Applying to UCI

UC Irvine offers a wide variety of highly ranked academic and professional degree programs, and we encourage talented and forward-thinking student from across the country and around the world to apply. Choose from over 120 degree programs taught by world-renowned faculty.

• Applying to UCI
• Degree Programs
• Application Fee / Fee Waivers
• International Students
• Housing
• FAQ
• For Faculty & Staff
• Privacy and Non-Discrimination
• Timeline for Preparation
• Tips for Applying
• Council of Graduate Schools

UCI is ranked the #1 best college in the nation according to Money magazine.

Graduate students from around the globe are coming to UC Irvine to discover new gateways to academic excellence.

Funding packages for doctoral and MFA students may include various combinations of types of funding.

Applying to UCI

Some UC Irvine programs may have admissions criteria, deadlines or requirements that differ from the general university requirements. You should always contact your desired program to ensure that you meet specific admission criteria and deadlines established by the program, and to find its specific admissions requirements.

Minimum Academic Requirements

Bachelor’s Degree

Hold a bachelor’s degree (or equivalent) from a recognized academic institution with degree standards equivalent to those of the University of California

GRE Test Scores

Provide official Standardized test scores (GRE) when applicable. The GRE test is required for most programs. Check the requirements of the specific program you're applying to below.

3.0 GPA

Have a minimum cumulative undergraduate GPA of 3.0

How To Apply

These are required components of an application; please see below and follow the links for specific information. You must complete and submit your Application for Admission online. The following items are required to complete your application:

The Degree Programs page provides information on specific graduate programs, including areas of study, degrees offered, program contact information, and application deadlines. Please note that you cannot apply to different degree levels (Master's and PhD) for the same program.

Your application cannot be reviewed until UCI has received your non-refundable application fee ($135 for U.S. Citizens and lawful U.S. Permanent Residents, and $155 for all other applicants).

Other Potential Requirements

GRE
The GRE test scores are required for some programs. Please check with your program to verify if the GRE test is required. We will accept the GRE General Test at home test version. To send an official GRE test score to UCI, please select institution code 4859.

Required Score
There is no minimum required GRE score. The results of this test represent only one of many factors reviewed in the admission decision.

GRE Subject Test
Some graduate programs (e.g., Mathematics) also require, or strongly recommend, that an applicant report the score of a GRE Subject Test in the respective discipline. Please check with your department to verify.

Validity Dates and Timing
GRE test results are not valid for more than five years. Applicants should register for either the October or December test dates to ensure the timely receipt of their score results for admission consideration. At the time of test registration, students must notify the Educational Testing Service to report scores directly to UCI. Scores reported by a student cannot be accepted.

For Further Information
Information on the GRE may be obtained from the ETS/GRE website at ETS/GRE.Educational Testing Service (ETS),
P.O. Box 6000
Princeton, NJ 08541-6000;
Telephone: (609) 771-7670.

English Language Proficiency Requirements for Admission

TOEFL or IELTS

All graduate applicants are required to demonstrate English proficiency for admissions consideration. Applicants are waived from the English Language Proficiency requirement if they have earned an undergraduate or master’s degree from an institution at which English was the sole language of instruction according to the World Higher Education Database (WHED). Please see WHED’s instructions on how to search for your institution. If English is not the sole language of instruction listed or if no language is listed at all, the waiver does not apply and the applicant is required to take and pass an approved English proficiency test. Approved tests and minimum scores are outlined in the next section.

Please note: Test results that are two years old or older are not acceptable.

IMPORTANT NOTE: If a student will be supported as a Teaching Assistant (TA) by their program, please read the English proficiency requirement policy for Teaching Assistantships. Some programs require students who have not earned an undergraduate degree from an institution at which English was the sole language of instruction according to WHED to demonstrate English language proficiency to serve as a TA when they apply to the program. Please check with the program(s) to which you intend to apply for individual requirements.

The TOEFL is administered by the Educational Testing Service (ETS).

• Please select institution code 4859 to have your official score sent to UCI. No department code is needed.
• We only accept scores submitted electronically by ETS.
• Test results that are two years old or older are not acceptable.
• We do not accept MyBest scores; you must submit all individual test scores.
• Results of institutional (non-ETS) administrations of the TOEFL are not acceptable.
• We will accept the TOEFL iBT Special Home Edition test. The same minimum score applies.
• We do NOT accept the TOEFL ITP Plus test for China or the TOEFL Essentials test.
• For more information, please visit their website at www.ets.org/toefl

TOEFL Score Requirements for Admission Consideration:

IELTS

As an alternative to the TOEFL, you may submit scores from the Academic Modules of the International English Language Testing System (IELTS).

