UNITED STATES · STANFORD

Stanford University

private · Founded 1885 · Languages: en

In short

Stanford University is a private research university in California, consistently ranked among the world's top universities and located in the heart of Silicon Valley. It offers a rigorous academic environment with extensive financial aid opportunities for undergraduates and a vibrant campus life.

Key facts

Type: Private
Founded: 1885
Students: 17,314
International students: 2,224
Acceptance rate: 4%
Tuition (intl): €54–54k/yr
Languages: EN
Location: Stanford, United States

For international students

United States

Student visa & funds

International students primarily enter on the F-1 visa, which requires enrolment at a SEVP-certified institution. Before the visa interview the school issues a Form I-20 — a certificate of eligibility — for which a Designated School Official must verify documented funds covering tuition, living expenses and travel for the first year, plus a reliable source for subsequent years. The financial evidence must be specific and from an identified source.

Working while you study

F-1 students may work on campus up to 20 hours per week while classes are in session and full-time during official breaks, with no separate authorization needed. Off-campus work is generally not permitted in the first academic year. After one academic year in good standing, students may use Curricular Practical Training (CPT) for paid work that is an integral part of the curriculum, authorized by the school; other off-campus work requires an approved Employment Authorization Document from USCIS.

After you graduate

After completing a degree, F-1 students may apply for Optional Practical Training (OPT) — up to 12 months of work authorization in a related field — by filing Form I-765 and receiving an EAD before starting work. Graduates of a degree on the DHS STEM Designated Degree Program List may apply for a 24-month STEM OPT extension, for up to 36 months total. The extension requires an E-Verify employer and a qualifying STEM degree earned within the previous ten years.

English tests

IELTSUG 6.0–6.5; PG 6.5–7.0; top-tier programs 7.0–7.5
TOEFL iBTUG 80–100; PG 90–110; selective research universities 100+
PTE AcademicUG 50–60; PG 55–70; highly selective programs 65+

Main intakes

AugustJanuary

Typical living cost

€1,420/month

Approximate all-in student budget; major cities run higher.

SourcesStudy in the States — Students and the Form I-20 · Study in the States — Financial ability · USCIS — Students and employment · USCIS — Optional Practical Training (OPT) for F-1 students · USCIS — STEM OPT extension · LeapScholar — Minimum IELTS scores for USA universities · Mastersportal — Student living costs in the USA (2025–2026)

Programs

a selection

View top programs →

Stanford University · United States

AI in Healthcare

This online course explores the downstream effects of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in healthcare, examining the opportunities and challenges associated with its implementation. By understanding the benefits and limitations of AI in healthcare, participants will be better prepared for its real-world clinical application. The program aims to equip you with the knowledge to integrate AI into clinical workflows, apply best practices for equitable healthcare solutions, and understand the regulatory landscape of AI applications in medicine.

Stanford University · United States

Cerenkov Radiation

This document explores Cerenkov radiation, a phenomenon observed as a blue glow in certain environments with intense radiation, particularly in water-moderated nuclear reactors. While popularly associated with nuclear energy, its origins are distinct from other luminous effects in radioactive settings. The phenomenon was first observed by Pavel Cherenkov in 1934 and later theorized by Igor Tamm and Ilia Frank. The core principle of Cerenkov radiation is the emission of light by charged particles moving faster than the speed of light in a specific medium. This occurs when the particle's velocity exceeds the phase velocity of light in that medium (v > c/n). Unlike other radiation types like Bremsstrahlung, its intensity is independent of the charged particle's mass. The radiation appears blue because the intensity is linearly proportional to frequency in the visible spectrum, especially in media like water with a relatively constant refractive index across visible light wavelengths. The threshold energy required for Cerenkov radiation is significantly lower in water (approximately 260 keV) compared to air (around 20.35 MeV). This explains why it is commonly observed in nuclear reactor pools, where common beta decays can easily reach the necessary kinetic energy. Interestingly, Cerenkov radiation has also been reported by astronauts as flashes of light in their eyes during space travel, suggesting its occurrence beyond terrestrial nuclear applications.

Stanford University · United States

Cryptography

This online course provides a comprehensive introduction to the field of cryptography, covering fundamental concepts and practical applications. You will explore various encryption techniques, including stream and block ciphers, and learn about their security properties and common vulnerabilities. The course also delves into message integrity, authenticated encryption, and key exchange protocols. Through lectures and readings, you will gain a solid understanding of cryptographic principles essential for securing information in today's digital world. The course is taught by Dan Boneh, a leading expert in the field.

Stanford University · United States

CS 147: Projects - Design and Build

CS 147 is a project-based course where interdisciplinary teams of students design and build technology prototypes over a quarter. The course focuses on applying design and technology skills to address real-world needs and create innovative solutions. Each team works towards a functional proof-of-concept, culminating in a presentation at an Industry Project Fair. Students gain hands-on experience in product development, from identifying needs to delivering a demonstrable prototype. The course explores various themes each quarter, allowing students to focus on specific areas such as educational technology, digital wellbeing, multimodal interfaces, financial literacy, engagement between digital and physical spaces, and health and wellness.

