The College of Social Sciences and Humanities is Northeastern University's school for economics, political science, international affairs, public policy, psychology-adjacent social sciences and the humanities, on its Boston campus. It combines research-led teaching with Northeastern's co-op model. Choose it for a policy, economics or international affairs degree with work experience built in.
Boston, United States
Official website: northeastern.edu
Northeastern University, Boston
Northeastern's cooperative education model
Boston's Fenway and Back Bay area
$34,000 – $66,000
International students, master's (lower) and undergraduate (higher) before aid
$22,000 – $28,000
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 northeastern.edu before you apply.
MS Economics
Masters DegreeDuration
16 Months
Intake
Sep
Exam Score
IELTS: 7.0, TOEFL: 100
Master of Public Policy
Masters DegreeDuration
24 Months
Intake
Sep
Exam Score
IELTS: 7.0, TOEFL: 100
MS Urban Informatics
Masters DegreeDuration
16 Months
Intake
Sep, Jan
Exam Score
IELTS: 7.0, TOEFL: 100
BA International Affairs
Bachelors DegreeDuration
48 Months
Intake
Sep
Exam Score
IELTS: 7.0, TOEFL: 100
Co-op placements in government, think tanks, NGOs and companies.
Urban informatics and policy programmes using Boston as a lab.
International affairs with study and work abroad options.
Graduates join consultancies, government agencies, NGOs and research organisations.
STEM-designated economics and urban informatics graduates can work in the US for up to three years on OPT.
International affairs alumni work in diplomacy, development and global business.
Undergrad
1 Jan 2027
Postgrad
Varies by programme
Undergrad
No UG intake
Postgrad
Limited programmes
The college sits on Northeastern's urban campus with classrooms, research centres and residence halls close together and Green Line stops nearby.
Boston is a major centre for policy, research and consulting with a huge student population. Rent is among the highest in the US.
Form I-20 issued by Northeastern
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
Undergraduate applications to Northeastern close 1 January 2027 for fall entry, with Early Decision and Early Action on 1 November 2026. Graduate deadlines vary by programme, usually between January and April.
Most programmes start in the fall. Urban informatics also admits for spring.
You need an F-1 student visa. Northeastern's Office of Global Services issues your Form I-20 after you accept the offer and submit proof of funding. Then pay the SEVIS fee, complete the DS-160 and attend a visa interview.
Economics, public policy, urban informatics and international affairs are popular. Graduate admission needs a bachelor's degree, TOEFL 100 or IELTS 7.0 and, for economics, strong maths.
Northeastern offers merit scholarships to some international undergraduates, and some graduate programmes offer partial awards or assistantships. Check the financial aid pages for details.
