Navigating the UCLA Computer Science PhD Application: A Comprehensive Guide

Applying to a top-tier graduate program like the Computer Science PhD program at UCLA requires careful preparation and a thorough understanding of the admission requirements. This article provides a detailed overview of the application process, eligibility criteria, and key considerations for prospective students.

Introduction

The UCLA Computer Science Department offers both Master of Science (MS) and Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) degrees, consistently ranking among the top programs in the United States. Admission to these programs is highly competitive. Prospective students are encouraged to conduct thorough research to determine their competitiveness and ensure their academic and research interests align with the university's offerings.

General Requirements

To be eligible for admission to the Computer Science PhD or MS program at UCLA, applicants must meet the following general requirements:

Bachelor's Degree: Hold a bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university, demonstrating a standard and content comparable to a bachelor's degree from the University of California.
Academic Preparation: Possess the necessary academic preparation to complete graduate-level courses in computer science.
GPA: The university requires at least a scholastic average of B (3.0 on a 4.0 scale) or its equivalent if the letter grade system is not used. The most competitive applicants have an undergraduate cumulative GPA of at least 3.5 (on a 4.00 scale), and at least a 3.50 in any graduate study. The department reviews all applicants who have earned a cumulative GPA of at least 3.0. Through the “Dean’s Special Action” (DSA) process, departments are able to admit applicants who do not meet this GPA requirement when other aspects of the applicant’s file suggest readiness for graduate study. The DSA process requires no additional action on the applicant’s part; it is at the department’s discretion to initiate it.
GRE: For the 2025-2026 admissions cycle, the GRE is not required. However, students may voluntarily submit GRE test scores, which will be reviewed as part of the holistic application consideration. UCLA’s GRE institution code is 4837, and the department code is 0402.
TOEFL/IELTS (if applicable): If your first language is not English, you must submit a TOEFL score of at least 87 (computer-based) or 560 (paper-based), or an IELTS score of at least 7.0. The TOEFL must have been taken within 2 years of the application submission date. UCLA’s TOEFL institution code is 4837, and the department code is 78. Applicants who hold a bachelor's degree or higher from a university within the United States or in another country in which English is both the primarily spoken language of daily life (for the country) AND the medium of instruction, or have completed two years of full-time study at such institutions (i.e. accredited US university or accredited university where English is the primary spoken language of daily life (for the country) and the medium of instruction), are exempted from the TOEFL/IELTS requirement.

Application Process

To apply for the Computer Science PhD or MS program, submit the UCLA application for graduate admission and select “Computer Science MS” or “Computer Science PhD” as your intended program of study. The graduate admissions application process involves several steps.

Application Deadline: The deadline to submit an application for admission is December 15, 23:59, Pacific Time. Students are admitted only once a year to start in the Fall quarter only.

Required Materials:

Online Application: Complete the UCLA application for graduate admission.
Transcripts: All applicants are required to upload ONE (1) official transcript from each post-secondary institution attended. Official transcripts should be uploaded to your online application only. UCLA students and alumni do not have to submit an official UCLA transcript. Official transcripts are defined as original documents issued by the institution that bear the actual signature of the Registrar - not a photocopy - and the seal of the issuing institution.
Letters of Recommendation: At least THREE (3) letters of recommendation must be submitted using the graduate application link above. For Ph.D. applicants: We urge that all your letters be from academic or professional references as recent as possible and from people who can comment on your recent professional accomplishments and your qualifications for graduate study in Computer Science. If you have an M.S. degree, letters from professors who have served on your M.S. Letters are due December 15.
Statement of Purpose (SOP): All CS applicants submit an SOP (500 word limit) in their online application. The SOP is considered to be the writing sample. What is your purpose in applying for graduate study in your specified degree program? What experiences have prepared you for advanced study or research in this degree program? What relevant skills have you gained from these experiences? Why is the UCLA graduate program to which you are applying is the best place for you to pursue your academic goals?
Personal Statement: All CS applicants submit a personal statement (500 word limit) in their online application. The Personal Statement is an opportunity for you to provide additional information that may aid the selection committee in evaluating your preparation and aptitude for graduate study at UCLA. Are there educational, personal, cultural, economic, or social experiences, not described in your Statement of Purpose, that have shaped your academic journey? If so, how? Describe challenge(s) or barriers that you have faced in your pursuit of higher education.
GRE Scores (Optional for 2025-2026): Students who wish to apply for admission to our graduate program for the 2025-2026 academic year are not required to take the GRE or submit a GRE score report as part of their application package. However, students may voluntarily submit GRE test scores and they will be reviewed as part of the holistic application consideration. The test must have been taken within five (5) years of the submission date of the UCLA Graduate Division online application.
TOEFL/IELTS Scores (if applicable): If your first language is not English, you must submit official TOEFL or IELTS scores.

