The Fletcher School at Tufts University, founded in 1933, is a premier graduate school of international affairs, offering interdisciplinary and multisectoral study, research, and practice of international affairs, law, and business. It is ranked among the top four globally by policymakers in Foreign Policy magazine and its Master of International Business program is ranked 12th globally by QS (2026).
Fletcher’s mission is to educate minds and advance solutions across international government, business and civil society, promoting real-world experience and a global perspective through every program. The school is at the forefront of solving complex global challenges in an ever-evolving global society, its impact demonstrated by an international network of over 12,000 alumni in 149 countries, many of whom are prominent leaders and renowned businesspeople.
Fletcher’s graduate programs include flexible master’s degrees for every career stage as well as PhD programs. With 10 academically rigorous areas of specialization to choose from, students can tailor their degree to their ambitions. Students learn in the classroom, in the field, and from each other. The welcoming and engaged community fosters friendships and relationships around the world and has a diverse student body (including 50 percent international students from over 75 countries) augmenting the academic experience.
Students at Fletcher have outstanding career outcomes across the public, private, and civil society sectors, with interdisciplinary skills supporting work in multiple sectors throughout their career.
The Fletcher School at Tufts University is located in Medford, Massachusetts, just outside of Boston, which is ranked 18th globally by QS (2027) as a top student city. Boston is a hub of innovation, history, culture, and academics. Students enjoy a beautiful campus and community with quick easy connection via on-campus subway stop to all that Boston and Cambridge has to offer, including opportunity to cross-register for courses at Harvard University.
In 2027, the Fletcher School at Tufts University continues to perform well across a range of rankings, including:
Tufts University as a whole also bears global renown, ranking:
Tufts University is continually investing in its facilities, ensuring students have access to the very best equipment and resources during their studies. In recent years, state-of-the-art new buildings have been constructed, with many older ones fully renovated.
On the Medford campus, a USD 27.5 million aquatics center is due to be completed by fall 2028. This facility will contain an Olympic-size swimming pool with diving boards, fully equipped for competitive swimming, as well as a range of fitness and wellness programming.
US$59,561 Postgraduate Fees are for indicative purposes, check with institution for details
The Fletcher School at Tufts University awards over USD 7 million every year in scholarships and financial aid, with over 92 percent of students who apply for aid receiving it. The Office of Admissions is committed to ensuring finances do not stand in the way of students achieving their academic goals.
Fletcher scholarships are granted based on both merit and financial need, and are available to both domestic and international students. Most scholarships assist students by part-funding their tuition fees.
International students may also be interested in Fletcher’s International Loan Program which provides low-interest loans in amounts up to USD 25,000 to support the cost of tuition fees.
Second-year master’s students may apply for teaching and research assistantships with Fletcher professors, for which a stipend of around USD 2,000 is usually paid. Other on-campus job opportunities are also available to help with covering the costs of living expenses and tuition. Students may also be eligible for external scholarships or funding.
Tufts University was ranked in the top 40 best value schools in the USA in 2027 (US News & World Report).
In order to study at The Fletcher School, every student must meet the entry requirements. The school is test optional for GRE and GMAT.
Students must hold a bachelor’s degree in order to apply to a master’s program at Fletcher.
As part of their application, students must submit:
The deadline for in-person master’s study is April 15.
International students must meet the Fletcher School’s English language requirements. In most cases, students must have an IELTS overall score of 7.0 (no lower than 7.0 on any band), or an equivalent qualification.
As a founding member of the Association of Professional Schools of International Affairs, The Fletcher School provides its graduate students with a career-focused, international affairs education of the highest level. Faculty are sought-after experts and practitioners in their fields, and part of a research culture that examines cutting-edge questions and challenges across the globe. Students benefit from an exceptionally low student-faculty ratio of 9:1.
Fletcher’s programs focus on the provision of a truly interdisciplinary education, with flexible study paths allowing students to tailor their education to their professional and academic ambitions. Students enjoy learning practically as well as theoretically, with experiential learning opportunities providing real-world experiences.
Program curricula are fed by the very latest research, as well as the developments that are driving the international workforce worldwide. Academic collaboration and an innovative mindset are strongly encouraged, ensuring students graduate with a broad set of skills to approach their specialism, and career, from a mindfully holistic viewpoint.
Fletcher has nine research centers and five research programs with particular depth in technology policy, sustainable development, global governance, conflict resolution, diplomacy, security studies, and the digital economy.
The school’s research aims not only to understand global affairs, but also to shape them, with a view to creating impactful and sustainable change. Tufts University as a whole is classified as a Research (R1) institution in the Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education, the highest classification available.
The Fletcher School at Tufts University specializes in international affairs and related subject areas, providing a globalized and experiential learning experience to all students. Master’s programs are available for students at every career stage.
In 2026, it offers the following programs:
*These degrees are STEM-designated.
The Fletcher School is located on Tufts University’s Medford campus, just six miles from Boston, one of the world’s most intellectually stimulating cities and ranked among the top 20 student cities globally (QS Top Student Cities 2027). The school embraces a ‘learning through doing’ philosophy, giving students access to advanced technologies, resources, and hands-on learning opportunities throughout their studies. The Edwin Ginn Library houses thousands of volumes, with alumni retaining online access for life. Students also benefit from Tufts’ extensive sporting facilities, including fitness centers, gyms, swimming pools, and athletics venues.
On-campus housing is available for Fletcher students at the recently renovated 123 Packard residence, located just one block from the school. Accommodation consists of single-occupancy rooms with shared kitchen and bathroom facilities. For the 2026/27 academic year, a room costs USD 15,580. Students seeking alternatives can access support from the Office for Residential Life to find suitable off-campus housing in the local area.
With more than 75 nationalities represented, Fletcher offers a diverse and inclusive community. Students are encouraged to participate in social, academic, and athletic activities, with access to more than 30 student organizations. Opportunities to create new clubs and initiatives help foster leadership, collaboration, and cultural exchange.
Ninety-seven percent of Fletcher graduates secure employment or continue into further study within six months of graduation. Alumni work across a range of sectors worldwide, including the private sector (41%), public sector (24%), and civil society and multilateral organizations (35%). Experiential learning is central to the student experience, with opportunities including internships, practicums, capstones, research projects, conferences, competitions, and international career treks. Graduates leave with strong academic knowledge, practical skills, professional networks, and valuable work experience that prepare them for global careers.
The Office of Professional Development provides career guidance and resources to students and alumni from the start of their studies. Support includes one-to-one coaching, career planning, job application guidance, professional development programs, employer events, and networking opportunities through Fletcher’s international community of mentors and alumni. Students also have access to CORE, Fletcher’s careers and recruitment platform.
Student wellbeing and security are a priority at Tufts University. The Tufts University Police Department (TUPD) is a fully authorized campus police service that patrols the campus and delivers initiatives such as self-defense classes, campus shuttles, and an emergency phone network. Students also have access to Tufts Emergency Medical Services (TEMS), a trained campus-based medical team available 24/7. In the event of an emergency, the university communicates through its emergency alert system, which students are encouraged to join upon arrival.
Connect with students worldwide, explore campus life and learn about life abroad.
Connect with students worldwide, explore campus life and learn about life abroad.