Info for Prospective Graduate Students

Admission to the graduate program is managed through the Department's Admissions Committee, which is appointed annually. Applications can be completed online via UC San Diego's Division of Graduate Education and Postdoctoral Affairs (GEPA). The Admissions Committee will only consider applications that are completed by the application deadline and that are in compliance with GEPA's admissions policies and requirements.

New students are admitted only for the Fall quarter of any academic year.  Admission is competitive, and the program of study rigorous. Students with backgrounds other than linguistics may be admitted depending on the type of preparation and strength of the rest of the application. The Admissions Committee evaluates applicants based on their past academic performance. Important factors in the evaluation of an application include:

• the nature of the undergraduate course program that the student has undertaken, as evidenced by official transcripts from the undergraduate institution;
• statement of purpose;
• three letters of recommendation;
• demonstrated English language proficiency, as appropriate;
• an optional written sample of linguistic work.

All elements of the application are viewed and considered.

Online Applications: UCSD offers an online application with the intention of making our application process as easy and convenient as possible for you.

Writing Samples: Writing samples and other supporting materials should be included in the online application.

Application Deadlines: Deadline for application is December 4. Admissions are always effective the following Fall quarter. We accept applications for the Fall quarter only.

GRE: Effective June 1, 2021, Graduate Record Examination (GRE) scores are not required and will not be considered in the admissions process.

TOEFL for International Students. The Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) is required for international applicants whose native language is not English and whose undergraduate education was conducted in a language other than English. Official test scores must be submitted to the Office of Graduate Studies. TOEFL scores are only valid if they are no more than two years old. The minimum TOEFL score required for consideration for admission is 85. Your TOEFL requirement will be waived by the Grad Division if you have studied for one uninterrupted year at a university-level institution in a country where English is the official language.

International English Language Testing System - IELTS is jointly managed by the British Council, IDP: IELTS Australia, and the University of Cambridge ESOL Examinations. Arrangements for taking the IELTS Academic Training exam may be made through the website.

The university-wide minimum IELTS Academic Training exam score required for consideration for graduate admission is Band Score 7. The minimum IELTS score required for consideration for  admission in the Linguistics department is 7. Applicants with marginal scores on the IELTS exam may be required to pass an English proficiency test upon arrival at UCSD or enroll in an English course until the required proficiency is attained.

To submit official test scores to UC San Diego Graduate Education and Postdoctoral Affairs (GEPA), applicants must contact the IELTS test center where they took the test to request their official test results to be sent to the address below. UC San Diego does not accept unofficial copies of IELTS Test Report Forms from students. An institution code is not required.

UC San Diego Graduate Admissions is registered to receive IELTS scores using the IELTS Results Service E-Delivery. Please type in the exact information below to send your scores to our office using IELTS E-Delivery on the IELTS website:

University of California, San Diego Graduate Admissions
9500 Gilman Drive #0003
La Jolla, CA 92093-0003

Nondiscrimination Statement:
The University of California, in compliance with Titles VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, and the Age Discrimination Act of 1975, and the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, sex disability or age in any of its policies, procedures, or practices; nor does the university discriminate on the basis of sexual orientation. This nondiscrimination policy covers admission and access to, and treatment and employment in, university programs and activities, including but not limited to, academic admissions, financial aid, educational services, and student employment.

Inquiries regarding the university's equal opportunity policies may be directed to the campus compliance coordinator, (858) 534-6861.