International students should check with individual programs regarding eligibility for visa sponsorship. Generally, online and hybrid programs are not eligible for student visa sponsorship from GW. This includes transfer students with an existing visa from any other institution.
In addition to general application requirements, international students may need to provide supporting documents and test scores to be considered for admission.institution,
- English Language Testing Requirements
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Applicants who have not completed a post-secondary degree from an institution where English is the sole language of instruction are required to submit Duolingo English Test, IELTS, PTE, or TOEFL test scores to be considered for admission, unless they meet an exemption indicated below (English Language Test Exemptions). Official scores may not be more than years old. We do not accept TOEFL Best Score.
We do not accept any document(s) other than official Duolingo, IELTS, PTE, or TOEFL English Language Test scores as proof of English Language proficiency. The George Washington University reserves the right to request proof of English proficiency from any applicant.
Here are the minimum test scores required for admission consideration and/or English for Academic Purposes (EAP) course exemption:
- DET - Overall score of 120
- IELTS - An overall band score of 7.0, with no individual band score below 6.0
- PTE - Overall score of 68
- TOEFL - 600 on paper based, 250 on computer-based, or 100 Internet-based
To ensure TOEFL scores are sent to GW, use institutional code 5246. An institutional code is not required to send IELTS or PTE scores to GW. DET scores must be submitted via the Duolingo English Test system directly to GW.
- English Language Test Exemptions
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DET, IELTS, PTE, or TOEFL scores are required from all international and Permanent Resident applicants who have not completed a post-secondary degree from a U.S. institution unless you hold a Bachelor's, Masters or doctoral degree from a country or institution listed below. This means you are not required to submit DET, IELTS, PTE, or TOEFL test scores if you have a post-secondary degree from a country or institution listed. Degrees must be completed in the country where the degree-granting institution is based in order to meet the exemption requirement.
Test Exemption Countries
If you hold (or will by the time you begin studies at GW) an Associate's, Bachelor's, Master's, or doctoral degree from one of the countries listed below, you are not required to submit the DET/IELTS/PTE/TOEFL exam.
- Anguilla
- Antigua & Barbuda
- Australia
- Bahamas
- Barbados
- Belize
- Bermuda
- Botswana
- British Virgin Islands
- Cameroon*
- Canada*
- Cayman Islands
- Dominica
- Gambia
- Ghana
- Grenada
- Guyana
- Ireland
- Jamaic
- Kiribati
- Lesotho
- Liberia
- Micronesia
- Montserrat
- Namibi
- New Zealand
- Nigeria
- Saint Kitts and Nevis
- Saint Lucia
- Saint Vincent and the Grenadine
- Seychelles
- Sierra Leone
- Singapore
- South Africa
- Trinidad and Tobago
- Turks and Caicos Islands
- Uganda
- United Kingdom
- Zimbabwe*
Test Exemption Institutions
If you hold (or will by the time you begin studies at GW) an Associate's, Bachelor's, Master's, or doctoral degree from one of the institutions listed below, you are not required to submit the DET/IELTS/PTE/TOEFL exam.
- American College of Thessaloniki, Greece
- American College of Greece, Greece
- American University in Bulgaria, Bulgaria
- American University in Cairo, Egypt
- American University in Dubai, United Arab Emirates
- American University in Paris, France
- American University of Beirut, Lebanon
- American University of Central Asia, Kyrgyzstan
- American University of Rome, Italy
- American University of Sharjah, United Arab Emirates
- Athabasca University, Canada
- Bermuda College, Bermuda
- Central European University, Hungary
- Franklin University, Switzerland
- Gilion Institute of Higher Education, Switzerland
- Hellenic American University, Greece
- John Cabot University, Italy
- Lebanese American University, Lebanon
- Les Roches School of Hotel Management, Switzerland
- United States International University, Kenya
- Zayed University, United Arab Emirates
*Applies to applicants whose post-secondary degree is from a university in which English is the sole language of instruction.
Please follow the links below for more official information regarding each test. - English for Academic Purposes (EAP)
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Based on the results of your English Proficiency exam results and your application, you may be required to take English for Academic Purposes (EAP) during your first year of study at GW. GW evaluates each application holistically and applicants may still be recommended for EAP even if they meet the requirements for exemption.
Admitted students will be notified via email in the case that an EAP course is required. The course is designed to facilitate the successful completion of the degree program. Students placed in EAP courses should anticipate additional tuition expenses as well as possible extension of time needed to complete their degree programs. EAP coursework does not count towards your degree GPA or the total credits required to complete your program.
- Transcript Requirement
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Official transcripts from institutions outside the United States must be accompanied by an official transcript evaluation from an accredited independent evaluating agency. Please request a detailed evaluation that includes all course titles, credit hours, grades, U.S. degree equivalency, grade-point averages (GPA), and date of degree conferral. View a list of acceptable foreign credential evaluation services.