Foster School of Business

About the school

The University of Washington's Michael G. Foster School of Business (UW Foster) was established in 1917, becoming the second business school in the western part of the U.S. The School offers undergraduate, master's, and doctoral degrees, as well as executive education programmes. The School is accredited by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business. U.S. News & World Report (2024), Bloomberg Businessweek (2022), and Fortune (2022) all place the full-time MBA programme of the School as one of the nation's top 25 programmes. Similar rankings were given to the Executive MBA programme by the Financial Times in 2022 and the evening MBA programme by US News & World Report in 2024, ranked at #12 and #11 nationally, respectively. Courtney Lynn Thompson (a former professional volleyball player), Doreen Bingo (chief engineer, Test & Evaluation, The Boeing Company), and Yasser Ibrahim (senior vice president, Artificial Intelligence, Computational Imaging, and IoT Devices, Axon) are among the notable alumni of the School. The Foster School of Business, located at the University of Washington's main campus and Eastside Executive Center in Kirkland, offers international students proximity to a vibrant campus life with sports, cultural attractions, dining options, and abundant waterfront activities like canoeing and kayaking.

Where is the school located?

Life at the Foster School of Business

Combining creativity and professionalism, the Foster School of Business provides an enriching experience for its diverse student base. All students have access to on-campus housing at the University. Graduate student residences for singles are available on or near campus and offer a variety of living arrangements, including studio apartments, one-bedroom flats, and single rooms in shared apartments. There are also family apartments available, close to both campus amenities and the classrooms. For students who desire a more independent or flexible lifestyle, several off-campus housing options are listed at the website. Close dining, drinking, and shopping opportunities exist for students living on the west or north campuses. Students may use their residence hall or apartment dining plans and dine in any of the University's eating establishments. Students may also place meal orders through Grubhub or visit the Food Pantry, which offers food to students via their Husky cards. Students at the University of Washington can use their Husky cards to load a U-pass and take advantage of their transportation amenities. The U-PASS offers unlimited travel on regional buses, commuter trains, light rail, water taxis, and vanpools. For students who commute by themselves, there is additional student parking on campus that they can use with parking permits.

Additional benefits of studying at the Foster School of Business

• World-class Facilities: The Foster School of Business houses multiple centres that promote cutting-edge research, support businesses and nonprofits, and offer students practical experience and career opportunities. These centres include the Arthur W. Buerk Center for Entrepreneurship (focused on startups), the Consulting and Business Development Center (serving economically disadvantaged communities), the Global Business Center (emphasising international business), and the Center for Sales and Marketing Strategy (bridging industry experts and researchers to advance marketing).

Admissions criteria

Depending on the course, admission criteria and procedures for international students may vary. However, the following are the general requirements: - A bachelor's degree with a minimum duration of 4 years from an institution with regional accreditation or its equivalent from a recognised international institution - The personal information form - Statement of purpose - 3 letters of recommendation - Undergraduate transcripts, translated in English - Bank statement - A graduate admissions test result (GMAT, GRE, or LSAT) - GPA: 3+ - Resume/CV - Proof of English proficiency: You must obtain the minimum score in the following exams to be eligible- TOEFL Internet-Based exam: 80, IELTS: 6.5, and Duolingo: 1105.

Fees and other expenses

Other estimated costs that are not consistent throughout school admissions information online: Books and course materials: $900 (approx) Food: $5,000 (approx) Housing: $1,000 to $17,000 Transportation: $1,000 (approx) Please consult the School's website for detailed information and any updates to this information.

Job placements

• Excellent Job Placement: Over 8,000 alumni of Foster School responded to a poll. The findings demonstrated that alumni had launched over 3,000 businesses, added 300,000 jobs, and generated $82 billion annually.
• Comprehensive Career Services: Foster MBA students have the advantage of cutting-edge career mentoring and a wealth of assistance to aid in achieving their long-term objectives. MBA Career Management can support students in creating and effectively implementing career goals by taking an individualised approach to career development. The career management programme offers the MBA Mentor Programme which allows students to study contemporary business practises while guided by renowned executives. As part of the Career Coaching programme career coaches assist students in assessing their passions and abilities by offering guidance on cover letters, resumes, and practice interviews. The coaches also assist students in making connections with alumni and developing vital job search abilities such as opportunity research, networking, communication, and interviewing. Students also have access to Handshake, a job and internship matching platform that connects businesses with students and alumni from the University.
• Engaging Career Events: To help students network and study, the College also hosts workshops, student events, and business career fairs.