• We only accept scores submitted electronically by the IELTS test center. No paper Test Report Forms will be accepted.
• Test results that are two years old or older are not acceptable.
• We will accept the IELTS Online and IELTS Indicator test. The same minimum score applies.
• An institutional code is NOT required. Please contact the test center directly where you took the IELTS test and request that your test scores be sent electronically using the IELTS system. All IELTS test centers worldwide are able to send scores electronically to our institution.
• For more information, please visit their website at www.ielts.org

IELTS Score Requirements for Admission Consideration:

• An overall minimum score of 7 for admission, with a score of no less than 6 on any individual module.

Remediation

If the head of a unit or appropriate delegate finds sufficient grounds to believe that any graduate student appointed as a Teaching Assistant or Teaching Associate does not have spoken English proficiency adequate for undergraduate instruction, they must require the student to undertake a remediation process, in consultation with the Program in Global Languages & Communication and approved by the student’s academic unit, prior to additional appointment as a Teaching Assistant or Teaching Associate. Such a determination should be made on the grounds of inadequate proficiency alone (as indicated in student evaluations, faculty observations, or the like). This remediation process will be required regardless of how the student was initially certified for oral English proficiency (that is, regardless of earning an undergraduate degree at an institution where English was the sole language of instruction or by achieving a passing score on one of the tests noted above).

Process for consulting with the Program in Global Languages and Communication regarding a remediation process for a Teaching Assistant or Teaching Associate: The graduate program requesting consultation regarding a remediation process for a Teaching Assistant or Teaching Associate who is believed to not have spoken English proficiency adequate for undergraduate instruction should email TOEP@uci.edu with the following information: (1) the student’s information (name, UCI ID number, email address), and (2) the contact information (email) of the delegate from the hiring department who is requesting the consultation and/or overseeing the remediation process for the student. The staff in the Program in Global Languages and Communication will then contact the student to set up an appointment during which the student will meet with an Academic Coordinator in the GLC Program who will review, discuss, and/or assess the student’s oral English proficiency. After meeting with the student, the GLC Program will provide a recommendation for a remediation plan to the delegate from the hiring department and the student’s home department/program.

Letters of Recommendations are required for most programs. The letters should be submitted by instructors in a discipline related to your proposed field of study who are in a position to analyze your abilities and academic promise.

Access to Letters of Recommendation

The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) of 1974 gives students (persons admitted and enrolled), the right to inspect letters of recommendation written in support of applications for admission. The law also permits students to waive that right if they choose, although such a waiver must be voluntary and cannot be a condition of admission, award, or employment.

Waiving your right of access to the letters of recommendation is optional. However, the Admissions Committee cannot use letters of recommendation intended by the recommender to be confidential unless the applicant waives access by signing the Waiver of Access statement. The process for “waiving access” or “declining to waive access” is described below.

Online Submission

For the Applicant

Complete the Letter of Recommendation section on the online application. This will allow you to enter in your recommenders’ names and e-mail addresses. An automated e-mail invitation will be sent to each of your recommenders. It is strongly recommended that you waive or decline to waive your rights of access to your letters of recommendation. After you have completed and submitted your application, you may continue to manage and monitor the status of their submission by logging into your online application and viewing the status page.

Please note that you can submit the application prior to all your letters of recommendations are received, but check with your program to verify the deadline of when all the letters need to be received.

The application will accept Interfolio. If you need any support or have questions regarding Interfolio, please contact them directly at https://www.interfolio.com/contact/.

We do not accept paper recommendation letters. Your recommenders must submit the letters via the recommendation form that is sent to them via email.

For the Recommender

Your student will provide your contact information on their application which will generate an automated e-mail inviting you to log in and complete a recommendation form. Please follow the steps on the form and submit your recommendation for their application. The form will support document uploads or you may copy and paste the text of your letter. We do not accept paper recommendation letters.

For application review purposes only, scan and upload copies of transcripts for all institutions attended after high school. In the online application, you will be prompted to upload your scanned documents. Please upload both the front and back sides of the transcript. Uploaded transcripts should be recent and include the following: your name, dates of attendance, grades/marks received, credits and grading legend. UCI reserves the right to require official transcripts at any time during the admission process, and rescind any offer of admission made if discrepancies between uploaded and official transcript(s) are found. Official transcripts will be requested if and when you are admitted and decide to attend UCI. Do not send official transcripts until this time, unless you are requested to do so.

Some programs require submission of additional materials; please contact your program of interest to determine if any additional materials are required.

