline cases.
The Bridge Program
Extra support, if your scores land in the Bridge Pathway
Scored in the Bridge Pathway range? You’re still admitted to Saint Leo, fast-tracked straight into your program. Our Bridge Program, led by Dr. MacPhee, helps you strengthen academic reading, writing, and communication skills while you take your first Saint Leo classes, and graduates go on to post higher retention rates and GPAs, on average, than the overall University Campus population.
Undergraduate Fast-Track
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Bridge Pathway
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IELTS 5.5–6.0 · TOEFL 59–70 · Duolingo 90–104 · PTE 50–58
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First Semester
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9 credits toward General Education credits and 6 elective credits.
Graduate Fast-Track
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Bridge Pathway
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IELTS 5.5–6.0 · TOEFL 59–70 · Duolingo 90–104 · PTE 50–58
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First Semester
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3 credits included, counted toward electives.
Transfer Credit
Your previous coursework matters
Saint Leo recognizes transfer credit from regionally accredited institutions. Apply and submit your application fee first, and we’ll evaluate your coursework individually; up to 64 hours can transfer from a community or junior college, and credit by examination is also available.
Paying for Your Education
Affordable, and payable from anywhere
International students aren’t eligible for U.S. federal financial aid, but that doesn’t mean you’re on your own.
Merit & university scholarships
Talk with your admissions counselor about scholarships for eligible incoming students, plus Saint Leo’s private scholarship database.
Outside scholarships
Already have funding from home? Just let Student Financial Services know once you receive it.
Questions about cost or payment? Student Financial Services: (800) 240-7658 · sfs@saintleo.edu
Preparing for Your Arrival
Your first weeks, mapped out
Once your I-20 or DS-2019 is issued, our Center for Global Engagement (CGE) becomes your go-to team for everything visa- and immigration-related.
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1
Register with CGE
Bring your I-20/DS-2019, passport, visa stamp, I-94, and SEVIS fee payment receipt as soon as you arrive.
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2
Attend New Student Orientation
It’s mandatory, and it’s where you’ll meet your Resident Assistant and your first Saint Leo friends.
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3
Get set up locally
Open a U.S. checking account and get your Florida ID and Saint Leo ID card.
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4
Confirm your health insurance
Full-time students are auto-enrolled; waivers require comparable U.S. coverage and a strict deadline.
Want to know exactly who you’ll be working with? Meet the advisors on our Center for Global Engagement team.
Work Authorization & Career Support
Built for life after Leo
OPT
12 months of Optional Practical Training at each degree level, plus up to a 24-month STEM extension for eligible programs, for up to 3 years of work authorization after graduation. Apply before completing your degree; keep CGE updated on employment.
CPT
Gain practical experience tied directly to your program while you study. Your CGE advisor walks you through eligibility.
On-campus employment
Up to 20 hours per week during the school year.
Find your country’s exact requirements
Every education system is a little different. Expand the first section to see the academic credentials and minimum grades we look for from your country, and the second to check whether your country is exempt from English proficiency testing. Together they cover 150+ countries and regions.
