Study with us

Studeer bij ons

BU has 6 distinct faculties and more than 36 specialized schools and academic units across our campuses in Curaçao, Kingdom of the Netherlands, Paris, and other global locations

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Life at BU

Leven bij BU

At BU, life goes beyond the classroom, it’s vibrant, diverse, and filled with opportunities to explore your passions across cultures and campuses.

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Collaborate

Mahi Tahi

Partner through global alliances, academic networks, or local initiatives to shape education, research, and community impact.

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About BU

Over ons

BU is where global education meets real-world opportunity. With campuses in Curaçao, Paris, and worldwide, we prepare learners to lead in a fast-changing world.

Contant Us
Entry Requirements

Find Your Way Into
Bloomington

Whether you're joining us from across the world or around the corner, we're here to help you understand what you need to begin your journey.

190+ Countries
Clear Process
Support at Every Step
What You'll Need
Academic Qualifications
High school diploma or equivalent
English Proficiency
IELTS, TOEFL, or equivalent test
Supporting Documents
Transcripts, ID, and personal statement
Academic Entry

General Academic Entry Requirements

Entry requirements vary by program level and discipline. Below you'll find the typical academic qualifications we accept for each award type. We evaluate all qualifications in context—your background, your goals, and your potential.

We accept qualifications from over 190 countries

Undergraduate Programs

Bachelor's degrees, Associate degrees, Diplomas

For undergraduate study, we typically require completion of secondary education with strong academic performance. We accept a wide range of international qualifications.

Accepted Qualifications
  • A-Levels (UK)
  • International Baccalaureate (IB)
  • High School Diploma + SAT/ACT (US)
  • ATAR (Australia)
  • WASSCE/NECO (West Africa)
  • National Senior Certificate (South Africa)
  • CBSE/ISC (India)
  • Gaokao (China)

Specific grade requirements vary by program. Some programs may require prerequisite subjects.

View Undergraduate Programs

Postgraduate Taught Programs

Master's degrees, Graduate Diplomas, Graduate Certificates

For postgraduate taught programs, you'll typically need a bachelor's degree or equivalent from a recognized institution. Some programs may require relevant work experience.

Typical Requirements
  • Bachelor's degree (2:1 or equivalent)
  • Relevant undergraduate major
  • Professional experience (some programs)
  • Portfolio (creative programs)
  • GMAT/GRE (business programs)
  • References (2 academic/professional)

We consider applicants with 2:2 degrees who have relevant professional experience.

View Master's Programs

Postgraduate Research Programs

PhD, MPhil, Research Masters

Research degrees require a strong academic background and a clear research proposal. You'll work closely with a supervisor in your chosen field.

Typical Requirements
  • Master's degree (for PhD)
  • First-class or 2:1 honours degree
  • Research proposal (2,000-3,000 words)
  • Academic references (2-3)
  • Writing sample or publications
  • Identified supervisor (recommended)

Direct PhD entry may be possible for exceptional candidates with a first-class bachelor's degree.

Explore Research Opportunities

Professional Doctorates

DBA, EdD, DProf, DClinPsy

Professional doctorates combine advanced study with professional practice. They're designed for experienced professionals seeking to make a significant contribution to their field.

Typical Requirements
  • Master's degree or equivalent
  • 5+ years professional experience
  • Current professional role
  • Employer support (recommended)
  • Professional references
  • Research proposal aligned with practice

Professional doctorates are typically part-time to accommodate working professionals.

View Professional Doctorates

Fellowships & Advanced Awards

Research Fellowships, Honorary Doctorates, Advanced Diplomas

Fellowships and advanced awards recognize exceptional achievement and contribution. These are typically by invitation or competitive application.

Typical Requirements
  • Doctoral degree (for research fellowships)
  • Significant publications/portfolio
  • International recognition in field
  • Nomination or invitation
  • Research/project proposal
  • Distinguished references

Fellowship opportunities are announced periodically. Register your interest to be notified.

Learn About Fellowships
Important Notes
  • Country-specific requirements: We evaluate qualifications from each country individually. Use our Country Requirements Lookup for specific guidance.
  • Document verification: All qualifications must be verified. We may request certified translations for non-English documents.
  • Alternative pathways: Don't meet the standard requirements? Explore our alternative entry pathways.
Language Proficiency

English Language Requirements

All programs are taught in English. You'll need to demonstrate English proficiency unless you qualify for an exemption. We accept a range of tests and qualifications.

Many applicants are already exempt—check below!

You May Be Exempt If...

  • You're a citizen of a majority English-speaking country
  • You completed secondary education in English
  • You hold a degree taught entirely in English
  • You've worked professionally in English for 2+ years
Check Exempt Countries

You'll Need to Provide Proof If...

  • English is not your first language
  • Your previous education was not in English
  • You're from a non-exempt country
  • Your exemption documentation is unclear
View Accepted Tests

English-Speaking Countries (Automatic Exemption)

Citizens or graduates from these majority English-speaking countries are typically exempt from English language test requirements.

