International Students
Contact Us
International Students Office
Student Services Center, Room 110
International Students
No matter where you come from or what your background is, you belong at Contra Costa College. We’re here to support you every step of the way.
At CCC, we embrace and celebrate our diverse community. We provide a safe and welcoming environment for all students, including international students. Our goal is to help you thrive and succeed.
If you’re an international student and unsure where to start, don’t hesitate to reach out to our International Student Senior Program Coordinator at larentz@contracosta.edu. We’re here to help you navigate your journey.
Application Deadlines
| Semester | Application Available | Application Deadline |
|---|---|---|
| Spring 2025 | Applicants can apply as early as February 15, 2024 | December 20, 2024 (in-country applicants) December 1, 2024 (out-of-country applicants) |
How to Apply
Online instruction and full course of study requirements are dependent on continued Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) approval and are subject to change. We will monitor communication from the U.S. Government and keep international students informed.
Application questions? Email Lindsay Arentz at anytime to set up a Zoom
New Application Process
Please see district website for all admission requirements and steps.
Due to COVID-19, we are accepting a minimum score of 95 for the Duolingo online exam.
Students whose first language is not English must demonstrate English language proficiency by one of the following for admission to Contra Costa College.
English Proficiency Tests
| Test | Requirement |
|---|---|
| TOEFL iBT Test of English as a Foreign Language (Internet-based) CCC Institutional Code: 4943 DVC Institutional Code: 4295 LMC Institutional Code: 4396 | 61 |
| IELTS Academic International English Language Testing System | 5.5 Minimum band scores of 4.5 |
| CAE Cambridge English: Advanced | 160 |
| iTEP Academic International Test of English Proficiency | 3.5 |
| PTE Academic Pearson Test of English Academic PTE Academic Online | 45 |
| GTEC CBT Global Test of English Communication | 1100 |
| Step Eiken | 2A |
| TOEFL iTP Institutional TOEFL Only accepted for study abroad students from partner institutions | 500 |
| Kaplan International University Placement Service | Kaplan Higher Intermediate |
| TOEFL Essentials | 6.5 |
| KTE Kaplan Test of English | 425 |
*Only results within the past two years are accepted **Scanned copies of official score reports are accepted; Online results verification (TOEFL, IELTS, CAE)
Partner Intensive English Programs
Conditional letters of admission will be issued for applicants in the following programs:
| International Education Center (IEC @ DVC) | Completion of Advanced B Level Certificate |
| ELS Language Centers | Completion of Level 109 (EAP) |
| UC Davis Intensive English Program Continuing and Professional Education | Completion of level 600 minimum 3.0 GPA; grade of B or higher in writing |
Secondary (High School) Academic Record
- Graduation from a U.S. high school with grades of C or higher in academic English (not ESL)
- Final IGCSE or O level results with a grade of C or higher in one of the following: English Language, English – First Language, English as a Second Language
- Graduation from an English medium International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma Programme
- Graduation from a school where English is the primary language of instruction along with a letter from the School on institution letterhead stating that English is the medium of instruction
- Completed all years of upper secondary school in Sweden or Denmark with an English proficiency level of English 6 (Sweden) or English B (Denmark.)
Post-Secondary (College / University) Academic Records
Transcripts from U.S. post-secondary institutions showing one academic year of college level English with grades of C or higher.
- International General Certificate of Secondary Education (IGCSE) and
- General Certificate of Education, Ordinary Level (O Level)
The IGCSE and O Level qualifications described below meet both the high school graduation equivalency and English language proficiency requirements for international student admission to Contra Costa College. Applicants must submit final IGCSE or O Level results showing five subjects passed with grades of C or higher. One of the subjects must be English – First Language, English as a Second Language or English Language. Scanned copies of the final IGCSE and O Level results are accepted. Contra Costa College will not admit students based on preliminary results or students who take IGCSE and O Level exams as independent or private candidates.
General Educational Development (GED) Test
Applicants who pass a U.S. equivalent GED meet the high school graduation equivalency requirement for international student admission to Contra Costa College.
Mandatory Orientation Dates:
January 14, 2025
What should you bring?
- A copy of your visa
- Paper/note taking devices
- Questions to ask staff
What will you learn?
Meet other international students and establish friendships!
How to maintain your F1 status.
How to create an educational plan (ed plan).
About campus resources to help you with your studies.
Homestay
Homestay is a good alternative for international students who prefer learning about US culture from a host family in a friendly environment. Diablo Valley Homestay can guarantee placement for $450.00. Please fill out an application or contact Fia Parker at 925-876-0080 or email info@diablovalleyhomestay.com for more information.
Be enrolled fulltime for Fall & Spring. This means enrolling in and maintaining a minimum of 12 units through the semester. You can enroll in more! (Summer is optional, but if you’d like to take classes, 6 units is considered full-time in the summer.)
Students on an F1 visa at Contra Costa College are required to have international student health insurance that is offered through the College. We offer a low-cost insurance that is connected to local health providers. The cost for health insurance for Fall 2023 (August – December 2023) is $704.60. The cost for health insurance for Spring 2024 (January 2024 – August 2024) is $986.44.
Keeping your passport valid – you must have at least 6 months of validity (renew your passport before it expires!)
Maintain an overall GPA of 2.0.
Update address changes on Insite and notify us international@contracosta.edu within 10 days of the change.
Pay all student tuition & fees by the end of the semester.
Authorized for employment (on-campus, CPT, and OPT).
Additional Profiles to be added Spring 2025
| Employment | Transfer Students |
| On-Campus Employment CPT – COOP Info & Steps CPT vs OPT – The Basics Post-OPT Packet Filing Form 8843 for F1 Students | Students transferring into CCC Transfer-in Verification Form Students transferring out of CCC Transfer Out Request Form |
Student Resources
At Contra Costa College, we provide essential resources to support your academic journey. Our comprehensive support services are designed to help you succeed in your studies, manage personal challenges, prepare for your career, and smoothly transition to four-year institutions.