INTERNATIONAL APPLICANT INFORMATION

Students standing underneath the flags of the home countries of international students in the student center

Villanova University is a vibrant and diverse intellectual community that values and welcomes international students. Villanova's student body includes undergraduate and graduate students from nearly 50 countries around the world. These countries are symbolized by the flags that hang in the Connelly Center, a hub of student activity on campus.

The Villanova Office for International Students and Scholars is located in the Connelly Center and offers a myriad of services to international students, including assistance with immigration rights and responsibilities; educational, social and personal counseling; cultural adjustment; and campus and community activities. Be sure to visit the office's resources page.

As an international applicant, you may have earlier application deadlines and additional requirements. Please review the information on this page carefully before applying to a graduate program in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences.
 

Graduate Admissions Deadlines for International Applicants

Typically, international students must obtain an I-20 and then a visa to become enrolled students in the U.S. Due to the processing time associated with these processes, international applicants must follow the earlier application deadlines below.

Please note that in order to receive the I-20, you must be admitted to a graduate degree program (a master's or PhD). As an example, if you apply to a master’s program and a graduate certificate, and you were admitted to the graduate certificate program but not the master’s program, then an I-20 would not be issued to you.
 

Admissions Deadlines

  • Spring Entry: Complete application and submit all required materials by October 15.
  • Fall Entry: Complete application and submit all required materials by May 1. Scholarship and assistantship deadlines may be earlier than this, such as February 1 or March 1. Be sure to review your respective program's website for program deadlines.

If you are already in the U.S. and are transferring from another U.S. master's program, later applications may be permitted. Speak to the Program Director and Graduate Studies for more information about transferring. In order to transfer to Villanova, you will need to have a 3.0 cumulative GPA at the university you are currently attending.
 

Academic Calendar

Villanova operates on the standard semester system, with courses offered in the fall, spring and summer. Fall classes typically begin in mid-late August and end in mid-late December. Spring classes typically begin in mid-January and end in mid-May. Please check the academic calendar for specific dates based on the semester and year. Most courses are three credits each, and a full-time student generally takes 6 to 9 credits per term.
 

Additional Requirements for International Applicants


Proof of English Proficiency

TOEFL, IELTS Academic, Cambridge or Duolingo English Test (DET)
English language proficiency can be demonstrated by submitting official test results directly to the Graduate Studies Office either from an in-person administration of TOEFL iBTIELTS Academic, Cambridge English B2 First, C1 Advanced, C2 Proficiency or the online DET. It is required that applicants satisfy English language proficiency through one of these methods.

Minimum required test scores are as follows:

Program TOEFL     IELTS Academic     Duolingo   Cambridge
Philosophy PhD 100* 7.5 135 191
Theology PhD 100* 7.5 135 191
Communication 100* 7.5 135 191
Computer Science 90 7 125 185
History 90 7 125 185
Political Science 90 7 125 185
Software Engineering 90 7 125 185
Theology MA, MMT, MTS 90 7 125 185
All other programs   80 6.5 120 176
* minimum of 23 per section        

Scores are considered valid from exams taken a maximum of two years prior to program application deadlines. Please submit official TOEFL scores to Villanova using the school code 2959. Official IELTS Academic scores can be sent electronically or by hard copy to the Graduate Studies Office. Official DET scores should be sent electronically through the DET platform.

International applicants do not need to submit the TOEFL, IELTS Academic, Cambridge or DET if the applicant meets any of the following criteria: 

  • You are a citizen of Australia, Canada, the UK, Ireland or New Zealand. 
  • You earned your prior college or university degree in the United States or one of the countries listed above.

Please also note the following:

  • If you earned a degree at another institution in the United States, some programs might request you submit a copy of the TOEFL, IELTS Academic, Cambridge or DET score you submitted when applying for entrance into that institution.
  • Some programs may require an additional online interview.
     

Credential Evaluation

Villanova requires that transcripts from colleges and universities outside the U.S. and Canada undergo a course-by-course analysis by an expert academic credential evaluator in the United States. Students are responsible for paying all fees for such evaluations and making arrangements with the credential evaluation company to send and receive their documents. Fees vary depending on the evaluator and whether a translation is needed. If you are using the service of a credential evaluator that has the capability to send the credentials evaluation electronically, please instruct them to send it to gradinformation@villanova.edu; otherwise, please use the mailing address listed in the Undergraduate and Graduate Transcripts section of this page.

Villanova will accept a course-by-course credential evaluation from any NACES member.

The following credential evaluators offer electronic delivery:

Transfer Credit: International students who request to transfer credits from a college or university outside of the U.S. or Canada must submit a credential evaluation for those courses.
 

Undergraduate and Graduate Transcripts

Unofficial transcripts from all undergraduate and graduate institutions you have attended are required at time of application. Official transcripts are required after an admission decision has been rendered and before a student can enroll in classes. Please note that official transcripts will likely also be required by credential evaluating organizations.

Electronic transcripts are preferred and should be sent by the institution(s) to: gradinformation@villanova.edu

Or find Graduate Programs, Liberal Arts and Sciences, Villanova University listed in the transcript service recipient options. Paper transcripts should be sent to:

Villanova University
Office of Graduate Studies
Liberal Arts and Sciences
Vasey Hall - Suite 109
800 Lancaster Avenue
Villanova, PA 19085
 

Financial Certification (if admitted)

Financial certification must be provided upon offer of admission. Official financial certification in the amount of $34,920 (amount subject to change), which covers tuition, living expenses and health insurance for one academic year, is a requirement for all international students in need of an F1 Visa.
 

English for Everyday Life Course

International Students may wish to consider signing up for a course in the English for Everyday Life Series through the College of Professional Studies (Please note: Courses through CPS will not count towards your degree in Graduate Studies.)

EducationUSA

Villanova belongs to EducationUSA, which is the U.S. State Department‘s network of more than 430 advising centers in 175 countries designed to assist local students in finding the appropriate college or university in the United States.
 

Office for International Students and Scholars

International students sitting and speaking with the director of the Office for International Students and Scholars

The Office for International Students and Scholars helps international students to become oriented to the University and the community as well as with immigration requirements. Contact Director Hubert Whan Tong by email or call the office at 610-519-8017.

Office of Graduate Studies
College of Liberal Arts and Sciences
Villanova University
Vasey Hall - Suite 109

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Graduate students walking on campus

The Office of Graduate Studies offers a multitude of ways to get acquainted with Villanova! From personal tours to events such as Open House and virtual information sessions, we have options to fit your schedule. Plan your visit today!