United Kingdom Ireland Malta

3 countries in this region

United States Canada (except Quebec) Antigua & Barbuda Bahamas Barbados Belize Dominica Grenada Guyana Jamaica St Kitts & Nevis St Lucia St Vincent & Grenadines Trinidad & Tobago

14 countries in this region (includes Caribbean)

Australia New Zealand Fiji Papua New Guinea Samoa Solomon Islands Tonga Vanuatu

8 countries in this region

Botswana Cameroon Ghana Kenya Lesotho Liberia Malawi Mauritius Namibia Nigeria Rwanda Sierra Leone South Africa Eswatini (Swaziland) Tanzania Uganda Zambia Zimbabwe

18 countries in this region

India Pakistan Philippines Singapore Hong Kong

5 countries in this region

*Applicants presenting qualifications will need to provide evidence from the institution that the degree was taught and examined in English.

Accepted English Tests

Click each test to see minimum score requirements.

IELTS Academic

Overall

6.5

No Band Below

6.0

Valid For

2 Years

TOEFL iBT

Overall

90

Writing

21+

Valid For

2 Years

Pearson PTE Academic

Overall

62

No Skill Below

54

Valid For

2 Years

Cambridge C1 Advanced (CAE)

Overall

176

No Skill Below

169

Valid For

Lifetime

Duolingo English Test

Overall

115

No Subscore Below

100

Valid For

2 Years

LanguageCert Academic

Overall

C1 Expert (65+)

Each Skill

33+

Valid For

2 Years

Qualifications That May Exempt You

These qualifications may satisfy English requirements. Click any row for details.

UK GCSE/IGCSE English

Grade C/4+
GCSE English Language or IGCSE English as a First Language at grade C/4 or above. IGCSE English as a Second Language requires grade B/6.

IB English

Grade 5+
IB English A (Literature or Language & Literature) at Standard or Higher Level with grade 5 or above.

A-Level English

Grade C+
A-Level English Language or English Literature at grade C or above from a recognized examination board.

SAT Evidence-Based R&W

600+
SAT Evidence-Based Reading and Writing section score of 600 or above (new SAT format).

ACT English + Reading

24+
ACT English and Reading combined score of 48 or above (24+ in each section).

UK Degree (English-taught)

Any Class
A completed undergraduate or postgraduate degree from a UK university, taught entirely in English.

European Baccalaureate

70%+
European Baccalaureate with English as Language 1 or Language 2 at 70% or above.

WAEC/NECO English

Grade C6+
West African Examination Council (WAEC) or NECO English Language at grade C6 or above.

Hong Kong DSE English

Level 4+
Hong Kong Diploma of Secondary Education (HKDSE) English Language at Level 4 or above.

Singapore A-Level GP

Grade C+
Singapore-Cambridge GCE A-Level General Paper (GP) at grade C or above.

Indian CBSE/ISC English

70%+
CBSE or ISC English (Core or Elective) at 70% or above in Class XII board examinations.

Australian Year 12 English

Band 4+
Australian Year 12 English or English as an Additional Language at Band 4 or above (state-dependent).

Possible Exempting Qualifications for EU Settled / Pre-settled Applicants

  • Bulgarian Diploma of Completed Secondary Education – Grade 5 or above in English language
  • Cambridge PET – Pass with distinction
  • Cambridge FCE – Pass at Grade C minimum
  • Cambridge Advanced / Proficiency / Business Higher / Legal / Financial – Pass
  • Danish Bevis (HF/HHX/HTX/STX) – Grade 7 or higher
  • ESOL Skills for Life – Levels 1 & 2
  • French Baccalaureate – Grade 8 (HL) or Grade 12 (OIB) 12-20
  • German Abitur – Mark 'Gut' at Abitur 11
  • Linguaskill – Overall average of 169 or higher (with no less than 162 in each component)
  • Lithuanian Brandos Atestatas – Grade 8 at B2 level
  • Michigan Language Test – B2 in all components
  • Password Skills – Overall score of 6, with no less than 5.5 in any section
  • Polish Extended Matura – 70%+
  • Portuguese Certificado de fim de Estudos Secundários / Diploma Nivel Secundário de Educação – Grade 14 or higher
  • Track Test – B2 Level
  • Trinity Integrated Skills in English – ISE II, ISE III, ISE IV
  • Romanian Baccalaureate – B2 Level in all elements
  • Slovakian Maturita – B2 Level
  • Swedish Upper Secondary School – VG/C or B/6 minimum

Unsure About Your Qualifications?

If you're not sure whether your qualifications meet our English language requirements, our International Office is here to help. Get personalized guidance on your eligibility and next steps.

Connect with us to Explore programs and personalized guidance.

Our admissions team is here to help you find the right program and start your journey with confidence.