Application deadlines differ by program, so please determine the deadline for your program by visiting your program of interest in the Degree Programs section of the website. You must supply a valid e-mail address that you will maintain at least 8 months after you apply. If you are admitted, you will be notified via this e-mail address.

Disclaimer

Applicants are expected to complete their UC application completely and accurately, and the truthfulness of that information is at the core of all admissions decisions. Falsified application information may include but is not limited to: making inaccurate statements on the application, withholding information requested on the application, giving false information, or submitting fraudulent or falsified documents in support of an admissions application.

Proper submission of official materials is also of utmost importance. Letters of recommendation must be submitted by the letter writer; an applicant must not submit a letter of recommendation on behalf of the letter writer. In cases where an applicant has submitted incomplete or inaccurate information on their UCI application, or fraudulently submitted official application materials on behalf of another individual or institution, the matter will be reviewed as a case of falsification and will result in the cancellation of the application or the withdrawal of an admission offer.

Please note that once submitted, your application materials will not, under any circumstances, be returned to you or forwarded to another entity on your behalf.

After You’re Accepted
Make sure to check out our Admitted Students Checklists

What graduate programs does UCI have?

UCI has more than 100 graduate programs

Which graduate program is right for me?

Each program has a graduate coordinator who can answer your questions. You should first visit the program website, and then contact a coordinator if you require additional information.

When can I apply?

Most programs admit for the fall quarter only. The graduate application is available in early September. Check with your program of interest if you have specific questions.

What is required to apply to UCI?

The general requirements for admission are:

• Completion of a Bachelor’s degree or its equivalent from a recognized institution with degree standards equivalent to those of the University of California.
• Minimum cumulative undergraduate GPA of 3.0 or its equivalent.
• Individual programs may have additional requirements. Please check with the program for their individual requirements. The general requirements to apply are:
  
  • Most programs require official GRE test scores, however, a few do not. Refer to the program’s website for requirements related to the GRE or other exams.
  • Three letters of recommendation .
  • Unofficial transcripts must be uploaded to the application, and official transcripts(s) from your degree granting institution will be required if you are admitted and decide to enroll at UCI.
  • International applicants may have additional requirements such as English language proficiency tests.

  Note: Complete your application at the earliest possible date to avoid missing critical deadlines!

  Can I apply to more than one program at UCI?

  Yes, you can. You will need to submit a separate online application, application fee and letters of recommendation for each program. You only need to submit test scores, such as GRE or TOEFL, once. Please note that you cannot apply to different degree levels (Master’s and PhD) for the same program.

  When is the application deadline?

  Deadlines vary by program. Be sure to check your program deadline under the listing for your program. Students who are interested in financial support should pay particular attention to those deadlines as they are often earlier than the general application deadlines, and are encouraged to apply as early as possible. Note that a majority of PhD programs provide 5 years of financial support.

  What is the difference between “The Statement of Purpose” and “Personal History”?

  The “Statement of Purpose” should focus on your academic/research background and interests. The “Personal History Statement” essay should focus on your personal background and any challenges or obstacles you may have encountered in your academic journey and how you overcame them.

  I would like to make a change to my online application, but I have already submitted it. What should I do?

  After submission, your application cannot be changed by you or the Graduate Division staff.

  How can I pay the application fee?

  You can pay by Visa or MasterCard credit card. Checks are not accepted for payment of the application fee.

  How can I get my application fee refunded?

  The application fee is non-refundable.

  Can I request an application fee waiver?

  If you are a US citizen, legal permanent resident of the U.S., DACA/AB540, you may be eligible for a waiver. Eligibility is based on program participation, financial need or US veteran status and is determined by completion of the online graduate application. If based on information provided on the graduate application, an applicant is determined to be eligible to apply for a waiver, instructions will be presented on the application itself. This will allow you to upload your required document(s) and submit your application. Requests for fee waivers are reviewed after the graduate application has been submitted. To be considered for a fee waiver, your graduate application must be submitted 5 days before the program’s deadline or March 4, whichever comes first, except for Veterans. If your request for a waiver is denied and if you wish your application to be considered for admission, you will have to pay the application fee via credit card. Fee waivers are available for Fall quarter admissions only.

  What is UCI’s minimum GRE score requirement?

  There is no minimum campus GRE score requirement.

  How can I have my GRE and TOEFL test scores sent to UC Irvine?

  At the time you register for the test, you should list UCI as a school to receive your scores. UCI’s institution code for ETS score reporting is 4859. If you did not include UCI on the request form when you took the test, you should contact ETS to request that your scores be sent to UCI, school code 4859.

  We do not accept MyBest scores for TOEFL; you must submit all individual test scores.

