Overview

Bellevue College is an innovative and highly accessible public college located in Bellevue, Washington, just 10 miles from downtown Seattle. It is the largest of the 34 educational institutions that constitute the Washington Community and Technical Colleges system.

　　Bellevue College helps international students to realize their full potential through an inclusive and forward-thinking approach to learning. The college supports international students from a diverse range of backgrounds to achieve a first-class education and further both their academic and long-term career goals. Courses are offered at several different levels of study, with a variety of certificates, associate degrees, and fully accredited bachelor's degrees available across a wide-range of subject areas.

　　International students choose Bellevue College because of its excellent location, high transfer rate to top universities, small class sizes and high return on investment. The college prioritizes student safety and offers housing options to international students on campus.

　　The most popular course type offered at Bellevue College is the transfer associate degree, which prepares students for a wide-range of majors at bachelor's degree level at top US universities. Bellevue College's dedicated university transfer center provides international students with access to a range of resources, tools, and services via which they can plan potential majors and university transfers.

　　The college itself is accredited as a baccalaureate degree-granting institution by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU), a regional accrediting body recognized by the U.S. Department of Education (DOE).

　　Bellevue College has won an impressive string of awards as recently as 2022, including joint No. 1 for return on investment among public colleges in Washington (College Factual), and No. 1 for best community college in Washington (Academic Influence).

　　

What's new

Bellevue College is one of 34 colleges and universities to be chosen by the U.S. Department of State to receive significant funding grants to enhance international student mobility. This is exciting news for students at the college, who will encounter more opportunities to undertake part of their studies in a different city and country. Travelling internationally is a fantastic way for student to gain global perspectives and broaden their horizons both personally and academically.

　　The recent ‘Increase and Diversify Education Abroad for U.S. Students' (IDEAS) program includes a funding package worth nearly USD 1.2 million, to develop new international partnerships and provide educational experiences for U.S. students that are aligned with U.S. foreign policy goals.

　　Bellevue College will send three of its faculty members to Normandy, France, to develop a study abroad short-course which incorporates VR and AR components to enhance the possibilities of how to engage with course material.

　　

Teaching quality

Bellevue College has an excellent curriculum, which is continually being updated to be informed by the best and most relevant industry practices. This evolution ensures that students are well prepared for their futures, whether they further their education at Bellevue, transfer to a top university or enter the professional workforce.

　　One of the factors behind Bellevue College's success is the quality and commitment of its teaching staff. The college teaching faculty are highly trained and widely experienced. Over 90 per cent of the full-time staff hold a master's degree qualification or higher. Educational staff support and encourage international students throughout their academic experience with advice, guidance, and specialist knowledge, delivered through a range of teaching methods.

　　The average class size at Bellevue College is less than 21 students. This means that each student experiences a personalized approach to tuition. Bellevue College's close-knit community ensures that international students find a welcoming and inclusive environment in which to thrive, both academically and socially.

　　

Department structure

Bellevue College offers an impressive range of degrees, transfer programs, and professional certificates. There are courses offered at many different levels of study which span a wide-range of subject areas. Programs of note to international students include a specialist International High School Completion Program and transfer associate degrees. International students can also undertake a range of bachelor's degrees and certificate programs at Bellevue College

　　Course selection is organized into a variety of pathway programs. Each pathway focuses on the career goals of the individual student and guides them into an educational route which is appropriate for their future aspirations. Pathways include business, health sciences, humanities & communication, social science, public service & community engagement, STEM, technology and data, transitional studies, and visual & performing arts.

　　The college's team of dedicated admissions advisors are contactable all year round and can help prospective students decide which course and approach is most suited to their individual needs.

　　

Entry requirements

International students applying to Bellevue College are required to submit an online international student application form. A non-refundable USD 50 application fee must be paid online and the postage costs for all acceptance packages shipped to international addresses must be covered by the students.

　　International students are also required to provide Bellevue College with a copy of their passport photo page. Furthermore, a bank statement dated from no earlier than six months before an application to Bellevue College is required to show a minimum balance of USD 26,591 in the account of prospective students.

　　While intensive English programs do not require any evidence of English proficiency, bridge pathway programs, associate bachelor's level programs, international high school completion and international business professions programs all require valid proof of English proficiency. A full list of acceptable evidence of English proficiency is available through Bellevue College's application portal.

　　Transcripts in English from international students' current and/or previous schools is also required for entry to Bellevue College.

　　There are additional requirements for transferring students and underage students. Full details of these requirements and a list of transfer partners can be found on Bellevue College's international admissions page.

　　Additional entry requirements may vary on a course-to-course basis. Applicants are encouraged to visit the course-specific pages on the university's website for full details.

　　Prospective students can find full information about any key dates and deadlines on the Bellevue College Academic Calendar, which covers everything from application and admission to enrolment and beyond.

　　

Facilities

The Bellevue College campus is situated within a 100 acres site, beautifully wooded and landscaped. The campus' modern buildings are all fitted with state-of-the-art teaching facilities.

　　Bellevue's campus is a self-contained learning and living environment. It provides everything students need for academic and future career success. All facilities are located within easy walking distance of the college's own accommodation buildings, which are all conveniently located on site. The campus offers plenty of vehicle parking, electric charging stations, and bike-friendly amenities for ease of access.

　　The Bellevue College Library Media Center is a fantastic modern facility, offering a mix of individual and group study spaces, 24/7 IT and technical support, laptop loans, quiet study zones and hundreds of thousands of books, journals, eBooks, magazines, DVD's, and electronic resources which can be used freely for research and evaluation.

　　The college has superb sports facilities and offers a range of successful athletics programs which are all accessible to international students. Sports programs on offer to students include baseball, athletics, soccer, and softball.

　　

Scholarships & funding

One of Bellevue College's major strengths is its focus on accessible education for students from all backgrounds. The college has a 100 per cent acceptance rate for those who meet eligibility criteria. Bellevue College works hard to ensure that its students have access to any support and resources available to give its students the best chance of future career success.

　　One of the key financial aid packages offered is the Bellevue College Foundation Scholarship. It is available to both domestic and international students, and is funded by individual donors, partner organizations, Bellevue College departments, and local businesses.

　　The Foundation Scholarship can be customized by the student at the point of application, and will generally range in value from USD 1,000 to USD 3,000 per academic year. Applications are made online, and students may reapply for each year in which they are enrolled at the college.