Important Notes:

Modifications/edits to the admissions application or materials (i.e. statement of purpose, personal history, etc) are not allowed.
It is the applicant’s responsibility to upload all the required documents (i.e. Social Security numbers before submitting the document that have social security numbers on it.
In fairness to applicants and to assure the efficacy of the selection process, we cannot guarantee that your file will be reviewed if application materials such as test scores and transcripts are submitted after the December 15 deadline.
As long as you ordered the scores by the test maker (i.e. ETS, IELTS) to be sent to the correct school and program (it is the student’s responsibility to make sure they did) by the deadline it’s fine.
Please note it may take weeks for scores to synch up after the application has been submitted (as long as everything was submitted by the deadline it should be fine). Please do not contact us to see if we receive your scores, it will reflect on your application checklist eventually.
Please make every effort to submit material by the deadline.

Fee Waivers:

Fee waiver criteria may be found here. Please note it is the applicant’s responsibility to ensure the materials required for a fee waiver (i.e. Program Chair letter, financial aid office letter, SSN redacted from tax documents, etc) are uploaded in their application before they submit their application. This cannot be modified/edited once an application has been officially submitted. If you do not meet the criteria for a Fee Waiver as specifically stated on the Fee Waiver requirement page then unfortunately you do not qualify for a fee waiver (no exceptions).

Academic Background

While the vast majority of applicants have a background in computer science, other majors such as electrical engineering, math, statistics, and physics are also represented.

Recommended Coursework:

For undergraduate work, UCLA recommends the following coursework:

2 years of calculus (through differential equations and introduction to discreet structures)
1 year of physics (mechanics; Oscillations, Waves, Electric and Magnetic Fields)
A statistics course

Additional recommended coursework in Computer Science include:

Operating Systems Principles
Computer Network Fundamentals
Computer Systems Architecture
Software Engineering
Programming Languages
Compiler Construction
Data Management Systems
Fundamentals of Artificial Intelligence
Intro to Computer Graphics
Intro to Algorithms and Complexity

Many CS graduate courses have prerequisites which consist of CS upper division undergrad classes (which are only offered at 4 year institutions and not at community colleges). Therefore we recommend students review the Computer Science course catalog, look at the CS grad classes offered and look at the prerequisites for those classes. If you have not taken the class then the instructor may not allow you to take that course.

An applicant without a strong computer science background may be a very competitive applicant. Having professional experience as well as having taken courses that are equivalent to prerequisites for upper division undergraduate coursework, and the upper division courses themselves, would be most helpful.

Read also: Navigating Tech Breadth at UCLA

Program Options: MS vs. PhD

UCLA offers both MS and PhD programs in Computer Science. It is important to understand the differences between these programs to determine which is the best fit for your academic and career goals.

