Northeastern University is a top-tier private research university located in Boston. Considered highly selective, it has a general acceptance rate of 6%. A recent $104 million in external research funding has further cemented its position as a leading research destination.
The university accepts admission based on criteria such as academic performance, standardized test scores (optional for most programs), extracurricular activities, essays, and letters of recommendation.
Here’s an overview of Northeastern University, highlighting its ranking and degrees offered.
Particular
Description
Established
1898
Total Campuses
13
Rankings
QS: 396
THE Rankings: 201-250
U.S. News Rankings: 54
Acceptance Rate
5.65%
Enrollment
15,891 (fall 2023)
Graduate Programs
200+
Graduation Rate (six-year)
90.4%
Freshman Retention (Fall 2022)
96.9%
International Students
37%
Degrees Offered
Bachelor of Science, Bachelor of Arts, Master of Science, Master of Professional Studies, Doctor of Medical Science (DMSc), Juris Doctor, MBA
Now that you’re familiar with Northeastern University, let’s take a closer look at the important dates and deadlines for each application cycle, including those for the Fall and Spring sessions.
Northeastern University Admission Dates
The application process for the Fall semester usually begins in July, and deadlines can extend till August. For the Spring semester, applications usually open in February and close by March.
Here’s a breakdown of admission dates for different academic sessions at Northeastern University.
Fall Intake 2025
For the Fall intake at Northeastern University, the application process starts in July. The deadline for the initial I-20 is usually in August. The term starts in September 2025
Application Stage
Deadline
Application Complete
14th July 2025
Enrollment Confirmation
4th August 2025
Initial I-20 Request Deadline
4th August 2025
Spring Intake 2025
For Spring Intake 2025 at Northeastern University, the application process starts in February 2025. The deadline for submission is in February 2025. The term begins in April 2025.
Application Stage
Deadline
Application Complete
3rd February 2025
Enrollment Confirmation
17th February 2025
Initial I-20 Request Deadline
17th February 2025
Summer Intake 2025
The Summer Intake 2025 began on May 5th, 2024, and closed on May 19th, 2024. The graduate term starts in July 2025.
Application Stage
Deadline
Application Complete
5th May 2024 (Closed)
Enrollment Confirmation
19th May 2024 (Closed)
Initial I-20 Request Deadline
19th May 2024 (Closed)
Now that you’re familiar with the important admission dates for Northeastern University, let’s take a look at the bachelor’s admission requirements and available scholarship opportunities.
Northeastern University: Bachelors Admission
Northeastern University offers bachelor's programs across its 13 campuses in the U.S., UK, and Canada, including degrees in engineering, business, medicine, and humanities.
Before you explore the admission process, let's check out the advantages of getting into Northeastern University.
Advantages of Getting into Northeastern University for Bachelor's
Admission to Northeastern University offers benefits like flexible learning options. Through the upGrad Abroad Program, you can complete certain credits in India before transitioning to the on-campus experience.
Here are the other benefits of studying at Northeastern University.
Co-op Program: helps you gain real-world work experience while earning your degree, improving your employability and skills.
Global Campuses: Choose from 13 campuses across the U.S., UK, and Canada for a unique international learning experience.
Research Opportunities: Enroll in the latest research with over 30 research institutes and centres.
Career Placement: Access to Northeastern’s strong placement services, with 97% of students employed or in graduate school within six months of graduation.
Strong Alumni Network: Connect with a global network of successful alumni in various industries, including business, tech, and sports.
International Exposure: Study abroad options and global co-op placements help you develop a global perspective.
Now that you’ve seen the advantages of studying at Northeastern University, let’s understand the admission process to help you take the next steps toward joining this prestigious institution.
What are the Admission Requirements?
Undergraduate applicants must submit either SAT or ACT scores (optional for most programs). International students must submit TOEFL or Duolingo scores to demonstrate their English language skills.
