Want to combine big city life with academic excellence during your studies abroad? Boston University offers an international study environment, hands-on learning, and an urban campus in one of the liveliest student cities in the USA. On our website, you will find all the important information about the university, the city, and more – and learn how your dream of studying abroad at Boston University can become a reality. Who knows – maybe you will soon be part of the lively campus on the Charles River and discover Boston in all its facets.
Boston University (BU) is one of the largest private universities in the United States and is located in the heart of the vibrant city of Boston. Its origins date back to 1839, when it was founded as a Methodist seminary. Today, it is a modern, globally recognized top university with a wide range of academic programs and an international student body.
The more than 300 study programs at the bachelor's, master's, and doctoral levels cover all areas and subjects, such as biology, broadcast journalism, economics, computer science, education, film, international relations, psychology, and theater. If you study at Boston University, you will be taught by internationally renowned professors and even Pulitzer Prize winners, Fulbright scholars, and MacArthur Fellows. Take advantage of this unique opportunity and follow in the footsteps of leading experts and renowned alumni such as Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.!
Boston University is one of the strongest research universities in the country. It is a member of the Association of American Universities (AAU), an exclusive association of 62 leading North American research universities that can only be joined by invitation. Special teaching and research focuses include engineering biology, communication & media, cyber security, climate research, public health, and entrepreneurship, with students being involved in practical projects and international collaborations from an early stage.
Another hallmark of Boston University is its international orientation: students from all 50 US states and over 130 countries come together on the urban campus directly on the Charles River for an intensive and practical learning experience. With over 450 student clubs and an equally exciting city right on the doorstep, there's no chance of boredom here!
Boston University is located in the heart of the city. The main campus of Boston University, the Charles River Campus, is located between downtown Boston and Cambridge and stretches approximately 3.2 km along Commonwealth Avenue. What makes the Charles River Campus special and sets it apart from many other US universities is its openness. When you study at Boston University, you won't find a closed “courtyard campus,” but rather a campus that is integrated into the city. Unlike Harvard, most of Boston University's buildings are modern and functional rather than historic, which perfectly underscores the practical nature of the university. Important and popular places on campus include Marsh Plaza, the central square overlooking the Charles River, BU Beach, a popular green space right on the river, the Mugar Memorial Library, and the Agganis Arena, where numerous sporting events and concerts take place. There are also several student residences in the eastern and western parts of the Charles River Campus.
Other Boston University locations include the Fenway Campus and the Medical Campus. The Fenway Campus is located ten to fifteen minutes from the main campus and is home to the College of Fine Arts, which offers courses in music, theater, dance, and visual arts, as well as parts of Wheelock College, which offers programs in education and social work. While the Fenway Campus, with its rehearsal rooms and studios, is the artistic center of Boston University, so to speak, the Medical Campus in Southend is the clinic and research location. There are hardly any undergraduate students here, and accordingly, the atmosphere is quite different from that on the Charles River Campus.
All university locations can be easily reached with the free Boston University Shuttle (the BUS).
Boston, the capital of the state of Massachusetts on the east coast of the USA, is considered one of the leading centers for education, innovation, and culture in North America. The city combines tradition and modernity: historic brick buildings and Victorian houses from the English colonial era meet modern skyscrapers, lively student districts, and an international population. Around 25% of Boston's approximately 675,647 residents are students, and numerous colleges and universities, including Boston University, make the city a true academic hotspot. Historically and culturally, the largest city in the New England region has a lot to offer: the Museum of Fine Arts, the Boston Athenaeum, the Freedom Trail, and the world-famous Symphony Hall with the Boston Symphony Orchestra are just a few examples of its cultural highlights. But Boston also has plenty to offer for sports, food, and shopping enthusiasts. After a day at university, you can relax or work out at the Charles River with its many green spaces. However, this diverse range of activities comes at a price: living in Boston, especially rent and food, is expensive.
If you study at Boston University, you can choose whether you want to live on or off campus. The Boston University student residences on campus are ideal for settling into your new city, making friends, benefiting from short distances to lectures, and immersing yourself fully in the lively campus life. You will enjoy the university's services, including a meal plan, but at around $20,000 per year, you may end up paying more than you would off campus. Allston, Brighton, and Fenway are popular and somewhat affordable neighborhoods if you prefer to live privately in an (shared) apartment near campus. Whatever you decide, start looking for accommodation early and be flexible about the location!
