Types of Applicants

New Applicants

The UCSB Graduate Division welcomes applicants from across California, the United States, and throughout the world. All those applying for graduate study at UCSB for the first time must complete all sections of the online application. Applicants must submit all required materials by the department's application deadline. 

Transferring from Another Graduate Program

At the graduate level, there are no separate application processes for applicants who have previously completed graduate-level coursework at another institution. You will need to complete the full application and provide all required application materials.

We also recommend that applicants with previous graduate-level education contact the department/program of interest directly to inquire further about program requirements and whether any previously completed graduate work might apply toward the program at UCSB. 

International Applicants

Required Academic Preparation

Applicants who have conducted their post-secondary education outside of the United States must complete an undergraduate degree program that is equivalent to a University of California bachelor's degree before the start of their graduate program at UCSB. Equivalent undergraduate degrees usually include a minimum four years of university work and above-average scholarship. Applicants holding only professional diplomas, higher certificates in accounting, business, physical education, or health education from universities or technical and vocational schools are not eligible for admission. Be sure to also check your department's application requirements ​for any specific instructions pertaining to international applicants to your department or program of interest.

The International Doctoral Recruitment Fellowship (IDRF) 

For all new incoming international doctoral students, the International Doctoral Recruitment Fellowship (IDRF) can provide significant support for non-resident supplemental tuition (NRST). 

Office of International Students and Scholars (OISS)

All international applicants who submit an application for graduate study are encouraged to contact the Office of International Students and Scholars for current information regarding international student expenses, visas, and other non-admissions questions you may have. If you are admitted and choose to attend UCSB, OISS will contact you with additional information and to provide assistance.

Multiple Applications Policy

Only one application may be submitted per application cycle (year). Simultaneous applications to multiple programs are not accepted. The application fee is non-refundable.

All components of the application, including the application fee, must be completed and paid by the appropriate department deadline in order to be processed. Applicants who applied the previous year but were not admitted are considered new applicants.

Reapplying

If you applied for graduate study at UCSB during a previous application cycle, and you were admitted but did not register, we recommend contacting the admitting department prior to applying again. You will need to submit a new online graduate application, but it may not be necessary to re-submit ​all of your application materials.

If you applied for 2026 or earlier admission using our eApp system and now wish to reapply for 2027 or later admission, you will need to register for an account as a first-time user in the new Graduate Application system. Refer to our How to Complete the Online Application page for instructions on starting a new application. 

Current UCSB Graduate Students

Students who wish to add or transfer to an MFA or doctoral degree program (including adding a doctoral degree objective in their home department) must apply using the online Graduate Application. By applying, students who add or change to a new MFA or doctoral program are eligible for central recruitment funding, including the International Doctoral Recruitment Fellowship (IDRF).

Current graduate students may only apply during the regular application cycle by the department's published deadline(s). Applicants for winter or spring admission are not eligible for central recruitment funding, but may be eligible for other types of departmental funding. In cases where a terminal UCSB master's student has applied for and is admitted to an MFA or doctoral program that starts in the fall quarter, but finishes the master's degree in fall or winter of the previous year, the Graduate Division may consider an exception to move up the start date of the doctoral program so that there is no break in registration (the department must request this exception).

How to Apply

Please contact the department to which you wish to apply before submitting an application. A complete online application and all supporting documents must be submitted by the department's deadline in order to be considered for admission and fellowship support.

To complete your application, you will need to register for an account as a first-time user in the new Graduate Application system. Refer to our How to Complete the Online Application page for instructions on starting a new application or to learn more about all application sections and requirements. Be sure to complete all sections of the application and upload all required materials. 

You will be able to view your application responses after submission by accessing the Application Proof in the Applicant Portal. We recommend saving a copy of your application materials.

When Should a Current UCSB Grad Student NOT Apply?

Students who wish to add a master's degree objective or credential program must submit the Change of Degree Status Petition. Students who have allowed their registration to lapse must submit a Petition for Reinstatement. If you are submitting either type of petition, please contact Academic Services for assistance.

Current UCSB Undergraduate Students: Five-Year Degree Programs

Current undergraduates in selected majors may apply for a five-year bachelor's and master's combined degree program. Refer to the Graduate Division's Five-Year Degree Programs website for more information and a list of available programs.

Fulbright and LASPAU Applicants

The Fulbright Foreign Student Program enables graduate students, young professionals and artists from abroad to study and conduct research in the United States. Fulbright candidates applying to a graduate program at UCSB should complete and submit the online application according to the instructions provided by the Institute of International Education (IIE). 

All application materials are required by the department/program application deadline. IIE representatives may contact Graduate Division Admissions or submit supplementary materials to gradadmissions@graddiv.ucsb.edu. 

Non-Degree and EAP Reciprocity Applicants

In exceptional circumstances, applicants who do not wish to study for a degree may be admitted to graduate status on a Non-Degree Objective (NO) basis. Non-degree applicants, including EAP reciprocity students, are strongly encouraged to contact their department/program directly to inquire about research and study opportunities before submitting the application.

Graduate EAP reciprocity students should apply as non-degree applicants by selecting the Non-Degree Objective (NO) after choosing their major/program of interest in the online application. The admissions requirements and procedures are the same as those for prospective degree candidates. The applicant must specify the major and justify in the Statement of Purpose that the plan of study has a definite scholarly or professional goal.

A non-degree student is accepted for a maximum of one academic year. Students in non-degree status are not eligible for fellowships, nor are their courses ordinarily accepted for credit toward an advanced degree at UCSB should they later decide to apply for admission into a master's or doctoral program.

Current non-degree students wishing to apply for admission into a master's or doctoral program must submit a new graduate application; a Graduate Student Petition is not acceptable for adding the degree objective.

Vietnam Education Foundation Applicants

Fee waivers are available for Vietnam Education Foundation applicants and will be issued upon receipt of the Fee Waiver Request along with a letter from the Vietnam Education Foundation program coordinator confirming participation (both submitted via the online Graduate Application).