Parameter
Description
SAT Score
1460-1550
ACT
33-35
Highschool GPA
4.04 or above
TOEFL Score (International students)
106 to 113
Duolingo English Test (International students)
135-145
C1 advanced or C2 proficiency (International students)
191 to 204
Scholarships
Northeastern University’s need-based and merit-based scholarships, such as Stamps Scholarships, can reduce the financial burden on students. In addition, these scholarships offer mentorship and networking opportunities for students.
Scholarship
Amount
Dean’s Scholarship
$28,000 (INR 24L)
Stamps Scholars
$24,000-$360,000 (INR 21L to INR 3.1 Cr)
RaiseMe Microscholarships
$20,000 (INR 17L)
Studying at Northeastern University for a bachelor’s degree offers benefits such as access to top-quality research facilities and scholarships that help reduce the financial burden.
Now, let’s explore the admission procedures and requirements for the MBA degree at Northeastern University.
Northeastern University MBA Admissions
Northeastern University offers a 2-year MBA program through the D’Amore-McKim School of Business. The MBA program accepts students for the Fall term, and the application deadline for the Fall 2025 intake is March 27, 2025.
Here are the requirements for MBA admission.
MBA Admission Requirement
To apply for the MBA program at Northeastern University, you need to submit a resume, official transcripts, and a GMAT/GRE score (optional). International students may also need to provide a residency card and an English language test score.
Criteria
Description
Test Score
GRE/GMAT (optional)
English Language Proficiency
TOEFL, IELTS, Duolingo, or PTE Academic scores
Recommendations
Two letters of recommendation from teachers.
Residency Proof
Passport or permanent residency card
MBA Scholarships
Scholarships like Dean’s and Forté help to reduce the cost of the MBA program and recognize the achievements of exceptional students.
Here are some scholarships for MBA students at Northeastern University.ccNow that you’ve explored the requirements and scholarships for MBA students at Northeastern University, let’s take a look at the admission process for the MS programs.
Northeastern University MS Admissions
The Master of Science (MS) programs at Northeastern University are offered through the College of Engineering. For the Fall term, the Early Action deadline for applications is December 1, while the final deadline for international applicants is June 1.
Here are the requirements for the MS program at Northeastern University.
MS Admission Requirement
For MS administration, you need to submit GRE scores (optional), English Language Proficiency (ELP) test scores, and letters of recommendation.
Criteria
Description
Test Score
GRE (Optional)
English Language Proficiency
TOEFL, IELTS, and/or Duolingo scores.
Recommendations
Two letters of recommendation are required from individuals familiar with technical and personal qualifications.
Transcripts
Copies from all institutions in which you earned a Bachelor’s degree equivalent or higher.
MS Scholarships
The College of Engineering (COE) Tuition Scholarship provides 25% financial support to qualified students. Additionally, the Double Husky Scholarship offers a 25% tuition waiver for Northeastern alumni pursuing a graduate degree.
Scholarship
Benefits
Double Husky Scholarships (for alumni)
25% tuition fee waiver
COE Tuition Scholarship
25% tuition fee waiver
New Program Launch Scholarship (limited programs)
25% tuition fee waiver
Regional Campus Scholarship (excludes Boston campus)
25% tuition fee waiver
Now that you’ve explored the requirements and scholarships for MS students, let’s take a look at the admission process for the MBBS program.
Northeastern University MBBS Admissions
The MBBS program at Northeastern University is offered through the Bouvé College of Health Sciences. For the majority of courses, the Fall admission deadline is August 1, while the Spring admission deadline is December 1.
Here are the requirements for MBBS admissions at Northeastern University.
MBBS/MD Admission Requirement
Applicants must submit GRE scores, English Language Proficiency (ELP) test scores, and undergo a credit evaluation of their previous academic coursework.
Criteria
Description
Test Scores (GRE)
A minimum score of 150 Verbal Reasoning and 150 Quantitative Reasoning is expected.
English Language Proficiency
TOEFL OR IELTS scores are required for all applicants who do not hold a degree from the US.
Transcripts
Copies from all institutions in which you earned a Bachelor’s degree equivalent or higher.
Credit Evaluation
Applicants with degree coursework from institutions outside of the US must submit a credential evaluation.