  Do you accept the ETS At Home Test versions?

  Yes, we accept the GRE General Test at home and TOEFL iBT Special Home Edition test. We do NOT accept the TOEFL ITP Plus for China.

  Which department should I indicate on the score request form?

  You do not need to include this information as ETS will send your scores electronically to UCI. Regardless of what department code you enter, your scores will be reported to UCI. See information above.

  How can I have my IELTS test scores sent to UC Irvine?

  You should contact the test center directly where you took the IELTS test and request that your test scores be sent electronically using the IELTS system. All IELTS test centers worldwide are able to send scores electronically to our institution.

  Can I apply before taking the GRE test?

  Yes, you can. On the application you will enter the date you are registered to take the test.

  Do I need to take the GRE subject test, as well as the GRE General Test?

  Check with the program to which you are applying to determine their requirements.

  May I apply before taking an English language proficiency test like the TOEFL?
  Yes, you may. On the application you should enter the date you have registered to take the test.

  What are the minimum TOEFL and IELTS test score requirements for admission?

  • TOEFL iBT -80
  • IELTS -overall minimum score of 7 and no scores less than 6 on any individual module.

  Do you accept the IELTS Online or the IELTS Indicator test version?

  Yes, we accept both the IELTS Online and IELTS Indicator test. We also accept the TOEFL iBT Special Home Edition test. The same minimum test score requirements apply.

  I am a Permanent Resident of the U.S. Do I need to take the TOEFL test?

  All graduate applicants, except those who have earned an undergraduate or master’s degree from an institution at which English was the sole language of instruction according to the World Higher Education Database, are required to demonstrate English proficiency for admissions consideration. Visit the English Language Proficiency Requirements for Admission section for more information.

  I am an international applicant and studied at an English language university in my country. Do I need to take the TOEFL test?

  If English was the sole language of instruction at the undergraduate or graduate institution where you earned an undergraduate or master’s degree according to the World Higher Education Database, then you are waived from the English proficiency requirement. If English is not the sole language of instruction listed or if no language is listed at all, the waiver does not apply and you are required to take and pass an approved English proficiency test (TOEFL or IELTS).

  I sent my recommender an invitation to submit a letter, but they did not receive it. What should I do?

  It is possible that your recommender has restrictive filtering of their e-mail. Contact Graduate Admissions to request that the e-mail be sent to your recommender again.

  My recommender is having trouble completing my online Letter of Recommendation. What should they do?

  First, log in to your online application to make sure the recommender has received an invitation to submit a letter. If necessary, you may resend the invitation. If you’re not able to determine the cause of the problem, have your recommender contact Graduate Admissions and provide your name, their name and an explanation of the problem.

  Can I use Interfolio?

  Yes, our graduate application will accept Interfolio.

  Where should I have my transcripts sent after I am admitted?

  Unofficial transcripts must be uploaded to the application. After you are admitted, and submitted a positive SIR, your official transcript and proof that you earned your undergraduate degree should be mailed to the address below:

  University of California, Irvine
  Graduate Division – Transcripts
  120 Aldrich Hall
  Irvine, CA 92697-3180

  If you earned your degree at a U.S. institution and your school is able to securely transmit your degree posted transcript to UCI electronically, you may have the transcript sent to gradtranscripts@uci.edu. If your institution uses Parchment services to deliver e-transcripts, please be sure to have the transcripts sent to “University of California, Irvine, GRADUATE DIVISION”.

  All records submitted to our office become the property of the University and will not be returned to the student. If your academic records cannot be replaced, please bring them directly to our office and we will photocopy and return them to you.

  Please note that UCI does not admit students conditionally. Provisional admission refers only to those students admitted prior to providing their final transcript showing degree conferral to the Graduate Division. Students admitted provisionally are required to provide their final transcript showing degree conferral as soon as possible after being offered admission and submission of a positive SIR (Statement of Intent to Register).

  I have questions about English proficiency requirements, where can I find that information?

  As an international student, what academic qualifications/degree requirements are acceptable, and which records am I required to submit?

  When and where should I send my financial documents to get my I-20 form? When and how will I receive my I-20 form?

  If you are admitted, you will get information from your department about submitting financial and other documents required for the International Center at UCI to issue an I-20 (visa eligibility form). Any questions related to the I-20 should be directed to your department.

  How can I check on the status of my application?

  Log in to your online application to view your status page. Please allow at least 30 days after your submit your application befor contacting the university and only do so if absolutely necessary. This will allow staff to focus on processing application decisions during the busy admissions season. You will receive an e-mail directly from your program after a decision is made. Letters will also be available on your application status page.

