CSE Five-Year Bachelor's/Master's Program and Admission Requirements
Undergraduate UCSD CSE majors who maintain a distinguished record may apply to the master's program through the Five-Year Bachelor's/Master's Program. Acceptance into this program is an honor which carries with it practical benefits, one of which is the simplification of the graduate application process (no GREs are required). In addition, advanced students have access to graduate level courses and opportunities to do graduate level research under the direct supervision of UCSD's faculty before completing their bachelor's degree. Furthermore, with adequate planning, students accepted into this program will be able to complete the requirements for the master's degree within one year following receipt of the bachelor's degree.
Exceptionally promising undergraduate students in the Computer Science and Engineering Department who are enrolled in the B.S. or B.A. Computer Science or B.S. in Computer Engineering degree programs, and who maintain a distinguished scholastic record through the junior year are eligible to apply for the Five-Year Bachelor's-Master's Degree Program. The number of students admitted during the fall, winter, and spring quarters will be based upon the availability of openings in the program. Because the program may become impacted for a particular time period, student requests for admission may be deferred to a later quarter.
BS/MS ADVISING and QUESTIONS
- Prospective Applicant Questions
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All questions for the BS/MS Application Requirements and BS/MS Program are supported through the BS/MS email account cse-gradinfo-bsms@ucsd.edu
Application and Minimum Requirements Questions BS/MS Admissions: cse-gradinfo-bsms@ucsd.edu BS/MS Program Related Questions BS/MS Admissions: cse-gradinfo-bsms@ucsd.edu Enrollment in Graduate Courses, EASy and Waitlist Questions CSE Graduate Enrollment cse-grad-enrollment@ucsd.edu Assistance with Preparation for Resume and Statement of Purpose UCSD Career Center (career.ucsd.edu) - Admitted BS/MS Questions and Advising Support
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FALL, WINTER, SPRING Admitted Incoming BS/MS: FAQs HERE
Admitted BS/MS Student Support Hours Spring 2025 Admitted Students: In-person Advising Tuesdays/Thursdays (Schedule and Info here)
FA25,WI26, SP26 Admitted Students: In-person Advising Tuesdays/Thursdays (Schedule and Info here)
Admitted BS/MS Student Questions BS/MS Admissions: cse-gradinfo-bsms@ucsd.edu BS/MS- Graduate Program Policies
General Questions
Transfer/Waiver Courses petition to MS Degree
Orientation/Degree Plan Information
BS/MS Admissions: cse-gradinfo-bsms@ucsd.edu Enrollment in Graduate Courses, EASy and Waitlist Questions CSE Graduate Enrollment cse-grad-enrollment@ucsd.edu BS Degree DDA (Degree Filing) Undergraduate College (vac.ucsd.edu) BS Degree Audit Updates, BS Degree Completion (such as making sure an extra course is not counted for the BS degree)
Undergraduate College and Major Advisors (vac.ucsd.edu)
- Admitted Students - Timeline (Subject to Change)
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Timeline: Incoming Students Fall, Winter, Spring Quarters
Application Requirements & Policies
- Minimum Application Requirements
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Undergraduate students in the Computer Science and Engineering Department who are enrolled in the B.S. or B.A. Computer Science or B.S. in Computer Engineering degree programs
Cumulative GPA of 3.4
GPA of 3.4 in seven of the upper-division core courses (28 units).
CS26 majors following the fall 2023 curriculum:- GPA of 3.4 for the following: Complete 3 Core Upper-Division courses (CSE 100/100R, CSE 101, and CSE 110) *AND* 4 Upper-Division Electives courses from the CSE Department (total of 7 courses, 28 units).
- Additional Application Policies
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A student is permitted to have *in-progress* upper-division core courses at the time of application (transcript update must be submitted immediately once grades are posted that quarter). Updated transcripts with grade results are required for the application at the end of the quarter, with grade results posted for the in-progress upper-division core courses. Transfer students are welcome to meet with a CSE MS Advisor (cse-gradinfo-bsms@ucsd.edu) regarding completion of this requirement
Students are recommended to apply during the junior year of their undergraduate study to meet the five-year BS/MS timeline. In some cases, the admissions committee may consider applicants that are senior level in the undergraduate program.
Note: Meeting or even exceeding these minimum requirements does not guarantee admittance to the program. Successful applicants are often further distinguished by a high level of accomplishment outside of their coursework, either through extensive industry internships or research experiences.
Applications must be submitted by the published deadlines below. Grades for courses in progress will be reviewed before final action can be taken on the application.
