Graduate Studies

Admission Process

All undergraduate and graduate international applicants will need to submit the following:

  • Non-refundable $50 application fee. This can be paid online when you submit your application. Students who need to mail a check or money order drawn from a U.S. bank may select "Pay by Check" at the end of the application process and then submit the application. Please note, we do not offer a waiver of the application fee.
  • A copy of your passport
  • Non-native English speaking applicants must submit satisfactory English proficiency scores on one of the following exams: TOEFL, IELTS, ITEP, or PTE Academic. (Use school code 1900 for WIU). Learn more about English proficiency requirements and countries exempt from this requirement. Some academic programs may require higher scores for admission. Scores must be less than two years old at the time of matriculation at WIU.
  • Your complete academic record. The majority of applicants can email clear, full-sized, scanned copies (no photographs) of transcripts or other academic credentials and supporting application documents to International-Ed@wiu.edu. Unofficial transcripts may be used for admission processing only. Applicants submitting unofficial documents, if accepted to WIU, will be conditionally accepted pending receipt of the official documents.  Upon notification of acceptance, applicants conditionally admitted should request each official academic record be sent to WIU. Applicants from Nigeria, Benin and Cameroon are required to submit official academic records prior to being considered for admission. WIU reserves the right to request an official transcript or WES ICAP from any applicant prior to being considered for admission. Applicants will be notified by email should this be required.
    NOTE: Please refer to the appropriate section for further requirement details based upon your student level .
  • Any applicant admitted on an unofficial academic record will be conditionally admitted pending receipt of your complete official academic record. Upon notification of your acceptance, request the official documents be sent from all institutions as described below.  The complete official academic record must be on file at WIU prior to your arrival on campus.  The only exception to this requirement is degree and/or diploma certificates that are single issue. The original single issue degree/diploma certificate(s) must be presented at the admissions/immigration check-in held at the beginning of each semester.
    • Undergraduate-level applicants:
      Official academic transcripts or certified (attested true) copies of original academic records or mark sheets from all secondary schools attended must be mailed to the School of Graduate Studies in a sealed envelope from the issuing school. The results of any external examination taken for high school completion must be sent directly by the appropriate examination board or be attested to by the institution attended.
    • All applicants:
      Official transcripts or certified (attested true) copies of all original academic records or mark sheets from all post-secondary institutions attended must also be mailed to the School of Graduate Studies in a sealed envelope by the Registrar, Controller of Examinations, or otherwise authorized university official at the degree-granting institution. Submitted post-secondary academic records should include all courses completed, all marks/grades received, as well as all final degrees, diplomas, or certificates received.
  • Admitted students will need to provide evidence that you can pay for the first year of study by submitting a bank statement or scholarship letter.  An Affidavit of Support must also be submitted; view specific requirements before submitting your financial documents. Financial documents should be emailed to International-Financials@wiu.edu.
  • First semester's tuition and fees and insurance must be paid IN FULL by Orientation Day in accordance with the estimates emailed to you.  Information about payments can be found here.

New Freshmen

This section is for students who have not taken college classes after completing high school and would like to pursue an undergraduate degree.

  • High school (secondary school) exams, transcripts, or individual mark sheets must be submitted. If these documents are not in English, an official word for word English translation must be submitted with the documents.
  • Applicants from the following countries, Nigeria, Benin and Cameroon are required to submit official academic records prior to the evaluation of the application for admission. Freshman must submit clear scanned copies of WAEC/WASSCE exams with scratch card pin and serial numbers for verification online. Applicants who have attended post-secondary institutions must request the Registrar of each institution to send an official hard copy (paper) academic record by mail or courier to WIU. Applicants who have attended a private institution in Benin are required to submit a WES ICAP evaluation.   WIU reserves the right to request a WES ICAP evaluation from any applicant.

Transfer Student

This section is for students who have taken college classes after high school but have not earned the equivalent of a U.S. bachelor's degree. Learn about earning undergraduate transfer credits.

