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Graduate Program FAQs

My native language is not English; do I have to take the an English language proficiency exam?

Adequate command of spoken and written English is essential to success in graduate study at Harvard. Applicants who are non-native English speakers can demonstrate English proficiency in one of three ways:

  • Receiving an undergraduate degree from an academic institution where English is the primary language of instruction.*
  • Earning a minimum score of 80 on the Internet based test (iBT) of the ...
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Should I send my supporting documents to the Department or to the Admissions Office?

Transcripts should be uploaded directly to your online application. Test scores must be sent directly to the Admissions Office of the Harvard Kenneth C. Griffin Graduate School of Arts and Sciences, and should not be sent to the department. All supporting documents must be uploaded to the application prior to its being submitted. Official test scores must be ordered directly from ETS and sent to code 3451.

What exams do I have to take to apply?

Applicants whose native language is other than English and who do not hold the equivalent of a US Bachelor's degree from an institution at which English is the language of instruction are required to submit TOEFL scores.

My native language is not English, however I hold a Master’s Degree from an institution at which English is the language of instruction, do I still have to take an English language proficiency exam?

Adequate command of spoken and written English is essential to success in graduate study at Harvard. Applicants who are non-native English speakers can demonstrate English proficiency in one of three ways:

  • Receiving an undergraduate degree from an academic institution where English is the primary language of instruction.*
  • Earning a minimum...
Read more about My native language is not English, however I hold a Master’s Degree from an institution at which English is the language of instruction, do I still have to take an English language proficiency exam?

Which writing sample should I send with my admissions application?

Candidates should submit only one 15–20 page paper, in 12-point type, double-spaced throughout, and with normal margins. The writing sample must be an example of critical writing (rather than creative writing) on a subject directly related to film, performance and/or visual studies. Applicants should not send longer papers with instructions to read an excerpt or excerpts, but should themselves edit the sample so that they submit only up to 20 pages.

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