Master of Science (MS): The Computer Science Department offers Master’s of Computer Science (MSCS) Program, which is a 2-year program and has existed over 50 years. The MSCS program is designed to nurture the next generation of computing professionals with the required depth and breadth of computer science knowledge. The MS program prepares students for both industry and academic research. The master’s degree in computer science can be pursued with a thesis or coursework-only option. Students in the MSCS program (Master’s in Computer Science) could choose a thesis option, instead of Capstone. The MS thesis option is designed to provide in-depth research opportunities with CS faculty. The MSCS Capstone topic is student-driven in which the students decide the topic and find their capstone advisor (must be CS faculty). The MSCS Capstone project is advised by faculty in the Department of Computer Science. On average, the M.S. degree is earned in 5 quarters (F, W, Sp, F, W, S), but some may need 6 quarters (2 full years) to finish.
Master of Engineering (MEng): Samueli School of Engineering has a one-year Master of Engineering (MEng) self-supporting, professional degree designed to develop future engineering leaders. The MENG degree addresses the needs of both students and industry, tailored to those who wish to pursue technical management positions, with both high-tech skill set and management savvy.
Doctor of Philosophy (PhD): For students who wish to pursue a career in research or academia, the computer science Ph.D. program focuses on original contributions to the field. While a Ph.D. degree prepares students not only for careers in research and academia, those who apply for a Ph.D. degree typically demonstrate significant achievement in and/or potential for advancing knowledge through independent research and teaching. The normative length of time for Ph.D.

Key Differences:

Admission to the Ph.D. program is more selective than for the M.S. program.
In general, the admissions committee does not consider Ph.D. applicants for admission into the M.S. program and vice versa.
While a M.S. degree prepares students not only for careers in the industry, those who apply for an M.S. degree typically demonstrate interest in developing and applying technical skills and translational knowledge. M.S. applicants should be aware that the selection process is rigorous for M.S. students who later apply for admission into the Ph.D.
Applicants who hold a master’s degree in computer science or a closely related discipline will not be considered for admission to the master’s program.
Applicants who hold only a bachelor’s degree may apply to the Ph.D. program.
Applicants to the Ph.D. program will automatically be considered for departmental funding, and awards will be given based on the applicant’s academic merit and potential. All Ph.D. applicants who are offered admission are provided financial support from either department resources or the research grants of individual faculty members. Ph.D. admittees are provided a funding offer shortly after being notified of their admission.
TAing/GSRs/Reader positions are not part of the Computer Science Masters Program/Curriculum and M.S. student (both incoming and continuing) are not guaranteed TAships/GSRs/Reader positions.

Additional Information

Concurrent Degree Program: The Anderson Graduate School of Management and the Department of Computer Science in the School of Engineering and Applied Science offer a concurrent degree program which enables the student to complete the requirements for the M.S. in Computer Science and the M.B.A. in three academic years. Interested applicants should contact the M.B.A.
Financial Support for MS Students: Therefore prospective M.S. students are aware upon applying that if they are admitted they must demonstrate they have the financial support for our program. Proof of this financial support is also requested when an international student is admitted into our M.S program.
Financial Support for PhD Students: Applicants to the Ph.D. program will automatically be considered for departmental funding, and awards will be given based on the applicant’s academic merit and potential. All Ph.D. applicants who are offered admission are provided financial support from either department resources or the research grants of individual faculty members. Ph.D. admittees are provided a funding offer shortly after being notified of their admission.

Key Considerations for a Strong Application

Research Fit: Identify three CS faculty they are interested in working with. Your selections will be used to help the department identify potential faculty who may serve as a faculty advisor.
Statement of Purpose and Personal Statement: These essays are crucial for showcasing your academic goals, experiences, and unique perspective. Your application must be truthful and reflect your own work.
Letters of Recommendation: Obtain strong letters of recommendation from academic or professional references who can comment on your recent accomplishments and qualifications for graduate study in Computer Science.
Meet the Minimum Requirements: The university requires a cumulative GPA of at least 3.0 for consideration. The department reviews all applicants who have earned a cumulative GPA of at least 3.0.

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