  • Transcripts or mark sheets from all universities (post-secondary schools) attended must be submitted. If these documents are not in English, an official word for word English translation must be submitted with the documents.
  • Applicants who have earned less than the equivalent of 24 semester hours of college credit will be required to submit secondary school transcripts.
  • Applicants from the following countries, Nigeria, Benin and Cameroon are required to submit official academic records prior to the evaluation of the application for admission.  Applicants who have attended post-secondary institutions must request the Registrar of each institution to send an official hard copy (paper) academic record by mail or courier to WIU. Applicants who have attended a private institution in Benin are required to submit a WES ICAP evaluation.  WIU reserves the right to request a WES ICAP evaluation from any applicant.

Graduate Students

This section is for students who have earned the equivalent of a U.S. bachelor's degree and would like to apply for a graduate or second bachelor's degree.

  • Your full academic record is required for an admission decision. A full academic record is defined as your academic record from ALL post-secondary institutions attended. If these documents are not in English, a precise word for word English translation must be submitted with the documents. Most applicants can submit unofficial academic records to international-ed@wiu.edu for application processing. Applicants admitted based on unofficial academic records are required to submit their full official academic record to complete the conditions of acceptance to WIU.  Applicants from the following countries, Nigeria, Benin, and Cameroon are required to request official hard copy (paper) academic records from all post-secondary institutions to be sent directly from the issuing institution to WIU prior to evaluation of the application for admission. Applicants who attended private universities in Benin are required to submit a WES ICAP evaluation.   WIU reserves the right to request a WES ICAP evaluation from any applicant.
  • The University will accept three-year degrees from universities in India if the degree is from an institution with a ranking in the A or B range from the National Assessment and Accreditation Council (NAAC). Students must be pursuing a graduate degree in the same or related discipline to their undergraduate degree.
  • Applicants who have earned a National Diploma and Higher National Diploma (combined total of 4-5 years of study) OR a Higher National Diploma (3 year HND)  and at least one additional year of certificate, diploma or master's degree coursework will be eligible to apply to graduate programs as this will be considered equivalent to a bachelor's degree. Applicants must apply to a discipline that is related to their HND coursework.
  • Additional admission requirements may be required by the academic program to which you are applying to such as GRE/GMAT scores, letters of recommendation, etc. Refer to the Departmental Admissions Requirements to determine what, if any, additional documents are required for your specific program.
  • Once you receive an admission email with your WIU ID number, if you wish to apply for a graduate assistantship position, you must submit the Graduate Assistantship Application
  • Academic departments may require higher English proficiency scores for those who are required to submit them.

Online-Only Students

  • Students who would like to register for online courses from their home countries should communicate with their graduate advisor to determine if appropriate online courses are available. Refer to FAQS for further details.

English Language Training (WESL) Students  (WESL is not currently being offered.)

This section is for students who have not met the English proficiency requirement and are applying for the intensive English language program offered at WIU.

  • Official academic credentials comparable to the equivalent of a U.S. high school diploma must be submitted. If these documents are not in English, an official word for word English translation must be submitted with the documents.
  • A $4,500 pre-payment of tuition for the first semester of the WESL program must be provided. Payments can be made at flywire.com.
  • All new students who are not government sponsored and are enrolling in WESL for the first-time will automatically receive a $1,000 WESL New Student Scholarship . This award covers the cost of tuition only and will be credited in two increments of $500 during your first two semesters in the WESL program.
  • Costs associated with the WESL program include: WESL placement test, $100 cash payment due at the time of taking the test during New International Student Orientation; WESL tuition, $4,500 per semester; University fees are billed separately from tuition; student health insurance coverage (required); textbooks, approximately $250 per semester; and government sponsored student fee, $250.

Applications are reviewed in the order in which they are completed. Once an admission decision has been made, you will be notified of your next steps at the email address on your application.

Unofficial documents can be emailed to International-Ed@wiu.edu for admission processing. If admitted, official academic records can be mailed to:

International Admissions
School of Graduate Studies
Western Illinois University
1 University Circle
Macomb, IL 61455-1390 USA