English Proficiency Test Scores

International applicants must submit proof of English proficiency by submitting official results of the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL), International English Language Testing System (IELTS), or Duolingo English Test*. The admissions committee reserves the right to request an English proficiency exam score upon review of all submitted application documents. Acceptable minimum scores are listed below.

*Scores from the Duolingo test will be accepted for international graduate students applying to the Summer and Fall 2020 semesters.

Minimum TOEFL Requirements

MET’s minimum total internet-based TOEFL score is 84, with minimum scores in each section as follows*:

  • Reading—21
  • Listening—18
  • Speaking—23*
  • Writing—22*

*The Master of Urban Affairs (MUA) & Master of City Planning (MCP) programs require a score of 25 in the Speaking and Writing sections of the TOEFL exam.

The ETS TOEFL institution code for all Boston University Graduate Programs is 3087.

Minimum IELTS Requirements

Scores from the IELTS are accepted as proof of English proficiency. The minimum total band score of 6.5 is required for admission to Metropolitan College, along with scores of 6.5 in each section: listening, reading, writing**, and speaking**.

**The Master of Urban Affairs (MUA) & Master of City Planning (MCP) programs require a score of 7.0 in the Speaking and Writing sections of the IELTS exam.

Applicants submitting IELTS scores will need to contact their testing center and request official test scores be mailed to the following address:

Boston University Metropolitan College
Graduate Admissions & Enrollment Services
1010 Commonwealth Avenue, 3rd Floor
Boston, MA 02215

Minimum Duolingo Requirements

For international graduate students, scores from the Duolingo English Test will be accepted as proof of English proficiency for entry to the Summer and Fall 2020 semesters. A minimum score of 110 is required for admission to Metropolitan College.

Applicants submitting Duolingo scores must send the following information to met@bu.edu, using “DUOLINGO Test Result” as the email subject line:

  1. First and last name
  2. Date of birth
  3. Date of Duolingo English Test

Duolingo English Test results are made available 48 hours after the completion of an exam and may take 2–3 business days to process in our office.

Language Proficiency Requirement Waivers

The language proficiency requirement may be waived for applicants whose native language is English, or for applicants who have received, or expect to receive, an undergraduate or graduate degree from an accredited college or university where the primary language of instruction is English. If your transcript does not clearly state that the language of instruction is English, then please upload supporting documentation on institutional letterhead along with your transcript.

Language waivers do not apply to students enrolled in institutions located in non-English-speaking countries who, as part of a dual-degree or exchange program, have earned or are earning their undergraduate or graduate degrees in an English-speaking country.

For more information, visit the International Student Application page.