The department of Human Centered Design & Engineering (HCDE) offers many opportunities for international students to excel in our program. We encourage international students to apply for admission as full time students in our programs.
TOEFL Requirements for Applicants Demonstrating English Language Proficiency.
The only standardized exam required for MS admissions is for applicant's whose native language and college education was offered in a primary language other than English.
This exam requirement is waived if the applicant holds a bachelor’s, master’s, or doctoral degree from a regionally accredited institution in the United States or from an institution in Australia, the Bahamas, Canada, Ireland, Jamaica, New Zealand, Singapore, Trinidad and Tobago, or the United Kingdom.
Human Centered Design & Engineering only accepts the following scores. To be considered for the program, applicants must meet the required minimum scores listed below. Please note that, due to the highly competitive nature of the admissions process and the importance of being able to communicate fluently in English in our program, we must strictly enforce these standards during application review.
- 106 on TOEFLiBT (including 26 Speaking sub-score)
- 623 on TOEFLPBT
- 263 ON TOEFLCBT
- 7.5 on IELTS (including 7 Speaking sub-score)
- 125 on Duolingo (Approved for Autumn 2023)
Information regarding international degrees and language proficiency requirements can be found on the UW Graduate School International Student Application page.
The UW Graduate School also maintains a page of Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) for international applicants.
Sending TOEFL Test Scores
Please use UW institutional code 4854. If a department code is required, indicate 99 (Any Department Not Listed).
Please note: It may take several weeks for TOEFL scores to show as being "received" by the University of Washington. After applying, please be patient and periodically log-in to your application profile to check the status of your application. Do not contact the Graduate School or the department of Human Centered Design & Engineering to check the status of test scores or any other application materials.
Applicants using IELTS test scores must submit official scores electronically via the IELTS system (E-TRF), using the University of Washington’s organization ID 365. An offer of admission cannot be extended prior to the receipt of official scores.
International Student Visa and Employment Resources
Please direct all questions about visas, employment, OPT, and travel to UW International Student Services.