Harvard University

Harvard’s Graduate School of Arts and Sciences (GSAS) was formed in 1872 and is responsible for the majority of Harvard's post-baccalaureate degree programs in the humanities, social sciences, and natural sciences. It offers Master of Arts, Master of Science, and Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) degrees in around 56 disciplines. 

GSAS is renowned throughout the United States and the world. In addition to scholars and scientists, GSAS graduates have become prominent US politicians, Supreme Court judges, foreign heads of state and heads of government. 

There are approximately 4,250 students enrolled in Harvard's Graduate School of Arts and Sciences, with around 200 taking master's programs, and the rest pursuing PhDs. 

As of 2016, 46 percent of GSAS students were women, 30 percent were international students, and 12 percent were underrepresented minorities.

Around a fifth of GSAS students pursue degrees in humanities, while a quarter opt for social sciences, and over half of graduate students study natural sciences. Students pursuing doctoral studies can take graduate courses in a secondary field, and GSAS also enables PhD candidates to coordinate their studies for an additional advanced degree. 

The application process is relatively simple, though may vary according to subject. Generally, candidates complete an online application form and pay a fee of $105. 

Documents to upload in support of an application include university transcripts, letters of recommendation, a statement of purpose, and GRE test scores. International students whose first language isn’t English may have to demonstrate their language proficiency by taking a test such as the TOEFL or IELTS. 

All GSAS students are charged tuition in a tiered structure that reduces as they progress. Full tuition, required for the first two years of study, costs $44,816 per year, then for the third and fourth years it’s $11,654 a year. In addition, a ten-month living expense budget works out at around $41,000. 

However, PhD candidates needn’t reach for their calculators, as Harvard guarantees them full financial support for a minimum of five years, with a funding package that includes tuition grants, stipends, traineeships, teaching fellowships, research assistantships, and other academic appointments. 

Master’s programs are not fully funded, and students should expect to contribute significantly, although there is a limited amount of grant support and research funding available.