Find computer science and engineering admissions requirements and general application information.
Undergraduate preparation for admission
The Computer Science and Engineering graduate program is open to majors of any discipline that have sufficient preparation in at least two of these three areas:
- Algorithms
- Computer architecture
- Programming languages
At a minimum, students applying to the programs are expected to have taken courses on:
- Data Structures and Algorithms (equivalent to CSE 101)
- Computer Architecture (equivalent to CSE 120)
- Programming Languages (equivalent to CSE 114A).
Additional courses in analysis of algorithms, computational models, software engineering, operating systems, computer security, distributed systems, artificial intelligence, machine learning, natural language processing, computer networks, graphics, visualization, database systems are recommended.
At least three more courses in above mentioned areas are expected of all applicants. Students applying to the Ph.D. program should demonstrate their research potential through completion of a significant project and/or a publication.
Human Language Media and Modeling Designated Emphasis
The Human Language Media and Modeling Designated Emphasis (DE) is a collaboration of faculty from the Departments of Computer Science and Engineering, Linguistics, and Psychology, and is administered by the Department of Computer Science and Engineering. Students wishing to complete a master’s thesis, project, or doctoral dissertation in this area must satisfy the degree requirements of a primary program as well as those of the DE.
4+1 Pathway to CSE
The Department of Computer Science and Engineering offers a five-year bachelor’s/master’s pathway, which gives a competitive edge to students who are completing their undergraduate degree at UC Santa Cruz. The pathway enables those with advanced preparation to move directly from the undergraduate to the graduate program and complete an M.S. degree with as few as seven courses beyond the bachelor’s degree. Baskin Engineering undergraduate students from any major can apply to the pathway.
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Application materials
Application fee (domestic): $135
Application fee (international): $155
Application requirements:
- GPA (minimum 3.0)
- Resume/CV
- Letters of recommendation (3)
- Transcripts
- TOEFL or IELTS (non-native english speakers only)
- Personal history statement
- Statement of purpose
- GRE scores are no longer required
Application instructions
Departmental application fee waivers
If you are a US citizen, AB-540, or a U.S. permanent resident, you may be eligible for the Graduate Admissions’ fee waiver for financial hardship or for students currently receiving financial aid, or for a fee exemption for applicants who participate(d) in a qualifying program. Please see their website for more information.
If you are applying to the Ph.D. and are not eligible for Graduate Admissions’ fee waiver/exemption, the CSE department offers a departmental application fee exemption for applicants to the CSE Ph.D. program who are currently enrolled at and plan to graduate from a UC (University of California) or CSU (California State University) in a bachelor’s, master’s, or certificate program. See instructions to the right.
- applicants must submit a transcript from the qualifying UC or CSU program as part of their application to be considered
- this departmental exemption is available to both domestic and international applicants
- applicants to the CSE M.S. program are not eligible for a departmental fee exemption—there are no exceptions to this policy
Instructions for CSE Ph.D. applicants requesting the departmental exemption
- ALL applicants (domestic/international) are required to apply for the Graduate Division Fee Waiver and complete the CSE Application Fee Exemption Request Form.
- applicants have to be denied the Graduate Division Fee Waiver to be eligible for the departmental exemption.
- In the application portal, on the “Fee Waiver/Payment” page of the application, please choose “Yes” to the question “Do you believe you will need assistance paying for your application processing fee?“
- Please choose “No” to the question, “Has the program you are applying to agreed to pay for the application processing fee?“
- Select “Credit card” for the confirm payment option question. Click continue. Do not worry about this, and do not pay it; if approved for the exemption, the department will pay for it on your behalf.
- Submit your application as soon as it is ready.
- the department will not be able to review your request if your application has not been submitted
- application and fee exemption requests submitted after December 20 will not be reviewed
- After you have submitted your application, you will be directed to the status portal. There will be a fee payment link. Do not pay this fee yet, as you will not be refunded.
- Email cse-gradadvising@ucsc.edu that you have submitted your application and have requested a departmental exemption.
- Your payment will be waived once CSE Graduate Advising and the Graduate Division have reviewed, approved, and processed the request to pay your application fee.
Processing time: All requests will not be reviewed until they have been declined for the Graduate Division fee waiver. We will review your request within five business days and send you a confirmation email to inform you whether a fee waiver has been approved. If you haven’t received any updates after this period, please don’t hesitate to reach out to us at cse-gradadvising@ucsc.edu.
Note: If you have applied for and received a fee waiver in a previous application cycle, we are unlikely to grant one for this application cycle.
For more information please contact the BE Graduate Affairs Office at bsoe-ga@rt.ucsc.edu.