College of Arts and Sciences

About the school

The University at Buffalo – College of Arts and Sciences offers intensive graduate, combined degree, and certificate programmes for students seeking knowledge and skills beyond the classroom. Featuring 30 departments across Arts and Humanities, Social Sciences, Natural Sciences and Mathematics, the college boasts over 1,22,000 alumni members worldwide. It is focused on experiential learning to prepare you for the real world. The college is the biggest academic division of the University at Buffalo, which was established in 1846 and has 11,338 graduate students. A student-faculty ratio of 12:1 ensures you get essential personal attention.

Where is the school located?

As the university name suggests, the college is situated in Buffalo and nestled in the vast expanses of the North Campus, bustling and close to everyday conveniences.

Life at College of Arts and Sciences

The College of Arts and Sciences offers a wholesome experience that goes beyond rigorous academics. The cultural institutions here are dedicated to the pursuit and celebration of art, anthropology, concerts, and more. The diverse and inclusive environment of the campus is evident in the fact that it observes heritage months for Women’s History, Native Americans, Pride, Black History, and more. In terms of housing, you have the option of selecting fully-furnished on-campus accommodations or exploring vibrant neighbourhoods such as Allentown, Elmwood Village, Black Rock, Amherst or Kenmore. There are more than 400 clubs to choose from and over 35 on-campus dining locations. Food trucks also serve tasty snacks to satiate those random cravings. You can also use your UB Card which gives you access to more than 24 eateries. Well-equipped fitness centres are a plus. Safety and easy transportation options (shuttle service and metro rail) add to the appeal here, apart from the opportunity to meet like-minded people from multiple countries.

Additional benefits of studying at College of Arts and Sciences

You can choose from a wide array of programmes for your master’s degree, from Biological Sciences, Communication, and Comparative Literature to Criminology, Economics, Global Affairs, and Linguistics. Media Study, Music History, Sociology, and Visual Studies are a few other interesting options among many. The college has academic support centres and onsite tutoring facilities to help you achieve your goals fast. To enable experiential learning, it offers internships and options for research, service learning, and studying abroad. Special provisions are provided to support women in science and engineering.

Admissions criteria

You need to have a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university before applying to a master’s programme at the College of Arts and Sciences. The application and admission processes might vary across departments, so it is vital to explore the college website in detail for specific information. Also, as an international student, you need to supply a scanned copy of your passport’s biographical page, a financial form, and bank statements. You may need to provide immigration-related documents if you are already in the USA on a visa.
As a standard, you should include the following types of information in your application: - Completed application form (online) - Recommendation letters - Unofficial transcripts from every institution you have attended (in English translation as well as in native language) - GPA: 3.0 or higher - English proficiency (minimum scores, may vary across programmes): TOEFL IBT or Home Edition (79)/TOEFL Essentials (8.5)/TOEFL ITP Plus (550)/IELTS (6.5)/PTE (55)/Cambridge English Proficiency or Cambridge English Advanced (185)/Duolingo (120) - English proficiency exemption: If you have completed your Bachelor’s from an institution where English was the language of instruction - Other costs that are not consistent throughout school admissions information online: - Health plan - Food - Housing (on-campus) - Indirect cost (off-campus housing, books, supplies, transportation, personal expenses)

If you need more information or updates regarding admission and financial aid, please check the college’s website.

Job placements

The University at Buffalo has several initiatives in place to help graduate students with job search and placements. The Career Design Centre offers information on a variety of jobs, alerts you about events and fairs, and helps you network. The Bullseye is an online tool that connects you with potential employers. ImaginePhD and Beyond the Professoriate are platforms that come in handy if you are inclined towards academia. In the past, Arts Management graduates have been hired by employers such as HHL Architects, Chicago History Museum, and Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra, while history graduates found employment at the New York Public Library and Washington and Lee University. English graduates were hired by the University at Buffalo and General Code, among others. Those with a Master’s degree in Geology secured jobs at Kenney Geotechnical Engineering Services, AECOM, Amereco Engineering, Arcadis, and Kleinfelder. Graduates in International Trade were hired by Cabela’s Corporation, Teixchel Weaving Cooperative, and the University at Buffalo, to name a few.