International Students

International Students

The Graduate School of Arts & Sciences has a wide-ranging international student population that ensures a richly diverse and stimulating environment. We welcome applications from all over the world.

We strongly encourage international students to apply only for fall (not spring) admission to allow sufficient time for processing your application. If you are not a citizen of the United States or do not hold official United States Permanent Residency status, you will need to provide the following additional information with your application:

  • A completed, signed International Student Data Form or International A Coversheet (available with the online application). Please note that this form cannot be e-mailed or faxed.
  • Financial support documentation (Sponsorship Certification Form and Estimate of Expenses)
  • Copies of all current visas, if applicable.
  • Copy of the personal information page of your current passport.
  • Certified English translations of all transcripts and academic records.
  • Official results of the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) sent to institution code 3087.



International Students
& Scholars Office
19 Deerfield Street
Boston, MA 02215
Phone: 617-353-3565
E-mail: isso@bu.edu


Estimate of Tuition
and Living Expenses
The University’s International Students & Scholars Office provides an Estimate of Tuition and Living Expenses to give you a general idea of potential costs.



Your nearest U.S. embassy, consulate, or information center can provide information on visa requirements and visa applications.

Financial Support

You must provide evidence of financial resources adequate to cover travel to and from Boston and for tuition and living costs for at least one full year at Boston University. A limited number of appointments to teaching fellowships and assistantships are available for qualified international students with superior fluency in English. Immigration regulations prohibit most international students from accepting any employment except University appointments during the first year of study in the United States.

TOEFL Information

It is important that you schedule your TOEFL test well in advance of the application deadline. ETS should forward the official score report to the Admissions Office (institution code 3087) so that it arrives before the application deadline date.

The TOEFL Bulletin of Information and registration form can be obtained from:

  • TOEFL/TSE Services website
  • American embassies and consulates
  • offices of the United States Information Service (USIS)
  • U.S. education commissions and foundations abroad
  • binational centers
  • certain private organizations

If you can’t obtain the documents locally, request them well in advance from TOEFL/TSE Services, P.O. Box 6151, Princeton, NJ 08541-6151, U.S.A.; 609-771-7975.

Unless otherwise indicated by the department/program to which you are applying, the minimum score requirement is:

  • paper-based test: 550
  • internet-based test: Reading section – 21; Listening section – 18; Speaking section – 23; Writing section – 22

Applicants who do not meet the minimum requirements of English proficiency are not eligible for admission.

The TOEFL requirement is waived only if you have received, or expect to receive, an undergraduate or graduate degree from a college or university in any of the following countries prior to enrollment in the GRS: the United States of America, Canada, the United Kingdom, Australia, New Zealand, or Ireland.

In addition to the TOEFL, the IELTS is also accepted as proof of English proficiency. The band score of 6.5 is suggested for admission to the Graduate School of Arts & Sciences; however, those seeking teaching fellowships should submit results of at least 7.0.