Graduate Admissions

The deadlines to apply for entry in September 2027 are:

• MA Applicants
  • Priority Deadline:  January 15
  • Regular Deadline:  March 15

The department may consider applicaitons after March 15 on a case by case basis. Please write to us at mawillia@bu.edu if you would like to request to apply after the March 15 deadline.

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.

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.
• 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 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 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.

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.

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.

No, we offer only master’s degree programs in these fields.

In addition to our own MA programs, through our sister department, World Languages & Literatures, BU also offers an MFA in Translation program, with the option to focus on French or Spanish.