Graduate Admissions

The department seeks disciplined and creative graduate students to work with faculty on innovative research in a challenging and collaborative environment. Our students come from all over the world, bringing together a wealth of experiences and an array of professional and academic backgrounds that builds a unique and rich graduate student experience.

Admission Requirements

Academic decisions are based on a number of factors, including the academic degrees and record, statement of purpose, letters of recommendation, test scores, relevant experience, appropriateness of the applicant’s goals to the degree program and its relationship to the research interests of the faculty.

Here is a breakdown of the graduate application with information about each section you are required to complete. Additional instructions are provided in the online application to assist you in providing a complete application.

• Admission Criteria
• Academic Degrees and Records
• GRE
• English Language Requirement
• Letters of Recommendation
• Statement of Purpose and Statement of Personal History
• Application Fee

A Bachelor of Science (B.S.) degree from an accredited institution or its equivalent in any areas of engineering or in the related areas of Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry, Material Sciences and Computer Sciences. The degree must represent the completion of a program equivalent both in the distribution of academic subject matter and scholarship achievement comparable to that offered at the University of California.

• Interested students should be able to demonstrate knowledge and proficiency in the subjects closely related to their intended specialization that are normally taught in an undergraduate engineering program such as:
  • Mathematics (Calculus, differential equations and complex variables)
  • Circuits and electronics (equivalent of EE 100A and EE 100B)
  • Signals and systems (equivalent of EE 111, or both EE 110A and EE 110B)
  • Communication and signal processing, logic design, digital systems and microsystems (equivalent of EE 120A and EE 120B)
  • Control systems; and at least one major high-level programming language and associated programming techniques area (equivalent of EE 132; equivalent of CS 010A)

  Course descriptions may be found in the latest UCR General Catalog

  We require transcripts with final grades or most recent grades (if degree is in progress) from all college-level institutions you have attended. We also require proof of any degree awarded to you. Confirmation of your degree can be a degree posting on a transcript or a copy of your degree certificate. If you attended an institution located outside of the U.S., visit International Academic Records for additional document requirements. More information may also be viewed on the international applicants page.

  We only require UNOFFICIAL transcripts for the review of your application. DO NOT send official transcripts electronically or by mail. All transcripts and academic documents uploaded to the online application system are considered unofficial. Official transcripts and academic documents will be required only if you are admitted and accept our offer.

  All uploaded transcripts and academic records should include the following information:

  • Student's Name
  • Institution's Name
  • Dates of Attendance
  • Grades Available (at the time applying)
  • Credits/Units
  • Grading Scale/Legend
  • Degree Awarded (if applicable)

  The graduate application system accepts PDF or DOCX files, and only one attachment per institution. We highly recommend uploading transcripts/degree certificates before submitting your application to avoid potentially significant delays in the review of your application. If you need to provide updated transcripts/degree certificates, you may email them to ecegradoffice@ece.ucr.edu (be sure to use your Application ID as the subject line).

  The GRE general test is now optional for all applicants seeking admission to Fall 2023 thru Spring 2024.

  Applicants may report a GRE score but it is not required to complete an application. We require only Test-Taker score reports for the initial program review. If you accept our offer, we will request official scores at that time. Test Scores submitted may not be borrowed, photocopied, returned to you or sent elsewhere.

  Although current scores are preferred, you may submit scores no older than five years (e.g. if you apply for Fall 2023 admission, scores must be no older than January 2018). For more information on the GRE exam, visit ETS.

  GRE Institution Code: 4839 GRE Department Code: 1203

  We will accept the GRE General Test At-Home version for the 2023-24 application cycle.

  All applicants whose first language is not English and who have not earned a undergraduate (bachelor's or first-degree equivalent) or advanced degree (master's or doctorate) at an institution where English is the exclusive language of instruction must submit passing current exam scores from the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or Academic Modules of the International English Language Testing System (IELTS). Graduate Division will not accept the Duolingo English Test. If you are unable to access any of the approved English language proficiency exams, please let us know and we'll help you explore alternative options. Scores submitted may not be borrowed, photocopied, returned to you or sent elsewhere.

  Before performing duties as a Teaching Assistant, any student whose native language is not English must pass an oral English language competency exam upon arrival at UCR. This includes not only international students but also any student whose first language is not English.

  TOEFL

  This exam is administered by ETS and offered in nearly every country abroad. This exam must be taken within two years of the time you intend to enroll at UCR. We do not accept TOEFL MyBest™ scores offered by ETS at this time. Scores reported to UCR will be evaluated based on an exam where all sections were scored from one exam date. Results from multiple exams cannot be combined to create a super score. Visit ETS for more information about this exam.

  We will accept the TOEFL iBT Special At-Home version for the 2023-24 application cycle.

  • TOEFL Institution Code: 4839
  • TOEFL Department Code: 66

  IELTS

  UCR also accepts scores from the Academic Modules of the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) which is jointly managed by the British Council, IELTS | IDP Australia and the University of Cambridge ESOL Examinations. This exam must be taken within two years of the time you intend to enroll at UCR. The minimum acceptable overall score is 7 with no score less than 6 on any individual component. Please request an official Test Report Form (TRF) of your IELTS exam score. Remember to order the TRF from the test center where you took the test and ask the administrator to send the electronic score to UCR. For more information about registering for this exam or to locate the office of any test center, visit IELTS.

  We will accept the IELTS Indicator for the 2023-24 application cycle.

  Applicants will be able to enter their recommenders' information directly into our online application. Recommenders will be notified electronically and will be provided instructions on how to submit a letter online. All letters of recommendation must be received electronically so they are attached to the applicant's file for review.

  Graduate programs require three (3) letters of recommendation. Submitting more than three letters does not improve your standing as an applicant. At least two of these letters should be requested from professors in your major subject. The most important aspect of letters of recommendation is that they be completed by individuals who can attest to your academic abilities and potential to succeed in a rigorous graduate program. All letters of recommendation must be in English. If you were enrolled in a previous graduate program, it is required that one letter be from your research or program advisor in that graduate program.

  Applicants using Interfolio's online portfolio service can have their letters uploaded to our online application using Interfolio's "Web Delivery" Method. To do so, please follow the step-by-step instructions located within the Reference Information section of the online application.

  If you wish to waive your right to inspect the letters of recommendation, mark the appropriate box below the reference information. Only enrolled UCR students are permitted to inspect letters of recommendation for which they did not waive their right to access. Letters of recommendation cannot be released to the applicant and cannot be forwarded elsewhere.

  Applicants must submit these essays directly into their online application. Please note that each essay should not duplicate the other. We also do not accept a personal resume or curriculum vitae as a response to either essay.

  The Statement of Purpose is your opportunity to state your specific interests with respect to the program to which you are applying. Your intended area of specialization, career objectives and research interests and experience are of interest.

  The Personal History Statement is your opportunity to discuss how your personal background informs your decision to pursue a graduate degree. Please include any educational, familial, cultural, economic, or social experiences, challenges, or opportunities relevant to your academic journey; how you might contribute to social or cultural diversity within your chosen field; and/or how you might serve educationally underrepresented segments of society with your degree.

  A non-refundable application fee is required, and payment can be made using (Visa, MasterCard or Discover) prior to submitting your online application. As application fees vary, please review the below table to determine your required application fee.

  Domestic (U.S. Citizens & U.S. Permanent Residents): $135

  International (Non-Immigrant/Visa Student): $155

  Fee Waivers are available to qualified domestic applicants only. Waivers are not automatically granted and need to be approved prior to submission of your application. Only one fee waiver is allowed per student, per application period. We cannot issue refunds for any application fees already paid.