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International Applicants (Non-Immigrant/Visa Students)

A Bachelor of Science (B.S.) degree from an accredited institution or its equivalent in any areas of engineering or in the related areas of Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry, Material Sciences and Computer Sciences. The degree must represent the completion of a program equivalent both in the distribution of academic subject matter and scholarship achievement comparable to that offered at the University of California.

  • Interested students should be able to demonstrate knowledge and proficiency in the subjects closely related to their intended specialization that are normally taught in an undergraduate engineering program such as:
    • Mathematics (Calculus, differential equations and complex variables)
    • Circuits and electronics
    • Signals and systems
    • Communication and signal processing, logic design, digital systems and microsystems
    • Control systems; and at least one major high-level programming language and associated programming techniques area

Specific equivalent courses are described in the latest UCR General Catalog

 

 

Application Checklist

Checklist Int.

Checklist Components

  • Application Fee

    The nonrefundable $140.00 application fee must be paid by credit card (VISA or MasterCard) prior to submission of your application.

  • Academic Records

    Please note: UNOFFICIAL transcripts and degree certificates are accepted and encouraged for the initial program review. All transcripts and academic documents uploaded to the online application system are considered unofficial. Official transcripts and degree certificates will be required only if you are admitted and accept our offer.

    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. We highly recommend uploading transcripts/degree certificates before submitting your application to avoid potentially significant delays in the review of your application. If you need to provide updated transcripts/degree certificates, you may email them to ecegradoffice@ece.ucr.edu (be sure to use your Application ID as the subject line).

     

    Transcripts

    International applicants must submit a copy of most recent or final transcripts from all academic institutions you have attended since high school (secondary school).

    Copies of each transcript must meet the following requirements:

    • (1) copy in the original language prepared by the issuing institution
    • (1) copy in English-translated prepared by the issuing institution

    Whenever possible, both copies should provide a transcript key that includes a grading scale.

     

    Certificate of Degree

    One copy of the Certificate of Degree must also be submitted from all academic institutions you have attended since high school (secondary school) if not posted on transcript. Notarized documents are not acceptable.

    Copies of each degree certificate must meet the following requirements:

    • (1) copy in the original language prepared by the issuing institution
    • (1) copy in English-translated prepared by the issuing institution
  • GRE

    Graduate Record Examinations (GRE)

    The GRE general test is now optional for all applicants seeking admission to Fall 2021 thru Spring 2023

    Applicants may report a GRE score but it is not required to complete an application. We require only 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 Institution Code: 4839

    GRE Department Code: 1203

    We will accept the GRE General Test At-Home version for applicants seeking admission to Fall 2021 thru Spring 2023.

  • English Language Requirement

    All applicants whose first language is not English and who have not earned an advanced degree at an institution where English is the exclusive language of instruction must submit passing scores from the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or Academic Modules of the International English Language Testing System (IELTS). Test 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.

    NOTE: The English language requirement is waived if the applicant received an advanced degree (Bachelor's or higher) from an accredited institution where English is the exclusive language of instruction (typically verified on transcripts).

    Test Of English as a Foreign Language (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.

    Score reporting codes are:

    • TOEFL institution code - 4839
    • Department code - 66

    We will accept the TOEFL iBT Special At-Home version for applicants seeking admission to Fall 2021 thru Spring 2023.  

    International English Language Testing System (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. 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. 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.

    Send the official TRF to:
    Graduate Admissions Office
    Graduate Division
    University Office Building
    University of California, Riverside
    Riverside, CA 92521 USA

    For more information about registering for this exam or to locate the office of any test center, consult the IELTS website.

    We will accept the IELTS Indicator for applicants seeking admission to Fall 2021 thru Spring 2023.

  • Letters of Recommendation

    Letters of Recommendation

    Three letters of recommendation are required in support of all applications for admission. At least two of these letters should be requested from professors in your major subject. Letters of Recommendation must be submitted online and uploaded to your online application.

    Note: Recommender's personal email accounts are not permitted.

  • Personal Statements

    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

    Statement of Purpose

    The statement of purpose must be submitted with your online application.  Please state your specific interests on the Statement of Purpose form with respect to the research area of specialization to which you are interested within our program, special qualifications, awards, career objectives and research goals and experience are of particular interest. Please submit this form during your online application.

    Personal History Statement

    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. This must be entered directly in to the application or uploaded.

  • Financial Verification Statement

    Financial Verification Statement

    International applicants must complete and return the International Student Confidential Financial Statement online. If any supplemental forms are required to be mailed to us, you can find this through your online application.

    U.S. immigration law requires that international applicants, if admitted, must show documented evidence of sufficient funds to cover all fees, transportation, and living expenses for the first year of their studies at UCR and that a sponsor is committed to their financial support beyond this date.

    Proof is required before a Certificate of Eligibility (I-20 or DS2019) for a visa can be issued.

Admissions Office

Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering
Suite 343, Winston Chung Hall
University of California
Riverside, CA 92521-0429
Graduate Admissions and Outreach Officer
Mailing Documents
Graduate Admissions
University Office Building, Room 116
900 University Avenue
Riverside, CA 92521, USA

 

Exam Codes
  • GRE and TOEFL Institution Code: 4839
  • GRE Department Code: 1203
  • TOEFL Department Code: 66

Graduate Application Deadlines

  International Applicants

*Fall Quarter - Priority Admission & Fellowship Consideration*

PhD applicants

MS applicants

 

January 5th

February 1st

Fall Quarter - General Deadlines

Recommended submission date

Last day to submit an application

 

March 1st

June 1st

Winter Quarter September 1st
Spring Quarter December 1st
*Fall Applicants:

To be considered for fellowship funding, the online application must be submitted by this date. Applicants may submit an incomplete application in order to meet this deadline and follow up with pending application materials after submitting. Applications submitted after the fellowship consideration deadline will be considered for financial support based on remaining funding availability.