Boston University is a large private research university in the centre of Boston, Massachusetts. It is best known for business, communication, engineering and health sciences, and for co-op and internship links across Boston's finance, biotech and tech employers. Pick it for a city campus with strong career support.
Boston, United States
Official website: bu.edu
#108
Member of the Association of American Universities
AACSB-accredited
Over 10,000 from 130+ countries
$62,000 – $70,000
International students, undergraduate and most master's programmes
$20,000 – $26,000
Rent, food and local transport
Approximate figures for 2026-27, please verify. Fees change every year and vary by course, so check the latest amount on bu.edu before you apply.
MS Computer Science
Masters DegreeDuration
18 Months
Intake
Sep, Jan
Exam Score
IELTS: 7.0, TOEFL: 90
MBA (Questrom)
Masters DegreeDuration
24 Months
Intake
Sep
Exam Score
IELTS: 7.0, TOEFL: 100
MS Business Analytics
Masters DegreeDuration
12 Months
Intake
Sep
Exam Score
IELTS: 7.0, TOEFL: 100
MS Data Science
Masters DegreeDuration
18 Months
Intake
Sep
Exam Score
IELTS: 7.0, TOEFL: 90
MS Electrical & Computer Engineering
Masters DegreeDuration
18 Months
Intake
Sep, Jan
Exam Score
IELTS: 7.0, TOEFL: 90
BS Business Administration
Bachelors DegreeDuration
48 Months
Intake
Sep
Exam Score
IELTS: 7.0, TOEFL: 90
Questrom School of Business — AACSB-accredited, with a widely recruited MBA and MS programmes.
College of Communication — one of the oldest and best-known journalism and PR schools in the US.
Association of American Universities member — a group of 71 leading research universities.
Over 10,000 international students — among the largest international communities in the US.
Graduates are hired by Fidelity, State Street, Amazon, Google and Boston's biotech cluster.
STEM master's graduates can work in the US for up to three years on OPT.
Communication alumni go into media, advertising and PR roles in Boston and New York.
Questrom MBA graduates report median base salaries above USD 120,000.
Undergrad
4 Jan 2027
Postgrad
Varies by programme
Undergrad
No UG intake
Postgrad
Varies by programme
The Charles River Campus stretches along Commonwealth Avenue, with the Green Line tram running through it. Classrooms, dorms and the river esplanade are all within a short walk.
Boston has more than 50 colleges, so students shape much of the city's life. Fenway Park, the Freedom Trail and Cambridge are minutes away, though rent is among the highest in the US.
Form I-20 issued by Boston University
Proof of funds for one academic year
SEVIS I-901 fee payment receipt
Completed DS-160 online application
US embassy or consulate interview
Passport valid six months beyond stay
For fall 2027 undergraduate entry, Early Decision closes 1 November 2026 and Regular Decision closes 4 January 2027. Graduate deadlines are set by each school: many master's programmes close between January and March for a fall start, so check your programme page.
Undergraduates start in the fall (September). Many graduate programmes, including MS Computer Science and engineering degrees, also admit for spring (January), while the MBA and most business master's are fall only. Confirm the intake on the programme's admissions page.
You need an F-1 student visa. Boston University's International Students & Scholars Office issues your Form I-20 after you accept the offer and submit proof of funding. You then pay the SEVIS fee, complete the DS-160 and book an embassy interview.
Computer science, business analytics, the Questrom MBA, data science and engineering master's draw the most international applicants. Graduate programmes typically ask for a strong bachelor's degree, TOEFL 90-100 or IELTS 7.0, and a GRE or GMAT where required. Undergraduate admission is selective, with an acceptance rate under 15%.
Undergraduate applicants are automatically considered for the merit-based Trustee Scholarship (full tuition) and Presidential Scholarship (USD 25,000 a year), both open to international students. Need-based aid for international undergraduates is limited. Graduate scholarships vary by school, with Questrom and the College of Engineering offering partial merit awards.
