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International Applicants

Just over 8,100 international students are enrolled at the University of Washington, with over 290 graduate international students enrolled in the Foster School of Business in 2019-2020*. The UW Seattle campus is a vibrant, welcoming institution where education, people, and culture thrive. We hope you will join our global community!

Unsure if you should be applying as an international applicant? You should submit an international application if you are not a US citizen or permanent resident (Green Card holder). While the MSCM application process is mostly the same for all applicants, there are some additional components below that international applicants must submit.

Required application components for international application

  • Proof of English Language Proficiency: If your native language is not English, you are required to submit proof of English proficiency as part of the application
  • Transcript & GPA Calculation: The equivalent of a four-year U.S. bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited college or university is required for admission consideration.
  • Program Cost & Financing: Information on tuition and fees as well as funding options.

Please click on each topic below for more information

Proof of English Language Proficiency

Proficiency in English is required for admission to a graduate program at the University of Washington. If your native language is not English you are required to demonstrate English language proficiency in one of the following ways:

    • A bachelor’s, master’s, or doctoral degree from a regionally accredited institution in the United States or from an institution in Australia, the Bahamas, Canada, Ireland, Jamaica, New Zealand, Singapore, Trinidad and Tobago, or the United Kingdom.
    • Official documentation from the applicant’s undergraduate degree-granting institution (if the institution is in a country other than those listed above) verifying that all instruction is in English. A minimum of three years of enrollment at the undergraduate institution is required and the degree must be equivalent to a US bachelor’s degree.
    • Complete the TOEFL iBT or TOEFL iBT Home Edition exam. Minimum score requirement is 92 iBT / 580 PBT, though we recommend a score of at least 100. Request that your official scores be sent directly to the University of Washington from ETS (school code 4854). Include your score breakdown in the Self-Reported Test Score section in the online application.
    • Complete the IELTS exam. Minimum score requirement is 7.0, though we recommend a score of at least 7.5. Request that your official scores be sent directly to the University of Washington via the “E-Delivery service” option. Printed hard copy Test Report Forms will not be accepted. It could take up to 21 days for the University of Washington to process your results so please take the exam well in advance of the application deadline. Include your score breakdown in the Self-Reported Test Score section in the online application.
    • Complete the Duolingo English Test. Minimum score requirement is 120, though we recommend a score of at least 125. Request that your official scores be sent directly to the University of Washington from Duolingo by selecting, “University of Washington Graduate Admissions (Bothell, Seattle, Tacoma).”

 

NOTE: Most test scores are valid for two years. Applicants with scores below the minimum score requirements are highly encouraged to retake the exam before submitting an application. Unfortunately, the Foster MSCM program cannot admit applicants with scores below the minimum score requirement.

Transcripts & GPA Calculation

You must have completed the equivalent of a four-year U.S. bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited college or university to be considered for admission. Transcripts are required for all undergraduate and graduate-level institutions attended.

The Graduate School Application asks applicants to report their Grade Point Average (GPA) on a 0.0 – 4.0 scale for the last 90 quarter or 60 semester graded credits. If your university was not on such a system, please refer to the instructions provided on the Graduate School “Understanding the Application Process” for converting from an international grading system to a 4.0 scale. If you would like to calculate your GPA prior to applying, the application refers applicants to the Foreign Credits website, and to use the GPA calculator for this process.

Program Cost & Financing

The total program fee for the 12-month MSCM Program is $45,087 for residents and $48,784 for non-residents*. Other expenses will be extra. For a full estimate of costs, please see our expense chart.

International students are encouraged to pursue private educational loans available from their home country. UW’s International Student Services (ISS) Office provides information on Financial Assistance for International Students. Additional resources are available at eduPASS and IEFA. Non-U.S. Citizens/Permanent Residents are not eligible to apply for U.S. federal financial aid.

For future planning, admitted applicants who will be arriving under the F-1 or J-1 visa to study must request the UW Graduate School to issue the immigration document required for your visa interview. You must submit statements of financial ability along with the request to receive the immigration document.

*Fee amount shown is based on the 2023-24 year and is subject to change.

Additional information for international applicants

  • Working as a Student: Employment eligibility for international students
  • International Student Orientation: On-campus orientation programming for international students
  • Resources: Sites with useful information pertinent to preparing for study in the U.S.

Working as a Student

International students may work on-campus for up to 20 hours per week. Off-campus employment requires authorization from the ISS Office and many students do not qualify for authorization until they have completed three quarters of study in the MSCM program, have completed a degree program in the U.S. immediately prior to enrolling in MSCM, or have worked in the U.S. under OPT immediately prior to enrolling in MSCM . Upon completion of the MSCM program, eligible students may apply for post-graduation work authorization. For eligible F-1 students in the MSCM program, they may qualify for the STEM OPT extension. See the ISS webpage on employment for more information.

International Student Orientation

In addition to the MSCM program orientation, FIUTS sponsors an Embark session for international students. New students will have the opportunity to meet other new students, prepare for cultural transition to the UW, and learn about maintaining your visa status.

Resources

EducationUSA is a network of advising centers all over the world that provides information and opportunities to study in the U.S.

FIUTS creates programming for creating community on-campus among international and American students. FIUTS stands for, The Foundation for International Understanding Through Students.

UW Graduate School is the first step in starting an application. Visit their site to get a better understanding of the minimum admission requirements and application process.

International Student Services (ISS) works with enrolled F-1 and J-1 students and their dependents. As applicants planning ahead, you may find useful information on their website on employment and visas.

*International Students and Visas At UW: Tableau