BUMaster of Science in Data ScienceBoston University · Boston, Massachusetts, United States

Program Overview

Dates and tuition are specific to the 2027 intake

Multiple application rounds (other deadlines: Apr 1, 2027).

Please check the official program website (link below) for specific writing guidelines

Personal statement

Approximately 400 words.

Resume or CV

Most up-to-date resume or CV required.

Recommendation letters x 2

Two letters (academic and/or professional). If currently in or within two years of a bachelor's program, at least one letter must be academic.

University-level transcripts

Unofficial undergraduate/graduate transcripts in English at application; official undergraduate transcript required if admitted and enrolling.

Academic: Bachelor's or master's degree; Degree in a methodological or applied discipline related to computational/data-driven scholarship (e.g., Computer Science, Electrical & Computer Engineering, Mathematics & Statistics, or applied areas such as information systems, economics, bioinformatics, physics). No minimum GPA published as a hard cutoff.
Prerequisites: Quantitative and programming preparation; Recommend completion of 4 or more equivalents prior to applying: introductory programming; second programming course (e.g., Programming for Data Science); introductory discrete mathematics; linear algebra; introductory statistics and probability; calculus to AP Calculus BC level; introduction to algorithms. Strong applicants missing prerequisites may be admitted with prerequisite courses.
IELTS: 7.0 overall; CDS minimum if English proficiency proof is required.
TOEFL: New scale: 4.5 overall | Old scale: 90 overall; CDS minimum for the 1–6 scale from 21 Jan 2026, if English proficiency proof is required.; CDS minimum if English proficiency proof is required. Tests before 21 Jan 2026.