Graduate Studies

New International Freshmen

New International Freshmen Admissions

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

  • Hold a credential that is comparable to a U.S. high school diploma.
  • Have a grade point average of at least 2.5 on a 4.0 scale. All marks and scores will be converted to a 4.0 grading scale.
  • 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.

Please carefully read all information below BEFORE applying. 

All international applicants are required to submit a 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.

Non-native English speaking applicants must submit satisfactory English proficiency scores on one of the following exams: TOEFL, IELTS, ITEP, or PTE Academic. Release your English proficiency exam scores to 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 from the test date at the time of matriculation at WIU.

Admitted students will need to provide evidence that you can pay for the first year of study. View the specific requirements before submitting your financial documents. Financial documents should be emailed to International-Financials@wiu.edu.

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.

 

Freshman Application Requirements

  • 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. Release your English proficiency exam scores to 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 from the test date at the time of matriculation at WIU.
  • High school (secondary school) exams, transcripts, or individual mark sheets must be submitted. If these documents are not issued in English, an official word for word English translation must be submitted for these documents. 
  • An unofficial academic record will be used for application processing only and clear, full sized scanned copies can be emailed to international-ed@wiu.edu.  Any applicant admitted on an unofficial academic record will be conditionally admitted pending receipt of the complete official academic record. The complete official academic record must be on file at WIU prior to your arrival on campus.  Upon notification of your acceptance, request the official documents be sent from all institutions as described below.  
    • West African applicants: Provide a copy of your scratch card or the pin and serial number for online verification of your WAEC or WASSCE.  
    • South Asian applicants: If your secondary institution has a system for online verification, provide the information to our office for that purpose. Otherwise, obtain official or attested secondary school records (10+2) in an envelope sealed by the Exam Board and mail or courier the unopened envelope to WIU.
    • International General Secondary School Exam (IGSCE) or other Secondary School Exams  :  Request official or attested exam results be sent directly to WIU.

WIU reserves the right to request official or attested academic records or an evaluation (providers below) for any applicant prior to application processing.