International Students
Like many colleges, PTC offers bachelor’s and associate degrees and certificate programs. But what sets us apart is our focus on career success. Curriculum that’s been designed in partnership with notable employers in the region. Internships for on-campus, degree-seeking students before graduation. And a personal, supportive culture that makes PTC a wonderful place to attend college, 15 minutes away from the world-class, dynamic city of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
Housing: PTC offers on-campus and off-campus student housing to provide a nurturing environment for our students. A full-time housing Director and staff provide one-to-one support and are here to introduce you to campus and community activities, and make your transition easy and comfortable.
Student activities: Student activities and intramural sports at PTC are nonstop; learn more about them.
Support staff: PTC has a staff of international specialists to help you, including forms and visas. We are here to support you whenever you need us. For information on International Applications I-20 forms, TOEFL exam, and ability to pay documentation contact Nancy Goodlin at 1-800-784-9675 ext. 5354 or goodlin.nancy@ptcollege.edu
Admissions overview
PTC makes the admissions process as simple and straightforward as possible, and we start classes four times every year.
International students should:
- Live outside of the 50 United States and its territories
- Have proficient English skills
- Provide financial support documentation
- Not be serving in the US Military
- Be 18 + years of age
How to apply for admission
Please review the application requirements and process to be sure you have all the necessary documents and information. Assistance is available through the International Student Office.
The required documents you will need:
- International Application Form https://www.ptcollege2.wpengine.com/admissions-financial-aid/international/international-application
- Official secondary or post-secondary transcripts of academic grades (translated into English) and proof of graduation
- Proof of English Language Proficiency (TOEFL or IELTS)
- Financial support documentation
- $200 (U.S.) Tuition Deposit
- $350 (U.S.) Residence Deposit.
English proficiency
International students attending PTC must provide proof of English proficiency, and there are a variety of ways to do that:
- Proof of completion of secondary education (or higher) in the United States.
- Proof of completion of secondary education at an international high school where English was the language of primary instruction.
English Language Proficiency Exempt Countries
| Antigua and Barbuda | Australia | Bahamas | Barbados | Belize |
| Bermuda | Botswana | British Virgin Islands (Anguilla, St. Kitts, and Nevis) | Canada (all provinces ecept Quebec) | Cayman Islands |
| Dominica | Fiji | The Gambia | Ghana | Grands Turks and Caicos Islands |
| Grenada | Guyana | Ireland | Jamaica | Kenya |
| Liberia | Malta | Mauritius | New Zealand | Nigeria |
| Saint Lucia | Saint Vincent and the Grendadines | Sierra Leone | Solomon Islands | Trinidad and Tobago |
| Uganda | United Kingdom | Zambia | Zimbabwe |
Test scores
If you have completed a standardized English Assessment, the following scores are applicable:
TOEFL (All programs except School of Nursing)
TOEFL test score: 79 iBT
IELTS test score: 6.5
Duolingo test score: 120-125
TOEFL (School of Nursing)
TOEFL test score 94 iBT
IELTS test score: 7
Duolingo test scores are not accepted by the PA State Board of Nursing at this time.
Prior University Experience
If you have prior university experience, you must provide an official evaluation of your previous education documents upon application. All evaluation must be submitted to transcripts@ptcollege.edu.
Credential Evaluation
Incoming international students will need to have their credentials from their previous schools evaluated as part of the PTC application process. There are several organizations that assist in credential evaluation. The World Education Services organization and Global Credential Evaluators, Inc. provide this service. To contact these organizations click on the links to their websites below. Your PTC admissions representative will be happy to help you with the credential evaluation process.
Pittsburgh
The City of Bridges
Pittsburgh Technical College is located in Oakdale, PA, a small town tucked into a quiet community. This tranquil campus setting provides PTC students an environment free from urban congestion and a learning environment conducive to academic pursuits.
But only if that’s what you want.
For the student ready to venture off campus, there are plenty of choices in and around PTC for entertainment during your stay as a student. Just a short drive from campus is the Robinson Township area. Here you can find fast food, casual dining, and fine restaurants. The Robinson area also offers theaters, clubs, fitness centers, entertainment venues, bowling lanes, walking and biking trails, and parks.
Explore Pittsburgh, a world-class city.
Pittsburgh has enjoyed a renaissance that brought clear skies and clean air.
The city is sometimes called the City of Bridges and, in fact, has 46 bridges.
Art enthusiasts can nurture their creative spirit in the halls of The Andy Warhol Museum, the Pittsburgh Center for the Arts, the Frick Art and Historical Center, and the Carnegie Museum of Art. Smaller galleries including the Mattress Factory connect Pittsburgh to its vibrant art scene. History buffs can visit the Fort Pitt Museum at Point State Park or spend a day at the Carnegie Museum of Natural History, the Nationality Rooms at the University of Pittsburgh, and the Senator John Heinz History Center.
Pittsburgh is also a major sports town, home to Pittsburgh Steelers football (American), Pittsburgh Pirates baseball, and Pittsburgh Penguins hockey.
International students ready to explore beyond the city boundaries can see Western Pennsylvania’s lush countryside or travel to cities farther away. Just a short drive away are Seven Springs Mountain Resort, Nemacolin Woodlands, and Hidden Valley Resort, which offer alpine and cross country skiing in the winter and biking and hiking in the summer, plus several casinos and gaming venues.
Weekend getaways by car can include Lake Erie, PA; the Inner Harbor of Baltimore, MD; Washington, DC; Atlantic City, NJ; the American and Canadian sides of Niagara Falls; and the Atlantic Ocean seashore. Just an hour away by plane are New York City, Chicago, Boston, and Philadelphia, some of the largest and most exiting cities in the USA.
PTC’s Western Pennsylvania home is an ideal location to explore the history and culture of America while pursuing your PTC education.