MSDS Admissions Requirements

Admissions Requirements

Applicants are expected to have earned a bachelor’s or master’s degree in one of the methodological or applied disciplines relating to the computational and data-driven areas of scholarship in Data Science. For example, applicants with degrees in one of the core areas of DS, namely, Computer Science, Electrical & Computer Engineering, and Mathematics & Statistics, or equivalent. This includes education in algorithms, computer systems, programming languages, and theory.

Applicants with degrees in applied areas of DS (such as information systems, economics, bioinformatics, physics, astronomy, earth & environment, emerging media, among others) should ensure that they meet the prerequisite requirements listed below. Prospective applicants who do not meet the prerequisites requirements, but have an otherwise strong background in data science, may be admitted with prerequisite courses.

Prerequisites

Prerequisites are essential in preparing MSDS students for academic success. We recommend prospective applicants to have completed 4 or more of the courses equivalent to the list below prior to applying to the program.

  • Introductory Programming course (eg, Python, Java, C++, R) equivalent to CDS DS 110
  • Second course in Programming, equivalent to CDS DS 210 (Programming for Data Science)
  • Introductory Discrete Mathematics
  • Linear Algebra 
  • Introductory Statistics and Probability 
  • Calculus, to the level of Calculus BC Advanced Placement 
  • Introduction to Algorithms

Application Deadlines

    Priority Application Deadline: February 1st

    International students are highly encouraged to apply by the priority deadline.

    Final Application Deadline: April 1st 

    Application Requirements

    The MSDS program offers a Fall intake ONLY. Students cannot start the program in the Spring/Summer semesters.

    1. University-level transcripts from institutions in which you received undergraduate and graduate degrees
      • Unofficial copies of your undergraduate and graduate transcripts, if applicable, are a required part of your admissions portfolio. All transcripts must be in English or an official translation. A transcript evaluation is not required. You can review the list of approved organizations here. If you are admitted and decide to enroll, we will ask for an official copy of your undergraduate transcript at that time.
    2. Two Letters of Recommendation
      • We accept academic and professional Letters of Recommendation. If you are currently enrolled in a bachelor’s degree program or have completed a bachelor’s degree program within the past two years, one Letter of Recommendation must be from an academic source (professor or academic advisor). Letters must be submitted directly to our Admissions Office through our online application system.
    3. CV/Resume
      • We require the most up-to-date resume or CV for all applicants.
    4. Personal Statement
      • A statement of approximately 400 words describing your qualifications and the objectives of your educational program. Report any research activities, publications, independent studies, and memberships in academic, professional, or honorary societies and how this has led to your interest in pursuing a master's in data science. Please also account for the time that has elapsed between formal studies.  
    5. Proof of English Proficiency(TOEFL, IELTS, etc.)
      • Applicants who received their degree(s) from an institution(s) where the primary instruction was English are exempt from this requirement. 

    Submitting GRE/GMAT scores is optional as part of our commitment to a holistic review approach. We do not require a GRE/GMAT score.

    English Language Proficiency Requirement

    If your first language is not English, you must take the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL), International English Language Testing System (IELTS), or the Duolingo English Test (DET). International students who have completed a degree in the United States or at any English-speaking university do not need to submit any language proficiency scores.

    Official scores can be emailed to cds-admissions@bu.edu or mailed to:

    Boston University

    Faculty of Computing and Data Science, room 1626 

    665 Commonwealth Avenue

    Boston, MA 02215

    MINIMUM TOEFL SCORE - 90

    To expedite the admissions process we ask that you upload unofficial documents at the time of your application submission. Admitted candidates are required to submit official copies of all documents. The ETS TOEFL institution code for all Boston University Graduate Programs is 3087.

    MINIMUM IELTS SCORE - 7.0

    To expedite the admissions process we ask that you upload unofficial documents at the time of your application submission. Admitted candidates are required to submit official copies of all documents. You can submit your official scores through the IELTS website by selecting “Boston University Graduate Programs.”

    DUOLINGO ENGLISH TEST SCORE 130

    To expedite the admissions process we ask that you upload unofficial documents at the time of your application submission. Admitted candidates are required to submit official copies of all documents.  Please submit your scores through the Duolingo Dashboard by selecting “Boston University Graduate & Professional Programs” as your institution of choice. We require a minimum overall score of 130.

    Learn more about our English proficiency requirements here.

    Contact the Admissions Team: cds-admissions@bu.edu

    Start the Application Process