- Fall 2025 PhD Application Deadline
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The PhD application for Fall 2025 is expected to open on Wednesday, September 4, 2024. It is anticipated to close on Wednesday, December 18, 2024.
- Fall 2025 MS Application Deadline
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The MS application for Fall 2025 is expected to open on Wednesday, September 4, 2024. It is anticipated to close on Wednesday, March 19, 2025.
- Are there any upcoming information sessions or webinars for prospective MS and PhD students?
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There are no upcoming information sessions or webinars at this time.
- What does a complete application include?
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In order to process your application, we require the following documents:
- https://grad.ucsd.edu/admissions/requirements
- Statement of Purpose (Online)
- Three letters of Recommendation (Online)
- Official Transcripts (from all institutions attended, scanned and uploaded directly to graduate application)*
- General GRE Score (optional for the Fall 2024 admission cycle)
- TOEFL or IELTS Score Results (international students only - Online)
*Official transcripts will be requested if you are admitted to our program. At that time, students will be required to submit official transcripts to the Division of Graduate Education & Postdoctoral Affairs Admissions Office. Do not send transcripts until you have been notified by the Admissions Office.
- What is UC San Diego's code needed to send exam scores for the GRE (optional) and TOEFL/IELTS?
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UC San Diego Code: 4836
- Are GRE scores required for Fall 2025 admission?
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No. The GRE Requirement will be waived for all applicants. Students may continue to submit official GRE scores for Fall 2025 admission. The Department is reviewing the future use of the GRE exam. Nonetheless, if you feel your application is less competitive, providing GRE scores can strengthen your application.
- What is the minimum TOEFL or IELTS score required for admission to UC San Diego?
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The university minimum for English language test scores can be found at GEPA Education-Language Proficiency.
- Where can I find more information about the GRE and TOEFL exams?
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These tests are not affiliated with the University of California San Diego. Please visit the Education Testing Services website for complete, detailed information about each exam.
- Can I contact faculty about research opportunities?
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Yes, feel free to contact faculty directly to ask any specific engineering questions, inquire about research opportunities, or to ask about potential financial assistance. Please be aware that faculty are very busy and it may take some time to return your emails and phone calls.
Please reference our faculty list. This list will aid in finding faculty currently working in specific areas of study.
- How can I check the status of my application?
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You can check the status of your application by logging into the student application portal. If you are missing any part of your application, you will be contacted by the Admissions Office via a message in the application portal.
- When is the TOEFL waived?
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The TOEFL is required of all international students. The only exceptions to this rule are as follows:
- If the student is a permanent resident
- If the student has already been awarded a degree from a US institution of higher education.
- What is UC San Diego's application fee?
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The application fee is payable by major credit card: MasterCard, Visa, American Express, Discover, and JCB, and is non-refundable.
- US Citizens and Permanent Resident Applicants: $135.00
- International Applicants: $155.00
- Are application fee waivers available?
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Application fee waivers are limited per department and only available for PhD applicants. If you are interested in applying for an application fee waiver, please complete all sections of your application, but DO NOT submit payment. Then contact to ne-gradinfo@ucsd.edu to request application fee waiver review.
- What is the timeline to hear a result?
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Students can expect an admission result (via email) around late March.
- Where do I sent transcripts if requested?
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Official transcripts are not required until after you have been offered and have accepted admission, and the Admissions Office will provide additional instructions. For application review purposes, scanned and uploaded copies of transcripts are acceptable.
Financial Support:
Support at the Ph.D. level: Limited financial support is available in the form of fellowships, teaching assistantships and research assistantships. The availability of research assistantship is decided by a matching of mutual interests between the students and the faculty members, as well as the research funding availability of each faculty member. Awarding of financial support is very competitive, and stipends average up to $32,273.52 for the fiscal year, plus tuition and fees. Funds for International students are extremely limited and the selection process is highly competitive.
The department does not offer financial support to students pursuing the M.S. level degree. All students are encouraged to seek information on how to fund their education from other sources. All students can apply for department teaching assistant or readership positions which provides some fee assistance when employed at 25% or more. Click the link for more information: https://grad.ucsd.edu/financial
If you are interested in enrolling in Nanoengineering or Chemical Engineering classes without being matriculated in a degree program you may do so through UCSD Extended Studies' Concurrent Enrollment Program.
Normally, UC San Diego does not permit the duplication of advanced degrees. (Previous professional degrees, however, are not included in this restriction.) Holders of a master's degree in one field may be considered under certain circumstances for admission into a master's degree program in another field. Prospective applicants who already hold a master's degree and are considering applying to the M.S. program should contact the Admissions Office at gradadmissions@ucsd.edu to find out if they can be exempted from the duplicate degree policy. Holders of a Ph.D., in any field, are advised not to apply for admission to the Ph.D. program.