🐘Tufts University

Medford, MA, US

QS World 2026 · #257

A private research university near Boston known for its International Relations programme.

About Tufts

Tufts' Fletcher School is one of the oldest and most respected schools of international affairs in the US, and this strength shapes the wider university's undergraduate International Relations programme, one of the most established in the country. Its Medford/Somerville campus sits just outside Boston, giving students access to the city's wider academic ecosystem.

Why students choose it

  • Fletcher School gives it one of the US's most established International Relations programmes
  • Just outside Boston, with access to the city's academic ecosystem
  • Strong pre-med and biology programmes

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Typical entry grades

AAA (A Level)  ·  IB 37

High tier · indicative for the flagship courses below — always verify per-course requirements directly with the university.

Tuition (international, per year)

$60,000+/yr

premium tier for US — figures are typical ranges, not this specific university's published fee.

Language of instruction

English

Campus

campus campus, Medford, MA

🏆 Scholarships to look into

Informational only — scholarship amounts, deadlines and even which schemes are running change often (sometimes per intake), so treat this as a starting point, not a guarantee. Always confirm current details directly with the scholarship provider or Tufts's financial aid office.

Scholarship access for international students is more limited than for US citizens — most need-based financial aid programmes are domestic-only, and only a small number of universities are 'need-blind' or meet full demonstrated need for international applicants. Merit scholarships (not tied to financial need) are more widely available and are the main route for most applicants.

  • University merit scholarships: Named awards like 'Presidential' or 'Dean's' scholarships at many universities — automatically considered from your application, based on academic record and sometimes essays/interviews.
  • Need-blind / full-need-met universities: A small group of highly selective universities (e.g. Harvard, MIT, Princeton, Yale, Amherst) admit international students without considering ability to pay and meet full demonstrated financial need — extremely competitive to gain admission in the first place.
  • Fulbright Program: US government-funded, but for postgraduate/research study and exchange, not linked to undergraduate admission.

Most US universities in this tool are private and do not offer significant need-based aid to international students — check each university's own international financial aid policy before assuming support is available.

Want help figuring out which of these you'd actually qualify for? Talk to a free Tutopiya counsellor.

Popular courses

International Relations

⏱️ Typical duration: 4 years

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Engineering

⏱️ Typical duration: Often 4 years rather than the country's standard Bachelor's length, especially where the programme includes an integrated Master's (e.g. UK MEng) or an industry placement year

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Typical entry: Requires Mathematics + Physics

Medicine

⏱️ Typical duration: 5–6 years where entered straight from school (UK, Ireland, Australia, NZ, Singapore, Malaysia, Hong Kong); typically a 4-year postgraduate MD entered after a Bachelor's (US, Canada)

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Typical entry: Requires Chemistry + Biology · Not required at Bachelor's entry — Medicine is a postgraduate degree here, entered via MCAT after completing a Bachelor's degree.

Veterinary

⏱️ Typical duration: 5–6 years where entered straight from school; typically a 4-year postgraduate DVM entered after a Bachelor's (US, Canada)

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Typical entry: Requires Chemistry + Biology · Not required at Bachelor's entry — Veterinary Medicine is a postgraduate DVM here at most schools, entered after a Bachelor's degree with required science prerequisites. · Relevant animal/veterinary work experience is weighted heavily in the application

Liberal Arts

⏱️ Typical duration: 4 years

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Typical entry: Portfolio / audition

Durations are typical for US — always confirm the exact length (including any placement or integrated Master's year) on the course's own page before applying.

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How to apply

Main intake(s)
September (Fall)
Typical deadline
Regular Decision around 1 January
Note
Early Action / Early Decision rounds close around 1 November for students applying to one top-choice school early.

English language requirements

IELTS: 6.5 overall

TOEFL: 80–100 iBT

Most universities waive this requirement if you've completed 2+ years of English-medium schooling (e.g. IGCSE / A Level / IB) — always confirm the specific university's waiver policy before booking a test. Many US universities also accept Duolingo English Test.

See where Tufts ranks on your personal shortlist

Enter your grades and budget in the free US University Shortlist Builder to see whether Tufts is a reach, target or safety for you — alongside every other US university that matches.

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More US universities

Tufts FAQ

Quick answers about grades, tuition, deadlines and applying to Tufts as an international IGCSE / A Level / IB student.

What grades do I need to get into Tufts?

As a typical benchmark for international entry, Tufts expects around AAA at A Level or 37 points on the IB Diploma. This is indicative for Tufts's flagship courses — competitive subjects like Medicine and Law usually sit above this baseline, and the exact requirement varies by course, so always confirm the specific figure on Tufts's own admissions page before applying.

How much does Tufts cost for international students?

International tuition at Tufts typically falls in the $60,000+/yr range (premium tier for US). This is a typical range for the university's tuition tier, not Tufts's specific published fee for every course — confirm the exact figure for your intended programme directly with the university.

When is the application deadline for Tufts?

Tufts follows US's typical intake calendar: September (Fall), with applications generally due regular decision around 1 january. Early Action / Early Decision rounds close around 1 November for students applying to one top-choice school early. Always verify the exact date on Tufts's own admissions page, since deadlines can shift year to year.

What IELTS score do I need for Tufts?

US universities, including Tufts, typically ask international applicants for 6.5 overall. Most universities waive this requirement if you've completed 2+ years of English-medium schooling (e.g. IGCSE / A Level / IB) — always confirm the specific university's waiver policy before booking a test. Many US universities also accept Duolingo English Test.

What is Tufts known for?

A private research university near Boston known for its International Relations programme. Tufts' Fletcher School is one of the oldest and most respected schools of international affairs in the US, and this strength shapes the wider university's undergraduate International Relations programme, one of the most established in the country. Its Medford/Somerville campus sits just outside Boston, giving students access to the city's wider academic ecosystem.

Can I apply to Tufts with IGCSE, A Level or IB qualifications?

Yes — Tufts accepts applicants from IGCSE-to-A-Level, IGCSE-to-IB-Diploma, and directly from the IB Diploma. Tutopiya's free US University Shortlist Builder matches your predicted or actual grades against Tufts and every other US university we track, tagging each as reach, target or safety.

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