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International Students

The Graduate School of Arts and Sciences 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 Web sites helpful to you.

Additional Application Requirements

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

The GSAS TOEFL school code is 3261. Students who attended an English-speaking university are exempt from the TOEFL or IELTS requirement. Minimum scores for each exam are:

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

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

Please contact David Cotter, assistant dean for admissions, 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 the GSAS Financial Aid Handbook. 

Visa and I-20 Issuance

The 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.

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 Residence Life section ofthe Graduate Student Affairs Web site.