Prospective Students
As a graduate student at Baskin Engineering, you’ll join a collaborative community developing bold solutions to society’s most pressing challenges. We offer the resources, mentorship, and opportunities needed to bring ideas to life, and push the boundaries of engineering innovation.
Here, you won’t just study engineering—you’ll help redefine it. Our master’s and Ph.D. programs are recognized for advancing cutting-edge research, and preparing students from around the world to become leaders and innovators in their fields.
Ready to apply but still have questions? Check out the application instructions. ↗︎
Which graduate degree is right for you?
The right path depends on your career goals. Where do you see yourself in the future? Are you drawn to academia, where you could lead groundbreaking research while teaching and mentoring students? Do you want to develop innovative products or processes in industry, launch a startup, or bring your own product or service to market? Will your engineering background serve as a pathway into other fields such as medicine, law, or business? Or, are you looking to grow your skills and advance in your current career?
With a graduate degree from Baskin Engineering, you’ll be equipped to make your career aspirations a reality.
Master’s degrees
Advanced study in fields related to science, engineering, technology, and mathematics. Coursework may include traditional seminars, lab work, field work, and/or research. These programs usually culminate in a thesis or capstone project.
All Baskin Engineering graduate programs offer an M.S. degree.
Time to completion: 15–18 months for select professional programs or approximately two years for a thesis-based degree.
Doctoral degrees
These programs provide expert education and training in fields related to science, engineering, technology, and mathematics. Coursework may include traditional seminars, lab work, and/or field work. Extensive original research is required and the program culminates with a dissertation.
Time to completion: Four to five years.
Professional programs
Located in the heart of Silicon Valley in Santa Clara, California, our professional master’s programs prepare students for careers in industries such as product design, UX research, and generative AI. At the UCSC Silicon Valley Campus, faculty and students lead innovative research relevant to the local technology fields, and build close ties with Silicon Valley industry partners.
Time to completion: 15–18 months.
4+1 pathways or contiguous bachelor’s/master’s pathways
4+1 pathways, also called contiguous bachelor’s/master’s pathways, enable well-prepared undergraduate students to complete specific upper-division or graduate courses during the final stages of their undergraduate degree. These courses can later be applied toward a master’s degree after admission to the program. This path offers qualified undergraduate students increased opportunities for career and academic success. They allow students to deepen their knowledge in a field, complete both degree programs efficiently—often in less time—gain additional employment credentials, and enhance their competitiveness for admission to top doctoral programs. Students typically do not need to be enrolled in a specific major to pursue a contiguous bachelor’s/master’s pathway.
Time to completion: Five years (four years for the bachelor’s degree, and one year for the master’s degree).
Application information
Applications for the fall quarter open on October 1. Please note that winter and spring admission are not offered.
For the most current deadline information, please refer to Graduate Admissions.
Commitment to inclusion
UC Santa Cruz and Baskin Engineering are committed to creating educational equity that will lead to real, transformative change. We are one of only two institutions in the nation that holds the honor of being a Hispanic Serving Institution, an Asian American Native American Pacific Islander Serving Institution, and member of the Association of American Universities.
What to expect in your first year
From hands-on research opportunities to engaging with a vibrant community of peers and faculty, you’ll have access to resources, programs, and guidance to help you navigate your transition and make the most of your graduate experience.
Frequently asked questions
General questions
What graduate programs are offered by Baskin Engineering at UCSC?
Which program should I apply to?
You should explore our graduate programs to see application requirements, get to know the faculty, and learn about different research emphases. This will help you decide which program best fits your goals.
What are the criteria for admissions?
The evaluation process for applications is complex, taking into account all of the material submitted with the application. Grade point average (GPA), GRE scores (if required, please refer to the individual program pages), TOEFL or IELTS (for international students), letters of recommendation, research, industry experience, and statement of purpose all play a role. To be considered for admissions, applicants must have submitted all of their completed application materials by the application deadline. International applicants to most graduate programs at Baskin Engineering must have an IETLS minimum overall score of 7 or a TOEFL minimum overall score of 570 on the paper-based, 230 on the computer-based, or 89 on the internet-based test. Applicants to the Human and Computer Interaction (HCI) M.S. program are required to have a minimum overall score of 83 on the internet-based TOEFL exam. Historically, analytical and quantitative GRE scores of admitted students have been in the 90th percentile or above.
