Admissions for F-1 Visa Students

Virginia University of Science & Technology (VUST) is SEVP-certified school by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). VUST provides an opportunity for prospective international students to study in the United States.

VUST also offers Optional Practical Training (OPT) and Curricular Practical Training (CPT) for eligible students. VUST offers a vibrant, multicultural atmosphere and is located in the nation’s capital metropolitan area—the Greater Washington Area—which is the center of politics, arts, science, advanced technology, and the federal government of the United States.

Virginia University of Science & Technology is authorized by federal law to issue Form I-20s to international students admitted to its programs.

All applicants for admission to VUST must submit the required documents and a non-refundable $75 application fee to the Admissions Office:

^* International degrees must be evaluated for the U.S equivalency by a recognized agency.
^**Statement of Purpose should demonstrate that the applicant has the necessary foundation and qualifications to be successful in the selected program.
^**Not required for domestic students or for students who attended an accredited U.S.-based institution.
^*** Letters of recommendation must be from individuals familiar with the applicant’s academic background or work ethic (e.g. an instructor or employer).
Recommendation letters from family members will not be considered.
^****Bank statement(s) showing that the international student has adequate funds available to cover the cost of one (1) academic year of study in the USA

International students admitted with a bachelor’s GPA below 2.5 must also submit a letter of intent to complete the program explaining the low GPA and strategy for success in the master’s program. An Academic Committee will review the application to make the determination. (Policy effective with the Fall 2021 term)

 Previous Transcripts & U.S. Equivalency:

All applicants must submit official transcripts, or otherwise notarized or attested copies of transcripts, from all colleges or universities previously attended (whether or not a degree was earned). Transcript for degrees earned outside the U.S must be evaluated by a member of the Association of International Credential Evaluators (AICE) or American Association of Collegiate Registrars and Admissions Officers (AACRAO) or the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (NACES) or by any other authorized U.S.-based agency. The University recommends using (International Education Research Foundation, Inc.) IERF. For admission to all graduate programs, a bachelor’s transcript or its U.S. equivalency is required.

 Note: Transfer students who were previously admitted to an accredited, degree-granting U.S. institution are not required to submit a foreign credential evaluation as part of the admission process. An original transcript from the U.S. institution is needed to prove that the student was admitted to a degree program as well as to process transfer credit toward VUST.

Evidence of English Proficiency:

Any test score submitted must be no older than 2 years. This may include a minimum:

TOEFL score of 61/or above (iBT), OR,

IELTS score of 5.0/or above, OR,

Duolingo Score of 90/or above, OR,

iTEP score of 3.5/or above, OR,

PTE score of 50/or above, OR,

WAEC score of C6 or higher.

Note: A student who was admitted by any degree-granting institution in the U.S.A is exempt from the English proficiency requirement.  A student, who successfully completed all levels of English training in a language school accredited by an agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education, will be considered to have satisfied English proficiency. Also, the U.S. citizens and permanent residents (green-card holders) are deemed to have met the English proficiency requirements.

Alternatively, students can choose to study and complete advanced level ESL courses at VUST. Successful Completion of the following ESL courses would also satisfy the English Proficiency requirement for admission into degree programs at VUST.

ESL 101 – Advanced English Reading
ESL 102 – Advanced English Listening
ESL 103 – Advanced English Writing and Grammar
ESL 104 – Advanced English Speaking & Communication Skills

Financial Documents:

An applicant must present current proof of financial funds shown in U.S. currency (dollars), demonstrating that the international student has adequate funds available to cover the cost of one (1) academic year of study in the U.S.A. (This amount for the MSCIA program is: tuition & fees – $12,110, living expenses – $7,000; total – $19,110). For example:

Personal funds – Official bank statement

Sponsors – Affidavit of support accompanied by another bank statement

Scholarships – Official scholarship letter document

Passport and Immigration Documents: 

All applicants must present a copy of the photo page of the passport. If they are currently in the U.S., they have also to provide a copy of their current visa and most recent I-94. Students transferring from other universities must also provide any previous I-20 forms at the time of application.

All required documents must be emailed directly to admission@vust.edu or mailed to:
Virginia University of Science & Technology
2070 Chain Bridge Rd. Suite G100, Vienna, VA 22182.