Graduate Admissions

The deadlines to apply for entry in September 2026 are:

• Doctoral Program Applicants (PhD applicants & MA/PhD applicants)
  • PAUSED

• Terminal MA Applicants
  • Priority Deadline:  January 15
  • Final Deadline:  March 15

The department accepts applications for September admission only. The application system opens to accept new applications on Sept. 1, for entry into the program in the fall term of the following year.

Please note that the Terminal MA Application deadlines are for students who plan to get an MA and then leave BU. If you plan to earn an MA and continue on to the PhD, you need to apply to the doctoral program.

All applications to Romance Studies graduate programs are submitted through the Graduate School of Arts & Sciences (GRS). You can:

• Apply Now through the online application.
• Explore GRS information on applying to a PhD program.
• Peruse GRS information on applying to a terminal MA program.
  

All applicants must submit, in English:

• Transcripts
• Three academic recommendations
• Personal statement/statement of purpose
• Curriculum vitae
• Official TOEFL score report (International students only)
  

MA or PhD in French Language & Literature

• A writing sample in French of about 10-15 pages, such as an academic paper or thesis excerpt
• A summary page describing all courses taken in French literature or related fields and the grades earned

MA or PhD in Hispanic Language & Literatures

• A writing sample/academic paper written in Spanish (not more than 15 pages)
• A summary page describing all courses taken in Hispanic literature or related fields and the grades earned

We are always happy to receive applications from international students! About half of our graduate students here in Romance Studies are international. You’ll find that Boston is a diverse city that is very welcoming to international students.

The Graduate School of Arts & Sciences website provides detailed information on how to apply as an international student.

We offer a terminal MA program and a doctoral program in both French Language & Literature and Hispanic Language & Literatures.

• If you plan to earn a PhD, apply to the doctoral program, even if you do not yet have an MA degree. You can apply to the doctoral program directly after completing your bachelor’s degree. The doctoral program includes the option to earn an MA degree en route to the PhD.
• If you plan to earn only an MA degree and not a doctorate, apply to the terminal MA program.

In most cases, students should apply to the doctoral program. Feel free to contact us if you have any questions on this matter.

The ETS code for Boston University is 3087. No department code is needed.

Almost all international students need to submit an official score report for the TOEFL or another English language exam accepted by BU. There are a few exceptions.

Please note that citizens of Puerto Rico are U.S. citizens and do NOT need to submit TOEFL scores.

No. We do not require GRE scores from any applicant.

The purpose of the summary page is to help the admissions committee understand more fully what you have studied. Please list each class you have taken that is relevant to the study of French (if applying to the French program) or Hispanic (if applying to the Spanish program) literature or related fields, along with the grade received and a brief description of the content of the course. If you can provide the official course description from your university, that is ideal – but if not, please write your own description of approximately 40 words.

All application materials must be submitted to the Graduate School of Arts & Sciences via the online application.

Important factors in the department’s ranking of applicants include:

• The breadth and quality of the undergraduate experience
• The quality of the personal statement and writing sample
• The strength of the letters of recommendation
• The evidence of language skills suitable to graduate study
• The suitability of the department’s programs to the particular applicant

The department evaluates the TOEFL scores of international applicants on a case by case basis.

It is expected that applicants for graduate study will hold a BA degree or its equivalent in a field related to the program they apply to. The department continues to look favorably on applications from candidates who have completed or will soon complete a relevant MA degree. However, candidates with only a BA degree are welcome to apply directly for admission to the doctoral programs.

GRS is pleased to be able to offer fee waivers to doctoral applicants who fit certain criteria. See the GRS website for details.

Please note that requests for waivers of the application fee require five business days of processing time. Also, while we can waive the fee, we cannot reimburse for a fee that has already been paid.