UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, SAN DIEGO · UNITED STATES
UCSD CSE Graduate Admissions - PhD and MS Programs
Master's · Taught in en
At a glance
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Duration
7.0
IELTS
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Tuition / yr
en
Language
Master's
Level
- Highly selective admission process with over 6,000 applications annually.Selectivity
- GRE is not required for Fall 2026 admissions.GRE Optional
- Accepts TOEFL iBT Home Edition and IELTS scores for English proficiency.English Tests Accepted
- Accepts Duolingo English Test (DET) with a minimum score of 120.Duolingo Accepted
- Application fee waivers available for PhD international students based on diversity, social justice, or overcoming adversity.Fee Waivers
The Department of Computer Science & Engineering (CSE) at UC San Diego offers Master of Science (MS) and Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) degrees in Computer Science and Computer Engineering. Admission to these graduate programs is highly competitive, with the department receiving over 6,000 applications annually. The application for Fall admission opens on September 3, 2025, and closes on December 23, 2025. All new students are admitted for the Fall quarter only. Applicants are encouraged to review the application checklist and guidelines provided by the department for detailed information on required materials. Please note that applicants can only apply for either the MS or the PhD program, not both. Current or former UCSD MS students wishing to transfer to the PhD program must complete the online application and notify the department via email.
Frequently asked questions
- What are the application deadlines for the MS and PhD programs?
- The application for Fall admission opens on September 3, 2025, and closes on December 23, 2025. All new students are admitted for the Fall quarter only.
- Are there any specific English proficiency tests accepted for international students?
- Yes, UC San Diego accepts TOEFL iBT (minimum score 85), IELTS (minimum score 7.0), and Duolingo English Test (DET) with a minimum score of 120. TOEFL iBT Home Edition is also accepted.
- What are the estimated tuition and living costs for international students?
- Tuition figures are program-specific and subject to change; please refer to the UCSD Financial Aid and Scholarships website for details. Estimated annual living expenses range from approximately $35,775 to $39,317.
- Is the GRE required for admission?
- No, the GRE is not required for Fall 2026 admissions.
- Are there any application fee waivers available for international students?
- Yes, application fee waivers are available for PhD international students based on diversity, social justice, or overcoming adversity. These require submitting an early application and a separate Fee Waiver Application.
- What academic background is preferred for the CSE graduate programs?
- A bachelor's degree with at least a B average (3.0 GPA) is required. While a background in computer science, computer engineering, electrical engineering, or mathematics is preferred, applicants from other disciplines with equivalent coursework will be considered.
Entry requirements
Bachelor's DegreeA bachelor's degree or equivalent from an accredited institution with at least a B average (3.0 GPA) or its equivalent. A background in computer science, computer engineering, electrical engineering, or mathematics is preferred, but applicants from other disciplines with equivalent coursework will be considered.
TOEFL iBT85
IELTS7.0
Duolingo English Test (DET)120
International applicants whose native language is not English and who have not studied full-time at an institution where English is the sole language of instruction must provide proof of English proficiency. TOEFL iBT Home Edition is accepted. TOEFL ITP Plus for China Solution is not accepted. Applicants with a PhD in any field are advised not to apply for the CSE PhD program.
Fees
Tuition (international)Please refer to the UCSD Financial Aid and Scholarships website for detailed graduate student cost of attendance, as tuition figures are program-specific and subject to change. The Rady School of Management's Full-Time MBA, for example, has a non-California resident supplemental tuition of $12,245 per year.
Tuition (home)Please refer to the UCSD Financial Aid and Scholarships website for detailed graduate student cost of attendance, as tuition figures are program-specific and subject to change. The Rady School of Management's Full-Time MBA, for example, has a California resident tuition and fees totaling $63,501 per year.
LivingEstimated annual living expenses for graduate students (food & housing, books, miscellaneous, transportation) range from approximately $35,775 to $39,317 depending on living situation and number of dependents.
Tuition and fees remain the same regardless of the method of instruction (on-campus or remote). Figures represent currently approved or proposed amounts and are subject to change by the University of California.
How to apply
1. Complete the Online ApplicationAccess the UCSD Application for Graduate Admission. Applications for Fall 2026 admission open on September 3, 2025, and the deadline is December 23, 2025, at 5:00 p.m. PST.
2. Prepare Required DocumentsRefer to the Graduate Application Checklist for a comprehensive list of required supplemental materials. This typically includes academic transcripts, letters of recommendation, a statement of purpose, and English proficiency test scores (if applicable).
3. Submit Test ScoresIf required, have official GRE, TOEFL, or IELTS scores sent directly from the testing agency to UC San Diego (Institution Code: 4836 for GRE/TOEFL). For IELTS, no institution code is needed; send directly from the test center. Duolingo scores must be sent electronically from Duolingo.
4. Request Fee Waiver (if applicable)PhD international students seeking a department-offered application fee waiver based on diversity, social justice, or overcoming adversity must complete the Fee Waiver Application at least two weeks before the main application deadline.
5. Submit ApplicationEnsure all sections of the online application are completed and all required documents are uploaded before submitting by the deadline.
6. MS to PhD Transfer Notification (for current UCSD MS students)Complete the online application but do not submit. Email csegradinfo-phd@ucsd.edu with 'MS to PhD Transfer Application Submission' in the subject line to notify the department. You will receive further instructions.
Scholarships
Departmental Application Fee Waiver—
Frequently asked questions
What are the application deadlines for the MS and PhD programs?
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The application for Fall admission opens on September 3, 2025, and closes on December 23, 2025. All new students are admitted for the Fall quarter only.
Are there any specific English proficiency tests accepted for international students?
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Yes, UC San Diego accepts TOEFL iBT (minimum score 85), IELTS (minimum score 7.0), and Duolingo English Test (DET) with a minimum score of 120. TOEFL iBT Home Edition is also accepted.
What are the estimated tuition and living costs for international students?
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Tuition figures are program-specific and subject to change; please refer to the UCSD Financial Aid and Scholarships website for details. Estimated annual living expenses range from approximately $35,775 to $39,317.
Is the GRE required for admission?
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No, the GRE is not required for Fall 2026 admissions.
Are there any application fee waivers available for international students?
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Yes, application fee waivers are available for PhD international students based on diversity, social justice, or overcoming adversity. These require submitting an early application and a separate Fee Waiver Application.
What academic background is preferred for the CSE graduate programs?
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A bachelor's degree with at least a B average (3.0 GPA) is required. While a background in computer science, computer engineering, electrical engineering, or mathematics is preferred, applicants from other disciplines with equivalent coursework will be considered.