Congratulations on your acceptance to the Master of Science in Data Science program at the University of Washington! We are excited to welcome you to the MSDS Data Science community. Take this moment to celebrate your accomplishments and all the hard work that got you here.
Welcome to the MSDS program
Please log in to your applicant portal to accept your offer of admission by April 20th.
Learn more about MSDS
We know that you have a lot to consider as you make your decision! We will be here to support you every step of the way. Below you will find resources to prepare you for your journey to the University of Washington.
- Events for Admitted Students
- Student Perspectives
- Enrollment-Related Questions
- International Student Resources
- Housing and Transportation
- Paying for Your Degree
- On-Campus Jobs
- UW Resources for Students
- MSDS Program Space
- Explore the UW Campus
Join us for an event
The best way to learn about the MSDS program is from our students, faculty, and other members of the MSDS Data Science community. Please join us at one of these online sessions for admitted students. These sessions will also be recorded and posted to this site.
- Virtual Session: Career Services Q&A, Recording
- Virtual Session: Faculty Panel, Recording
- Virtual Session: Student Panel 1, Tuesday 3/31, 1:00-2:30pm PDT
- Virtual Session: Student Panel 2, Thursday 4/2, 1:00-2:30pm PDT
- Virtual Session: Career Services Q&A, Tuesday 4/7, 1:00-2:30pm PDT
- Virtual Sessions: Last Chance Q&A, Friday 4/17, 3:00-4:30pm PDT
We will also be hosting an In-Person Open House in our lovely MSDS Program Space on April 9th from 6:00pm to 9:00pm. Come meet current students, alumni, industry partners, and other members of the MSDS data science community!
You will receive e-mail invitations to these events, sent to the e-mail address associated with your application, within a few days after your offer of admission. Zoom links and other information will be sent after you register for an event.
Please check for these invitations in your spam/junk folders. If you still cannot find the invitations, please e-mail uwmsds@uw.edu.
Current Student Perspectives
MSDS students come from a wide variety of backgrounds. Find out what some of our students like best about the MSDS program.
Enrollment-Related Questions
When is the deadline to accept my offer of admission?
The deadline to accept your offer of admissions is April 20, 2026.
I accepted my offer of admission. What happens next?
Can I defer my admission?
You may not defer your admission to another entry term. The offer of admission is valid only for the Fall for which you were admitted. If you do not wish to attend the UW at this time but wish to enroll for a future year, you will need to reapply.
Can I take classes online?
All MSDS core classes meet in person, to support the cohort experience.
When do I need to be in Seattle?
Classes start on September 30, 2026. MSDS Orientation will be held the previous week. International students may need to arrive earlier to meet Visa requirements.
When is my tuition payment due?
Tuition charges are always due on the 3rd Friday of the quarter
International Student Resources
Getting your I-20
Log into your Application and go to your Next Steps page > Request Visa Documents section for further instructions.
For more information you can also go here.
SEVIS Transfer: If you have an I-20 from a different U.S. high school, college, university, or English language school, you may be able to move that I-20 from your old school to UW.
International Student Services
International Student Services (ISS) supports UW students with F-1 or J-1 visas by
- providing guidance on maintaining F-1 or J-1 immigration status while attending the UW
- processing F-1 and J-1 immigration benefits
- navigating university policy and understanding F-1 and J-1 visa restrictions
- ensuring university and student compliance with immigration policies
- providing educational tools, including workshops and tutorials
Housing and Transportation Resources
Many UW graduate students live in northeast Seattle. Seattle is known as a “city of neighborhoods”, where each neighborhood has slightly different housing, transportation, and food options. The neighborhood surrounding UW is known as the U-District, with the Ravenna, Roosevelt, Wallingford, Wedgewood, and Maple Leaf neighborhoods nearby.
Housing options in Seattle may be very different than where you currently live. The Foundation for International Understanding Through Students (FIUTS) has developed a list of factors to consider when deciding to live off-campus or on-campus: Where Should I Live?
On-Campus Housing
UW Graduate Student Housing offers apartments in 5 locations near campus.
Off-Campus Housing
There many tools available to find rental housing in Seattle. Past students have used
UW Transportation Services
UW Transportation Services helps students plan the best way to get to campus, whether they bicycle, carpool, walk, or take public transit.
Funding Information
Types of Degree Funding
The UW Graduate school provides an overview of different ways to fund your degree. They also offer videos about funding your degree, some of which feature 2020 MSDS graduate Alex Van Roijen.
Graduate Funding Information Service
The Graduate Funding Information Service provides tools to help students search for funding. Use their funding sources guide to research funding sources, or check their listings of graduate assistantships and other opportunities for graduate students.
UW Financial Aid Office
The University of Washington Financial Aid office also has information about funding sources. Most financial aid offered through this office is based on federal programs and completion of the FAFSA, and is therefore limited to U.S. citizens and permanent residents.
On-Campus Jobs
MSDS Partner Departments
Some MSDS partner departments post information about their TA, grader, and other academic student positions.
Student Jobs
Handshake is the student jobs portal for on-campus and off-campus jobs. This is service is hosted by the UW Career and Internship Center
Other UW Jobs
Open positions across UW are posted on UWHires.
UW Resources for Students
Disability Resources
Disability Resource Center
Disability Resources for Students (DRS) recognizes disability as an aspect of diversity that is integral to society and to our campus community. DRS staff work with admitted University of Washington (UW) students to ensure equal access to UW academic programs and services. It’s important to be aware of the process to request accommodations and/or auxiliary aids due to a disability or temporary health condition. Visit this site to begin the accommodation request process.
D Center
The D Center is UW’s Disability and d/Dead Cultural center, located in the Husky Union Building – Room 327. The D Center is a space and community where students can celebrate disability and D/deaf pride and foster community at the UW and beyond!
Ethnic and Cultural Equity Resources
GSEE: Graduate Student Equity & Excellence
The Office of Graduate Student Equity & Excellence (GSEE) is committed to enhancing equity and social progression to promote the success of all graduate students. GSEE aims to cultivate a culturally and ethnically diverse academic and social environment in which all graduate students can learn and thrive while attending the University of Washington.
Samuel E. Kelly Ethnic and Cultural Center
The Samuel E. Kelly Ethnic Cultural Center of the University of Washington is part of the Office of Minority Affairs & Diversity. The Kelly ECC has a wealth of resources and opportunities available to students including student advising, organizational development, personal growth, and referrals to different departments and programs.
LGBTQIA+ Resources
The Q Center fosters a brave, affirming, liberatory, and inclusive community for students and staff where everyone’s gender and sexual identities are celebrated.
Veteran Resources
Veterans Education Benefits Office
The Veterans Education Benefits Office can help you navigate your funding options, from VA education benefits and state waivers, to financial aid and scholarships.
Office of Student Veteran Life
Student Veteran Life is a unit founded by student veterans, for student veterans. As such, in order to build on the strength of organic and authentic community building and effectively bridge the civilian-military divide on campus, Student Veteran Life is led by a team of experienced and diverse veterans.
MSDS Program Space
The MSDS program occupies a 7,200 square foot space located just 3 blocks from the main campus. This space includes a classroom, collaboration space, and faculty and staff offices. Industry panels and other events for MSDS students are held in our space.
Explore the UW Campus
The main UW campus is set back from the surrounding urban neighborhood. If you cannot visit Seattle, these resources will help you experience this campus.
View Cherry Blossoms on the Quad
Discover Indigenous Presence at UW