| Country/Qualification | Requirement |
|---|---|
| Afghanistan | Doreyeh Aali or 12th Grade Graduation Certificate (Baccaluria) with 70% or higher |
| Albania | Deftese Pjekurie (Certificate of Maturity) with 6/10 |
| Algeria | Baccalaureat de ;’Enseignement Secondaire with an over score of 11 or higher. Releve de Notes de l’Examen Final du Baccalaureate (Exam results transcript) must also be submitted. |
| Angola | Certificado de Habilitacoes Literarias with an average subject score of 12 |
| Argentina | Bachiller with a 6/10 |
| Armenia | Mijnakarg Krfutyan Attestate (Certificate of Complete Secondary Education) OR Hasunutian Vkaiakan (Certificate of Maturity) with 6/10, 3.5/5, or 11/12 |
| Australia | Year 12 with a 50% average or higher |
| Austria | Reifezeugnis (Maturity Certificate) with a 3.5 |
| Azerbaijan | 3.5 out of 5 or 65/100%, Certificate of General Secondary Education |
| Bahrain | Tawjahiya Secondary School Certificate with a 50% average |
| Bangladesh | Higher Secondary Certificate (HSC) with a 50% average |
| Benin | 11 out 20 Baccalauréat de ľ Enseignement Secondair; Secondary Education Baccalaureate |
| Bolivia | Bachiller with a 45/70 or 4.5/7 average |
| Bosnia & Herzegovina | 2.5 out 5 Certificate or Diploma of Secondary Education Diploma o Svedočanstvo or Svjedočanstvo |
| Botswana | Botswana General Certificate of Secondary Education with a 2nd Class, 2nd Division, or C average |
| Brazil | Brazilian Secondary School Leaving Certificate (Certificado de Ensino Medio) with a 5/10 |
| Bulgaria | 3.5 out of 6 Zrelostno Svidetelstvo; Diploma of Completed Secondary education Zrelostno Svidetelstvo; Diploma za Zavarsheno Sredno Obrazavanie |
| Brunei | Third class honors (C) or see GCE-O Level |
| Cambodia | Baccalaureat (Baccalaureate) with 6 or 60% |
| Cameroon | 11 out of 20 Baccalaureat de l’Eseignement Secondaire OR 5 academic subjects with 2.5 average based on scale for IGCSE / O Level / AS Level / A Level is: 9-8/A*=5, 7/A=4, 6=3.5, 5=3.25, 4/B/C=3, 3-2/D/E=2, 1/F/G=1, U=0. Subjects must include Math, English, Science, a second language and an elective. A 2.5 average based on scale noted below on A Level and/or AS Level if applicable. Must also meet IGCSE/O Level requirements. |
| Caribbean | Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC) with 4 General Proficiency Passes at Grade III or better |
| Chile | Licencia de Educacion Media (academic) with 4 or higher |
| China | Upper Middle School Graduation Certificate with a 60% average |
| Colombia | Titulo de Bachiller with 6 |
| Congo | 11 out of 20 Baccalauréat;Baccalaureate |
| Costa Rica | Diploma de conclusion de estudios de education diversificada or Bachillerato 7.5/10 or 75/100 |
| Cyprus (Greek) | 13 out of 20 or 55/100% Apolytirio of Lykeion |
| Cyprus (Turkey) | 55/100% or 2.5/5 Grading scale effective 2013 and on or 3/5 prior to 2013 Lise Diplomasi |
| Denmark | 4 out of 12 Bevis for Hojere Forberedelseseksamen or Studentereksamen |
| Dominican Republic | Bachillerato or Bachillerato en Ciecas y Letras with a 78 percent or 2.5 or higher |
| Ecuador | Bachiller with a 6/10 |
| Egypt | General Secondary Education Certificate with a 50% average or pass |
| El Salvador | Bachiller/Bachillerato General with a 6.5/10 or higher |
| Ethiopia | Ethiopian Higher Education Entrance Examination (EHEEE) with a 50% average (good) or higher |
| Fiji | Fiji School Leaving Certificate or Form 7 Certificate with a 6 average or higher |
| France | Baccalaureat General with an overall score of 11 or higher |
| Gambia | WAEC or NECO (Senior School Certificate) with average of C5 |
| GCE-O Level | Completion with a D or 7 in a minimum of 5 subjects |
