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Biomedical Informatics and Medical Education > Admission Requirements

Admission Requirements

Biomedical and Health Informatics (BHI) MS and PhD Graduate Programs

Overview

Admission to the Biomedical and Health Informatics (BHI) MS and PhD Graduate Program is highly competitive. Successful applicants demonstrate strong academic performance, distinction in their areas of expertise, and significant potential for excellence in biomedical and health informatics.

We welcome applicants from a wide range of academic backgrounds. There is no specific required undergraduate major. However, all applicants must meet the minimum requirements listed below.

 

Virtual Information Session

Join us for a virtual information session where you can learn more about our Biomedical and Health Informations (BHI) MS/PhD programs and how to apply. We will post a transcript and any presentation materials to our website after the session for those who are unable to attend.

  • Date and Time: Friday, November 6, 2026 from 9:00-10:00 AM (Pacific Standard Time)
  • Zoom Info: Join Zoom meeting
    Meeting ID: 936 1963 0258
    Passcode: 786719

 

Academic Requirements

  • Bachelor’s Degree: A baccalaureate degree from an accredited U.S. institution OR an equivalent degree from a recognized college or university outside the United States.
  • Minimum GPA: A cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher (on a 4.0 scale) for the last 90 graded quarter credits or 60 graded semester credits.
  • Prior college-level coursework (prerequisite courses): Applicants must have completed formal, college-level coursework (verified by transcripts) in all the areas below. Coursework may be taken online, at a community college, or any other accredited higher education institution. If any courses are taking through an online course such as Coursera, course certificates must be official and ID-certified.
    • Advanced Mathematics: Minimum of one course in Calculus and above OR statistics/biostatistics.
    • Computer Programming: Minimum of two courses that cover any programming language (e.g., Java, C, C++, Python, Visual Basic, Visual C++); query languages such as SQL would not count. It does not matter what the specific programming language is, but rather that applicants have been exposed to courses that teach how to program (including symbols, algorithmic thinking, coding).
    • Biology or Zoology: Minimum of one course in biology including those in the clinical or health sciences, biomedicine, or public health. Courses in environmental science would not apply.

If you are missing any prerequisites, you may still apply, but they must be completed prior to enrollment should you be admitted. In the “Complete Prerequisites” portion of the online application, please indicate when, where, and what course you plan to complete to fulfill the requirement. Transcripts or official course certificates must be submitted upon completion.  Work experience will not substitute for coursework.

 

GRE or Other Test Scores

GRE scores (or GMAT, MCAT, or DAT scores) are optional for the Fall 2027 application cycle.

 

English Language Proficiency

TOEFL scores are required for all international applicants unless they have earned a bachelor’s, master’s, or doctoral degree from:

  • A regionally accredited institution located in the United States where English is the medium of instruction.
  • An institution in one of the following countries: Australia, the Bahamas, Canada, Ireland, Jamaica, Kenya, New Zealand, Singapore, South Africa, Trinidad and Tobago, or the United Kingdom where English is the medium of instruction. While enrolled at the degree-granting school, the student must be in residence on campus.

To fulfill the English language proficiency requirements, the BIME Department requires a minimum TOEFL score of 5.0 (or 102 for TOEFL tests taken before January 21, 2026) to be exempt from Academic English Program (AEP) requirements. 

Scores must be from a test taken within the past 2 years.

IELTS and Duolingo scores are not accepted.

Scores should be sent to UW institution code 4854 — there is no department code.

Please note: The BIME Department requires the TOEFL exclusively. This policy is more restrictive than the UW Graduate School’s policy, which accepts other English proficiency tests. The BIME Department also requires a higher minimum score than the UW Graduate School.

For more information, visit the UW Graduate School’s English Language Proficiency Requirements.

 

Apply now!

Biomedical and Health Informatics (BHI) Graduate Non-Matriculated (GNM) Program

Academic Requirements

  • Minimum 3.0 or B grade point average (on a 4 point scale) for the last 90 graded quarter credits or 60 graded semester credits
  • Bachelor’s degree
  • English language proficiency (ELP) is required for graduate study at the University of Washington. Every applicant whose native language is not English must demonstrate English language proficiency as outlined in Graduate School Policy 3.2. Our department accepts only TOEFL score of 5.0 (or 102 for TOEFL tests taken before January 21, 2026) to be exempt from Academic English Program (AEP) requirements We do not accept IELTS or Duolingo scores.

 

The University of Washington reaffirms its policy of equal opportunity regardless of race, color, creed, religion, national origin, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, marital status, disability, or status as a protected veteran. This policy applies to all programs and facilities, including, but not limited to, admissions, educational programs, employment, and patient and hospital services. Any discriminatory action can be a cause for disciplinary action. Discrimination is prohibited by Washington State Gubernatorial Executive Orders 89-01 and 93-07, Titles VI and VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Washington State Law Against Discrimination RCW 49.60, Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, State of Washington Gender Equity in Higher Education Act of 1989, Sections 503 and 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967 as amended, Age Discrimination Act of 1975, Vietnam Era Veterans’ Readjustment Assistance Act of 1972 as amended, other federal and state statutes, regulations, and University policy. Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action compliance efforts at the University of Washington are coordinated by the Office of Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action, University of Washington, 4320 Brooklyn Ave NE, Seattle WA 98195-4969, Box 354960, telephone (206) 543-3392 or email eoaa@uw.edu.

The University of Washington is committed to providing access and reasonable accommodation in its services, programs, activities, education and employment for individuals with disabilities. To request disability accommodation in the application process, contact the Disability Services Office at least ten days in advance at: 206.543.6450/V, 206.685.7264 (FAX), or dso@uw.edu.