UC San Diego Graduate Admission Overview

Eligibility - Applicants must hold an official baccalaureate degree from an accredited institution or equivalent training comparable to UC standards. - Minimum upper‑division GPA: B (3.0/4.0) or equivalent. - International applicants must provide a course‑by‑course credential evaluation from WES or TEC. - English proficiency is required for non‑native speakers unless exempted by prior degree earned in English‑only instruction; acceptable tests include TOEFL (≥85 iBT), IELTS (≥7.0), PTE Academic (≥65), or Duolingo (≥120). - GRE scores may be required by specific programs; official scores must be sent by ETS. - Letters of recommendation are submitted online; number varies by department. Duplicate Degree Policy - A second academic degree at the same level (e.g., second master’s or PhD) is generally prohibited. - Exceptions require dean’s consent and must demonstrate a fundamentally different disciplinary field and a clear employment benefit. - Professional degrees (e.g., MBA, MD) are not considered duplicates of academic degrees. Part‑Time and Half‑Time Study - Fewer than 12 units/quarter = part‑time; 1‑6 units with departmental and dean approval may qualify for reduced fees. - International F‑1/J‑1 students must remain full‑time. - Part‑time students meet the same admission standards and may be eligible for limited assistantships. Application Procedures When to Apply - Each program sets its own deadline; most fall‑quarter deadlines fall between December and February. - Some programs accept winter, spring, or summer admissions. How to Apply - Online application via the Division of Graduate Education and Postdoctoral Affairs website; non‑refundable fee payable by credit card. - Required documents: official transcripts (high‑school onward), degree certificates, English test scores (if applicable), GRE scores (if required), letters of recommendation, and any program‑specific materials. - International applicants must submit foreign credential evaluations directly to the admissions office. - All documents must be received before the start of the quarter; missing items after the fourth week of the quarter trigger a registration hold. Funding and Financial Requirements - International applicants must certify sufficient funds for tuition, fees, transportation, and living expenses for the first year. - The catalog does not specify exact funding amounts or sources; it notes that on‑campus or off‑campus employment opportunities are extremely limited for international students. - No guarantee of assistantships; eligibility for 25% time teaching or research assistantships is at departmental discretion. Deadlines and Deferral - Deferral may be requested up to the first day of instruction of the admitted quarter, for a maximum of one academic year. - After a deferral period, a new application with fee and updated documents is required. Readmission - Lapsed students must petition their department at least eight weeks before the intended quarter, submit supplementary transcripts, pay a readmission fee, and provide a Statement of Legal Residence if absent for two quarters or more. Unknowns and Source Limitations - Exact tuition, fee, and living‑cost figures are not provided in the source text. - Specific GRE or English‑test score minimums for individual programs are not listed; applicants must consult program webpages. - The catalog does not detail the number or type of assistantships available per program. - No information on scholarship eligibility, external funding sources, or visa‑related work authorization beyond the brief note on limited employment. - Deadlines for non‑fall admissions are mentioned only in general terms; precise dates must be verified with each department. This summary reflects the information available in UC San Diego’s graduate catalog as of the retrieval date and does not guarantee completeness or accuracy beyond the provided source. Source: https://catalog.ucsd.edu/graduate/admission/index.html Checked: 2026-10-21T08:02:53.517945+00:00 Confirm details with the official institution before applying.