The Computer Science and Engineering (CSE) department at UC San Diego offers Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) degrees in Computer Science and Computer Engineering. These research-oriented programs prepare students for careers in research, industry, or entrepreneurship. The curriculum explores both the fundamental aspects and applications of computation across theory, software, hardware, and various application domains. Students are required to complete 37 units of coursework, including breadth and elective requirements, designed to provide exposure to fundamental concepts, advanced topics outside their primary area, and in-depth knowledge within their research specialization. Coursework must generally be taken for a letter grade, with the exception of the Faculty Research Seminar.
The PhD program requires 37 units of coursework. Students must fulfill breadth and elective requirements, typically within the first three years. Course requirements can be met by taking approved courses or petitioning for substitutions for courses taken elsewhere. Students must also complete a Faculty Research Seminar (CSE 292) in the Fall quarter.
Tuition and fees are subject to change. Instruction may be delivered remotely, but tuition and fees remain the same. The provided cost of attendance figures are estimates and actual costs may differ. The fees listed are specifically for the Rady School of Management's Full-Time MBA program and may not directly reflect the exact costs for the PhD in Computer Science and Engineering program.
The PhD programs in Computer Science and Computer Engineering explore both fundamental aspects and applications of computation across theory, software, hardware, and various application domains.
The PhD program requires 37 units of coursework, including breadth and elective requirements, designed to provide broad exposure and in-depth knowledge in a research specialization.
The estimated cost of attendance for Non-California Residents (International) for the Full-Time MBA program, which shares cost structures with other graduate programs, is $114,095 for on-campus living for the 2026-2027 academic year, including tuition, fees, and living expenses. Note: These figures are estimates and may differ for the PhD in Computer Science and Engineering program.
Yes, all doctoral students are required to complete one quarter of training as a teaching assistant, which includes taking CSE 500 (Teaching Assistantship).
Information on the specific application process, deadlines, and required documents for the PhD program is not fully detailed here. Prospective international students should visit the UC San Diego Graduate Admissions website for comprehensive details.