Apply to UW Bioengineering’s thesis-based Master of Science in Bioengineering

Admission to UW Bioengineering’s Master of Science program is competitive. While we are impressed with the quality of applicants each year and genuinely appreciate each candidate’s interest and application, we regret that only a small number of students will be offered admission each year.

GRE Now Optional

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Have questions about applying?

Review the M.S. Admissions Frequently Asked Questions

DEADLINES

Application opens October 1st 2024
THE DEADLINE FOR AUTUMN 2025 IS DECEMBER 2nd, 2024 11:59PM PST

Applicants are responsible for ensuring their application is complete and received by the deadline in order to be considered for admission. Late applications will not be reviewed, no exceptions.

Before applying

Application information

The review of completed Master of Science applications starts in December and continues through mid-February. Admission offers will be sent by the end of February.

If you are waiting to hear about the status of your application, please check the email account you submitted with your online application and also log back into your application profile.

You are a domestic applicant if you are a U.S. citizen or hold immigrant status (permanent residency/have a green card).

You are an international applicant if you have/will have a non-immigrant visa status, including F-1, J-1 Exchange Visitors, H-1, dependent visas. 

International students must have a U.S. visa status that allows academic study at the University of Washington.

International applicants are strongly encouraged to review the UW Graduate School FAQ for International Students.

Domestic and international applicants must complete the Graduate School Application and pay a $90 application fee.  Applicants may incur additional costs associated with exams, such as the TOEFL, IELTS, GRE, etc.

See “Application checklist” below to learn more about the different components of the application.

Late or incomplete applications will not be reviewed, no exceptions.

GRE Scores – Optional

If choosing to submit, GRE scores must be directly reported from ETS to UW (use institutional code 4854; department code 1603). GRE scores must be valid and five (5) years old or less on the date the application is submitted.

Applicants may submit self-reported GRE scores up until the day of the deadline. Official GRE scores should be submitted and properly uploaded into a candidate’s application by January 1 if they would like to be considered.

Unofficial transcripts

Unofficial transcripts from all institutions attended must be uploaded into the Graduate School online application. Paper transcripts will not be accepted. Applicants should not submit official transcripts unless explicitly requested.

Three letters of recommendation

Each applicant must designate three (3) people who will write letters of recommendation. Each writer will immediately receive an e-mail directing him/her to a secure website to submit the letter of recommendation online and complete an evaluation form of the applicant.

Typically, mentors who have seen you in a lab environment, as a researcher, and can speak to your research experience, content and progress will provide your strongest recommendations. We ask recommenders to talk about your research experience, strengths, and your ability to overcome obstacles.

The official Master of Science application deadline is December 2, 2024. All letters must be received by the deadline in order for an application to be considered complete. Applicants should track the status of the letters of recommendation by logging back into the online application.

Statement of purpose

Please answer each of the following questions in your statement of purpose, broken out separately or addressed in a single essay. Submit as a single document.

1) What research area would you like to pursue for your graduate studies, and why?  What have you done in the past, and how has your past experience shaped these interests and passions?

2) The graduate student experience and life in general can involve a range of challenges. Describe an example of how you have shown resilience and/or perseverance in the pursuit of your academic goals or in your personal life and how you have grown as a result.

3) Why do you seek a graduate degree in Bioengineering at the University of Washington? What do you hope to gain from your graduate studies that will be useful for your long-term career goals?

4) If you have a background that might particularly contribute to the enrichment of the program, please describe it. Examples include unique educational or cultural opportunities, social and economic obstacles that you may have had to overcome, and interesting or unusual influences on your intellectual development.

5) [OPTIONAL] Provide any additional information you would like in support of your application.

List of faculty of interest

Applicants must provide a ranked faculty list, of 3 (minimum) to 5 (maximum) faculty whose research interests them and with whom they would want to complete their graduate work. Only core and adjunct BIOE faculty may be selected as PI/advisor for our graduate students. For a list of faculty and a description of their research, see our faculty directory

List of fellowships, scholarships, and awards

 If you have received a fellowship or grant for your graduate studies, please respond with the name and also attach any associated documentation with additional information about the award.

If you are in the process of applying for grants or fellowship, please respond: I am in the process of applying for X, Y, and Z.

If you did not apply for any grants or fellowships for your graduate studies, please respond: “N/A” or “not applicable”.

Up-to-date resume or curriculum vitae

All international applicants are encouraged to first visit the UW Graduate School to understand the overall application process.

English Language Proficiency

All applicants are required to meet English Language proficiency standards as determined by the UW Graduate School in Policy 3.2.  Proficiency can be demonstrated in one of the following ways:

  • A bachelor’s, master’s or doctoral degree from a regionally accredited institution located in the United States and where English is the medium of instruction.
  • A bachelor’s, master’s or doctoral degree from an institution in Australia, the Bahamas, Canada, Ireland, Jamaica, Kenya, New Zealand, Singapore, South Africa, Trinidad and Tobago, or the United Kingdom and where English is the medium of instruction. While enrolled at the degree-granting school, the student must be in residence on campus.
  • Official documentation from the applicant’s undergraduate, graduate, or professional degree-granting institution (if the institution is in a country other than those listed in #2 above) verifying that all instruction is in English. A minimum of three years of enrollment at the institution is required. Documentation must be presented to the Graduate School; credential service reports are not acceptable. Acceptable documentation must be one of the following:
    • Official or attested letter from the undergraduate college, university Registrar, or Controller of Examinations office.
    • Official transcripts, attested mark sheets or degree statements, are also accepted if English is stated as the medium of instruction.
  • Official English Language Test Score (sent electronically to the University of Washington via testing center).
These specific English Language Test scores are the only versions accepted for admission to the Graduate School. Other tests or versions do not qualify. TOEFL iBT TOEFL MyBest Duolingo Academic IELTS
Recommended Score
(ELP Satisfied) – effective starting Winter 2025 admissions		 92 or higher 92 or higher 125 or higher 7.0 or higher

Please use institutional code 4854; no department code is required. Official test scores must be received by 11:59PM (PST) on the day of the program deadline.

Applicants should plan to take these tests well in advance of the application deadline to ensure that the official scores are uploaded by the admission deadlines.

To avoid additional and/or unexpected delays, a candidate’s name should appear with ETS and with the Bioengineering application exactly as it appears on the candidate’s passport.

Additional application materials (official transcripts, financial ability, copy of visa, etc)

The Graduate School only requires additional application materials from international applicants when they are recommended for admission. Applicants should not submit additional application materials unless explicitly instructed to do so by the Graduate School.