How Harvard Medical School Works For International Students

Harvard Medical School (HMS), a graduate medical school and extension of Harvard University, offers both free and paid courses for prospective medical students to enroll in. 

Students come from all over the globe to study at HMS and benefit from close, collaborative relationships with peers and faculty members as they expand their knowledge base and learn to apply their skills in real-world settings. 

As an international student, there are certain logistics and requirements that will need to be completed and met before you can make your way to Harvard Medical School. 

English Language Proficiency Requirements

A language proficiency test is required for applicants for whom English was not the medium of instruction for their undergraduate or graduate degree.

Harvard Medical School's master’s programs accept TOEFL iBT, TOEFL Essentials, IELTS Academic and Duolingo English Test. Here is the minimum test score requirements and instructions to submit official test scores at Harvard Medical School:

1. TOEFL iBT: 103

2. TOEFL Essentials: 11
3. IELTS Academic: 7.5
4. Duolingo English Test: 125

Here is how submitting your official test scores work:

TOEFL iBT and TOEFL Essentials:
Code 3151: Harvard Medical School Graduate Education Master’s Programs.

IELTS Academic:
Contact the test center where you took the IELTS test to request that your scores be sent via E-Delivery to:  

Account Name: Harvard Medical School Graduate Education Master's Programs  

Address: Graduate Education Master's Programs
25 Shattuck Street
Boston, MA 02115
United States 

Duolingo English Test:
Search for “Harvard Medical School” and select the appropriate program.

Visa Information

Please visit the Harvard International Office website to learn about the student visa process. 

International Student Financial Certification Documentation Requirements:

Harvard is required to certify that international students have funds to cover the full cost of tuition, fees and living expenses for the first year of their program before issuing an I-20 or DS-2019. To view the latest breakdown of tuition and expenses by program, please see the Financial Aid Cost of Attendance.

If funding originates from multiple sources, documentation for each source is needed. All documentation must be submitted in English or accompanied with a certified translation.

1. Fellowship/Grant/Scholarship: Official award letter that states the value of the award in the home currency and U.S. dollars, as well as the period for which it is valid.

2. Employer or Agency Sponsor: Official letter from employer or agency on letterhead that states the amount of funding in the home currency and its U.S. dollar equivalent, as well as the period for which the funding is valid.

3. Personal Savings - Bank statement:

   • No more than two personal savings accounts will be accepted.

   • Student's name must be listed as account holder or joint account holder.

   • Account must be in U.S. dollar currency; U.S. dollar equivalent is not acceptable.

   • Bank must have retail/consumer banking operations in U.S. (non-U.S. banks with branch in U.S. is acceptable).

   • Funds must be in cash accounts, available without restrictions. Stocks, mutual funds or other investment accounts do not meet these criteria.

   • Monthly bank statement is required. Bank letters and references are not sufficient.

   • Dated within the last three months.

4. Loan

   • Must be approved by Harvard Medical School's Financial Aid Office.

Local Bank Information

The following banks will open accounts for international students prior to their arrival in the U.S.:

• Harvard University Credit Union (HUECU)
• Cambridge Trust

You will need the following:

1. Copy of your Passport

2. Acceptance letter from Harvard Medical School

HMS offers qualifications in Medical Degrees, Master's Degree Programmes, PhD Programmes, Postgraduate Programmes, Online Programmes and Executive Programmes of study.