| GCSE/IGCSE | 5 college preparatory subject passes with a grade of D or higher and the two subjects of Mathematics and English are required. If English is not the primary language in the applicant’s country, then the subject of their foreign language will be accepted. |
| Germany | 3.5 out of 6 or 5 out of 15 Zeugnis der Allgemeinen Hochschulreife/Abitur or (Certificate of Overall Maturity for Higher) or Zeugnis of Fachhochschulreife |
| Ghana | Senior Secondary School Certificate Examination with D average |
| Greece | Apolytirio Eniaiou Lykeiou. 6/10 or 60/100 or 12/20 |
| Guatemala | Bachiller en Ciencias y Letras with a 75% average or higher |
| Guinea | Attestation De Reussite Et Releve De Notes 10/20 |
| Guinea-Bissau | Certificado de Conclusao do Ensino Secundario with a 10/20 |
| Haiti | Baccalaureate or Baccalaureate I or Baccalaureate II with a 58% or higher |
| Hong Kong | HKCEE (Form 5) - D or higher in 5 subjects HKDSE - Minimum level 1 in 4 academic units |
| India | All India Senior Secondary Certificate (CSBE/CISCE) with C2 (6 pass with credit) or higher in 3 academic subjects or 50% (Pass Class) |
| Indonesia | SMA3 with an average grade of 5 or higher in 4 academic subjects |
| International Baccalaureate | Completion with an overall of 22 or IB score of 3.5 |
| Iran | Peesh-daneshgahii (High School Diploma) with 12 average |
| Iraq | Adadiyah (Sixth Form Baccalaureate) with a 60 percent average or higher |
| Israel | Teudat Bagrut with a 55% average |
| Italy | 6 out of 10 for academic subjects and a 60/100% for exam results, Diploma, Diploma di Maturita/Diploma di Esame di Stato |
| Japan | Kotogakko Sotsugyo Shosho (Upper Secondary School Leaving Certificate) with a 3 GPA |
| Jordan | Tawjihi (Academic) with 60% average |
| Kazkhstan | Attestat with 3 GPA |
| Kenya | Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) with a C or 6 average |
| Kuwait | Shahadat Al-Thanawiya-Al-A’ama (Secondary School Diploma) with a 70% average |
| Kyrgyzstan | 3.5 out of 5, Attestat |
| Laos | Baccalaureat II with an overall score of 10 |
| Lebanon | 11 out of 20 or 65/100% Lebanese Baccalaureat |
| Libya | 70/100% Secondary Education Certificate |
| Macau | See criteria for China, Hong Kong, Taiwan, or GCE |
| Malaysia | SPM with C6 or higher |
| Mauritius | See GCE-O Level |
| Mexico | Certificado de Bachillerato with 6.0 average |
| Mongolia | School Leaving Certificate (Gerchilgee) with 2.0 (C) average |
| Morocco | Baccalaureat with an overall score of 11 or higher. Releve de Notes de l’Examen Final du Baccalaureat (Exam results transcript) must also be submitted. |
| Myanmar | Basic Education Standard Exam Diploma (Academic & Vocational) with a 3 or 40% average |
| Nepal | Higher Secondary Certificate (HSC) with 50% (Third Division) |
| Netherlands | 6 out of 10, HAVO Diploma; Diploma of Senior General Secondary education and VWO Diploma Voorbereidend Wetenschappelijk Onderwijs; Diploma of University Preparatory Education (IERF) |
| New Zealand | Record of Achievement for NCEA Level 3 – need 3 academic subjects on the level 3 certificate with at least 14 credits in each of the 3 academic subjects at “achieved” or higher. 6/10 or 60/100 |
| Nigeria | General Certificate of Education with a C6 average in 5 academic subjects |
| Norway | 3 out of 6 Vietnemal fra de Videregaende Skole |
| Oman | Thanawiya Amma (General Secondary School Certificate) with 65% average |
| Pakistan | Higher Secondary Certificate (HSC) with 50% (3rd or Pass Class) average |
| Panama | Diploma de Bachiller with a 70% average |
| Peru | Bachillerato Academic or Certificado de Educacion Secundaria Comun Completa with 12/20 |
| Philippines | High School Diploma with 75 (C) average |
