How to Apply to Psychology at UW–Madison: Get Admitted to the University, Then Declare Psychology After PSYCH 202, and Requirements and Timeline for Chinese, Canadian High School and Transfer Students

At the University of Wisconsin–Madison, psychology is in the College of Letters & Science, and students can earn a Psychology BA or Psychology BS. Here is what you need to know for fall 2027 entry, based on UW–Madison’s official information, for students at high schools in China, students at Canadian high schools (including BC and Vancouver), and transfer students.

1. Choosing psychology on the application

• Two major choices: you list a first- and second-choice major. If UW–Madison cannot admit you to your first choice, your second choice is considered in assessing interest and preparation.
• Psychology is not direct entry: admission requirements are the same for all majors; only business, engineering, dance and music may have different expectations (dance and music also require an extra application and audition).
• Declare after entry: students who complete PSYCH 202 (or an equivalent) with a C or better can declare the major. Equivalents include a 4 or 5 on the AP Psychology exam or a 4 or higher on IB Psychology.

2. Psychology major requirements

• Structure: at least 30 credits of PSYCH coursework across six categories: Foundation (PSYCH 202 and a statistics course, each with a C or better), Biology, Breadth, Depth, Capstone and Electives. The major spans biological, clinical, cognition and cognitive neuroscience, perception, developmental, and social and personality psychology.
• Grades and residence: a 2.0 GPA in PSYCH and major courses, and at least 15 PSYCH credits taken on the UW–Madison campus.
• Honors in the Major: declared majors with a 3.3 GPA in the major and overall, after meeting a psychology advisor, can declare honors. Requirements include PSYCH 380 (junior year) or two semesters of PSYCH 686 taken for honors with a B or better, and a two-semester, 6-credit Senior Honors Thesis (PSYCH 681 and 682).

3. Deadlines and decisions

• Fall Early Action (non-binding): apply by 1 November, materials by 9 November, decisions by 31 January; commit by 1 May.
• Fall Regular Decision: apply by 15 January, materials by 22 January, decisions by 31 March.
• Spring entry closes 1 October, with decisions by 31 December. Deadlines are 11:59 p.m. Pacific Time and apply to domestic and international applicants alike.
• Materials: an $80 application fee; one letter of recommendation (a teacher, counselor or faculty member), with an optional second; and an essay on why UW–Madison and your chosen major(s).

4. Testing and English

• Test optional for applicants through the spring 2028 term (deadline 1 October 2027); your choice on the application is final.
• English: applicants educated in non-English-speaking countries must submit TOEFL, IELTS or Duolingo unless English was the primary language of instruction for all four years of secondary school. Minimums:
  • TOEFL iBT: 4.5 for tests on or after 21 January 2026, 80 for earlier tests;
  • IELTS Academic: 6.5 (in-person or online);
  • Duolingo: 115, sent with subscores.
  Scores must come electronically from the testing agency and be no older than two years. English tests are not super-scored, TOEFL MyBest is not accepted, and TOEFL ITP Plus for China is not accepted.

5. Students at high schools in China

• Students in the Chinese national curriculum who are still in high school submit lower middle school (grade 9) and upper middle school grade 10–11 transcripts in Chinese and English; to finalize admission they send a final grade 12 transcript, plus a graduation certificate with translation if the transcript does not show graduation.
• A-Level, IB and dual-diploma students follow the requirements for their curriculum.
• UW–Madison publishes no Gaokao policy.

6. Students at Canadian high schools

• Canada outside Quebec (including BC): submit transcripts for years 9, 10 and 11; to finalize admission, send grade 12 results with proof of graduation. Quebec CEGEP students have separate requirements.
• No Canadian grade requirements are published. Students taught in English for all four years of high school do not need an English test.

7. Costs and aid

• 2026-27 estimated cost for non-residents (US$): tuition and fees 45,518, course materials 700, housing and meals 14,994, personal 2,618, transportation 1,222 and loan fees 68, for a total of 65,120. International students also pay International Student Fees.
• No aid through the financial aid office: international students on a visa are not eligible for any financial aid through the Office of Student Financial Aid. The Wisconsin Scholarship Hub (WiSH), International Student Services and country-specific programs such as King-Morgridge are the places to look.
• Students needing an F-1 or J-1 visa must show proof of funding for one full year after admission.

8. Transfer students

• Eligibility: at least 24 transferable semester hours completed or in progress after high school; AP, A-Level, IB and CLEP do not count. Freshman-level transfers are not admitted.
• Deadlines: fall priority 1 February (materials 16 February), decisions by 31 March; fall regular 1 March (materials 15 March), decisions by 30 April; spring 1 October, decisions by 31 December.
• Major: list first- and second-choice majors; once enrolled, you can declare psychology after completing a PSYCH 202 equivalent.
• English: students educated in non-English-speaking countries submit TOEFL, IELTS or Duolingo unless high school was taught in English for four years or they completed college English composition at an accredited US institution.
• Credit: admitted students receive a detailed transfer credit evaluation; international coursework is evaluated by international admissions counselors after enrollment is confirmed.

Checklist

Students at high schools in China:

• Apply by 1 November (Early Action) or 15 January (Regular Decision), listing first- and second-choice majors
• TOEFL 4.5 (80 old scale), IELTS 6.5 or Duolingo 115 or above; TOEFL ITP Plus is not accepted
• Submit grade 9–11 transcripts in Chinese and English and one recommendation letter
• After enrolling, take PSYCH 202 and earn a C or better to declare psychology

Students at Canadian high schools (including BC and Vancouver):

• Submit grade 9–11 transcripts; four years of English-medium high school waives the English test
• Budget for non-resident costs plus international fees; no aid is available through the financial aid office

Transfer students:

• At least 24 transferable credits; fall priority deadline 1 February, regular 1 March
• Complete a PSYCH 202 equivalent early

Sources: University of Wisconsin–Madison, First-year application; Deadlines; International applicants; Transfer application; Psychology BA; Psychology BS; Cost of attendance; Financial aid eligibility. Information is for fall 2027 entry (costs are 2026-27 figures). Check UW–Madison for the latest details.