International Applicants
Vanderbilt’s Engineering Online programs will begin accepting international students from select countries beginning in the Fall 2024 semester.
There is no application fee for the M.S. in computer science or M.Eng. in engineering management program.
The GRE or any other standardized admission test is not a part of the admissions process. However, for international applicants who did not graduate from an institution in a country where English is the official language, proficiency in English must be demonstrated through testing.
Admissions qualifications vary by program.
All information on this page is applicable to international applicants only. Domestic prospective students should refer to the admissions page for information that is applicable to the United States.
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M.S. in Computer Science:
To qualify for admission to the online master’s in computer science program, you must hold a bachelor’s degree in computing, or a computing-related field in engineering or natural science, or hold a bachelor’s degree in another subject but have significant experience in computer science and programming.
Students are expected to have strong programming experience. Experience in at least one of the following computing languages is suggested: Java, JavaScript, Python, C++, Objective C, Swift, C#, Kotlin, Clojure, Ruby, Haskell or Scala.
If interested, prospective students can gauge their programming readiness and aptitude by completing a self-assessment exercise.
Contact our admissions team at onlinecs@vanderbilt.edu if you have further questions about admissions requirements.
M.Eng. in Engineering Management:To qualify for admission to the online master’s in engineering management program, you must hold an undergraduate degree in a STEM field, and it is preferred that you have at least two years of professional experience in a relevant position, including undergraduate internships or leadership positions.
To learn more about the engineering management program and admissions requirements, contact our admissions team at onlineengm@vanderbilt.edu. -
All required application items must be provided in English.
Required Items:
- Online application
- Resume
- Transcripts
During the application process, the transcripts you submit may be unofficial, but must have an English translation. Once an offer of admission is made and accepted, international students with degrees from non-U.S. institutions are required to have their transcripts evaluated by an approved credentials evaluation agency and to have an official report sent by the agency to the Vanderbilt University Registrar's Office before enrollment. English translations are required. Please visit the University Registrar website for more information, including a list of approved evaluating agencies. International students with questions about the prior degree verification process may contact prior-degree-review@vanderbilt.edu. - Statement of Purpose
Applicants are required to write a statement of purpose in response to the following prompt: In a brief statement, outline your reasons for undertaking graduate study, your future plans and any additional information that may aid the admissions committee in evaluating your relevant experiences and aptitude for graduate study at Vanderbilt University. Learn how to craft a compelling Statement of Purpose. - Three Letters of Recommendation
Secure three letters of recommendation from individuals who can speak to your abilities to meet the demands of a rigorous online master’s program. Consider reaching out to professors, employers or mentors who can provide a well-rounded perspective on your capabilities and relevant experiences. These letters of recommendation should be provided in English. - English Proficiency Testing
For international students who did not graduate from an institution in a country where English is the official language, proficiency in English must be shown by a minimum score of 89 on the TOEFL or 7.0 on the IELTS test. For the admission cycles for which we are accepting the Duolingo test, the minimum acceptable score for this is 110. All programs will accept both the ‘iBT TOEFL home-edition’ as well as the ‘Duolingo’ test to fulfill the requirement to submit proficiency in English for international applications (as substitute for the regular TOEFL or IELTS).
Optional Items:
The admissions committee reserves the right to request supplementary materials at their discretion.
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As an international online student at Vanderbilt, you will benefit from a tailored set of student services crafted by our on-campus collaborators that are redesigned to suit your unique requirements. We will equip you with the resources necessary to foster a sense of belonging, achieve academic success, flourish personally and advance professionally.
- Online Student Services Fees – These are not waivable.
- View rates for the online M.S. in computer science.
- View rates for the online M.Eng. in engineering management.
- Online Student Health Fees – These are not waivable.
- View rates for the online M.S. in computer science.
- View rates for the online M.Eng. in engineering management.
- Student Health Insurance Fees – International learners who reside outside of the United States for the duration of the program are automatically waived from these fees.
- Online Student Services Fees – These are not waivable.
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International students are valued members of the Vanderbilt University School of Engineering who are plugged into our tight-knit community… Regardless of their physical location!
Flexible Scheduling
Vanderbilt’s Engineering Online programs offer a combination of synchronous and asynchronous learning, allowing international students the flexibility to study at their convenience. It is important to note that virtual synchronous sessions are scheduled based on U.S. time zones, and that attendance is required.
Meaningful Engagement
In each course, you will have opportunities to work on real-world projects and problems alongside your instructor and peers who are located around the world. Our interactive online classroom is equipped with a range of tools to enhance collaboration and knowledge exchange, such as small-group break-out rooms, video and document sharing, live chat, surveys and polls.
In-Person Opportunities
The in-person convening is an integral enrichment experience that we offer, and we strongly recommend that all students, including international students, participate.
While not mandatory, international students have the option to participate in other in-person opportunities on Vanderbilt's campus, such as the commencement ceremony. Upon completing the program, international students have the opportunity to walk alongside on-campus students during a May commencement ceremony to receive the same Vanderbilt University diploma.
Situated in the heart of Nashville, Tennessee, Vanderbilt University is a popular tourist destination known for its scenic beauty. All associated travel fees are the responsibility of the student (such as airfare, lodging, parking, Visa fees, travel insurance, etc.) and are not included in the cost of tuition.
International students will receive additional information about the process of coming to campus once they accept their offer of admission to one of Vanderbilt’s Engineering Online programs.
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International learners will be billed according to the Vanderbilt Office of Student Accounts. The Office of Student Accounts will send an e-bill to students the first of each month. Tuition is due at the end of that month. Once enrolled in courses, students can access these e-bills via the YES (Your Enrollment Services) billing portal.
Vanderbilt University has partnered with Convera and Flywire to offer students and families a more streamlined way to make international payments through foreign wire transfers. Using this payment method can save international students money that would otherwise be lost on bank fees and unfavorable exchange rates. This partnership allows you to pay in your home currency (in most cases) while providing more favorable rates than transfers from traditional banks. In addition, the payment will be posted into your Vanderbilt Student Account much quicker, and you will have the ability to track your payment while it is in process.
Students who will have their tuition paid by a third party, such as a company of employment or foreign government, should visit the Office of Student Accounts’ Third Party Billing webpage to learn more.
All students, including international students, will be billed a one-time transcript fee of $100 in their first semester. Additionally, all students, including international students, will be billed an $800 program fee.