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Students who require a student visa (F-1 or J-1) to study in the U.S. are considered international students for admission to UW Tacoma. Once admitted, students also need to provide proof of financial resources in order to qualify for the I-20 for F-1 student visa status.
- Plan to enter UW Tacoma immediately after earning a high school diploma.
- Have never attended college since leaving high school (regardless of age or whether they ever graduated).
- You have attended a college or university after high school graduation (summer excluded), but have not yet earned a bachelor’s degree. (Students who have already earned a bachelor’s degree should apply as a post-baccalaureate student.)
- Transfer applicants may apply directly to a major program, or may apply as undeclared or pre-major, depending on the number of credits earned at the time of application and eligibility.
Applying as a Freshman International Student
Freshmen are currently admitted for autumn and winter quarters only. To complete the international freshman student application process, the following should be submitted:
A complete University of Washington Tacoma application for international freshman admission should be submitted, along with the nonrefundable US$75 application fee. The application is online and the fee can be paid with a credit or debit card or an electronic check.
Obtain an official copy of your academic record first and then upload it with your application as instructed in the application. Transcripts must be original or copies stamped as official by the school and must include an official English translation. Official copies of the documents in a sealed envelope will be required for all admitted students. Transcripts should be submitted from all schools attended, both in the U.S. and outside the U.S. Students who are still enrolled in secondary school should submit transcripts that include grades/marks received in the 9th, 10th, and 11th years. U.S. high school transcripts with international coursework transcribed/transferred will not be accepted in lieu of international high school documents.
If you have attended a college, university or post-secondary school outside of the U.S., we will need official transcripts from that school, along with a word-for-word, literal, English translation if the transcript is not in English. If we are not able to accurately evaluate those transcripts, we reserve the right to require a course-by-course evaluation from a NACES approved educational credentialing service such as WES or FIS.
All International applicants for whom English is a non-native language must provide proof of English language proficiency. See the information regarding the minimum English proficiency standards for undergraduates. Test scores, such as TOEFL or IELTS test results, must be sent directly from the testing agency to the university; unofficial reports or photocopies will not be accepted.
Applying as a Transfer International Student
International students can be admitted as transfer students in any quarter for which the university is accepting transfer applications. Students can apply to a major, or can apply as an undeclared pre-major student. Note that not all majors admit for all quarters. Please consult the academic school for further information. To complete the international transfer student application process, submit the following:
A complete University of Washington Tacoma application for international transfer admission should be submitted, along with the nonrefundable US$75 application fee. The application is online and the fee can be paid with a credit or debit card or an electronic check.
Official transcripts must be received from all schools attended, both in the U.S. and outside the U.S., along with an official translation if the transcript is not in English. Credentials must be official documents or photocopies stamped as certified-true copies by school officials or other educational authorities. Official documents must be in an envelope sealed by school officials or other educational authorities.
High school transcripts are not required for transfer applicants who have completed 40 transferable credits or more at the college or university level at the time of application.
If we are not able to accurately evaluate those transcripts, we reserve the right to require a course-by-course evaluation from a NACES approved educational credentialing service such as WES or FIS.
All international applicants must submit proof of meeting the English proficiency requirement a quarter prior to their intended enrollment. See the information regarding the minimum English proficiency standards for undergraduates. Test scores, such as TOEFL or IELTS test results, must be sent directly from the testing agency to the university; unofficial reports or photocopies will not be accepted.
Academic departments may have supplemental materials or admissions requirements beyond those listed above for students who are applying for direct admission to a major. Students should check with the program offices for the most current information.
Applying as a Graduate International Student
Not all UW Tacoma graduate programs can accept international applicants. For more information on international graduate admissions, please contact the graduate advisor for the academic program.
After Admission for International Students
Once an international student has been admitted and provided final transcripts, the student must show proof of financial resources in order to be issued the I-20 or DS-2019 document necessary to obtain an F1 or J-1 student visa. Students should work closely with the International Student & Scholar Services Office after they have been admitted to UW Tacoma for information regarding this and other visa-related requirements.