Stanford University · United States

Cybersecurity

In today's world, understanding cybersecurity is crucial due to the constant rise in cyberattacks. This course offers a comprehensive understanding of core cybersecurity principles and techniques, equipping you to effectively combat evolving cyber threats. You'll explore the motivations behind cyberattacks, the attacker lifecycle, and major security breaches. The program also covers secure design principles, foundational cryptography, and practical cryptographic tools. Upon completion, you will be skilled in essential cybersecurity practices, enabling you to design and implement more secure solutions and enhance your personal digital safety. The course also includes insights from industry professionals.

Stanford University · United States

Energy Storage and the California "Duck Curve"

This program, stemming from a coursework submission for PH240 at Stanford University, explores the significant challenge of integrating intermittent renewable energy sources, like solar and wind power, into existing electricity grids. The "duck curve," a graphical representation of net load versus time of day, illustrates the issue: a sharp decline in demand during peak solar production hours, followed by a steep increase as the sun sets. This variability poses problems for grid stability due to the limitations of conventional power plants in rapidly adjusting output and the minimum generation levels of non-dispatchable sources. The research presented examines energy storage as a potential solution to mitigate these issues. It analyzes two scenarios for California's grid: one focused on mitigating overgeneration during midday by storing excess solar power and discharging it during peak evening demand, and a more ambitious scenario aiming for complete load balancing throughout the day. The study investigates the scale and potential capital costs associated with implementing various energy storage technologies to address these challenges.

Scholarships

for United States

Browse all scholarships →

full funding

Duke University

Karsh International Scholarship Program

Open to international (non-U.S. citizen, non-permanent-resident) high school students applying for first-year undergraduate admission to Duke University. Candidates must demonstrate financial need through Duke's need-based aid process, show interdisciplinary academic curiosity, and have a record of community engagement. There is no separate scholarship form; international applicants who indicate they are applying for financial aid are automatically considered for the Karsh award.

University of Miami (with the Stamps Family Charitable Foundation)

University of Miami Stamps Scholarship

Open to high school seniors, both domestic (U.S.) and international, applying for first-year undergraduate admission to the University of Miami through Early Decision I or Early Action. Applicants are automatically considered with no separate scholarship form; they must submit all first-year admission requirements and demonstrate strong academic achievement, leadership, and community involvement. Semi-finalists complete a Zoom interview.

QuestBridge National College Match Scholarship

Open to high-achieving US high school seniors from low-income backgrounds who are US citizens, permanent residents, or students studying in the US regardless of citizenship. Competitive applicants typically earn mostly A's in challenging courses, rank in the top 5-10% of their class, and have strong standardised test results (SAT/PSAT above 1310 or ACT above 28), though each application is read in context. Applicants must demonstrate strong writing, intellectual curiosity and determination through essays and recommendations. Matched students must attend a partner college as a binding-early-decision commitment.

Argonne National Laboratory

Maria Goeppert Mayer Fellowship at Argonne National Laboratory

Open to early-career scientists and engineers of all nationalities who hold a PhD awarded within the last three years at the time of application, or who will complete the PhD before the fellowship start date. Research interests must align with Argonne's mission areas. U.S. citizenship is required for national-security-related projects (Detection of Imaging Signatures).

Boustany Foundation / Harvard Business School

Boustany MBA Harvard Scholarship

Open to candidates of any nationality (priority to those of Lebanese descent) who have received an offer of admission to the Harvard MBA programme and have a strong academic background.

Knight-Hennessy Scholars

Open to citizens of any country who earned their first/bachelor's degree within the last ~7 years (or will by the Stanford start) and who apply for and gain admission to a full-time Stanford graduate program. Selection seeks independence of thought, purposeful leadership, and a civic mindset.

Frequently asked questions

What are Stanford University's global rankings?

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Stanford University is consistently ranked among the top universities globally. It is ranked #3 by QS World University Rankings 2025, #2 by Times Higher Education World Rankings 2025, #3 by U.S. News & World Report National Universities 2025, and #2 by Academic Ranking of World Universities (ARWU) 2024.

What is the cost of attendance for international students at Stanford?

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Undergraduate tuition is approximately $62,484 per year. The total cost of attendance, including housing, food, and personal expenses, is approximately $90,000 per year.

Does Stanford offer financial aid to international students?

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While the provided data specifically mentions need-blind admission for US citizens and over 70% of undergraduates receiving financial aid, it does not detail specific financial aid programs for international undergraduates. However, Stanford meets 100% of demonstrated financial need with grants, not loans for its undergraduates.

What are the English language proficiency requirements for international applicants?

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International applicants are recommended to achieve a score of 100+ on the TOEFL iBT, 7.0+ on the IELTS, or 120+ on the Duolingo English Test.

Where is Stanford University located and what is its environment like?

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Stanford University is situated in Stanford, California, in the heart of Silicon Valley. It is a private research university on an expansive, residential campus known for blending academic rigor with rich student life.

Stanford University

Why study here

Student life

For international students