Admissions & Aid
Each Day Something Happens at SAIS That Can Improve the World
Students at SAIS do more than study global politics and interactions among nations—they live international relations. Across our three campuses, more than 1,000 full-time students create a close-knit community where lifelong relationships, both personal and professional, are formed. Our student body represents approximately 75 nations, promoting a diversity that lends richness and vitality to academic life.
At all three SAIS campuses, students share a desire to help others and a commitment to community service. They volunteer assistance to many local and international humanitarian projects, such as running a water supply and sanitation project in Panama, teaching high school students in the Balkans, launching the student-run Migrant School Learning Initiative in Nanjing, and helping in the aftermath of earthquakes in China, Haiti and Japan.
Prior to Attending
The SAIS student body is diverse, and admission to the school is highly competitive. The Admissions Committee values applicants with solid academic preparation (including course work in economics), practical professional experience and international exposure. We strongly encourage students of varied undergraduate backgrounds to apply. Because classes are taught in English in Washington and Bologna, competence in English is a prerequisite for all applicants. Mandarin proficiency is a prerequisite for all programs at the Hopkins- Nanjing Center.
Prerequisites by Program
- Master of Arts
- Masters of Arts in International Affairs
- Master of Arts in International Studies
- Master of International Public Policy
- Doctor of Philosophy
- Diploma in International Studies
- Certificate in Chinese and American Studies
- Hopkins-Nanjing Center Five-Semester Options
Master of Arts
General
Applicants must hold a bachelor’s degree or its equivalent. All incoming M.A. students must complete introductory microeconomics and introductory macroeconomics courses (receiving a grade of B- or higher) prior to enrolling at SAIS. Completion of these courses is recommended but not required to apply to SAIS.
Volunteer positions, internships and employment all are encouraged. While international experience is strongly recommended, students should be able to show their interest in the field of international relations.
Language
All SAIS students must have proven English proficiency. Students whose native language is not English must demonstrate their preparation in the English language via strong TOEFL or IELTS scores. The TOEFL/IELTS test requirement may be waived for individuals who have received their undergraduate degree from an accredited institution where English is the language of instruction in a country where English is an official language.
For Non-U.S. Students
Most non-U.S. students at SAIS enter the United States using either F-1 student or J-1 exchange visitor visas–student category. Since a student’s academic career can span several years, we encourage you to keep copies of all immigration-related documents related to your stay. This includes copies of your passport, I-20s, DS-2019s, as well as any applications and correspondence submitted to the government for immigration-related benefits, etc.
All non-European Union citizens at SAIS Bologna enter Italy using a student visa. The visa wil be valid for the duration of the academic year.
For Dual Degree Seekers
Students must be admitted separately to each school, satisfying the admissions requirements of both institutions. Students interested in pursuing dual degrees from SAIS and a two-year program must either apply to the schools simultaneously or be admitted to the second school by the end of their first year at the first school. Students interested in pursuing dual SAIS and law degrees must apply simultaneously to each school, apply to the law school before completion of the first year of the SAIS degree program or apply to SAIS before the second year of law study has been completed.
Masters of Arts in International Affairs
General
This program entails two years of study at SAIS Bologna. Students who wish to enter this program (except for those coming from our partner institutions) are initially admitted to the SAIS M.A. and must submit an M.A.I.A. application during their first semester of study at SAIS Bologna. Students are selected on the basis of their performance in the first semester, their academic potential, and a research proposal that will become the subject of their M.A.I.A. thesis in the second year. A prerequisite for non-native English-speakers is to have passed the written section of an English proficiency examination.
Language
For the M.A.I.A., non-native English speakers must pass a comprehensive proficiency examination to demonstrate the required competence in English. Those students who attend one year at SAIS Bologna and apply for the M.A.I.A. program during their first semester must pass all four sections of the English proficiency prior to admission to the M.A.I.A., i.e. in September or January. Those students who come from one of our partner institutions and enter as second year M.A.I.A. students must pass all four sections of the English proficiency by the end of their year in Bologna, i.e. May. Nevertheless, the written section of the exam must be taken by all non-native English speakers, M.A.I.A. applicants included, during orientation week.
All native English-speaking candidates must pass a written and oral proficiency examination in one of the languages offered at the Center.
Master of Arts in International Studies
General
College graduates with an advanced level of Chinese language proficiency may apply to the Hopkins-Nanjing Center. There are no specific prerequisites for students attending the center, though M.A.I.S. candidates planning on pursuing a concentration in International Economics are expected to have taken at least introductory microeconomics and macroeconomics courses before enrolling.
Language
All applicants are required to take the Center for Applied Linguistics (CAL) Chinese proficiency test. Students who intend to have further Chinese language study between taking the test and enrolling in the program should make this clear on the application, as this information can play a role in admissions decisions.
For International Students
Applicants whose native language is not English (or in the case of bilingual students, whose dominant language is not English), and who have spent less than two years at an accredited university where English is the medium of instruction, are required to submit an English-proficiency score.
