INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS
STEM-Designated
The Villanova MSF program is STEM-designated, meeting governmental criteria as an approved field of study in science, technology, engineering or mathematics. International students who complete the MSF and are working in their direct field of study are eligible to apply for a potential STEM OPT visa extension to gain up to an additional 24 months of work experience. Visit the Department of Homeland Security website for additional details.
In addition to our standard application requirements, international applicants are required to submit additional documentation.
International students should apply by the Round 2 January 15 deadline.
Please note the following differences and additions:
Official Transcripts of Academic Credentials
For international students who studied in the United States: One official transcript from each postsecondary educational institution for which nine credit hours or more of course work were taken, including undergraduate and graduate courses (if applicable). All transcripts (academic records) must be official documents sent directly from the college or university.
For international students who studied outside the United States: Students must submit a course-by-course credential evaluation from a translation service such as WES or ECE, which includes a degree equivalency and a GPA. You will need to contact the credential service for information on how to obtain your evaluation. You do not need to submit additional copies of your transcript to Villanova; they will be included in your credential evaluation.
We do not waive this requirement, nor do we accept evaluations from other services. The credential evaluation must be received before a student’s application can be reviewed. If you have a question about whether you need to submit a credential evaluation, please contact gradbusinessinfo@villanova.edu.
Equivalency of U.S. Bachelor's Degree
Applicants who studied at colleges and universities outside the U.S. should have a degree or diploma that is the equivalent of the U.S. bachelor's degree or higher. International credentials are assessed in terms of the educational pattern of the country, the type of institution attended and the level of study completed before the expected date of enrollment in VSB. In general, the degree should represent a minimum of four years of college-level study following at least 12 years of schooling at the elementary and secondary level.
Proof of English Proficiency
Applicants whose native language is not English and who graduated from a non-U.S. institution in a country where English is not the official language, are required to provide a score for the TOEFL or IELTS Academic. Scores must be sent directly to the Graduate Business Programs. The Villanova School of Business TOEFL code is 2959 and the minimum score on the 1-6 scale is a 4.5 or the minimum score on the 120 scale is a 90. IELTS scores can be sent directly to Villanova University - Villanova School of Business and the minimum score is 7. More instructions for sending scores can be found in the application.
Applicants who have graduated from an accredited United States institution are not required to submit a TOEFL or IELTS Academic score.
Financial Support Documents
After you are admitted to the Villanova MSF, we will contact you regarding proof of funding. Typically, we expect students to provide proof of funding within one month of their acceptance. Students who are accepted in the third round of admission may need to provide proof of funding immediately after admission.
The U.S. Department of State requires that international students admitted to an academic program in the United States have a student visa to enter the country and remain here for the duration of the program. Most students attend the program on an F-1 visa. To be issued an F-1 visa you must first obtain an I-20 document from Villanova University. To receive an I-20, you are required to submit proof of sufficient funding.
You may show funding from different sources as long as the total funding available meets the University’s guidelines for minimum funding for one full academic year of study, plus $15,000 toward living costs:
MSF Tuition: $57,000
Living Expenses: $15,000
Mandatory Health Insurance: $2,360
Total: $74,360
The university also assesses a $157 general fee each semester.
Acceptable proof of funding for privately sponsored applicants is a certified current bank statement on official bank letterhead, signed by an authorized bank official, indicating that sufficient funds exist in U.S. dollars. An explanation of the relationship of the account holder to the applicant (i.e. self, spouse, parents, other relatives) should accompany the funding documents.
All sponsorship letters and bank statements must be written in English and must be dated within the 3 months of issuing the I-20 document. Documents older than 3 months will need to be reissued. If you requested and were granted a deferral of admission, you must resubmit your documents dated no earlier than 3 months prior to the enrollment confirmation date indicated in your deferral letter.
The MSF Class Profile can be viewed here.
An International Student’s Experience at Villanova School of Business
Master of Science in Finance (MSF)
Manav Kewlani, MSF ’26
Ahmedabad, India
As an international student, one of the first thoughts you have is how you’ll fit in. At VSB, that question goes away very quickly. The VSB community is welcoming, inclusive, and genuinely supportive. Whether it’s classmates, faculty, or alumni, these members of VSB are invested in your growth.
Coming to the U.S. for the first time, I found people to be kind, approachable, and collaborative. Over time, Villanova has started to feel like home, which speaks volumes about the environment here.
