International Graduate Applicants

Columbian College students and faculty are engaged in intellectual rigor that reaches beyond our classroom and labs to nations around the globe.

With international students comprising 28 percent of Columbian College’s total student enrollment, we take pride in the diversity of our campus and the degree to which our academic family participates in the worldwide circulation of ideas.

The application process for international applicants is the same as for domestic applicants, with the exception of a few additional requirements listed.

English Language Requirement

Graduate applicants who have not completed a post-secondary degree from a U.S. institution are required to submit official scores for TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language), IELTS (International English Language Testing Service), Duolingo, or PTE (Pearson Test of English Academic), unless they meet an exemption indicated on the list below (English Language Test Exemptions). Official English scores may not be more than 2 years old from the time of application submission.  We do not accept TOEFL MyBestScore.

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.

CCAS has two minimum English language proficiency requirements. Ensure you check your programs minimum requirements for admission.

Submitting English Language Scores

We only accept official English scores received directly from the testing agency.

• TOEFL: Please send scores to George Washington University, institutional code 5246. We do not accept TOEFL Best Scores.
• IELTS: Please send scores visa the ITELS portal (e-delivery).  We do not accept IELTS Indicator. You may need to provide the following information

Account Name: George Washington University
Address: 1922 F Street NW Fourth Floor
City: Washington
State: DC
Zip Code: 20052

Some IELTS test center systems list an alternative address of 2121 I ("Eye") Street NW for the GWU account. You can use the GWU account associated with either address, and the e-delivery will be successful.

• Duolingo: Please send scores directly through the Duolingo portal
• PTE: Please send scores directly through the PTE portal

English for Academic Purposes (EAP)

Students who are admitted to a program that permits the lower English proficiency scores will need to take an English for Academic Purposes (EAP) course in the first semester. The particular course is determined using the Writing and Speaking scores and will be stipulated in the admission letter. There will be additional costs involved as the EAP course does not count towards the program requirements. 

For more information, visit the EAP program website.

English Language Test Exemption

Exceptions to the English language proficiency policy will be granted if you have:

• A degree (or will complete one before starting at GW) in which English is the language of instruction AND the official language of the country in which the university is located; or
• A degree (or will complete one before starting at GW) from an institution that is accredited by a U.S. regional accrediting agency.

You do not have to apply for either waiver. Simply submit your application without the required scores. The CCAS Office of Graduate Studies will review your application and update the status of a waiver within 2 business days.

Test Exemption by Degree Country

We will provide an exemption from the English test requirement if you hold (or will by the time you begin studies at GW) a Bachelor's, Master's, or doctoral degree from one of the countries listed below.

Anguilla	Antigua & Barbuda	Australia	Bahamas
Barbados	Belize	Bermuda	Botswana
British Virgin Islands	Cameroon*	Canada*	Cayman Islands
Dominica	Fiji	The Gambia	Ghana
Grenada	Guyana	Ireland	Jamaica
Kenya	Kiribati	Lesotho	Liberia
Micronesia	Montserrat	Namibia	New Zealand
Nigeria	Saint Kitts and Nevis	Saint Lucia	Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
Seychelles	Sierra Leone	Singapore	South Africa
Trinidad and Tobago	Turks and Caicos Islands	Uganda	United Kingdom
Zimbabwe

*Applies to applicants whose post-secondary degree is from a university in which English is the language of instruction. 

Test Exemption by Institution

We will provide an exemption from the English test requirement if you hold (or will by the time you begin studies at GW) a Bachelor's, Master's, or doctoral degree from one of the institutions listed below.

American University, Bulgaria	American University, Bulgaria
American University of Paris, France	American College of Thessaloniki, Greece
Deree College, The American College of Greece	Hellenic American University, Greece
Central European University, Hungary/Austria	John Cabot University, Italy
American University of Rome, Italy	American University of Central Asia, Kyrgyzstan
American University of Beirut, Lebanon	Lebanese American University, Lebanon
Franklin College, Switzerland	Gilon Institute of Higher Education, Switzerland
Les Roches School of Hotel Management, Switzerland	American University of Sharjah, United Arab Emirates
American University in Dubai, United Arab Emirates	Zayed University, United Arab Emirates

Documents Required for Form I-20

You are not required to submit I-20 or DS-2019 documentation during the initial application process. On your application for admission, you will simply be asked to indicate whether you will require an F-1 or J-1 visa to study in the U.S. We strongly recommend that you research U.S. visa requirements prior to applying to ensure you are familiar with the necessary steps.

If you are offered admission, GW will send you detailed instructions regarding the specific documentation you must submit to receive your I-20 or DS-2019 form. Alternatively you can visit our admitted students page for more information.

Health Insurance

All international students on an F-1 or J-1 visa are required to have adequate health insurance. As a result, all students will be automatically enrolled in the George Washington University plan. You may apply to opt-out of this plan providing you have your own insurance plan and it meets all the university's minimum requirements. More information can be found on the Student Health Center website.

Additional Resources for International Students

English for Academic Purposes (EAP)

The EAP program helps international students who speak English as an additional language develop their academic and professional written communications skills.

International Services Office (ISO)

ISO is the first stop for the GW international community and strives to eliminate administrative challenges for international students studying in the U.S.