A Complete Guide to Brown University!

Brown University is a prestigious educational and research institution renowned for its unique Open Curricula and a student-centric approach in all endeavours. Chosen by more than 7,200 undergraduate students and 3000 graduate students, it fosters a culture of creativity and collaboration across disciplines. 

Furthermore, this American Ivy League university has more than 900 distinguished members in its faculty, and has been ranked 13th in the 2025 edition of Best Colleges and National Universities by the U.S. News & World Report. 

So, if this institution has cropped up in your search and you’re considering applying for one of its courses, we’d say you’ve made the perfect decision. Our detailed guide covers everything that international students should know before they proceed to apply to the university. 

About Brown University 

Brown University, which is ranked 79th in the QS World University Rankings of 2025, was founded in 1764 and is situated in Providence, Rhode Island. This university finds a place among the Ivy League colleges, a group of highly prestigious educational institutions in the Northeastern United States. 

The university is renowned all over the world for its strong liberal arts education programs, especially owing to its Open Curriculum. This approach of liberal education offers students the liberty to pursue their own academic path instead of following a prescribed curriculum, allowing them to explore different subjects.  

As of March 2022, Brown University has had 11 Nobel Prize Winners, 7 National Humanities Medalists, and 11 laureates of the National Medal of Science who have been affiliated with the institution as its researchers, faculty, or alumni. The main campus of this American Ivy League university is situated in the neighborhood of College Hill in Providence. 

Programs Offered at Brown University 

Brown University offers undergraduate and postgraduate programs in a variety of subjects. Here are some of the best undergraduate business schools in the world to help you shortlist your options! The following is a list of some of the leading educational programs offered by the American Ivy League university. 

1. Undergraduate Courses

Here are some of the major subjects taught as part of the undergraduate curriculum at Brown University: 

2. Postgraduate Courses

The following are some of the postgraduate programs on offer at this American Ivy League university: 

3. Doctoral Programs

Given below are the streams for which this American Ivy League university offers doctoral programs: 

How to Apply to Brown University

Brown University, one of the Ivy League schools, has an acceptance rate of 5.65% for international students as per the latest data. Applicants to the university need to follow a straightforward procedure, which involves the following steps: 

Step 1: Choose Your Degree and Course

The first step is to decide the degree and the course you wish to apply for. 

Step 2: Check Admission Requirements

Next, you’ll need to look up the admission requirements for the program you’ve chosen. Make sure to check whether you fulfill the eligibility criteria mentioned for the respective course at this American Ivy League university. 

Step 3: Verify Your Test Scores

Now, check your scores in the standard global examinations that you’ve appeared for, such as GMAT or GRE, and verify if the scores match their criteria. Keep in mind that international students are required to appear for the IELTS test to be deemed eligible for admission. 

Step 4: Complete the Application Process

Once you've ensured you meet the criteria, visit your course page, fill out the form, and complete the online application.

Eligibility Criteria for Brown University Application

Before moving ahead to apply for the course of their choice, students must be aware of the eligibility criteria essential for studying at Ivy League schools like Brown University. 
1. Undergraduate Studies

• Candidates must have a high school diploma or an equivalent credential before fall, which marks the start of a new academic session. 
• Students who have completed their college coursework while in high school, including early college coursework or dual enrollment, are eligible for the application process. ‍

2. Postgraduate Studies 

• The applicants for a master’s program at Brown University must have completed eight graduate-level courses. 
• Also, in case a student has done graduate work in residence at another institution, that may be offered to partially fulfill the requirements for a postgraduate program. This fulfillment will be on the condition that the department and this American Ivy League university’s Registrar have approved of the same.  

3. Doctoral Programs

• Candidates must have a bachelor’s degree and credentials that reflect a strong academic performance, which is ideally a GPA of 3.0 or higher. 
• In addition, English language proficiency tests like IELTS or TOEFL may also be necessary for foreign students. 

Important Application Deadlines

Here are some important dates and other requisites that candidates for Brown University must keep in mind to ensure the successful processing of their applications: 

• Regular Decision Application Deadline: January 3 (11:59 pm as per applicant’s local time)
• Early Decision Application Deadline: November 1 (11:59 pm as per applicant’s local time)
• Applications must be completed via the Common Application.
• The supplemental essays should be submitted through the Common Application.
• An application fee of USD 75 must be submitted.

Placement/Career Prospects

The Center for Career Exploration at Brown works in partnership with the university’s network of parents, alumni, and other family members to connect students to job opportunities worldwide across a range of industries. 

The university offers Undergraduate Training and Research Awards (UTRA) programs and paid positions such as Research Assistants (RA) under its undergraduate research opportunities program. Furthermore, students of the medical school under Brown University can get the opportunity to work for premier healthcare institutions, such as the Rhode Island Hospital in Providence, RI, and the Providence Community Health Center.  

Cost of Studying at Brown University

Here’s a breakdown of the estimated cost for a full-time first-year student for the year 2025-26. 

Scholarships to Study at Brown University

Students at Brown University are offered scholarships that are exclusively based on their financial need. These include: 

• The Brown Promise: It eliminates loans from all financial aid offers for undergraduate studies at this American Ivy League university. 
• Full Tuition (only) Scholarship: A student’s family that has a total income of or below USD 125,000 can be eligible for this funding scheme that covers the full tuition fees.  
• USD 0 Parent Contribution Direct Cost Scholarship: This program is applicable for students demonstrating the highest need for financial assistance, who come from families that have a total income less than USD 60,000 annually and assets of less than USD 100,000. 
• AmberScholar, a committed project of amber, also provides merit-based and need-based scholarships to foreign students to lessen the financial burden of studying overseas. 

Additionally, the following table lists the global scholarships in the USA available for international students aspiring to study at Brown University: 

Student Housing Near Brown University

As you plan your academic journey at Brown University, finding convenient and affordable housing is equally important. This is where amber comes in, offering personalized student accommodation near Brown University that matches your needs and budget. From curated listings to assistance with paperwork, we’re here to make the process smooth and stress-free. With 24X7 support and seamless booking, finding your ideal home-away-from-home becomes one less thing to worry about.