University in United States
Durham, NH, United States
University profile
The University of New Hampshire (UNH) is New Hampshire's land, sea and space grant institution, with its main residential campus in Durham, a second campus in the Manchester millyard, the Franklin Pierce School of Law in Concord, and online programmes. It is the flagship and largest institution of the University System of New Hampshire and holds the Carnegie classification of a doctoral university with very high research activity (R1). The university offers more than 200 programmes of study with a student-to-faculty ratio of 16:1.
Academic work is organised in the Carsey School of Public Policy, the College of Engineering and Physical Sciences, the College of Health and Human Services, the College of Liberal Arts, the College of Life Sciences and Agriculture (home to the Thompson School of Applied Science), the College of Professional Studies, the Franklin Pierce School of Law, the Peter T. Paul College of Business and Economics, the School of Marine Science and Ocean Engineering and the School of Nursing. The Graduate School administers master's and doctoral study, and the Hamel Honors and Scholars College runs honours opportunities.
The Durham campus is described by the university as a classic New England college town, with 27 residence halls and apartment-style communities, nine on-campus eateries including two dining halls, and the Memorial Union Building (MUB) as the centre of student events and activities. UNH reports more than 200 student-run clubs and organisations and 18 NCAA Division I athletics teams, and lists 250+ study abroad programmes. The university cites its Durham location as the second safest college town in the U.S. and 90 minutes or less from beaches, mountains and major cities.
International students come from more than 70 countries, according to the admissions office, and are eligible for UNH merit scholarships as well as the International Engagement and Service Scholarship. The Office of International Students and Scholars is based in Conant Hall in Durham. The university describes itself as holding the highest sustainability rating from AASHE.
First-year merit scholarships range from $1,000 to $20,000 a year (potential four-year value $4,000 to $80,000) and are renewable for up to four years with a cumulative GPA of 3.20 or higher by the end of the fourth semester. Transfer merit scholarships range from $1,000 to $12,000 a year, renewable for up to three years. No separate application is required; all applicants are considered automatically on admission. First-year applicants who apply by November 15 receive priority consideration for the Hamel Scholars, Paul Scholars, CEPS Industry Scholars and Lonza Scholars programmes. Each student receives only one merit award per year.
UNH offers Resident and Non-Resident Tuition Grants (need-based), University Opportunity Grants for incoming freshmen, athletic grants-in-aid, federal Pell and SEOG grants, and work-study. Complete the FAFSA (federal code 002589). New Hampshire residents with a total family income up to $100,000 will pay no tuition at USNH institutions from fall 2027 under the New Hampshire Promise.
International students are eligible for UNH merit scholarships (up to $40,000) and the International Engagement and Service Scholarship (IESS), which covers partial tuition for high-achieving international undergraduates with financial need and is renewable for up to eight semesters. Students are invited to apply in late February or early March. See the international scholarship page.
Tuition is $16,304 for New Hampshire residents, $37,996 for non-residents and $28,532 for New England Regional Student Program participants; fees are $3,868 for all. Estimated cost of attendance is $40,920 (resident), $62,862 (non-resident) and $53,298 (NE Regional). The international student estimate for I-20 purposes is $64,247 for undergraduates (Durham). Details: costs, scholarships.
UNH Merit Scholarships (First-Year and Transfer) →
International Engagement and Service Scholarship (IESS) →
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View scholarships for University of New Hampshire →UNH reviews applications holistically, with the academic record as the most important element. Applicants use the Common Application; no supplemental essay is required beyond the Common Application essay. The application fee is $50 for New Hampshire residents and $65 for non-residents, and fee waivers can be requested through the Common Application. One letter of recommendation from a school counsellor or core academic teacher is required.
Minimum expected preparation for all majors: 4 years of English, 3 years of mathematics (Algebra I and II and Geometry or equivalents), 2 years of laboratory science (3 preferred), 2 years of history or social science, 2 years of a single world language preferred, and 2 additional full-year college preparatory courses. Biological and physical sciences and forestry expect 4 years of mathematics and 4 years of science; engineering and mathematics expect 4 years of mathematics including pre-calculus and 4 years of science; business expects 4 years of mathematics. Associate degree programmes ask for an overall GPA of C+ or higher (B or higher for Veterinary Technology).
SAT and ACT scores are optional; applicants choose whether the scores are considered. UNH's CEEB code is 3918 for the SAT and TOEFL and 2524 for the ACT. Auditions are required for specific music and theatre programmes and a portfolio for studio art majors. UNH recognises Advanced Placement results and awards 8 credits for each IB Higher Level examination with a score of 5, 6 or 7.
Transfer applicants are those with a high school diploma or equivalent and college coursework, or non-traditional students (24 or older, caregivers or financially independent). Fall application deadline is April 1 with rolling review from mid-February; the Spring deadline is October 15. Most admitted College of Liberal Arts transfers have a 2.80+ cumulative college GPA; the College of Life Sciences and Agriculture, the College of Engineering and Physical Sciences and Paul College recommend a cumulative college GPA of 3.0 or higher, and College of Health and Human Services GPA minimums vary from 2.8 to 3.2 by major. Nursing is closed to external transfer students.
International undergraduates apply through the Common Application with the $65 non-resident fee, English-translated secondary transcripts, one letter of recommendation and a passport photocopy page. Unofficial documents are accepted to apply; official copies are due by June 30 after enrolment is confirmed. Admission criteria vary by country curriculum. Applicants whose first language is not English must show proficiency: Duolingo English Test 120, IELTS 6.5, LanguageCert 70, PTE Academic 59, TOEFL Essentials 8.5, TOEFL iBT 87 (for tests before January 2026) or 4.5 (January 2026 and after). Waivers are considered case by case, including for SAT verbal 500+ or an English-medium school. Credential evaluation is not required for undergraduate applications provided documents are in English. International undergraduates are expected to have a recalculated U.S. GPA of 2.7 or above.
Graduate applicants apply online through the UNH Graduate School, then submit transcripts, test scores and residency documents. Graduate English proficiency minimums are TOEFL iBT 80 or IELTS 6.5, with TOEFL taken within three years of application; applicants with an English-medium degree may be exempt with documentation. Some departments recommend an extended inquiry form for research-based degrees. The Franklin Pierce School of Law requires TOEFL (school code 3396) from applicants whose native language is not English, and foreign transcripts go through the LSAC CAS.
Health and Wellness provides medical care and mental health support on the Durham campus.
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