Graduate Program Application Process

Students seeking admission to graduate status at the University of California must hold a bachelor's degree or its equivalent from an institution of acceptable standing. The program of preparation should be substantially the same, both in the distribution of academic subject matter and in scholarship achievement, as the requirements for a comparable degree at the University of California.

Applicants for admission are evaluated by the prospective major department and the graduate dean in terms of their scholastic qualifications and their preparation for the proposed field of study.

The graduate dean makes the final decision, guided by the recommendation of the major department. The dean may deny admission if the applicant's scholastic record is undistinguished, if preparation is judged inadequate as a foundation for advanced study, or if the department's facilities are already filled to capacity. If the undergraduate background of an otherwise qualified applicant is found to be somewhat deficient in fundamental training, the student may be admitted with the provision that certain specified undergraduate courses be completed. No credit toward an advanced degree will be allowed for such courses.

Please note: The Chemical Engineering Department ONLY accepts applications for Fall Quarter.

Deadline for Fall Quarter 2026

The deadline for all applications is December 10, 2025.

Application Process

• Read in entirety our Frequently Asked Questions on admissions.  
• Apply via the web: https://www.graddiv.ucsb.edu/eapp/Login.aspx
• Please note:
  • The minimum cumulative GPA for all applicants is 3.0.
  • The Chemical Engineering Department ONLY accepts applications for the Fall Quarter.

APPLICATION FEE WAIVERS

While our admissions process requires an application fee, it should not prevent qualified applicants from considering our program.  The UCSB Graduate Division grants fee waivers to domestic applicants that meet at least one of three criteria:

• Affiliated or participated in specific research & professional programs and organizations
• Received significant financial aid from their current university
• Demonstrated household income below thresholds specific to family size

Details and instructions for requesting the fee waiver in the online application system are available at the Graduate Division website.

For students that are not eligible for or are declined a fee waiver by the UCSB Graduate Division, the Chemical Engineering Department has the ability to sponsor application fees for a limited number of applicants.  To apply in this case, email chegrads@engineering.ucsb.edu with “Department fee waiver request” in the subject line.  The email must include:

1. Explanation of ineligibility for a UCSB Graduate Division fee waiver, OR evidence of a declined fee waiver by the UCSB Graduate Division
2. An indication of the rationale for the request 
3. A current C.V. attached in PDF format
4. A current transcript attached in PDF format

Requests will be evaluated on an individual basis, and are not guaranteed.   The number of fee waivers the Department can provide is limited, and priority is given to students completing (or who have completed) bachelors degrees at domestic (U.S-based) institutions.  Requests must be submitted at least three weeks prior to the application deadline, or will be declined without review.  

Admissions Committee

The admissions decision is based on a comprehensive assessment of the applicant's intellectual potential and promise, involving a review of the following criteria:

1. Applicant's undergraduate education and records (and MS education and record, if applicable)
2. Past research experience
3. Description of research interests at UCSB
4. Letters of support from faculty references

Financial Support

All students admitted into our Ph.D. program are guaranteed financial support that is continued throughout their studies as long as they remain in good academic standing. This includes fellowships, grants, teaching assistantships (TAs), and graduate research assistantships (GSRs). 

ADVICE ON APPLYING TO AND SELECTING A GRADUATE PROGRAM

Due to the sheer volume of applications, we are unable to provide individual feedback on prospective applicants' portfolios and likelihoods of success. However, some excellent articles are available on the web, and include:
Choose the Right PhD Program (AIChE ChEnected)
How Not to Apply to Graduate School (Science)
Planning for Graduate Work in Chemistry (ACS)
Choosing a Graduate Program (C&EN)