International Students
More than 25 percent of our students are international. We value the diversity, experience and perspectives that international students bring to our program, so we work hard to welcome and support them through an accessible application process, equitable tuition, and our International Student Ambassadors Program.
Quick Facts for International Students
- The University of Washington is ranked among the world’s top 5 most innovative universities.
- UW is ranked No. 17 in the world — No. 3 among U.S. public universities — on the 2022 Academic Ranking of World Universities.
- Our program offers three STEM degree options, all offering digital media and technology experience.
- We’re located in Seattle, which is home to technology companies like Amazon, Starbucks, Costco, Microsoft, Boeing and Expedia.
- The program emphasizes creativity, leadership and communication strengths over TOEFL scores and GPA (as long as UW Graduate School minimums are met).
- We don’t require the GRE, and there is no hard requirement for prior professional experience.
- There is no difference in our tuition rates for US citizens and international students.
- Our international graduates have been hired by reputable companies all over the USA, and around the world.
- The University of Washington offers robust support for international students via the offices of Graduate Enrollment Management Services (GEMS) and International Student Services (ISS).
Program Highlights
- Instructors are Digital Media professionals at global companies who share and apply real experience in the classroom, discuss case studies, and connect students to internship opportunities.
- Students have options to take beginner-level and advanced subjects, regardless of their past experience.
- Our Partner Program offers an outside the classroom, real world learning experience for students, which helps you grow your professional portfolio, gain hands-on skills, and network.
- We offer a wide range of courses and topics, and allow you to design and customize your own path to a master’s degree including the courses you want.
- Launch your professional path in one of America’s biggest technology centers, home to multinational companies like Microsoft, Amazon, Starbucks, and Facebook.
- We emphasize professional and skill-oriented growth of students.
- Many classes are centered around hands-on experience via projects in User Experience Design, Digital Marketing, Video and Audio production and storytelling.
International Student Ambassadors
If you’re considering the program but still have questions, talk with one of our International Student Ambassadors.
They are current and former students who are happy to answer questions about their experiences, especially those from their home countries or regions.
Email Liyao Zhao, Head of Outreach, and she’ll introduce you to someone who can help.
You can also connect with current Communication Leadership international students on their Facebook group, and the Comm Lead WeChat: uwcommlead.
International Student Stories
Hear stories from some of our current and former international students to connect and get a better understanding of their experiences.
The decision to travel across the world for graduate school can be a tough one. But for Kanhaiya, a combination of staying rooted in his culture, embracing the new things he’s learning, and taking advantage of professional opportunities has made coming to Seattle to pursue a master’s one of the best decisions of his life.
Produced by Comm Lead student Thomas Chengxi Zou in COMMLD 532 Advanced Video Storytelling, Winter 2019.
A Communication Leadership grad student is surprised by a visit from her sister, who begs her to leave her studies in Seattle and return to China. A web of family secrets is unravelled in this tense Mandarin-language short film with a shocking twist.
Produced entirely by Communication Leadership international students, Directed by Jaden Liu.
A Communication Leadership grad student is surprised by a visit from her sister, who begs her to leave her studies in Seattle and return to China. A web of family secrets is unravelled in this tense Mandarin-language short film with a shocking twist.
Tahmina Watson, principal of Watson Immigration Law and author of “The Startup Visa” joins Comm Lead for an online discussion and answers live questions about OPT, H-1Bs and the latest changes to US immigration and visa policy.
What are the mental health concerns for international students?
KUOW public radio story featuring Comm Lead student Thomas Chengxi Zou
University of Washington
Department of Communication