Admission Requirements

The 2024 application is open for some programs. Visit our Deadlines page for upcoming deadlines for Winter and Spring 2024.

Admissions Criteria

  •  A bachelor's degree, or its equivalent, from an accredited institution. The degree must represent the completion of a program equivalent in subject matter and scholarship to that offered by the University of California. 
  • A minimum of a 3.0 undergraduate GPA or B-equivalent (if GPA is not on a 4.0 scale). We recommend that you check with the graduate program as they may have a higher standard for their GPA requirements. If your GPA is below this, follow up with the graduate program you are interested. Applications are reviewed in their entirety and the program can look at your other components and advise you on potential admission.
  • All applications are initially reviewed by the graduate program before a recommendation is submitted to the Graduate Division for final approval. Please visit your the graduate program's website you are interested in for any program specific requirements.

Admission Requirements

Below is a breakdown of our 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.

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 have attended an institution located outside of the US, visit International Academic Records for document requirements.

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.

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. Make sure to upload transcripts when you apply, or there will be a significant delay in your program reviewing your application.

We only require 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.

GRE Requirement 

While UCR's Graduate Council has approved temporarily waiving the GRE requirement for the 2024-25 application cycles, some programs are still requiring the GRE. Please verify through the individual graduate program website for confirmation.  

We will accept the GRE General Test at Home version for the 2024-25 application cycles. Only the Biophysics graduate program requires the GRE Subject exam. Although current scores are preferred, some graduate programs will accept scores taken within the last five years. Our school code is 4839. You can find GRE department and major codes here. If ETS has not assigned a major code to the graduate program you are interested in, select Undecided (0000). For more information on the GRE, visit ETS.

 
GMAT Requirement

The A. Gary Anderson School of Management (AGSM) accepts the GMAT or GRE General exam if you apply to the MPAc, MFin, MBA, MS in Business Analytics, or PhD programs. For more information on the GMAT exam, visit Graduate Management Admission Council.

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 don't have access to taking any of the approved English language proficiency exams, we recommend contacting your program of interest. 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. The minimum acceptable scores are: 550 for the revised TOEFL paper-delivered test and 80 for the TOEFL iBT. We will accept the TOEFL iBT Special At Home version for the 2024-25 application cycle.  

We won't accept the TOEFL ITP+ or the TOEFL MyBest™ scores offered by ETS. 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. We strongly advise you to be aware of the deadline for the program to which you are applying. Visit ETS for more information about this exam. UCR's school code is 4839. GRE department and major codes can be found here. If ETS has not assigned a major code to the graduate program you are interested in, select 99.

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, IDP:IELTS Australia and the University of Cambridge ESOL Examinations. We will accept the IELTS Indicator for the 2022 -23 and 2023-24 application cycles.  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.

Applicants can to enter their recommenders' information directly into our online application. Recommenders will be notified electronically and provided instructions on submitting 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 individuals in a position to evaluate your performance in college-level coursework or research completed while pursuing your bachelor's degree or its equivalent. The most important aspect of letters of recommendation is that they are completed by individuals who are able to analyze your academic ability and potential for success in a rigorous graduate program. If you wish to submit a letter from an employer, please contact the graduate program advisor to determine if this will be acceptable. If you are applying to the MPAc, MFin, MBA, Professional MBA, or MSBA within the Anderson Graduate School of Management; only 1 letter of recommendation is required. The recommendation letter to these programs can be from an employer or a professor. All letters of recommendation must be in English. If you have been enrolled in a graduate program, obtaining a letter from your program's research advisor, program advisor, or a faculty member who taught you in a graduate-level course is encouraged. 

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. 

The appropriateness of the applicant’s goals to the degree program and its relationship to the research interested of the faculty is also considered. Please check with the graduate program for more information on what relevant experience they are looking for as well as any addition program requirements that must be provided to review the application like:

  • Writing Samples
  • Articles
  • Projects
  • Course prerequisites

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 information to determine your required application fee.  

Domestic (US Citizens, Permanent Residents, and Undocumented Applicants)

  • All programs except the MPAc, MFin, Business Analytics, and MBA: $135
  • MPAc, MFin, Business Analytics, and MBA programs: $155

International Applicants

  • All programs except the MPAc, MFin, Business Analytics, and MBA: $155
  • MPAc, MFin, Business Analytics, and MBA programs: $180

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.