International Students

The Graduate School of Arts and Sciences (GSAS) is a globally oriented environment. You will find students from more than 25 countries across the world. As you begin to research your graduate career and submit your application, we hope that you find this and other Brandeis websites helpful to you. In addition, please visit our list of Frequently Asked Questions that are specific to international students.

Additional Application Requirements

International applicants whose native language is not English or who have not graduated from an  English-speaking institution within an English-speaking country must submit results from the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL), the International English Language Testing Service (IELTS), or Pearson Test of English (PTE-Academic). Test scores should not be more than two years old.

The GSAS TOEFL school code is 3261. Students who have graduated from a university in the following English-speaking countries (USA, Canada, UK, Australia and New Zealand) are exempt from the TOEFL, IELTS or PTE requirement. Minimum scores for each exam are:

• 600 (paper-based TOEFL)
• 250 (computer-based TOEFL)
• 100 (internet-based TOEFL)
• 7 (IELTS)
• 68 (PTE)

You may submit a photocopy of your score report to expedite the review of your application, but an official report sent directly from ETS, IELTS or PTE must be received to finalize any offer of admission.

Please note that some departments (i.e., Politics) have strict guidelines and may require TOEFL scores from all international applicants. Please check with the department to which you are applying to see if TOEFL is required.

Please contact the Graduate School if you feel that you have extenuating circumstances that may exempt you from this requirement.

Funding

International applicants in Ph.D. programs are eligible for fully funded positions and may be awarded tuition scholarships, fellowships and/or assistantships. Master's candidates may be eligible for institutional need-based aid. Applicants for institutional need-based aid must file an International Application for Financial Aid available here and included with the offer of admission.

For complete information about sources of funding, including loans, please see Financial Aid.

Visa and I-20 Issuance

The Graduate School of Arts and Sciences (GSAS) does not require you to submit a statement of financial support with your application. We require this information if you have been accepted to a program. A Visa Declaration Form will be included in your offer of admission. You must complete this form, indicating financial responsibility, and submit it to the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences. After we process this form, we will mail the I-20 form to you. Please note that I-20 forms cannot be issued to students with a conditional acceptance. If a conditional admission is offered pending receipt of official TOEFL and/or GRE score reports, the I-20 will be issued only after the score reports are received by the GSAS Office.

English Language Program (ELP)

The English Language Program (ELP) offers international graduate students services to assist you in adjusting to the American academic environment. To support your success, we offer weekly one-on-one tutorials in writing and oral skills and oral skills classes to hone your speaking, teaching, and presentation skills. For more details, see the ELP website.

Housing

While some international students receive on-campus housing, the majority of them live off-campus in surrounding neighborhoods. For the most updated information on living in Boston, please visit the Housing section of the Graduate Student Affairs website.

International Students and Scholars Office (ISSO)

Brandeis' ISSO supports international students and scholars across the university, from over 120 countries around the globe.  The ISSO is dedicated to helping international students and scholars with their adjustment to life at Brandeis and in the United States.

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