- Application Term and Deadline
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Application Deadlines for BS/MS Program
Note: UCSD undergraduates from any major (including CSE) may apply directly to the MS Program. The application process and deadlines are different.
Estimated Quarter of Undergraduate Degree **Completion (Final UG Quarter). Application Deadline Applicant Notified Official Start of Graduate Program (NOTE: MS first quarter must begin immediately after final BS quarter). Spring 2025 Updated to June 30, 2024 November/December 2024 Fall 2025 Fall 2025 December 18, 2024 at 11:59 PM PST April 2025 Winter 2026 Winter 2026 December 18, 2024 at 11:59 PM PST April 2025 Spring 2026 Spring 2026 Applications OPENS: April 16, 2025
Application Closes June 30, 2025
November 2025 Fall 2026 Fall 2026 December 2025 TBD TBD Winter 2027 Winter 2027 December 2025 TBD TBD Spring 2027
Spring 2027 Spring 2026 TBD TBD Fall 2027 - Application Submission
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Application Requirements
Application: Complete and Submit the Graduate Online Application **Students should apply no later than the fourth quarter prior to the receipt of the bachelor's degree; i.e. have at least three quarters remaining in the bachelor degree program. Exceptions or extensions to the application deadlines will not be considered.
Statement of Purpose : An applicant's statement of purpose is very important. Please be concise and as specific as possible in preparing your statement. Provide information that will aid the Admissions Committee in evaluating your potential for completing the M.S. program of study in CSE. Applicants are recommended to include information about internship/work or research/project experience. For guidelines on how to write a statement of purpose, please visit the UCSD Career Services Center.
Letters of Recommendation : One (1) letter of recommendation is required, but additional letters are encouraged (BS/MS Applications only, updated 4/29/24). It strongly recommended that the letters of recommendation be completed by individuals who are in a position to analyze your ability and academic promise.
Official Transcripts : Please upload transcripts from UCSD and all institutions or colleges you have attended since high school regardless of the length of attendance.
Resume: Applicants should include relevant research/project or internship/work experience.
Admitted BS/MS Student Policies
- Admitted Student Policies - No Gaps in between BS Final Quarter and MS First Quarter
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Admitted BS/MS students are required to begin MS graduate enrollment in the immediate quarter after the final undergraduate quarter is completed.
- Admitted Students - Petitions Transfer/Waive Courses
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Admitted BS/MS Students can enroll in graduate courses before the MS Program begins (note, taking graduate courses does not guarantee admission).
If a student completes an eligible MS breadth, depth, or Elective that they want to petition to waive/transfer to the MS program, a petition is submitted during their first term in the MS Program (after the BS degree is officially posted).
No Double Counting: Be advised that any course completed at UCSD can only be used to fulfill the degree requirements for only one of the programs, i.e. the Bachelor's of Arts, the Bachelor's of Science, or the Master's of Science. Courses must be listed in the BS final degree as extra Electives coursework not counted for the UG major or college requirements (not counted for the BS degree). Please ensure that your undergraduate college and major advising offices have updated your degree audits accordingly to reflect extra electives not counting toward the BS degree.
Courses must be B- or above and eligible under the MS breadth, depth, electives requirements in order to be considered for the petition. CSE 298/CSE 293 are not eligible to be petitioned or transferred if completed during UG program.
A limit of five CSE graduate level courses (20 units) can be counted toward the units required for a Master's degree
- MS Program is 12-14 units
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Admitted BS/MS students should be aware in advance that the MS Program (once you officially begin the graduate program) has a 12-14 unit maximum per quarter. BS/MS students in good standing after the first quarter completed (after grade results and GPA cumulative is posted at 3.00 minimum) can petition for increased units.
- Admitted Student - FAQs
Student Advising
For questions, You can contact the BS/MS Admissions Advisor via email at cse-gradinfo-bsms@ucsd.edu
Many students are not sure how attending graduate school can advance them along their career path. If you have questions about how gaining an advanced degree can benefit you, or about which schools and programs might be best for you, advisors in the CSE Student Affairs Office can offer you insightful information.
The CSE Admissions Advisor can assist you with the following:
- Preparation for graduate school
- Assistance with Graduate Application Requirements and Questions about Application Submission
- Admitted BS/MS student Questions
The CSE Undergraduate Advisors can assist you with the following:
- Undergraduate degree requirements, progress, degree audit, and DDA Filing
- Reviewing undergraduate degree requirements for completeness