International Graduate Student Applicants

International Applications

International students are eligible to apply to a graduate program at Roger Williams University if they have successfully completed the equivalent of a United States bachelor degree program and have the appropriate diplomas and/or satisfactory results on transcripts or leaving examinations. In addition to the program-specific application requirements noted here, international applicants must provide the following:

Transcripts

Original and Final Undergraduate Transcripts

All applicants must submit ORIGINAL college/university scholastic records.

• Transcripts must show completion of a U.S.-equivalent Bachelor's degree
• Transcripts must be originals with school seal and signature from a school official. Copies (with or without a school stamp), emails, and faxes of transcripts in any form are not acceptable
• Transcripts must be sent directly to RWU from the institution of attendance in a sealed and stamped envelope. Transcripts sent directly from the applicant will not be accepted
• Submission of falsified documents is grounds for denial of admission or dismissal from the University.

​Official Foreign Transcript/Credential Evaluation

International graduate applicants are required to submit an official evaluation of ALL foreign credentials, and the evaluation must include a course-by course evaluation, including all courses earned toward the undergraduate degree. Applicants may use any foreign credential service that is a member of NACES, however, we recommend Spantran or the WES ICAP transcript evaluation. 

Spantran-RWU Credential Evaluation Portal

Details and instructions on the WES ICAP evaluation

International applicants who completed a Bachelor's degree in the U.S. are not required to submit a transcript evaluation, but are required to have original transcripts from each college that awarded credit toward a Bachelor's degree sent to the Office of Graduate Admission.

English Proficiency

All international applicants must provide proof of English proficiency by providing one of the following score reports, showing minimum scores indicated below. Scores must be official and released directly to RWU from the testing company.

• TOEFL (Test Of English as a Foreign Language)
  • ​Original TOEFL score report with results greater than or equal to:
    • 85 iBT (internet-Based Test)
    • 225 CBT (Computer-Based Test)
    • 565 PBT (Paper-Based Test)
       
• IELTS (International English Language Testing System)
  • ​Original IELTS score report with results greater than or equal to 6.5 bandwidth
     
• Duolingo
  • Original Duolingo score report with results greater than or equal to 110.
     
• ELS (ELS Educational Services)
  Note: This score report must be sent directly from ELS.
  • Successful completion of ELS Level 112 will be acceptable as proof of English proficiency for the Master of Architecture program only. Students applying for other programs must satisfy the English requirement with the TOEFL or IELTS exam.  

English Proficiency Exemptions:

• International applicants who have earned a Bachelor's degree in the U.S. and have completed at least 90 credits of English-based undergraduate coursework during that degree are exempt from this requirement.
• International applicants who have earned a Master's degree in the U.S. and have completed at least 30 credits of English-based graduate coursework during that degree are exempt from this requirement.
• Applicants from countries whose official language is English are exempt from this requirement.

Valid Email Address

It is very important that you provide us with an active email address on your application. If your email changes after you submit your application, please contact us. We will continue to keep in touch with you through the application process via email. Email is our primary method of communicating with international applicants.

Conditional Acceptance

At this time, RWU only offers conditional acceptance for the Master of Architecture program.

Accepted International Students

Applicants who are officially accepted to a graduate program at RWU, who are not United States citizens, and who plan to matriculate in a campus-based program in the United States are required to provide additional forms of legal documentation. These documents are not required in order to apply to a graduate program; only applicants who have officially been accepted are required to submit these documents.

Required Documents

For All International Students

Required documents for all accepted international students (both new and transfer students):

1. I-20 Request Form
   Please be sure to complete all sections of this form; it is very important that a complete foreign address is included. A copy of this form is a valid document.
2. Original Financial Statement and Bank Statement
   All accepted international students must complete the Original Financial Statement above, and must also submit original documentation showing financial support for the annual costs of study (tuition, fees, and living expenses). Proof of financial support can be submitted by completing official bank statements/certificates in English and in the student’s name, or if the bank account is in a parent’s name, through a letter from a parent explaining their financial support for all expenses; letters must be in English. If your home country is providing financial support for your tuition only, the student is responsible for providing proper documentation for living expenses. Any documents sent must be official and original. Copies are not acceptable.
3. Copy of valid passport

For Students Transferring from another U.S. institution or ELS program

Required documents for students transferring from another U.S. institution or ELS program only:

1. F-1 Transfer Student Verification Form
   It is extremely important that all sections of this form all completely filled out. A copy of this form is a valid document.
2. Copy of current I-20
3. Copy of current Visa

Submitting Documents

Original documents must be sent to the following address:

Roger Williams University
Office of Graduate Admission
One Old Ferry Rd.
Bristol, RI 02809
U.S.A.

Any documents in which copies are acceptable (noted above) can also be sent via email to gradadmit@rwu.edu, or sent via fax to 401-254-3557.

Contact Us

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact us at any time.