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International Students

To be considered for undergraduate admission, international applicants must meet the following requirements:

  1. If applying as a freshman, hold an academic credential that is comparable to a U.S. high school diploma and have a cumulative grade point average greater than or equal to 2.5 on a 4.0 scale.
  2. If applying as a transfer student with the equivalent of 24 or more semester credit hours at a recognized post-secondary institution, have a cumulative grade point average greater than or equal to 2.0 on a 4.0 scale on all post-secondary academic coursework.
  3. If English is not the student’s native language, English proficiency must be demonstrated prior to beginning the academic program at Western Illinois University. Evidence of English proficiency must be dated no more than two years prior to the date of matriculation to WIU. Evidence of English proficiency may be met by one of the following means:
    • TOEFL score of 533 or greater (paper version/PBT) or 73 or greater (internet based version/iBT).
    • IELTS score (academic format) of 6.0 or better.
    • PTE Academic score of at least 49.
    • ITEP score of at least 3.7.
    • Freshman: Have studied in residence a minimum of two years at a state recognized U.S. high school and earned at least a 2.50 GPA (on a 4.00 scale) in an academic core curriculum.
    • Transfer: Have studied in residence at a regionally accredited U.S. post-secondary institution and have earned at least 24 semester hours of transferable degree credit, which must include ENG 180 and 280 with a grade of “C” or higher; OR earned an Associate of Arts, Associate of Science, or Associate of General Studies degree while completing the equivalent of ENG 180 and 280 with a grade of “C” or higher.
    • Completion of a minimum of two academic years of full-time study at the secondary or post-secondary level in a country where English is the native language (not merely the language of instruction), immediately prior to the proposed date of enrollment.
    • Graduation from Western’s English as a Second Language (WESL) program.
    • Obtain a satisfactory score on Western’s English as a Second Language (WESL) placement test.
    Only students whose native language is English are exempt from the English proficiency requirements. All students who have not provided evidence of English language proficiency before arrival on campus must take the WESL placement test during New International Student Orientation week.

    Students who meet the minimum requirements but need further English language instruction as assessed by the School of Global Education and Outreach administrative staff and/or individual undergraduate departments will be required to take the WESL placement test upon arrival to campus and may be required to enroll in and graduate from WESL prior to beginning their academic program.

International applicants need to refer to the Center for Global Studies website for information about submission dates and the international application process. Inquiries from international applicants may be directed to International-Ed@wiu.edu.

United States citizens living abroad and undocumented persons domiciled in the United States who fall under House Bill 60 (students who have been in high school for three years in the State of Illinois) are not considered international applicants for purposes of this requirement and should contact Undergraduate Admissions.