College of Arts and Sciences

About the school

Founded in 1853, Washington University in St. Louis (WashU) holds an esteemed position in higher education by consistently securing top rankings. The College of Arts and Sciences is acknowledged as one of the nation's leading institutions for its academic excellence and innovative research. The school is recognised in various specialised fields, especially as a leader in liberal arts.

The school has produced renowned alumni, including Tennessee Williams (playwright, screenwriter), Fannie Hurst (novelist, short story writer), and John Gardner (novelist, essayist, literary critic).

In the heart of St. Louis city, a culturally diverse and cosmopolitan hub promoting research and business development, international students at WashU can immerse in a multicultural environment and enjoy cultural festivals, eclectic cuisines, and cross-cultural interactions. St. Louis offers ample internship and job opportunities across industries. The city's comparative affordability is particularly beneficial for international students.

Where is the school located?

Life at the College of Arts and Sciences

The campus buzzes with several student organisations, clubs, and events, catering to various interests. International students can engage in collaborative projects, attend lectures, and partake in cultural and artistic activities, experiencing a dynamic and inclusive atmosphere.

The campus provides suite-style and apartment-style housing for international graduate students with facilities, kitchens and modern amenities.

For off-campus accommodations, the campus recommends purchasing the renter’s insurance. International students can rent university-owned apartments at walking distance or opt for privately owned spaces nearby. WashU maintains a list of private landlords to help students rent off-campus living space. The average off-campus rent can range between $1,200 and $3,000. WashU also provides temporary housing to international graduates.

Students can enjoy various eateries, including famous food joints such as Subway. Several meal plans are available for on-campus students, while one is for off-campus students.

Along with a recreation and fitness centre, the university develops intramural sports programmes, promotes club sports, and provides fitness and well-being programmes and services.

The university offers parking and transport facilities to students. Metro passes enable access to both Metro buses and the MetroLink light-rail system.

Additional benefits of studying at the College of Arts and Sciences

A fundamental part of the WashU mission is to inspire young people to pursue higher education. Along with the instructors, undergraduates and graduates can teach high schoolers programmes that “focus on the true WashU experience”.

One such pre-college programme is the 5-week Summer Scholars programme, wherein college students work closely with instructors to ensure the high schoolers are experiencing success inside and outside the classroom. They are encouraged to write poetry and fiction or understand the ecological principles of sustainability in-depth.

Another programme is the Healthcare Continuum Institute, which evaluates the joint roles of researchers, policymakers, and health professionals in shaping healthcare. Other programmes include the Student Expedition Programme (for low-income students), the St. Louis Area Brain Bee (to promote neuroscience knowledge), and SIFT and TERA (environmental biology).

Engaging with high schoolers in such programmes helps students expand their knowledge in various fields. It gives them a taste of working as instructors while preparing them to handle the world outside.

Admissions criteria

International applicants must hold a bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution. The College of Arts and Sciences reviews various factors, including the caliber of prior coursework and its alignment with the desired programme. They evaluate how much previous work has contributed to the applicant's profile and its relevance to the course applied for.

Degree programmes in Arts & Sciences rarely admit applicants for the spring semester. Students interested in applying for spring intake should consult their prospective programme's department before completing the application process.

Degree programmes set their application deadlines and admission requirements; hence, checking specific programme departments for information is essential.

Additional requirements for international students after completing the online application form:

A personal statement: Required

Letters of recommendation from an employer, academic, etc.: 3 letters

Undergraduate transcripts (translated into English): Required

Graduate admissions test result (GMAT, GRE, LSAT): May be required by specific programmes

Proof of proficiency in English (e.g. TOEFL/IELTS): Required (international students who are non-native English speakers need to submit English proficiency test scores) Minimum test scores needed: TOEFL - 90, IELTS - 6.5

Please note that all graduate programmes accept the TOEFL exam, unlike the IELTS exam. You need to check with your programme department for their requirements.

Proof of financial support: Required

Resume/CV: May be required by specific programmes

Tuition, fees, health insurance: Approximately $62,982

Living expenses, including housing and food, books and supplies, clothing, incidentals, and recreation: About $25,506

The annual visa processing fee for graduate programmes in Arts and Sciences is $45

Please consult the school’s necessary admissions and financial aid websites for detailed information and any updates to this information.

Job placements

From tailored career counselling and resume-building workshops to interview preparation and networking events, students receive personalised guidance to excel in their desired fields. Job and internship search platforms such as Handshake are at the students’ disposal to find suitable opportunities.

Noteworthy among these resources are the school’s signature career fairs, wherein students can connect with reputable employers and explore diverse career opportunities aligned with their academic pursuits:

Fall Career Fair Spring Internship and Job Fair

Highlights: The average starting salary for graduates ranges between $60,000 and $80,000 400+ employers show up at the university’s career fairs 5,300+ jobs and internships available at the Handshake platform Top employers: Abbott, Accenture, AlphaSights, Amazon, Anheuser-Busch, AT&T, Bain & Company, Inc., Bloomberg LP, Boeing