UCSD CSE Graduate Admissions

Updated August, 2026

 

We appreciate your interest in the graduate program in the Department of Computer Science & Engineering at UC San Diego. We offer PhD and MS degrees in both computer science and computer engineering. We also have a streamlined CSE BS/MS program for highly qualified UCSD CSE undergraduates majors. Undocumented students are welcome to apply.

Department Overview

The UCSD Application for Graduate Admission opens for Fall 2027 admission from September 2, 2026 until December 16, 2026 at 12:00 a.m. PST. Admission is given for Fall quarter only. We do not admit new students in Spring quarters. All application materials must be submitted through the online application.

The GRE is not required for PhD and MS applications for Fall 2027.  Applicants may still submit valid scores if they have already taken the test. 

For information about the online application and required supplemental documents, please refer to: Application Checklist and Guidelines.

About the Admissions Process

Admission to the CSE graduate program is very selective. Our department receives over 6,000 applications annually. (For Grad Data, please click here).

We seek applicants with a strong academic background in computer science and engineering and/or a related field and a demonstrated potential for success in graduate school. Each application undergoes a comprehensive review by the CSE Admissions Committee, which examines every component of the application and supplemental materials when considering an applicant for admission. (Standardized test scores and grade point averages (GPA) are an integral part of the evaluation process, but admissions decisions are NOT made based on these components alone.)

The MS and PhD degree programs are mutually independent. You may only apply for one program or the other; applications for both the MS and PhD programs will not be accepted. (An MS degree is not required for admission to the PhD program.)

Current or former UCSD students in the MS program who wish to continue/transfer to the PhD program, will complete the UCSD Application for Graduate Admission by the general application deadline for the year they are seeking admission (Admission is ONLY given in the Fall quarters.) The application will be reviewed along with those of the external PhD applicants for that admissions cycle. MS to PhD students must complete their application online, but will NOT be able to "submit" the application. Once you have completed your online application, please email csegradinfo-phd@ucsd.edu to notify the team, so we can track your application. When sending an email, please include "MS to PhD Transfer Application Submission", in the subject line. For a complete list of all of the supplemental materials required for the graduate application, please visit our Graduate Application Checklist. 

If you are interested in enrolling in Computer Science and Engineering classes without being matriculated in a degree program you may do so through the Concurrent Enrollment Program.

Fee Waivers

  • The CSE Department offers a limited number of application fee waivers for international PhD applicants. Waivers are awarded based on factors such as contributions to diversity, experience with social justice, and evidence of overcoming adversity. Financial need alone does not qualify an applicant for a waiver.

 

  • To request a fee waiver, please complete the Fee Waiver Application. Note: If you plan to apply for a waiver, you must submit your full application at least two weeks before the deadline, so the committee has time to review submissions and select recipients. All applicants will be notified of their fee waiver decision. (The fee waiver form will open in mid-September, 2026). 

Graduate Admission Requirements

To be considered for admission, applicants must meet the minimum university and departmental requirements outlined below. All application documents are submitted to the Graduate Division Online application at UCSD Application for Graduate Admission. For a complete list of all of the supplemental materials required for the graduate application, please visit our Graduate Application Checklist. 

Additional questions about admission into our graduate program may be answered on our Graduate Admissions FAQ page. Please also see the Prospective Student web pages on the Graduate Education and Postdoctoral Affairs (GEPA). 

Undocumented Students: Undocumented students are welcome to apply. For additional Information: Undocumented Student Services

Prerequisites

A bachelor's degree in computer science, computer engineering, electrical engineering, or mathematics is preferred, but not required. Applicants with a degree in another discipline will be considered for admission if they have completed the minimum required CSE courses or their equivalent. However, it is recommended that applicants without a CSE background take courses beyond the minimum to demonstrate an ability to understand more advanced concepts in computer science and engineering: My bachelors degree isn't in CS. What kind of background should I have before applying to the program?

Academics and GPA

Applicants must hold a bachelor's degree or the equivalent from an accredited institution in the United States or from a recognized university-level academic institution abroad. At least a B average (3.0 GPA) or its equivalent is required for admission. Satisfaction of minimal standards does not, however, guarantee admission, since the number of qualified applicants far exceeds the number of places available. International and U.S. Applicants should refer to the UCSD Academic Policies - Admissions. 

Test Scores

GRE for CSE Graduate Programs:

The GRE is not required for PhD and MS applications for Fall 2027. Applicants may still submit valid scores if they have already taken the test. 

Applicants with valid GRE test scores should request that ETS submit the scores directly to the UCSD institution code 4836. The department codes are not necessary. Information about the GRE is available from the Educational Testing Service (ETS) website. 

Please visit the Division Of Graduate Education And Postdoctoral Affairs website for English Language Proficiency scores

  • Duolingo English Test (DET)

  • TEST OF English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL)
  • International English Language Testing System (IELTS)
  • The Pearson Test of English Academic (PTE Academic)

Duplication of Degrees

NOTICE -  Normally, UCSD 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 (after the admissions faculty committee reviews all application files in any given admissions cycle).  Holders of a PhD, in any field, are advised not to apply for admission to the CSE department's PhD program. For more information, please refer to here.

Grad Data

To learn more about UC San Diego Graduate Student-related data or data about a specific department before applying, please visit the Division of Graduate Education and Postdoctoral Affairs website linked here.

Future Events

If you are interested in attending future recruitment events and fairs where you are able to connect with Computer Science and Engineering MS and PhD advisors, please complete the following interest form. By submitting this form, you will receive information from UC San Diego. 

Here are some upcoming events where the Graduate Division will speak with prospective students and offer guidance on everything from admissions to graduate student life.

 

Contact Information

If you still have questions for which you could not find an answer on our website, please email either one of the following:

  • PhD Admissions at csegradinfo-phd@ucsd.edu *For PHD applications
  • MS Admissions at csegradinfo-ms@ucsd.edu *For MS applications

The University of California, San Diego does not discriminate on the basis of race, color,  national origin, religion, sex, disability, age or sexual orientation in any of its policies,  procedures, or practices, including but not limited to academic admission, financial aid, educational services, and student employment.