No, GRE scores are not required.

Yes. All admitted students (both US and international citizens) are eligible for support. However, the department has limited funds for the support of graduate students, and is committed to distributing this support as equitably as possible to students in good standing who are in need of financial assistance. Consequently, applicants are strongly urged to make extensive efforts to find some outside source of support.

MIT requires international applicants whose first language is not English to demonstrate English proficiency through an accepted standardized test.

International English Language Testing System (IELTS)
Minimum score required: 6.5
Electronic scores send to: MIT Graduate Admissions

Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL)
Minimum score required: 90 (iBT) 577 (PBT)
Institute code: 3514
Department code: 04 or 20

Cambridge English Qualification (C1 Advanced or C2 Proficiency exams)
Minimum score required: 185
Electronic scores may be sent to: MIT Graduate Admissions

Duolingo English Test (DET)
Minimum score required: 135
Electronic scores may be sent to: MIT Graduate Admissions

The Department of Linguistics and Philosophy does grant waivers.

Automatic exemptions: Applicants do not need to submit test scores if they are native English speakers or earned an undergraduate (or equivalent) degree within the last 5 years from an English-speaking institution in the U.S., Canada, U.K., Ireland, Australia, or New Zealand.

For other applicants, we generally grant waivers to students who have received a degree from an English-speaking university outside these countries or who demonstrate an extensive background in English. We ask that students requesting a waiver have their recommenders comment in depth on their English speaking, reading, and writing skills. We also strongly suggest that they submit a writing sample in English. Applicants may request a waiver within the application.

A Master’s degree is not required. Prospective students may apply to the PhD program direct from their undergraduate studies.

No, only admitted applicants are required to mail official transcripts.

No, the program does not offer classes through distance learning.

Formal interviews are not required. If you wish to meet with a faculty member, you can e-mail him/her to inquire about setting up an appointment. Faculty interests and contact information can be found in the Faculty section of this website.

We do not offer pre-application screening.