Explore our degree programs to find detailed admissions information.
Do I need a degree in STEM to be admitted?
No, but it certainly helps. To be considered for acceptance into any of our graduate programs, students usually have a bachelor’s degree in a STEM field of study, although students with non-STEM degrees have been admitted — provided they had supplementary STEM knowledge through coursework, research, or industry experience.
What kind of background should I have before applying to my program of choice?
We expect admitted students to have an undergraduate level of understanding in their program of choice. Many of the graduate level courses required for the completion of our graduate programs have prerequisites that must be met before a student can enroll in the courses.
I don’t have an academic STEM background. Can I still apply for a masters program?
Students with no STEM background will most likely face difficulties in being admitted to most programs. It is recommended that all students develop at least basic knowledge of computer programming before beginning graduate study at Baskin Engineering.
Am I eligible for your graduate programs if I have already received a master’s or doctorate degree?
It is the policy of UC Santa Cruz to prohibit the pursuit of duplicate advanced degrees. However, applicants may petition the graduate dean for an exception to this policy if the degree sought is in a field of study distinctly different from the field in which the original advanced degree was attained.
Can I apply for winter or spring quarter admission?
All programs accept fall admissions only. Please see the Graduate Admissions deadlines.
What are your application deadlines?
For detailed information on each program’s application deadline, please see the Graduate Admissions deadlines.
How do I contact the graduate programs?
For questions regarding Baskin Engineering graduate programs, contact us at bsoe-ga@rt.ucsc.edu.
Applications and admissions
Application questions
What materials do I need to submit in my application for admissions to a graduate program at Baskin Engineering?
A complete application consists of:
- Submitted online application
- Application fee
- Transcripts (official or unofficial) from each college-level institution attended
- Three letters of recommendation
- CV/resume
- Statement of purpose
- Personal history statement
- TOEFL/IELTS scores (international applicants only)
- Electronic portfolio (required for CMPM, and HCI applicants only)
Find more application instructions on the Grad Admissions site.
Who do I contact if I have questions about the online application, the MyUCSC portal, and/or my application materials?
Questions regarding university policy, receipt of application materials, and CruzID log-in help should be directed to the Division of Graduate Studies:
Email: gradadm@ucsc.edu
Telephone: 831-459-5905
Questions related to the online application, system issues, technology challenges (e.g. login problems or browser problems) should be directed to the Division of Graduate Studies’ Tech Support team:
Email: gradapphelp@ucsc.edu
Telephone: 831-459-2281
Will my application still be considered if I do not submit all of my application materials by the application deadline?
Every applicant is urged to confirm that all parts of the application are complete when submitting. Applications cannot be submitted after the application deadline, and applications cannot be edited once they have been submitted. Incomplete applications will not be automatically rejected, but will be negatively impacted proportionally to the weight of the application materials that are missing.
Can I submit application materials after the application deadline if I submitted the application on time?
No, we cannot attach application materials to your application after the application has been submitted nor after the application deadline.
Can I submit new test scores after I submit my application?
As long as the official test scores are received by the application deadline, you can submit new test scores to be reviewed with your application. We can’t guarantee that scores submitted after the application deadline will be reviewed with your application.
What is the university/department code?
The code for the Baskin Engineering is the same as the code for UCSC: 4860.
Are official transcripts required for my application to be considered complete?
Unofficial transcripts are accepted for the application process. Upload your unofficial transcripts in the online application. Official copies are not required for the application. Please note: official transcripts are required for accepting an offer of admission.
Please see the Graduate Division Transcripts page for more information and guidelines regarding transcript submissions.
How much is the application fee?
The application fee is $135 for domestic applicants and $155 for international applicants.
Can my application fee be waived if I have financial hardship?
