An international applicant is one who is not a US citizen and does not hold a US Permanent Resident Visa ("green card" or "immigrant"). This definition also includes students who hold US visas, such as F-1 students, J-1 exchange visitors, H1-B, or any other non-immigrant classifications. International applicants need to provide evidence of English language and English language proficiency.

For more information, see the Graduate School FAQ for International Students.

TOEFL scores

Applicants who are not US citizens or US permanent residents must submit official scores on the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL), unless they are citizens of Australia, Canada, Ireland, New Zealand, or the United Kingdom, or have received a bachelor's or advanced degree from an accredited institution in the US or in one of these countries.

See Graduate School Memo #8 for the University's English Language Proficiency Requirement.

Spoken English proficiency

Because all financial support offers include teaching assistantships, it is important for us to be able to evaluate the spoken English proficiency of international applicants for admission with financial support. International applicants are required to take the TOEFL iBT. It would also be helpful to submit a letter from someone who is familiar with your spoken English proficiency (preferably a teacher or supervisor who has spent time in an English-speaking environment).

International applicants who submit a satisfactory score on either the Speaking section of the TOEFL iBT or on the TSE, or who present other compelling proof of spoken English proficiency will have a much higher chance of being offered admission with financial support than those who do not. The University of Washington requires international teaching assistants to pass a test of English language proficiency before they can be assigned classroom duties. Thus if you are offered financial support without having submitted a satisfactory TOEFL iBT or TSE score, you will be given an opportunity to pass the VERSANT test when you first arrive in Seattle. If you do not pass it on the first try, you will be required to enroll in and pass English 105. In order for your financial support to be renewed for your second year, you will need to pass the spoken English requirement no later than the end of Winter Quarter of your first year in the program.

See Graduate School Memo #15 for the Spoken English Proficiency Requirements required for students to serve as TAs.