UCLA
Graduate Student Resource Center
Your Future is Bruin

Prospective Students

While our office actively assists presently enrolled graduate and professional students, the resources on this page will provide guidance for prospective applicants seeking admission to graduate programs at UCLA. It is important to note that while we offer comprehensive support, we do not guarantee admission.

Applying to Graduate School

Applying to UCLA graduate school is a multi-step process. Luckily, the UCLA Division of Graduate Education has a specialized DIVERSITY, INCLUSION, & ADMISSIONS (DIA) unit to help guide prospective students in the application process. You can email them for support at askgrad@grad.ucla.edu or visit https://grad.ucla.edu/admissions/steps-to-apply for a step by step guide.

UCLA-wide Admissions Requirements

Application Deadlines: Most departments have deadlines in November and early December for the following Fall term, approximately a year in advance. Please consult your specific UCLA graduate program for the exact deadline for your proposed major. Some programs may consider applications received after the stated deadline if enrollment limits allow. Fellowships and financial support depend on fund availability. For information on late applications or deadline extensions, check the program's website.

Application Fees:

  • U.S. citizens and Permanent Residents: $135.00
  • All other applicants: $155.00
  • Some programs have a $200.00 fee (Global Executive MBA, Master of Financial Engineering, Master of Science in Business Analytics).

Fee Deferrals and Waivers:

  • Public Policy and International Affairs Fellowship Program (PPIA) applicants sponsored by PPIA are eligible for a fee deferral.
  • Fee waivers are available for specific programs and need-based applicants. Check eligibility criteria on the program website.

Statement of Purpose:

  • Submit a statement answering specific prompts (ndividual majors may have 500, 1,000 or 1,500 word limits; this information is in the application and on the each program’s website) related to your academic journey, experiences, challenges faced, diversity contributions, and future plans.

Criteria for Admission:

  • General requirement for U.S. students: Bachelor’s degree with a minimum GPA of 3.0.
  • International students need a degree equivalent to four years of study with above-average scholarship.
  • Admission is competitive, and meeting minimum requirements does not guarantee acceptance.

Notification:

  • Application materials are reviewed by faculty committees, and notifications are sent via email. Check the application site for decision status.
  • Admitted applicants receive an offer letter outlining conditions of admission and registration details.

Concurrent and Articulated Degree Programs: Explore options to acquire two degrees in less time through sequential courses.

UCLA Fees and Living Expenses: Review the sample budget for most programs, subject to change.

Campus Resources and Information:

  • Residence for Tuition Purposes
  • Student Health Insurance Plan (SHIP)
  • UCLA Housing
  • Student Parking Information
  • Summer Session
  • Disabled Student Services
  • Program Requirements
  • General Catalog

For detailed information, visit the UCLA Graduate Education website.

Additional Campus Resources

Summer Programs

If you are a newly admitted doctoral student from an underrepresented backgound, you may participate in the UCLA Competitive Edge: Summer Transition Program to the Doctorate.

The Competitive Edge program is a six-week, full-time bridge program for newly admitted doctoral students from underrepresented backgrounds, emphasizing faculty or research careers. Fellows engage in a summer research project with a faculty mentor and participate in social and professional development activities to enhance success in UCLA doctoral programs.

In addition, UCLA offers additional summer intensive programs for both undergraduate and graduate students in preparation for research. 

The individual summer programs are:

  • Amgen Scholars Program
  • Brain Research Institute Summer Undergraduate Research Experience (BRISURE)
  • Bruins in Genomics (BIG) Summer Research Program
  • California State University Sally Casanova Pre-Doctoral Program
  • Community College Field Biology Alliance
  • Cultivating Interest in Research Careers
  • HBCU – The Diversity Project
  • HBCU – Evolutionary Medicine: Pathways to PhDs
  • HBCU – Neuroscience Pathways Program
  • Integrated and Interdisciplinary Undergraduate Research Program (i2URP)
  • Maximizing Access to Research Careers (MARC)
  • Mellon Mays Undergraduate Fellowship Writing and Research Training Program vii
  • Physics and Astronomy Research Experience for Undergraduates (Physics and Astronomy REU)
  • Summer Nursing Program
  • Summer Programs for Undergraduate Research: Life and Biomedical Sciences (SPUR-LABS)
  • University of California Leadership Excellence through Advanced Degrees (UC LEADS)
  • UCLA Neuroscience Scholars Program (NeuroScholars)
  • UCLA Public Health Scholars Training Program