The HNC accepts the TOEFL and IELTS. The HNC and SAIS's Washington, D.C., campus share the TOEFL code of 5610-0000.
Citizens of the People's Republic of China, Taiwan, Hong Kong and Macao who wish to study in English should contact Cai Jiahe, deputy director of Academic Affairs, at caijh@hnc.nju.edu.cn for eligibility requirements and application.
Master of International Public Policy
General
The M.I.P.P. is designed as a mid-career program, and all applicants must have at least nine years of work experience after completion of an undergraduate degree. The M.I.P.P. degree consists of eight non-language courses, preferably completed full-time within one year, but when necessary an M.I.P.P. candidate can request part-time status and complete the degree over the span of two years.
Language
The M.I.P.P. degree does not require foreign language study. However, some regional affiliations may require or encourage study in a foreign language from a particular region. Non-native speakers of English must pass an English placement exam.
Non U.S. Students
A TOEFL score of at least 600 for the paper-based exam, 250 for the computer-based exam or 100 for the Internet-based exam is required of all applicants whose native language is not English. Students who choose to submit the IELTS exam results must meet a minimum of 7.0. The TOEFL/IELTS exam requirement may be waived for individuals who have done their undergraduate degree in English in a country where English is an official language.
Doctor of Philosophy
General
Ph.D. applicants must hold a master's degree in a field directly related to their proposed field of study. Advanced professional degrees such as a J.D. or a M.B.A. cannot be substituted for advanced work in international affairs. An advanced degree in strategic studies from a military institution is not considered appropriate for admission to most Ph.D. programs but is sometimes acceptable for admission to the Strategic Studies Program at SAIS.
Language
All SAIS students must have proven English proficiency. Students whose native language is not English must demonstrate their preparation in the English language via strong TOEFL or IELTS scores.
For International Students
All applicants to SAIS whose native language is not English (or in the case of bilingual students, whose dominant language is not English) and who do not hold an undergraduate degree granted by an accredited college/university where English is the medium of instruction are required to submit a score for the TOEFL or the academic version of the IELTS exam. The minimum required score for the TOEFL is 100 in the Internet-based exam (600 in the paper-based exam), and the minimum IELTS score is 7.
Financial Aid and Funding
A limited number of fellowships are available each year. Students with an M.A. from SAIS may receive a maximum of three years of funding, and non-SAIS M.A.s may receive a maximum of four years of funding. The fellowship may include tuition and/or stipend benefits.
Ph.D. students are urged to seek outside support for their studies at SAIS. In the annual review process, applications for outside support will be treated as one sign of a student's seriousness of purpose.
Students receiving fellowship awards will be carefully evaluated by the Ph.D. Committee on the basis of performance in class, satisfaction of degree requirements, and a written evaluation from the student’s Ph.D. advisor at the end of each academic year to determine if the financial award will be renewed.
Diploma in International Studies
Certificate in Chinese and American Studies
General
College graduates with an advanced level of Chinese language proficiency may apply to the Hopkins-Nanjing Center. There are no specific prerequisites for students attending the Center.
Language
All applicants are required to take the Center for Applied Linguistics (CAL) Chinese proficiency test. Students who intend to have further Chinese language study between taking the test and enrolling in the program should make this clear on the application, as this information can play a role in admissions decisions.
For International Students
Applicants whose native language is not English (or in the case of bilingual students, whose dominant language is not English), and who have spent less than two years at an accredited university where English is the medium of instruction, are required to submit an English-proficiency score.
The HNC accepts the TOEFL and IELTS. The HNC and SAIS's Washington, D.C., share the TOEFL code 5610-0000.
Citizens of the People's Republic of China, Taiwan, Hong Kong and Macao who wish to study in English should contact Cai Jiahe, deputy director of Academic Affairs, at caijh@hnc.nju.edu.cn for eligibility requirements and application.
Hopkins-Nanjing Center Five-Semester Options
General
Five-Semester Option applicants must hold a bachelor's degree or its equivalent. Successful candidates for the Five-Semester Option are advanced in their Chinese language abilities, have demonstrated professional development through work experience and have a background in the fundamentals of economics.
Language
Five-Semester Option applicants are required to take the Center for Applied Linguistics (CAL) Chinese proficiency test. Students who intend to have further Chinese language study between taking the test and enrolling in the program should make this clear on the application, as this information can play a role in admissions decisions.
For International Students
Applicants whose native language is not English (or in the case of bilingual students, whose dominant language is not English) and who have spent less than two years at an accredited university where English is the medium of instruction, are required to submit an English-proficiency score.
The HNC accepts the TOEFL and IELTS. The HNC and SAIS's Washington, D.C., campus share the TOEFL code of 5610-0000.
Citizens of the People's Republic of China, Taiwan, Hong Kong and Macao who wish to study in English should contact Cai Jiahe, deputy director of Academic Affairs, at caijh@hnc.nju.edu.cn for eligibility requirements and application.