Preparing for Graduate Admissions

1. KNOW THE DEGREE REQUIREMENTS FOR YOUR PROGRAM

Before you visit or apply, take time to understand the degree requirements for the program in which you are interested. Information specific to a program can be found on department websites. View a complete list of graduate engineering programs at UCSB, with links to department websites. Click here to view each department's recruitment one-sheet. 

2. EXPLORE FIELDS OF STUDY & Faculty Mentors

Departments within the College of Engineering may offer Master's and/or Doctoral degree programs. Student fields of study draw upon the department and faculty mentors' areas of research specialization. The choice of a research advisor among the faculty is likely to be the most important decision a student makes during the first year of graduate study. Students devote significant time investigating options during the Fall Quarter of their first year of study, and then join research groups at the end of that quarter. Departments typically consider it essential that first-year graduate students investigate and educate themselves of available research areas and opportunities. When doing 'research' into our graduate programs, contact departments directly and ask how you can get to know them and their faculty better. Find and review faculty lab group websites to explore their research and publications in more depth. A listing of UCSB Engineering faculty can be found in our directory, as well in the faculty directories on department websites, or Click here to view each department's recruitment one-sheet. 

3. VISIT UCSB

Once you understand your prospective department's graduate student recruitment timeline, it is your opportunity to visit and explore the UC Santa Barbara campus. Some departments organize graduate student recruitment events with a pre-determined visitation weekend or schedule. Learn more about the UCSB campus and location in general.

4. Apply for Admission

Take the time to understand the admissions process specific to your department/program of interest. Prospective students should also review the UCSB Graduate Division admissions process, requirements, and deadlines.

Financial Support and Fellowships

Departments will provide information about fellowships and financial support for their programs, inviting applications from keen students for a number of attractive fellowships and teaching and research assistantships.

Living in Santa Barbara

Consider the culture and logistics of moving to Santa Barbara. The Santa Barbara/Goleta and South Coast region offers a robust environment for industry collaboration and technology start-ups. Many companies take root in Santa Barbara, fostered by UCSB alumni. On campus, graduate students enjoy UCSB’s tradition of open collaboration and interdisciplinary research. Santa Barbara is a beautiful coastal campus with many cultural and recreational opportunities to augment student life. The overall environment is very supportive of scholarly and creative work. The cost of living in Santa Barbara and the California coastal region is well above the national average due to the desirable location, and prospective students should be aware of this while planning their relocation. Watch this video to see for yourself what it's like to live on the coastal community.