| Poland | Swiadectwo Dojrzalosci Liceum Profilowanega or Swiadectwo Dojrzalosci Liceum Ogolnoksztalcacego with 3.5 or higher |
| Portugal | Diploma de Ensino Secundario (Diploma of Secondary Education) with 12 |
| Qatar | Al-Thanawiya Aama Qatari with a 60% average |
| Romania | 6 out of 10, Diploma de Baccalaureat (academic) |
| Russia | Attestat o srednem (polnom) obschem obrazovanii (Certificate of Secondary Education) with a 3.0 GPA |
| Saudi Arabia | Shahadat Al-Marhalat Al-Thanawiyyat (General Secondary Education Certificate) with a 65% (Good) average |
| Senegal | Baccalaureate with a 11 average or higher |
| Singapore | GCE-O Level – 5 academic subjects with 7 or lower or GCE-A Level D (pass) |
| South Africa | Senior Certificate with Matriculation with D average or matriculation endorsement with 50% |
| South Korea | High School Certificate with a 70% average or 6 rank (Yang) |
| Spain | 5.5 out of 10 Bachillerato Titulo de Bachiller |
| Sri Lanka | Sri Lanka A Levels with S grade (Ordinary Pass) in 3 subjects or 45% |
| Sweden | Avgangsbetyg/Slutbetgy fran Gymnasieskola (Certificate from Upper Secondary School) with “G” grade (Godkand) in five academic subjects |
| Swaziland | Swaziland Certificate of Secondary Education with 5 academic subject passes with D or higher |
| Switzerland | Eidgenossisches Maturitat, Maturite federale, Baccalaureat or Maturita federale with a 5/10 or better. Eidgenossisch anerkannte Kantonale Maturitat or Maturite cantonal reconnu par la Confederation with a 4/6 or better. Maturita cantonale riconosciuta dalla Confederazione with 3/5 or better |
| Syrian Arab Republic | Al-Shahada Al Thanawiyya – Al’Amma (Baccalaureate) with a 55% or better |
| Taiwan | Senior High School Graduation Certificate with a C (60%) average |
| Tanzania | Certificate of Secondary Education with minimum E/5 average |
| Thailand | Matayom 6 with 60% average |
| Tunisia | Baccalaureat with an overall score of 11 or higher. Releve de Notes de l’Examen Final du Baccalaureat (Exam results transcript) must also be submitted. |
| Turkey | Lise Diplomasi with a minimum 3 points (orta) or 60% average |
| UAE | Tawjihiyya (General Secondary Education Certificate) with a 70% average |
| Uganda | Uganda Certificate of Education with a C (7,8) average |
| Ukraine | Attestat with Grade 4 or higher on the 12 point scale or Attestat with Grade 3 or higher on the 5 point scale |
| United Kingdom | See GCE-O Level |
| Uruguay | Bachillerato Diversificado de Ensenanza Secundaria with a 5.5/12 average or better |
| Uzbekistan | 3.5 out of 5, O'rta Ma'lumot To'g'risida Shahodatnoma |
| Venezuela | 11 out of 20, Bachillerato en Ciencias/Humanidades |
| Vietnam | Bằng Tốt Nghiệp Phổ Thông Trung Học (Diploma of Completion of Secondary School) with a Grade 6 or better |
| West African School Certificate | Completion with a C6 in minimum of 5 subjects |
| Zambia | Zambian School Certificate Examination with 6 (Credit) average |
| Zimbabwe | See GCE-O Level |
Anguilla
Antigua and Barbuda
Australia
Bahamas
Barbados
Belize
Bermuda
Botswana
Brunei Darussalam
Canada (except Quebec)
Cayman Islands
Christmas Island
Cyprus
Dominica
Eritrea
Falkland Islands (Malvinas)
Fiji
Gambia
Ghana
Gibraltar
Grenada
Guam
Guyana
Ireland
Jamaica
Kenya
Kiribati
Lesetho
Liberia
Malawi
Malta
Marshall Islands
Mauritius
Micronesia, Federal States
Montserrat
Namibia
New Zealand
Nigeria
Papua New Guinea
Philippines
Rwanda
Saint Helena
Saint Kitts and Nevis
Saint Lucia
Scotland
Seychelles
Sierra Leone
Singapore
South Africa
St. Vincent and the Grenadines
Swaziland
Tanzania
Trinidad and Tobago
Turks and Caicos Islands
Uganda
United Kingdom
United States (except Puerto Rico)
Vanuatu
Virgin Islands (British)
Virgin Islands (US)
Zambia
Zimbabwe