  When can I expect to hear a decision on my application?

  Each program has its own schedule for making admissions decisions. A general deadline for admission offers is April 15. Your patience is requested and greatly appreciated, as we know that waiting to hear a decision can be stressful.

  I received an admission offer from my department, but have not yet received the official offer of admission by e-mail from the Graduate Division. When can I expect to receive it?

  After your program offers you admission, they will notify the Graduate Division of their offer. This process can take up to a week to 10 days. It is not necessary to contact the Graduate Division after you receive your admit letter from your program as admissions are processed in the order that they are received and the Graduate Division will contact you as soon as possible.

  What is the Statement of Intent to Register (SIR) and when is the deadline to submit it?

  The SIR is the means by which you indicate to UC Irvine your intention to register at UCI or not. In the official admission offer letter that you receive from the Graduate Division, you will find a link to complete the SIR electronically. You should submit your SIR as soon as possible after you make your decision and no later than April 15, assuming you have been admitted by then. If your admissions offer was after April 15, please submit your SIR as soon as possible. If your department accepts applications after April 15, you should submit your SIR no later than July 15.

  What is the Statement of Legal Residence (SLR) and how can I submit it?

  The Statement of Legal Residence (SLR) allows the Registrar to determine your status as Resident or non-Resident for purposes of assessing tuition and fees. After you submit your SIR, you will receive an e-mail from the Registrar with a link to complete the SLR. Please wait until you receive this e-mail before trying to submit your SLR.

  Where can I find information about Student Housing?

  Review the information found on the Housing website.
  Students who are admitted to a Ph.D. or M.F.A. program are generally eligible for a guaranteed offer of on-campus housing if they are admitted, and respond to Housing, prior to their deadline at the beginning of May. Please refer to the website above for specific information concerning Housing, and the Graduate Guarantee.

  I’m newly admitted, but I can’t enroll in classes or pay my tuition and fees. What should I do?

  You will be able to enroll in classes in mid-June if you were admitted for the fall quarter, have submitted a positive SIR (Statement of Intent to Register) and completed the SLR (Statement of Legal Residence). Payment of fees (either by the student or by your department) begins in early August.

  I was admitted provisionally. When and where should I send my transcript and final degree confirmation?

  Please send your official degree posted transcript (from US institutions) or official final transcript and official degree certificate (for institutions outside the US) AFTER you have been admitted and submitted a positive SIR (Statement of Intent to Register). If you have not completed your degree at the time you are admitted, submit your documents as soon as they become available to:

  University of California, Irvine
  Graduate Division – Transcripts
  120 Aldrich Hall
  Irvine, CA 92697-3180
  Students earning a degree from a school in the U.S. may have their degree posted transcript sent directly from the Registrar of your school to gradtranscripts@uci.edu. Your program may also require a final transcript with degree confirmation, so please check with them to see if you need to send a second set of documents to them.

  If I graduated or am going to graduate from UCI, do I need to submit my undergraduate transcript to the Graduate Division?

  Yes, ALL new graduate students are required to submit their final transcript with the degree conferral prior to enrolling in classes.

  Can I defer my admission to UCI?

  Yes, in many cases you can. If you have been admitted but cannot attend the quarter for which you were admitted, you may request your department to let you defer for a maximum of one year. Deferrals are at the department’s discretion and are not guaranteed. If approved, your program should notify the Graduate Division so that your admissions records can be updated. You will need to submit an SIR again using a new link that will be provided prior to registration.

  I was previously enrolled as a graduate student, but was not able to complete the program. How can I reapply to complete my program?

  You will need to submit a new online application and pay the application fee. If your tests scores are still valid, you do not need to resubmit them. Contact the Graduate Division to request that copies of previously submitted transcripts be sent to your program. Transcripts for any academic work done since your previous application should be uploaded to your application. Your department may request that you submit new letters of recommendation.

  How can I find out about financial support?

  You can find general information here.
  Contact the academic program for specific information.
  If you are interested in federal financial aid, information is available on the Financial Aid and Scholarships website

  How much does it cost to attend graduate school at UCI?

  Tuition and fees (subject to change), may be found on the University Registrar’s website.

  I have a question about completing the application. How can I get help?

  Please reread the directions carefully. If you still have a question, please contact Graduate Admissions.

  While working on my application, I got a system error. What should I do?

  Please contact Graduate Admissions and select ‘Academic Question or Issue’ as the subject. Please provide as many details as you can.

  I have a question that is not answered here. Who can help me?

  Contact Graduate Admissions and please allow 24 hours for a response.
  In addition, the School of Law and the School of Medicine offer professional programs: