Helpful information for international applicants entering into UWS online programs.
University of Western States master’s and doctoral programs are internationally recognized and allow you to complete your degree on your own time, without ever leaving your home country.
Benefits for Online Students
Advantages of choosing UWS online programs for your education:
- No visa required for international students enrolling in online degree programs.
- No difference in tuition and fees for students enrolling from in-state, out-of-state or outside of the U.S.
- UWS online curriculums utilize current information that is continually reviewed and updated with new research and findings.
- Online students receive the same diploma and transcripts as on-campus students.
- Students are able to study from anywhere in the world with an internet connection.
- Students engage with classmates from all over the world.
- Our online programs have students from many different countries including: Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, Germany, United Kingdom, Israel, Japan, Mexico, Singapore, Taiwan and the United Arab Emirates.
- UWS is regionally accredited by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities.
Admission Requirements
If you are an international student or have a degree from a school outside the U.S. or Canada, you will need to have your credentials evaluated by a NACES-affiliated international education evaluation service. A course-by-course evaluation is required. UWS recommends the WES iCAP or Spantran for this service.
Prospective students for whom English is not their native language must provide proof of adequate English language skills. UWS accepts official test scores from the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL), Pearson Test of English (PTE), International English Language Testing System (IELTS), or Duolingo English Test. This requirement does not apply to an applicant who either earned an undergraduate or graduate degree or who earned at least 60 credit hours from a university in which the language of instruction was English. The minimum scores are: TOEFL – 550 paper based, 213 computer based, 80 internet based; PTE – 53; IELTS – 6.5; Duolingo – 110. Valid scores are required. TOEFL, PTE, IELTS, and Duolingo scores are valid for two years after the test date.
Learn more about the admissions process at UWS.
Financial Aid for International Students
Canadian Student Aid
Students are eligible to apply for aid from Canada while attending University of Western States. Interested students will need to contact specific provinces to identify the appropriate application to qualify for federal and/or provincial financial aid. Learn more.
Canadian students apply for student aid each year by completing an application online through the student financial assistance website of your home province or territory. Application forms should be submitted by March 1 of each year for priority processing. In addition, some Canadian students elect to access a student line of credit from a Canadian bank.
A number of UWS students have worked with the Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce (CIBC). A CIBC Professional Edge Student personal line of credit may help ease the financial burden. Vancouver CIBC advisors are able to work directly with students, or refer business to another CIBC Banking Centre based on the student’s preferred location. Find more information here.
Aid for Other Countries
Non-Canadian countries may also have financial aid available for study at UWS, which usually requires the recipient to return home after the education is complete. Contact the cultural section of your embassy or ministry of education for more information since there are some awards that require governmental nomination. Additional sources of financial aid for international students to study in the U.S. may be private organizations in your country such as, businesses, foundations and religious groups.
Making Payments
University of Western States has partnered with Flywire in order to streamline the process of international payments. Flywire allows you to pay securely from any country and any bank, generally in your home currency.
By making a payment through Flywire you can:
- Track your payments from start to finish
- Save on bank fees and exchange rates
- Contact their multilingual customer support team with any questions, day or night.
To get started, visit Flywire to begin the payment process. Read more details and Flywire FAQs here.
