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 TEC (formerly Spantran) or the WES ICAP transcript evaluation. 

The Evaluation Company (TEC, formerly known as 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.

Accepted International Student Page