Villanova is beautiful and safe, which makes it great for focusing on academics. Nearby areas, such as Bryn Mawr, Ardmore, and King of Prussia, are convenient and easy to navigate.
At the same time, Philadelphia is close by, offering a great mix of professional opportunities, culture, and city life. It’s a strong balance overall.
The support system and alumni network at VSB are among its biggest strengths. The International Student Office is extremely helpful with visas, documentation, and adjusting to life in the U.S.
Within the Villanova School of Business, Shea McCormick, Betty Wilson, and the broader team are very supportive and regularly organize events and happy hours that keep students engaged and connected.
The Career Center and Office of Professional Development, especially Lauren Knoll and Rita DiCarlo, provided consistent guidance from day one on resumes, networking, and career preparation.
The Taleghani Family Graduate Student Lounge in Vasey Hall and other student spaces help build a strong sense of community, and faculty and peers are approachable and supportive throughout the experience.
- Take initiative and communicate. Ask questions early and often; faculty, staff, and alumni at VSB are always willing to help.
- Stay organized with your documentation from the beginning and be mindful of work and visa guidelines.
- Most importantly, stay open to new experiences. Stepping out of your comfort zone is where you’ll grow the most.
If you are interested in the Villanova School of Business MSF, please feel free to reach out to Shea McCormick.
Yes, the Villanova MSF program is STEM-designated, meeting governmental criteria as an approved field of study in science, technology, engineering or mathematics. International students who complete the MSF and are working in their direct field of study are eligible to apply for a potential STEM OPT visa extension to gain up to an additional 24 months of work experience. Visit the Department of Homeland Security website for additional details.
The minimum TOEFL score for admission is 90.
The minimum IELTS Academic score is 7.
Yes. Students who earn their undergraduate degree in the United States, or have lived in the United States for the past two years, do not need to submit a TOEFL or IELTS Academic score. If you feel you meet these requirements and do not need to submit a test score, please contact the Graduate Business Office to request a waiver.
Yes. International students need to apply by January 15 (Round 2 deadline).
The Villanova MSF cohort typically includes 25-30% international students.
Yes, all international students who attended university outside of the US must submit a course-by-course credential evaluation from WES or ECE. We do not waive this requirement, and it must be submitted at the time of application. We do not review incomplete applications, and therefore cannot review an application without the credential evaluation.
International students are not eligible for federal financial assistance. International citizens may seek private educational loans, provided a US citizen or permanent resident is willing co-sign the loan.
International students can apply for merit scholarships after they have been admitted. Merit scholarship requests are reviewed throughout the admissions cycle. Typically merit scholarships are one-time awards.
The MSF Fellowship is available to international students. This competitive graduate assistantship program allows students to pursue their MSF degree with reduced tuition charges while gaining experience in academic research. More information on the Fellowship is available here.
After you are admitted to the Villanova MSF, we will contact you regarding proof of funding. Typically, we expect students to provide proof of funding within one month of their acceptance. Students who are accepted in the third round of admission may need to provide proof of funding immediately after admission.
We do not require proof of funding at the time of application. Please do not send financial documents with your application documents.
Once we have received your proof of funding, we will immediately begin working with the International Student Office to begin the process of securing your visa. The International Student Office will generate an I-20, which typically takes two-three weeks after proof of funding has been provided. In order to obtain a student visa, present the I-20 Form to a United States embassy or consulate. If you are currently attending an American college or university on an F-1 visa, we will provide you with the appropriate form to complete a visa transfer to Villanova University.
Villanova University does not provide any on-campus housing for graduate students. The MSF student services staff provides students with a list of local apartment complexes. Some international students choose to live close to campus in surrounding neighborhoods, such as Rosemont and Ardmore, while others prefer to live in Philadelphia and commute to campus.
Our students recommend having a car, but it is not necessary to enjoy life in and around the Main Line. Public transportation, including SEPTA Regional Rail, is easily accessible from campus, and there are several apartment complexes within walking distance of the University. While having a car is convenient, students can easily take advantage of Villanova and the surrounding area without one.
Yes, international students participate in the same professional development program as domestic students. We strive to help all of our MSF students secure full-time employment in the finance industry. Our staff works closely with international students to help them address the unique challenges of their job search, and all MSF students will be matched with a professional mentor.
Shea McCormick
Assistant Director, Admissions
VIRTUAL INFO
SESSIONS
Join us for a live information session to learn more about the MSF program. Admissions representatives will discuss program format, curriculum, application process and more.