A waiver of the application fee due to financial hardship is possible. Please be aware that fee waivers are extremely limited and only apply to US citizens and permanent residents with financial hardship. You may qualify for application fee waiver in one of two ways:
- If you are currently receiving financial aid: you should ask your Financial Aid office to complete the second page of the Request for Application Fee Waiver form.
- If your present financial situation makes it impossible to pay the application fee: you should send a letter accompanying the first page of the Request for Application Fee Waiver form indicating your itemized monthly family budget, all income and all expenses, and stating reasons necessitating your request. Do not send copies of income tax returns or FAFSA applications.
Please see the Graduate Division Application Fee page for more information on the application fee waiver.
Admissions questions
Do the graduate programs at Baskin Engineering offer probationary or conditional admission?
No. We do not offer probationary or conditional admission into any of our graduate programs.
I’ve already applied to my program of choice and now I’m waiting to hear back. When will I know if I’m accepted?
Most admissions offers are mailed before April. Denial letters are sent before the end of April. Please note that the April 15 resolution only applies to offers of financial support, so unfunded offers may be sent after that date.
Who makes the admissions decisions for the graduate programs at Baskin Engineering?
The Dean of Graduate Studies at UCSC is responsible for the final admissions decisions. Faculty committees in Baskin Engineering departments evaluate the applications to their programs and make admissions recommendations to the Dean. These recommendations are usually followed.
4+1 contiguous bachelor’s/master’s pathway
What programs have a 4+1 contiguous bachelor’s/master’s option for current UCSC undergraduate students?
Biomolecular Engineering and Bioinformatics, Computer Science and Engineering, Electrical and Computer Engineering, Scientific Computing and Applied Mathematics, and Statistical Science offer a 4+1 pathway.
Do I have to formally apply to Baskin Engineering graduate programs for the 4+1 pathway option?
Yes, all students interested in a 4+1 contiguous pathway program must formally apply to the corresponding master’s program during the fall application period, according to the standard application process. The graduate application can be accessed using the links provided with the application deadlines listed above.
Do students applying to the 4+1 contiguous pathway get automatic admissions to the graduate program?
No, all applicants are measured against the full applicant pool during the admissions decisions process.
Can I submit my application to the 4+1 contiguous pathway late if I missed the deadline?
No, students who miss the application deadline will need to apply during the next admissions cycle if they wish to be considered for a 4+1 contiguous pathway program.
Are there any special requirements for applicants to the 4+1 contiguous pathway programs?
Yes, below are the additional requirements listed by program:
Biomolecular Engineering and Bioinformatics: Students working toward a B.S. in Biomolecular Engineering and Bioinformatics may apply to the master’s program through the normal graduate admissions process in the fall of the final year. If admitted into the graduate program, they are automatically included in the B.S./M.S. pathway. The GRE test is not required for admissions to the program.
Computer Science and Engineering: Undergraduate students who are completing an undergraduate major at Baskin Engineering may apply for admission to the computer science and engineering (CSE) 4+1 contiguous bachelor’s/master’s pathway by formally applying to the CSE master’s program when the application opens. The application deadline is usually in January.
Interested students must also complete the CSE contiguous 4+1 pathway program eligibility form at the time of applying to the CSE master’s program to verify their eligibility for the pathway. To be eligible, undergraduate students must meet the following expectations: 1) be declared in any major within Baskin Engineering; 2) completion of the undergraduate degree the academic year prior to the proposed M.S. admit term (no gap years are permitted); and 3) maintain a 3.0 GPA or higher until the completion of the undergraduate requirements.
Scientific Computing and Applied Mathematics (SciCAM): The requirements for admission into the 4+1 contiguous pathway are (1) completion of an undergraduate degree in Mathematics, Computer Science, Robotics Engineering, Physics, Applied Physics, or Astrophysics at UCSC; (2) a GPA in the major of 3.5 or more, and (3) to have taken, or to have a plan to take, at least two of the three SciCAM foundational courses before the end of the senior year. The GRE test can be waived if the 3.5 GPA requirement is met. Note that some of the foundational courses are waived or substituted depending on the student’s major. Interested students should set up a meeting with the SciCAM advisor to discuss their curriculum plan and fill the application forms. Students interested in the SciCAM contiguous path must meet with the program’s graduate director to formally apply for the pathway by December 1 of their final year. If the application to the pathway is approved, the student should then complete the application to formally apply to the master’s program.