Munich Business School (MBS) offers you the opportunity to combine studying in Munich with a stay at Boston University – all within one program! You can complete your semester abroad at the Metropolitan College of Boston University as part of a bachelor's degree in International Business or a master's degree in International Business, Finance, Innovation and Entrepreneurship, International Marketing and Brand Management, or International Business | Sports Management and Media at MBS. In the master's programs, it is even possible to obtain a double degree. Find out more about our study programs now!
Note: Despite careful maintenance of our content, individual details regarding the semester abroad may occasionally change. For binding and up-to-date information, we recommend checking our partner university database.
Have you found a study program that interests you? Then you can easily apply via the MBS application portal. If you meet the necessary academic and language requirements, you will be invited to an interview. It is best to apply early to secure the best chances of studying at both Munich Business School and Boston University!
Once your application to Munich Business School has been accepted and you have successfully enrolled in a bachelor's or master's program, your studies in Munich will begin. During your first semesters at Munich Business School, you will acquire important business fundamentals, choose your majors and electives based on your degree program and interests, and work on exciting projects together with your fellow students.
The first semesters at Munich Business School are also the ideal time to plan your semester abroad at Boston University. When you will study abroad at Boston University depends on your degree program and when you started your studies. If you are studying for a bachelor's degree at Munich Business School and started your studies in the fall, your semester abroad will take place in the fourth semester. However, if you started your bachelor's degree in February, you will not go abroad until the sixth semester. For master's students, the semester abroad is scheduled for the third semester.
The MBS International Center is available to assist you in planning your semester abroad at the Metropolitan College of Boston University and will answer all your questions about course selection, housing, and student life.
After successfully completing your first semesters at Munich Business School and finalizing your plans for your semester abroad at Boston University, you're finally ready to go. Yay, your semester abroad in Boston is about to begin! Immerse yourself in the new (university) culture, make new friends, soak up everything around you, try new things, and create memories that will last a lifetime! One thing is certain: the experience of studying abroad in the US will stay with you forever and you will return a new person.
After your semester abroad, you will either return to Munich Business School for one to three more semesters (bachelor's program) or complete your studies with your thesis (master's program). If you have opted for the dual degree program, you will even spend two semesters at Boston University.
Don't want to choose between studying in Germany and studying in the USA? Then why not do both? The dual degree program at Munich Business School makes it possible and even awards you with two degrees at the end! You will first study for two semesters in a master's program at Munich Business School and then spend two more semesters at Boston University, one of the most renowned universities in the world. After completing your studies with a master's thesis, you will have two degrees in different subjects.
To qualify for a business degree at Munich Business School and thus also at Boston University, you must meet certain academic and language requirements. MBS offers several application rounds. It is advisable to apply early, as the number of places is limited.
Studying at Boston University (BU) is a dream for many young adults – and with good reason! At the same time, studying abroad in the US is a big step that needs to be well planned and financed. To help you with the organization, this FAQ provides answers to frequently asked questions about studying at BU.
Boston University is one of the most prestigious private research universities in the United States and enjoys an excellent international reputation. It is a member of the Association of American Universities (AAU), an association of leading research-intensive universities. In international rankings, BU is regularly listed among the top universities worldwide (76th place in the THE World University Rankings 2026), particularly in areas such as business, communication, engineering, health sciences, and international studies..
Yes — admission to Boston University is considered competitive and selective, although not quite as extreme as at Ivy League universities. Boston University is one of the most popular private universities in the United States and attracts many strong applicants from around the world. In the 2024/25 academic year, the acceptance rate was around 11%, meaning that only around 11 out of 100 applicants were admitted. Good grades, a strong personal profile, and compelling application documents will help increase your chances of studying at Boston University.
If you would like to study at Boston University for just one or two semesters abroad instead of a full degree program, you should consider studying business at Munich Business School. Thanks to the strong partnership between Munich Business School and Boston University, your place there is virtually guaranteed, and nothing stands in the way of your dream of studying abroad in the USA!
Boston University (BU) is best known for its broad academic excellence, international orientation, and research strength. It offers over 250 degree programs in fields such as business, communication, engineering, medicine, health sciences, and the arts. Boston University maintains close ties to business, culture, and research institutions in Boston, enabling a practical education. The urban campus directly on the Charles River with an active international student community is also a unique feature.
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