International Undergraduate Students
WVU welcomes students from around the world. Over 1,400 students from 110 nations study at WVU. You are considered an international student if you are not a U.S. citizen or U.S. permanent resident.
How to Apply as an International Student
If you are applying as an international graduate student, please follow the steps for international graduate applicants. To apply to as an international undergraduate student, please complete the following steps:
- Review the admissions requirements, English Language Proficiency requirements (scores are for undergraduate levels only) and our undergraduate application deadlines.
- To apply for an on-campus program for fall 2022, complete either the WVU Application or the Common App and include the nonrefundable fee of $65.
WVU Application The Common AppTo apply for an online program, use the steps for WVU Online Campus applicants.
The 2023 WVU Application will open August 1. - Have your Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL), International English Language Testing System (IELTS), Pearson Test of English (PTE) Academic or Duolingo English Test scores sent to WVU.
- Send the following information to WVU:
- Copies of all official academic records/transcripts in original language of issue (transcripts from U.S. institutions must be sent to WVU directly from the institutions).
- Copies of all academic certificates or diplomas in original language of issue.
- English translations of academic records/transcripts and certificates/diplomas.
- Copy of current passport or visa for visa status.
How to Submit Materials
All application materials should be submitted together at the same time, if possible. Please review our instructions for applicants from Chinese institutions and an important note about names on submitted documents. Any supporting material should be forwarded by mail or sent by any express carrier to the following address:
Office of AdmissionsWest Virginia University
One Waterfront Place, Second Floor P.O. Box 6009
Morgantown, WV 26506-6009
USA
Please note: Documents received by WVU, including original documents, become the property of WVU and cannot be returned to or copied for the applicant.
Applicants for undergraduate programs must submit all secondary school records as well as all university-level records. Undergraduate transfer applicants should submit course descriptions or syllabi for all courses completed at the university level.
Applicants from Chinese institutions
Applicants from Chinese institutions should request and submit official transcripts
directly through CHESICC. Requests are processed by CHESICC and will be sent electronically
to WVU’s admissions office. You
will not need to submit a paper copy of your transcript.
Visit CHESICC to get started.
Important Note about Names on Submitted Documents
Materials from applicants are retained alphabetically, under the family name, as
indicated by the applicant on the International Student Admission Application.
It is important that all forms, records and correspondence use the same name and
spelling. Your name needs to be as it appears or will appear in your passport.
Materials often cannot be matched to files when papers arrive with different names.
Admission Requirements for International Students
The following are the minimum admissions requirements for international students applying as freshman or undergraduate transfer students.
Freshman:
- Must have at least a 2.5 grade-point average on a 4.0 scale for general admission.
- Must meet English Proficiency or request conditional admission and admission to the Intensive English Program (IEP).
- Please be advised that some Engineering majors may reach capacity and therefore will be restricted from entry.
- For direct admission to some colleges and majors, SAT or ACT scores are required and must be sent to WVU directly from the respective testing services. Please review the program requirements. For all other majors, international students are encouraged but not required to submit SAT or ACT scores, if available. SAT/ACT scores are useful for determining scholarship eligibility.
- WVU welcomes applications from students with IGCSE and O-Level Certificates from Cambridge International for admissions consideration. We require a minimum of five subject passes, of which two must be English and Mathematics. The average of the grades must be at least a 2.5 (on a 4.0 scale). A passing grade in the subject of English will be accepted as evidence of sufficient English ability.
Transfer:
- Must have at least a 2.0 grade point average on a 4.0 scale in all college work attempted.
- Must meet English Proficiency or request conditional admission and admission to the Intensive English Program (IEP).
- In addition, transfer students who have fewer than 24 transferable credit hours, must also meet freshman admission standards and submit secondary school/high school transcripts.
- Some individual programs and majors have different course requirements and higher grade point average requirements; please review the various program requirements.
- Grades and credits are transferable for college-level courses from regionally accredited U.S. institutions.
English Language Proficiency Requirements (undergraduate levels only)
Generally, undergraduate applicants, whose native language is not English must submit one of the following test scores, before an application can be considered for academic admission to WVU:
|
Intensive English Program |
Accelerated Mountaineer Program for English as a Second Language
(2 semesters) |
Accelerated Mountaineer Program for English as a Second Language
(1 semester) |
Regular Admission |
Academic
IELTS
|
Below 5.5
|
5.5 (no section scores below 5.5)
|
6.0 (no section scores below 6)
|
6.5
|
TOEFL Internet-Based
|
Below 61
|
61-73
|
74-78
|
79
|
Duolingo English Test
|
Below 90
|
90-104
|
90-104 and review by
WVU English Language Learning Institute
|
105
|
Pearson Test of English (PTE) Academic
|
Below 44
|
44-49
|
50-52
|
53
|
ACT English
|
Below 19
|
19-23
|
19-23 and review by
WVU English Language Learning Institute
|
24
|
SAT EBRW
|
Below 490
|
490-560
|
490-560 and review by
WVU English Language Learning Institute
|
570
|
Other options for establishing English proficiency are:
GCSE or GCE English exam – Letter grades A, B or C, or numerical grades 4-9
International Baccalaureate Diploma
Average grade of B (3.0) or higher in two introductory English composition courses including coursework on research and the writing process taken at a regionally accredited U.S. university.
Application Deadlines
For an applicant to be considered for admission and to be able to process immigration papers, all application materials and supporting documents must be received by these dates:
-
Fall semester – Apply by June 1. All academic documents must be received by July 1.
-
Spring semester – Apply by October 1. All academic documents must be received by November 1.
-
Summer semester – Apply by February 15. All academic documents must be received by April 1.
Applications submitted after the deadline and incomplete applications will be considered for the next term.
Questions
If you have a question about the application process or requirements for international students, please email us at InternationalAdmissions@mail.wvu.edu.
World Education Services (WES)
Any international applicant can elect to use World Education Services (WES) for high school and college credit evaluation prior to enrollment in order to expedite the application process. WES may also be used for the purpose of appealing a GPA decision from the Office of Admissions (international applicants only).
It is recommended, but not required, that all undergraduate students (both freshmen and transfer) who have attended high school, post-secondary educational institutions and colleges or universities outside the United States use WES to complete a professional credential evaluation of all academic work completed. Transfer applicants should request a "course-by-course" International Credential Advantage Package (ICAP). Freshman applicants should request a "document-by-document" International Credential Advantage Package (ICAP). ICAP evaluations include WES certified copies of official documents.
Financial
Scholarships
International scholarship information is available on Student Financial Support and
Services'
Scholarships page.
Documentation for Student Visa
Before WVU can issue the document necessary to apply for a student visa (Form I-20 or Form DS-2019) the student must provide proof that he or she has the adequate financial resources to provide for his or her expenses incurred while studying at WVU. For more on the student visa process, visit the Office of Global Affairs.
Student Health Insurance
International students will be automatically enrolled in our student health plan unless an appropriate waiver has been submitted and approved. Information regarding the plan, enrollment information, waiver forms, etc., can be found at the Student Insurance Office.
Student Support and Organizations
Once you are admitted to WVU, the Office of Global Affairs offers support and various cross-cultural programs and activities in which you can be involved.