Apply

To apply you will need:

• a personal statement describing your level of proficiency in the language you wish to translate from, your experience in literary translation, and what you hope to gain from the MFA
• a translation sample from the source language into English (10-12 double-spaced pages of prose or drama, or 80-100 lines of verse) accompanied by the relevant passage of the original text(s).
  
• a sample of critical writing in English (8-12 double-spaced pages)
• three letters of recommendation
• Transcripts of B.A., B.S., or Master’s degree (B.A/B.S. must be completed prior to September 2022)
  
• TOEFL score if appropriate

Applications for fall ’25 are now open. Our priority application deadline is February 15, 2025. Any applications received after this date will be reviewed on a space available basis.

The department of World Languages & Literature offers merit scholarships to our MFA in Literary Translation applicants based upon the strength of each applicant’s credentials. All admitted domestic and international applicants are considered for scholarship of up to 50% of full-time tuition and will be notified of the scholarship offer in the admission letter.

Students applying to work in Chinese are eligible for additional funding from the Han Suyin Graduate Scholarship Fund.

Students applying to work in Arabic are strongly encouraged to apply for FLAS Fellowship support from the African Studies Center; further information is available here and the deadline is February 7, 2025. Please note that eligibility for consideration for FLAS fellowships is limited to US citizens and permanent residents.

You may apply here:

To request more information from Boston University’s Graduate School of Arts and Sciences, please click here.