Admissions for International Students
Over half of our students are international. We value the diversity, experiences, and perspectives they bring. Our accessible application process, the same tuition rate for every student, and our International Student Ambassadors Program reflect our commitment to welcome and support international students.
International Students – Requirements
Tuition and fees
Tuition rates are the same for domestic and international students, and are lower than comparable programs. Visit Tuition & Financial Aid to see current costs.
UW Graduate School requirements
You must meet these requirements to enroll in any UW graduate program.
- Minimum GPA of 3.0 is required by Policy 3.1: Graduate Admissions
- Hold the minimum equivalent of a four-year bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited college or university in the U.S. or its equivalent from an accredited foreign institution, or a Bologna bachelor’s degree with a minimum of 180 European Credit Transfer System (ECTS) credits.
- Non-Native English speakers can satisfy the English language proficiency admission requirement in multiple ways, including eligible prior degrees or test scores. These are described in Policy 3.2: Graduate School English Language Proficiency Requirements.
Test scores and work experience
We emphasize creativity, demonstrated leadership, and communication skills over test scores and past grades.
- No GRE or GMAT is required
- No professional experience is required
Previous professional experience is welcome but is not required for our degrees. The program has classes and opportunities for students with and without work experience.
University of Washington resources
The UW offers support for international students via:
International Student Guide
Use our guide to help you through the Admissions process and prepare for enrollment if you are accepted.
International Student Ambassadors
If you’re considering the program but still have questions, talk with one of our International Student Ambassadors.
They are current and former students who are happy to answer questions about their experiences, especially those from their home countries or regions.
Email Liyao Zhao, Head of Outreach, and she’ll introduce you to someone who can help.
You can also connect with current Communication Leadership international students on their Facebook group, and the Communication Leadership WeChat: uwcommlead.
Meet the Ambassadors
Hear our Ambassadors share their stories from the program. They share career and networking tips and show how UW equips you for impact on a world stage, rooted in diverse perspectives.
International Student Stories
Hear stories from some of our current and former international students to connect and get a better understanding of their experiences.
Choosing Communication Leadership
The decision to travel across the world for graduate school can be a tough one. But for Kanhaiya, a combination of staying rooted in his culture, embracing the new things he’s learning, and taking advantage of professional opportunities has made coming to Seattle to pursue a master’s one of the best decisions of his life.
Produced by Communication Leadership student Thomas Chengxi Zou in COMMLD 532 Advanced Video Storytelling, Winter 2019.
Luck of the Draw
A Communication Leadership grad student is surprised by a visit from her sister, who begs her to leave her studies in Seattle and return to China. A web of family secrets is unravelled in this tense Mandarin-language short film with a shocking twist.
Produced entirely by Communication Leadership international students, Directed by Jaden Liu.
Healing Homesickness
Adapting to life in a new country isn’t easy. But Communication Leadership master’s student Isabel Wang found ways to stave off homesickness and stay connected to friends and family through food and technology.
Video produced by Gloria Angelin in COMMLD 531: Foundations of Video Storytelling, Autumn 2019.
What are the mental health concerns for international students?
KUOW public radio story featuring Communication Leadership student Thomas Chengxi Zou
Next Steps
Go to How to Apply to learn how to start your Communication Leadership application.
Common Questions from International Students
Each degree is designed for a particular set of career paths, but your plans can change. Students may switch degrees once after starting the program, so your first choice does not lock you in.
Most international students choose between Digital Media and Communication Leadership — the choice comes down to focus. Check the full tuition cost for a better understanding.
Digital Media (MCDM) — Centered around careers in content creation, brand marketing, and storytelling.
Communities & Networks (MCCN) — Ideal for those who want to build skills in community engagement, strategic communications, and organizational management.
Communication Leadership (MCCL) — A broader foundational degree at 60 credits for people entering the communication field, with an internship and capstone project built into the curriculum.
Compare the three degrees in detail.
The Digital Media (MCDM) and Communities & Networks (MCCN) degrees require 45 credits and can be finished in as little as 12 to 18 months. The Communication Leadership degree (MCCL) requires 60 credits and takes 21 months.
Full-time enrollment is 10 credits per quarter and is required for international students. Your pace depends on how many credits you take each quarter and whether you study through the summer.
Yes. All three degrees include an internship as a core requirement, so you graduate with documented professional experience as well as coursework.
Internships earn credit toward your degree and are usually with an organization outside the University — an agency, a company, or a nonprofit in the field you want to work in.
For international students, an internship is typically authorized through Curricular Practical Training (CPT). Students are generally eligible after completing one academic year of study. UW International Student Services determines eligibility and handles the authorization process, and is the right place to confirm your timing.
No. All students pay $887 per credit regardless of residency. Most graduate programs in the U.S. charge separate resident and non-resident tuition, with a gap of over $14,000 a year. Our program offers the same tuition rate for all students.
Your coursework comes first. Graduate study here is demanding, and international students are required to enroll full-time at 10 credits per quarter. We would encourage you to settle into that workload before taking on paid work. Internships are a mandatory requirement in the curriculum for all 3 degrees, and can be taken after completion of an academic year ( 3 quarters). Internships offer a chance to work off-campus and gain training in your field of focus.
If you can manage both, several options are available. The University of Washington posts on-campus jobs across departments and colleges, and these can help offset your expenses. Within the program, we hire student assistants for staff support roles across events, outreach, marketing, and more. Communication Leadership Consulting also runs paid client projects each quarter, which lets you earn while building portfolio work — roles are updated weekly. All of these are open to all students.
These roles are categorized as on-campus employment and paid through UW payroll. International students should note that weekly hour limits apply to on-campus work — check with UW International Student Services for current limits.
Applications open November 1. Round 1 closes February 1 and is when most international applicants apply, since it allows the most time for visa processing and travel planning. Round 2 closes April 1 and remains open to international applicants, though it leaves less time for visa processing. Round 3 is open to domestic applicants only. Please check our How to Apply page for more information.
University of Washington
Department of Communication