BA in Comparative Literature-to-MFA in Literary Translation at Boston University

Programme overview

The BA in Comparative Literature-to-MFA in Literary Translation gives high-performing undergraduate students the opportunity to begin taking courses toward a graduate degree while working toward their BA in Comparative Literature. Many students find the MFA an asset in their post-graduation career plans.

Faculty: College of Arts & Sciences | Study mode: full-time | Location: Boston, MA, United States

What you will study

Bachelor’s-to-master’s programs are linked bachelor’s and master’s degree programs in which the two degrees are conferred sequentially. This bachelor’s-to-master’s program allows students to apply a maximum of 8 units from their undergraduate degree toward the associated master’s degree. The units applied toward the master’s degree must be at the 500 level or above.

Official programme page

Application information

Entry requirements

Students should apply to the MFA by February 15 of the student’s junior year. The applicant must include the BU transcript, two faculty recommendation letters, a sample of critical writing (8–12 double-spaced pages, usually drawn from previous coursework), a translation sample with the original text (8–12 double-spaced pages of prose or 80–100 lines of poetry), a plan of study, and a personal statement describing the applicant’s interest in the program.

First-year entry is September (Fall); Early Decision is binding for September admission. Transfer entry is September or January, and some programmes do not offer January admission.

First-year Regular Decision application and CSS Profile/FAFSA are due January 5; merit scholarship applications are due December 1; the enrollment deposit is due May 1. Early Decision applications are due November 2 (notification December 14); Early Decision 2 applications are due January 5 (notification February 8). Transfer applications are due March 15 for September and November 2 for January.

Apply through the Common Application or the QuestBridge Application. The application fee is $80, paid through the Common Application (fee waivers available). BU is test optional for first-year applicants applying through fall 2028 and spring 2029; international applicants submit TOEFL iBT, IELTS or the Duolingo English Test. SAT/ACT is not required for transfer admission.

Apply through the official page: https://www.bu.edu/admissions/

Explore more study programmes

Arts & Humanities