MBBS Scholarships
Scholarships for MBBS/MD students can help reduce the financial burden. The Dean’s Scholarship is awarded for academic excellence, while the Torch Scholarship recognizes students for leadership and community service.
Scholarship
Benefits
Dean’s Scholarship
$28000 annually (INR 24L)
Torch Scholars
Full tuition, fees, housing and food, as well as personal and academic support.
Stamps Scholars
$24,000-$360,000 (INR 21L to INR 3.1 Cr)
RaiseMe Microscholarships
$20,000 (INR 17L)
Now that you’ve looked at the admission requirements for MBBS/MD courses, let’s explore admission procedures for other PG courses.
Northeastern University: Other PG Courses Admission
Northeastern University offers Master’s programs, including specialized courses like the MS in Engineering and MA in English, among others. Admission deadlines vary depending on the specific course and college.
Here are the admission requirements for different PG courses at Northeastern University.
Other PG Course Admission Requirement
Master’s programs at Northeastern University may require GRE or GMAT scores (optional), English Language Proficiency tests such as TOEFL, and supporting documents like transcripts.
Criteria
Description
Test Score (Optional)
GRE, LSAT, or GMAT
English Language Proficiency
TOEFL, IELTS, and/or Duolingo scores.
Recommendations
1 to 3 letters of recommendation are required from individuals familiar with technical and personal qualifications.
Transcripts
Copies from all institutions in which you earned a Bachelor’s degree equivalent or higher.
Miscellaneous
Professional resume and Personal statement.
After looking at the requirements to apply for a master’s program at Northeastern University, let’s take a look at the admission process in detail.
Northeastern University Admission Process
The admission process at Northeastern University involves three simple steps: creating your application, submitting the required documents, and checking your application status.
Here are the steps involved in the admission process.
1. Create your application
Begin by filling out your application through either the Common Application or Coalition Application portal. Once the application has been created, select Northeastern University to directly submit your application.
2. Submit all required materials
Along with your application, submit all necessary documents, such as transcripts, standardized test scores (if required), recommendation letters, and personal essays.
Here are the documents needed to be submitted for the admission process.
Document
Description
Coursework and Grades Form
It is a tool that allows students to report their coursework and grades directly to the university.
Transcripts
The Official High School Transcript must include any final grades from grades 9, 10, and 11.
Standardized Test Score
These are optional. You can take the SAT, ACT or both.
School report
A School Report contains class rank, GPA scaling, curriculum, and extra-curricular activities offered by your high school.
Recommendation letter
You need to send one teacher recommendation and one school counselor recommendation.
English Proficiency
You can send any one of the following:
C1 Advanced or C2 Proficiency
Duolingo English Test (DET)
IELTS Academic
PTE Academic
TOEFL
Other Requirements
If you are applying for the College of Arts, Media and Design, you need to submit a portfolio.
3. Check your application status
After the application has been submitted, you can track its status through the confirmation email provided by Northeastern.
By following these steps, you can submit a complete application with the mandated documents and stay informed about your admission status.
After you have completed the application process, let’s explore the range of student support services to help you throughout your academic journey.
Northeastern University Student Support Services
The Office of Global Services (OGS) supports international students with visa assistance, cultural integration, and academic guidance.
The English Language Support Program (ELSP) offers workshops and tutoring to improve language skills, while academic and cultural support helps students adapt to the US. systems.
The Career Development Office (CDO) provides career counselling, co-op placements, and job search resources, preparing you for post-graduation success.
Conclusion
Northeastern University admits students in three sessions—Fall, Spring, and Summer—with deadlines varying by college. While some programs require GRE scores, others do not. For international students, scores like TOEFL or IELTS are mandatory.
upGrad's study abroad program offers a flexible pathway, allowing students to complete certain credits in India before moving to the Northeastern campus for an enriching on-campus experience.
Northeastern University Admissions 2025: Process, Requirements & Deadlines
Disclaimer
All information provided on this page is for general use and upGrad Abroad is not responsible for any errors or omissions. Any action taken upon the information found on this website is strictly at your own risk.