International Graduate Applicant
You are considered an international applicant if you are not a citizen or permanent resident of the United States.
How to Apply as an International Graduate Applicant
To apply to West Virginia University at a first-time international graduate applicant:
- Create an account and complete the graduate application.
- If you applied to WVU as an undergraduate applicant in 2017 or later, you can use the same account to apply as a graduate student.
- If you are in Cuba, Iran, North Korea, Sudan, Syria or Crimea and you cannot access the application, please email InternationalAdmissions@mail.wvu.edu .
If you experience any technical difficulties or payment errors, please email graduateadmissions@mail.wvu.edu or call 304.293.5980
**Application fee waivers are available for current WVU and WVU Medicine employees, active military personnel and veterans, McNair Scholars, and AmeriCorps and Peace Corps members.
University GPA Requirement
You must have a bachelor's degree from a properly recognized institution. The minimum cumulative grade-point average (GPA) is 2.75 on a 4.0 scale. Some programs have higher minimum GPA requirements. Please consult with a representative from your program for details.
Document Requirements
WVU will review your application based on unofficial transcripts. You
can upload unofficial transcripts with your application. If more academic
documents are necessary, you can email them to us. WVU will email
you with the program’s decision. If the program approves your admission,
you will need to provide official transcripts. WVU needs to have your official bachelor’s degree transcript before we
send your University admission letter or your I-20.
Scans, uploads, faxes, or unverified photocopies are NOT official. If your school uses eScrip-Safe, the National Student Clearinghouse, or Parchment, please use that to send transcripts to graduateadmissions@mail.wvu.edu. If not, you need to send original or certified paper documents to:
West Virginia University
Office of International Admissions
2nd Floor One Waterfront Place
Morgantown, WV 26506
NOTE: No documents are returned to applicants.
It is important that you use the same name and spelling of your name on all documents, scores, and forms. Your name on your WVU record needs match your name on your passport.
If you have not completed your degree when you apply, please send the transcripts to-date. To enroll, you will need to provide final transcripts that show all courses and your degree. If your transcript does not have complete information about your degree, you also need to provide a diploma.
If your documents are not in English, you will need to provide an English translation.
If you will get your bachelor’s degree from WVU, you do not need to send transcripts.
WVU does not require official masters or doctoral transcripts, but your program may require them.
English Language Proficiency
WVU’s minimum score requirements for English proficiency are:
- Academic IELTS: 6.5
- TOEFL iBT: 79 (WVU accepts MyBest scores)
- PTE Academic: 53
- Duolingo English Test: 105
If you did not complete your bachelor's degree in the US, UK, Australia, Canada, or New Zealand you must meet the minimum score requirements.
Some programs consider applicants who do not meet those requirements for conditional admission. You may ask your program about conditional admission. Conditionally admitted students must enroll in the WVU IEP program until they achieve one of the English proficiency scores listed above.
Admission to the WVU IEP does not guarantee admission to an academic program.
Sending Test Scores
You need to provide official scores before application review.
TOEFL and GRE scores must be sent through ETS. WVU’s institution code is 5904. Use the generic department code 00.
WVU accepts electronic score delivery from IELTS. WVU can accept valid emailed TRFs if the score can be verified.
PTE scores can be sent through Pearson’s secure portal.
For other scores, ask your program about the procedure.
Program Specific Application Requirements
Applicants must meet both University and program requirements. Each graduate program sets their own admissions requirements. These requirements may include:
- a GPA higher than the university standard
- standardized test scores
- letters of recommendation
- statement of purpose
We recommend contacting a representative from your program to discuss their requirements. Visit the program database and to find contact information.
Research Graduate Programs
WVU offers over 220 graduate programs. Let us help you find the perfect graduate program that aligns with your interests and goals! Follow our simple three-step process.
Visa Information
Once you been notified of acceptance into your graduate program of interest, the Office of International Students & Scholars Services (ISSS) can assist with your student visa.
All visa related questions can be directed to isss-students@mail.wvu.edu.
Orientation
International graduate students are welcomed to campus for check-in and orientation in early-August. Check your MIX email account for more information.
Note: If you have secured a graduate teaching assistantship you will have an additional orientation.
Activities and Organizations
It’s easy to get involved at WVU! ISSS offers cross-cultural programs and activities for international students on-campus. Additionally, there are many student organizations related to areas of study, areas of interest, international student groups, and professional organizations.
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