How to Study in Tampa for International Students

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Tampa, one of the beautiful cities in United States, is a city that needs to be considered when planning on studying abroad. Here, you can immerse yourself in a rich local culture and learn about its history and the factors that make it unique.

When it comes to the choices that are available, Tampa, Florida currently has 2 universities, from which 1 universities are a part of the public sector and 1 universities are private institutions.

In case you are not just searching for a place to study, but you are trying to be a part of the best schools available, you have several choices, such as University of South Florida and University of Tampa.

Being able to study in Tampa as an international student starts with planning ahead of time, as the process of researching your institution, filling out forms, and completing your paperwork can take a vast amount of time. In this article, you will find out the application process to study in Tampa, along with information on tuition, language requirements, and visa applications. So, let’s dig in!

1. Cost of Studying in Tampa

The cost of your studies in Tampa may vary depending on various factors such as your degree, program, and chosen university. In Tampa, the average tuition fee for international students is 23,700 USD.

Here are some of the universities here with their tuition fees for bachelor's and master's degrees:

Institution Bachelor’s International Tuition Fee Master’s International Tuition Fee
University of Tampa 30,100 USD 10,300 USD
University of South Florida 17,400 USD 15,900 USD

If you're looking for an affordable school to enter in Tampa, check out our article on cheapest universities in Tampa for international students.

Aside from tuition fees, you also need to consider other costs like your accommodation, travel, and daily expenses. It's a good thing to compute these costs beforehand to make sure that you have enough budget for your studies.

2. Requirements to Study in Tampa for International Students

Once you have an idea of how much tuition fees are to study in Tampa, it’s time to consider preparing the paperwork to apply to those universities. Academic institutions have varying admission requirements, but the ones you should always prepare in advance are your academic records, such as a transcript of records or diploma from a previous academic level, and travel documents, such as your passport and visa.

Some institutions that offer master’s programs might also ask for a statement of purpose, a curriculum vitae or résumé, and letters of recommendation. There are also degree programs where you need to take an admissions test before you can apply. Besides these, universities might also require you to submit proof of language proficiency.

In Tampa, English is the main language of instruction. An academic institution in Tampa may require non-native English speakers to prove language proficiency by taking standardized English tests, such as the International English Language Testing System also known as IELTS, and the Test Of English as a Foreign Language or TOEFL. You can also check out if your target university is accepting a Duolingo English Test score because some universities in Tampa are accepting Duolingo scores. When you take any of these tests, note that you’ll need to get at least the required minimum score to qualify for your preferred university.

To give you an idea, here are some universities in Tampa and their required minimum scores for each program level.

University of Tampa

Bachelor’s degree

Master’s degree

University of South Florida

Bachelor’s degree

Master’s degree

Typically, you can find information about language requirements on the admissions requirements page of the university. You can also check out if the university has a dedicated language requirements page for international students.

Application Procedure to Study in Tampa

The specific admission process may vary depending on the university. The good news is that most institutions in Tampa have online applications available on their websites, like University of South Florida and University of Tampa. To help you with this, we also compiled the official websites and admission pages of some of the top institutions in Tampa.

University of South Florida

University of Tampa

Make sure to gather all the information you need for the admission process. As you apply to these institutions, expect that they may ask for additional requirements depending on your nationality, degree, or program. So, it’s best to keep your lines active.

After completing your academic and language requirements, it’s time to apply!

The admission process in Tampa differs from one university to another, so it’s best to contact your chosen school beforehand. Please note that the admission process for international students may take some time, so be sure to know the application dates and apply early.

The application process may take weeks or months, depending on your timing, nationality, degree, and other factors. To make the most of your application, make sure to completely follow the admission steps and submit the necessary requirements to ensure that you’ll be accepted to your chosen university in Tampa.

The key to being admitted to your chosen school will depend on your punctuality and the quality of your application. So make sure to complete the requirements beforehand and follow the steps in applying. After this, you’ll wait for a week or a month for the results.

4. Visa Application for International Students in Tampa

If you’re going to study in Tampa, you will need to apply for a student visa in United States

In this section, let’s briefly discuss the requirements needed and how you can apply for a student visa in United States. If you’re going to stay here for your studies, you will need to obtain a F-1 visa .

To start your student visa application in Tampa, you will need to present the following:

  1. Passport
  2. Completed I-20 form
  3. Proof of payments for DS-160 and I-901 SEVIS (Student and Exchange Visitor Information System )
  4. Recently taken photos
  5. Diploma, if available
  6. Bank statement
  7. School transcripts
  8. Proof of intent to leave after completing your studies
  9. Proof of official test scores mentioned in the university application

Kindly take note that these requirements may vary depending on your nationality. So, please expect that may ask for additional requirements. Moreover, you will be required to pay a student visa application fee. The visa application fee in United States is 185 USD.

After preparing your requirements and application fees, it’s time to apply for a student visa! The first steps in getting your student visa are:

  1. Complete the online application
  2. Schedule a visa interview at a US embassy or consulate in your home country
  3. Check the appointment wait times for your visa interview.
  4. Prepare for your interview and if applicable, pay for the visa application fee.
  5. Complete the required documents.
  6. Attend your visa interview and arrange for the return of your passport and visa once your application is approved.

For more information regarding the specific steps in applying for a student visa, visit or contact the nearest embassy or consulate in your home country. They are the ones responsible for processing your student visa application.

That’s it! After getting your student visa, you can now officially study in Tampa. Make sure to book a flight early, before your classes start, so that you’ll have ample time to explore and familiarize yourself in your new place!