Graduate Application Requirements
Apply to the Pardee School of Global Studies’ graduate programs and join us on our mission to advance human progress.
Applying to Boston University’s Pardee School of Global Studies
The Pardee School of Global Studies at Boston University stands as a gateway to an advanced graduate education that fosters your intellectual curiosity and transforms your worldview. With our holistic approach and broad-based learning, you elevate your understanding of international affairs and graduate ready to change the world.
While applying to graduate school can be a significant undertaking, we’ve streamlined our graduate admissions process, ensuring a stress-free application experience and a smooth start to your time studying with us.
Need help along the way? Contact us via email at psgsgrad@bu.edu. We’re happy to answer your questions and connect you with any helpful resources.
Graduate Admissions Requirements
Whatever your academic or professional background, the Pardee School welcomes you to apply to our master’s programs and embark on an exciting educational journey.
You may apply for admission if you have earned a four-year bachelor’s degree from a recognized college or university or an equivalent international education. Additionally, if you hold a three-year bachelor’s degree from an institution accredited by India’s National Assessment and Accreditation Council (NAAC), you meet our admission requirements.
Application Materials
When applying to the Pardee School, please submit the following materials:
- Online application (including the $95 application fee).
- Unofficial transcripts for all universities you attended previously.
- Three (3) letters of recommendation.
- A statement of purpose (approximately 500 words).
- A résumé or curriculum vitae.
- If English is not your native language, you may need to demonstrate your English language proficiency by taking an English proficiency exam. Please see our Standardized Testing section for more information.
Once we receive all required documents, we will consider your application “complete” and begin reviewing it.
If you submit an incomplete application, you will receive an email outlining the missing elements. We encourage you to quickly respond to the notification to ensure a timely admissions decision.
Admission Requirements for Dual Degree Programs
If you want to pursue a dual degree—IR/JD at BU’s School of Law or the IR/MBA at the Questrom School of Business—you must apply to both schools separately. Your enrollment in one of the dual degree programs is contingent upon admission to both schools.
Before applying, we recommend checking with each school to determine program-specific application requirements.
Application Deadlines
For all graduate degree programs, including dual degree programs, the average application process from start to finish typically takes four to six weeks. If you apply through the Global Impact Deferred Admissions process or to the BA/MAIA, please follow the guidelines associated with your program.
Spring 2025 Application Deadlines:
September 1, 2024: The application system opens to receive new applications.
November 15, 2024: Deadline for priority aid consideration.
December 1, 2024: Deadline for all spring applications for international candidates to be submitted, including ALL required supporting documentation.
December 15, 2024: Deadline for all spring applications for domestic candidates to be submitted, including ALL required supporting documentation.
Fall 2025 Application Deadlines:
September 1, 2024: The application system opens to receive new applications.
January 15, 2025: First priority deadline for aid consideration.
March 15, 2025: Second priority deadline for aid consideration.
July 15, 2025: Deadline for all fall applications for international candidates to be submitted, including ALL required supporting documentation.
August 1, 2025: Deadline for all fall applications for domestic candidates to be submitted, including ALL required supporting documentation.
Application Timeline for International Students
When applying to the Pardee School as an international student, we recommend applying at least three months before the program’s start date to ensure you can complete the admissions process and process a student visa in time.
International student visas can be issued up to 120 days in advance of the program’s start date; however, you can only enter the country 30 days before the program’s start date.
For additional support in the admissions process, please contact BU’s International Students & Scholars Office.
Standardized Testing Requirements
No GRE Required
As of the 2022 application cycle, we no longer require GRE scores for admission.
However, if you plan to apply to a dual degree program, please check with the respective schools regarding required exam submissions to apply, such as the LSAT, GRE, or GMAT exams.
English Proficiency Requirements
Demonstrating your English proficiency is not required if you meet the following criteria:
- Your native language is English.
- Your bachelor’s degree studies were conducted entirely in English.
- You have four or more years in a full-time, post-bachelor’s degree position in an English-speaking country and an organization that conducts business in English. You may contact psgsgrad@bu.edu with any questions about this requirement.
If English is not your native language, and you do not meet any of the requirements for exemption listed above, you must demonstrate your English language proficiency by submitting scores from one of the tests listed here. Minimum scores for each test are noted.
- Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) iBT: 90 minimum total score, with a score of at least 22 in each section (reading, writing, speaking, listening), MyBest score included.
Please make your official TOEFL scores available using institution code 3087 with ETS (no department code needed). - International English Language Testing System (IELTS Academic test only): 7.0 overall band score.
Request an official report be sent to Boston University Graduate Programs. - Cambridge English Tests: All tests demonstrating a C1 level (B2 First Exam Grade A, C1 Advanced Exam Grades A, B, or C, and all passing C2 Proficiency Exam Grades).
- Duolingo English Test: 120 minimum.
*When you log in to complete the Duolingo exam, please select Boston University Graduate & Professional Programs as a score recipient.
Once you have completed the Duolingo exam, please email Pardee School Admissions at psgsgrad@bu.edu with the Subject Line “Duolingo” and include your first and last name, exam date, and the name of the master’s program to which you are applying.
Frequently Asked Questions
We’ve compiled a list of our frequently asked questions to support you throughout your graduate admissions process. Whether you have questions about what to include in your personal statement or how to navigate the application process as an active military member or veteran, discover the answers you need to enroll in the Pardee School of Global Studies.
Read through our Graduate Admissions FAQ to learn more.
Begin Your Graduate Studies — Apply to the Pardee School Today!
Be a part of changing the world. Enrolling in the Pardee School’s intensive graduate degree programs strengthens your professional skill set, deepens your understanding of international affairs, and ignites your passion for solving pressing global issues.
If questions arise as you progress through the application process, contact the Pardee School Graduate Office. Our staff is eager to answer any questions and connect you with helpful resources.
Ready to take the next step toward advancing your future? Apply to BU’s Pardee School of Global Studies today!