English Proficiency Requirements
Boston University College of Fine Arts (CFA) welcomes applications from students from around the world. CFA accepts TOEFL iBT, TOEFL Essentials, IELTS and Duolingo for graduate students. Minimum scores depend upon the program you are applying to. Please choose the appropriate school and program from the dropdowns below to view specific English proficiency requirements.
International applicants may be asked for a WES.org transcript evaluation.
The BU College of Fine Arts TOEFL code is 3087. Scores are due by the application deadline.
School of Music
Graduate applicants whose native language is not English must demonstrate sufficient English language skills to succeed in our programs.
The School of Music does not offer exemptions to the English proficiency requirement based on prior study at an English-speaking institution.
Be sure to take the tests early enough so that scores reach Boston University by your program deadline. A photocopy or scan of your score may be uploaded to your application for purposes of review, but an official score from the testing agency is required for admission.
Exams must have been taken within two years of the Boston University application deadline.
Master of Arts (MA), Master of Music (MM), & Certificate of Advanced Graduate Study (CAGS)
If your first language or the primary language spoken in your home is not English, you must demonstrate English proficiency in one of four ways:
- By submitting a TOEFL iBT result with a total score of 84 or higher. The TOEFL code for Boston University is 3087.
- By submitting a TOEFL Essentials result with an overall band score of 8.5 or higher. The TOEFL code for Boston University is 3087.
- By submitting an IELTS score of 6.5 or higher.
- Select E-Delivery account Boston University Graduate Programs as a score recipient, and notify us at arts@bu.edu with your Test Report Form number (TRF#).
- By submitting a Duolingo score of 105 or higher.
- Select Boston University Graduate & Professional Programs as a score recipient, and notify us at arts@bu.edu.
TOEFL & IELTS scores must be submitted through your application electronically.
If you have any questions please email us:
On-campus programs at cfamusic@bu.edu
Online programs at cfaapply@bu.edu
Doctor of Musical Arts (DMA)
If your first language or the primary language spoken in your home is not English, you must demonstrate English proficiency in one of four ways:
- By submitting a TOEFL iBT result with a total score of 100 or higher. The TOEFL code for Boston University is 3087.
- By submitting a TOEFL Essentials result with an overall band score of 10.5 or higher. The TOEFL code for Boston University is 3087.
- By submitting an IELTS score of 7.0 or higher.
- Select E-Delivery account Boston University Graduate Programs as a score recipient, and notify us at arts@bu.edu with your Test Report Form number (TRF#).
- By submitting a Duolingo score of 120 or higher.
- Select Boston University Graduate & Professional Programs as a score recipient, and notify us at arts@bu.edu.
TOEFL & IELTS scores must be submitted through your application electronically.
If you have any questions please email us:
On-campus programs at cfamusic@bu.edu
Online programs at cfaapply@bu.edu
Performance Diploma (PD)
If your first language or the primary language spoken in your home is not English, you must demonstrate English proficiency in one of four ways:
- By submitting a TOEFL iBT result with a total score of 70 or higher. The TOEFL code for Boston University is 3087.
- By submitting a TOEFL Essentials result with an overall band score of 7.5 or higher. The TOEFL code for Boston University is 3087.
- By submitting an IELTS score of 6.0 or higher.
- Select E-Delivery account Boston University Graduate Programs as a score recipient, and notify us at arts@bu.edu with your Test Report Form number (TRF#).
- By submitting a Duolingo score of 95 or higher.
- Select Boston University Graduate & Professional Programs as a score recipient, and notify us at arts@bu.edu.
TOEFL & IELTS scores must be submitted through your application electronically.
If you have any questions please email us at cfamusic@bu.edu.
Artist Diploma
Applicants to the Artist Diploma program are encouraged to submit a TOEFL or IELTS score, though it is not required.
If you have any questions please email us at cfamusic@bu.edu.
School of Theatre
Graduate applicants whose native language is not English must demonstrate sufficient English language skills to succeed in our programs.
Master of Fine Arts (MFA) & Artisan Certificate
MFA or Artisan Certificate programs in the School of Theatre may satisfy the English proficiency requirement in one of two ways:
- By completing a bachelor’s degree and submitting an official transcript from an institution in which English was the language of instruction before the time of enrollment at BU; or,
- Submitting one of the English proficiency tests listed below with a score that meets or exceeds the minimum requirement.
- TOEFL iBT: We look closely at the score for each section rather than the total and for consistency across all subscores within a single language proficiency test. Students who are most competitive for admission will present a composite TOEFL score of at least 90-100 and scores of 20 or higher on each subsection. Indicate on the TOEFL registration form that you want your test results sent directly to Boston University. The TOEFL code for Boston University is 3087. TOEFL scores must be submitted through your application electronically. Scores are due by the application deadline.
- TOEFL Essentials: The TOEFL Essentials minimum score is 9.0. Scores are due by the application deadline.
- IELTS: The IELTS minimum score is 7.0.
- Select E-Delivery account Boston University Graduate Programs as a score recipient, and notify us at arts@bu.edu with your Test Report Form number (TRF#).
- Duolingo: The minimum required score with Duolingo is 110 with a minimum score of 115-120 preferred. Scores are due by the application deadline.
- Select Boston University Graduate & Professional Programs as a score recipient, and notify us at arts@bu.edu.
TOEFL & IELTS scores must be submitted through your application electronically.
If you have any questions please email us at theatre@bu.edu.
School of Visual Arts
Graduate applicants whose native language is not English must demonstrate sufficient English language skills to succeed in our programs.
Master of Fine Arts (MFA), Master of Arts (MA), Certificate
MFA, MA, and Certificate programs in the School of Visual Arts may satisfy the English proficiency requirement in one of two ways:
- By completing a bachelor’s degree and submitting an official transcript from an institution in which English was the language of instruction before the time of enrollment at BU; or,
- Submitting one of the English proficiency tests listed below with a score that meets or exceeds the minimum requirement.
- TOEFL iBT: We look closely at the score for each section rather than the total and for consistency across all subscores within a single language proficiency test. Students who are most competitive for admission will present a composite TOEFL score of at least 90-100 and scores of 20 or higher on each subsection. Indicate on the TOEFL registration form that you want your test results sent directly to Boston University. The TOEFL code for Boston University is 3087. TOEFL scores must be submitted through your application electronically. Scores are due by the application deadline.
- TOEFL Essentials: The TOEFL Essentials minimum score is 9.0. Scores are due by the application deadline.
- IELTS: The IELTS minimum score is 7.0.
- Select E-Delivery account Boston University Graduate Programs as a score recipient, and notify us at arts@bu.edu with your Test Report Form number (TRF#).
- Duolingo: The minimum required score with Duolingo is 110 with a minimum score of 115-120 preferred. Scores are due by the application deadline.
- Select Boston University Graduate & Professional Programs as a score recipient, and notify us at arts@bu.edu.
TOEFL & IELTS scores must be submitted through your application electronically.
If you have any questions:
On-Campus programs please email us at visuarts@bu.edu.
Online programs please email us at cfaapply@bu.edu.