Most people picture the Strip when they hear Las Vegas, and UNLV sits only a couple of miles east of it on Maryland Parkway. That location explains the fame of its William F. Harrah College of Hospitality, whose students intern in the resorts, casinos and convention halls nearby. UNLV is also a public research university with around 30,000 students, and it regularly appears among the most ethnically diverse campuses in the US.
Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
Official website: unlv.edu
1957
Public research university (R1)
William F. Harrah College of Hospitality
Around 30,000 students
$26,000 – $30,000
Non-resident students, undergraduate and graduate
$14,000 – $18,000
Rent, food and local transport
Approximate figures for 2026-27, please verify. Fees change every year and vary by course, so check the latest amount on unlv.edu before you apply.
BS Hospitality Management
Bachelors DegreeDuration
48 Months
Intake
Aug, Jan
Exam Score
IELTS: 6.5, TOEFL: 61
MS Hotel Administration
Masters DegreeDuration
24 Months
Intake
Aug, Jan
Exam Score
IELTS: 7.0, TOEFL: 80
MS Computer Science
Masters DegreeDuration
24 Months
Intake
Aug, Jan
Exam Score
IELTS: 7.0, TOEFL: 80
BS Mechanical Engineering
Bachelors DegreeDuration
48 Months
Intake
Aug, Jan
Exam Score
IELTS: 6.5, TOEFL: 61
MBA
Masters DegreeDuration
24 Months
Intake
Aug
Exam Score
IELTS: 7.0, TOEFL: 80
A hospitality school a short drive from the Las Vegas Strip.
Internships in resorts, casinos and conventions.
An R1 research university in a desert city.
Hospitality graduates join resort, gaming, events and hotel companies worldwide.
Engineering and computing graduates find work in Nevada's tech, construction and defence sectors.
STEM graduates can apply for up to three years of OPT.
Undergrad
Rolling
Postgrad
Rolling
Undergrad
Rolling
Postgrad
Rolling
Away from the Strip, Las Vegas is a spread-out desert city of suburbs and mountain views. Red Rock Canyon is about half an hour west, with hiking and climbing most of the year.
Summers are extremely hot, often above 40C, and winters are mild. Rent is lower than in California, Nevada has no state income tax, and you'll want a car.
Form I-20 issued by the institution
Proof of funds for one academic year
SEVIS I-901 fee payment receipt
Completed DS-160 online application
US embassy or consulate interview
Passport valid six months beyond stay
UNLV reviews undergraduate applications on a rolling basis, with international students advised to apply by about May for fall. Graduate programmes set their own deadlines, often between February and April.
Most programmes start in fall (August) or spring (January).
It's the F-1 student visa. Get your I-20 from University of Nevada Las Vegas first (they need your deposit and bank documents), then pay the SEVIS fee, complete the DS-160 and attend the visa interview. Book the interview early in peak season.
Hospitality management, hotel administration, computer science, engineering and the MBA are popular. Undergraduates need school grades and IELTS 6.5; graduate programmes need a relevant bachelor's degree and usually IELTS 7.0.
UNLV offers some scholarships to international undergraduates, and graduate students can apply for assistantships in their department. The hospitality college also has its own awards.
