🌲University of Washington

Seattle, WA, US

Seattle's flagship public research university, with deep ties to the region's tech industry.

About UW

UW sits in Seattle, home to Amazon and Microsoft, and its Paul G. Allen School of Computer Science & Engineering has direct research and hiring pipelines into both companies. It's also one of the top recipients of federal medical research funding in the US, backing a large and well-regarded medical school.

Why students choose it

  • Direct pipelines into Seattle's Amazon/Microsoft tech ecosystem
  • Among the top US recipients of federal medical research funding
  • Large, highly-ranked Computer Science school

🎓 Free application support for UW

Submit a free enquiry and Tutopiya's admissions team will guide you through your application to UW — personal statement, interview prep and deadlines — at no cost, no obligation. Application fees are typically waived through our university partnerships.

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Typical entry grades

AAA (A Level)  ·  IB 33

High tier · indicative for the flagship courses below — always verify per-course requirements directly with the university.

Tuition (international, per year)

$45,000–$60,000/yr

high tier for US — figures are typical ranges, not this specific university's published fee.

Language of instruction

English

Campus

city campus, Seattle, WA

🏆 Scholarships to look into

Informational only — scholarship amounts, deadlines and even which schemes are running change often (sometimes per intake), so treat this as a starting point, not a guarantee. Always confirm current details directly with the scholarship provider or UW's financial aid office.

Scholarship access for international students is more limited than for US citizens — most need-based financial aid programmes are domestic-only, and only a small number of universities are 'need-blind' or meet full demonstrated need for international applicants. Merit scholarships (not tied to financial need) are more widely available and are the main route for most applicants.

  • University merit scholarships: Named awards like 'Presidential' or 'Dean's' scholarships at many universities — automatically considered from your application, based on academic record and sometimes essays/interviews.
  • Need-blind / full-need-met universities: A small group of highly selective universities (e.g. Harvard, MIT, Princeton, Yale, Amherst) admit international students without considering ability to pay and meet full demonstrated financial need — extremely competitive to gain admission in the first place.
  • Fulbright Program: US government-funded, but for postgraduate/research study and exchange, not linked to undergraduate admission.

Most US universities in this tool are private and do not offer significant need-based aid to international students — check each university's own international financial aid policy before assuming support is available.

Want help figuring out which of these you'd actually qualify for? Talk to a free Tutopiya counsellor.

Popular courses

Computer Science

⏱️ Typical duration: 4 years

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Typical entry: Requires Mathematics

Medicine

⏱️ Typical duration: 5–6 years where entered straight from school (UK, Ireland, Australia, NZ, Singapore, Malaysia, Hong Kong); typically a 4-year postgraduate MD entered after a Bachelor's (US, Canada)

📝 Apply for this course →

Typical entry: Requires Chemistry + Biology · Not required at Bachelor's entry — Medicine is a postgraduate degree here, entered via MCAT after completing a Bachelor's degree.

Business (Foster)

⏱️ Typical duration: 4 years

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Typical entry: Mathematics helps but usually isn't required recommended

Engineering

⏱️ Typical duration: Often 4 years rather than the country's standard Bachelor's length, especially where the programme includes an integrated Master's (e.g. UK MEng) or an industry placement year

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Typical entry: Requires Mathematics + Physics

Public Health

⏱️ Typical duration: 4 years

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Durations are typical for US — always confirm the exact length (including any placement or integrated Master's year) on the course's own page before applying.

Not sure which course fits your grades and interests? Run the full shortlist builder →

How to apply

Main intake(s)
September (Fall)
Typical deadline
Regular Decision around 1 January
Note
Early Action / Early Decision rounds close around 1 November for students applying to one top-choice school early.

English language requirements

IELTS: 6.5 overall

TOEFL: 80–100 iBT

Most universities waive this requirement if you've completed 2+ years of English-medium schooling (e.g. IGCSE / A Level / IB) — always confirm the specific university's waiver policy before booking a test. Many US universities also accept Duolingo English Test.

See where UW ranks on your personal shortlist

Enter your grades and budget in the free US University Shortlist Builder to see whether UW is a reach, target or safety for you — alongside every other US university that matches.

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More US universities

UW FAQ

Quick answers about grades, tuition, deadlines and applying to UW as an international IGCSE / A Level / IB student.

What grades do I need to get into UW?

As a typical benchmark for international entry, UW expects around AAA at A Level or 33 points on the IB Diploma. This is indicative for UW's flagship courses — competitive subjects like Medicine and Law usually sit above this baseline, and the exact requirement varies by course, so always confirm the specific figure on UW's own admissions page before applying.

How much does UW cost for international students?

International tuition at UW typically falls in the $45,000–$60,000/yr range (high tier for US). This is a typical range for the university's tuition tier, not UW's specific published fee for every course — confirm the exact figure for your intended programme directly with the university.

When is the application deadline for UW?

UW follows US's typical intake calendar: September (Fall), with applications generally due regular decision around 1 january. Early Action / Early Decision rounds close around 1 November for students applying to one top-choice school early. Always verify the exact date on UW's own admissions page, since deadlines can shift year to year.

What IELTS score do I need for UW?

US universities, including UW, typically ask international applicants for 6.5 overall. Most universities waive this requirement if you've completed 2+ years of English-medium schooling (e.g. IGCSE / A Level / IB) — always confirm the specific university's waiver policy before booking a test. Many US universities also accept Duolingo English Test.

What is UW known for?

Seattle's flagship public research university, with deep ties to the region's tech industry. UW sits in Seattle, home to Amazon and Microsoft, and its Paul G. Allen School of Computer Science & Engineering has direct research and hiring pipelines into both companies. It's also one of the top recipients of federal medical research funding in the US, backing a large and well-regarded medical school.

Can I apply to UW with IGCSE, A Level or IB qualifications?

Yes — UW accepts applicants from IGCSE-to-A-Level, IGCSE-to-IB-Diploma, and directly from the IB Diploma. Tutopiya's free US University Shortlist Builder matches your predicted or actual grades against UW and every other US university we track, tagging each as reach, target or safety.

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