Statistical Science: This 4+1 pathway is open to students from a wide variety of majors, including Computer Science, Technology Management, Economics, Mathematics and Physics. Sample planners for selected majors can be accessed here. Students must declare their interest in pursuing this contiguous pathway no later than their ninth quarter of study at UCSC, and more typically at the end of the sixth or seventh quarter of enrollment.
Where can I learn more about the 4+1 contiguous bachelor’s/master’s pathways offered by Baskin Engineering?
TOEFL
TOEFL/IELTS requirements (international applicants)
Applicants whose primary language is not English must take either the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) test. TOEFL test scores are valid for two years from the day the test is taken.
For those choosing to take the TOEFL:
- Internet-based TOEFL minimum acceptable scores:
- 89 for applicants to the Applied Mathematics, Biomolecular Engineering and Bioinformatics, Computational Media, Computer Science and Engineering, Electrical and Computer Engineering, Natural Language Processing (NLP), and Statistical Sciences programs.
- 83 for applicants to the Human Computer Interaction (HCI) program.
- Other TOEFL minimum acceptable scores:
- Paper-based: 570
- Computer-based: 230
For those choosing to take the IELTS, a minimum overall score of 7 from the IELTS test is required for admission.
If you declare English as your second language, the TOEFL/IELTS examination requirement will show up on your application. TOEFL/IELTS waivers for admission purposes only may be granted to applicants who have received a degree from an English-speaking institution or who have lived in the United States for more than four years.
If you meet the above criteria, you do not need to request a waiver from the department. If you qualify for such a waiver, the department will automatically process one on your behalf if you are admitted. Nonetheless, you must select a back-up method of examination on the admission application in case the TOEFL waiver is not approved. Indicate a future testing date and explain your desire and qualifications for a waiver of this requirement on the English Language Competency section of the online application. Please note that the waiver is only for admissions purposes only, and does not satisfy the eligibility criteria for teaching assistants.
Special requirements for teaching assistantship opportunities:
Any international students who wish to be considered for teaching assistant (TA) opportunities must score a 26 or higher on the Spoken Word portion of the TOEFL internet-based test. For those choosing to take the IELTS exam, a speaking score of 8 or higher is required in order to be considered for TA opportunities. Applicants with a master’s degree earned in the United States, at an accredited university, and with experience as a TA at that university, may be eligible for an exemption of the English language prerequisite for TA purposes only (not admission). A final transcript indicating that the degree was awarded, as well as a letter from the TA supervisor confirming the applicant’s position, their level of responsibility in the classroom, and their proficiency in English are required to apply for this type of waiver. The letter should be uploaded to the online application in the English Competency section.
Learn more about required test scores here.
Financial information
How much does it cost to attend graduate school at UC Santa Cruz?
Please visit Financial Aid and Scholarships for detailed graduate student costs.
Do master’s students receive funding for Baskin Engineering graduate programs?
Only Ph.D. students at Baskin Engineering are offered funding. Master’s students are expected to be fully self-funded for the duration of their graduate studies at UCSC.
What type of funding are Ph.D. students offered at the Baskin Engineering?
Funding for Ph.D. students is on a merit basis only. Our applicants are considered for financial assistance in the form of teaching assistantships and/or graduate student researchships. The final amount is based on the ranking of the student academically. Please see our Financial Support page for more detailed information.
Does a request for financial aid affect my chances of being admitted?
Admissions and awarding of need-based financial aid are handled independently of one another. Awards made at the time of admissions are made on the basis of merit only. The Financial Aid Office can assist if you intend to apply for need-based support after your admission to a Baskin Engineering graduate program.
Have a question not answered here? Contact bsoe-ga@rt.ucsc.edu.