Apply to the ECE Graduate School
The graduate application portal for 2020 admission is closed.
ECE Application Deadlines for 2021 admission will be posted as soon as they are available.
M.S., M.S. / Ph.D., Ph.D. - To be announced
Ph.D. ONLY:
- Winter 2021 (admission only) — To be announced
- Spring 2021 (admission only) — To be announced
Master of Science (M.S.) and Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) Degrees
The ECE department offers both Master of Science and Doctor of Philosophy degrees. Applicants must specify one of three programs:
- M.S. Program: for students who are primarily interested in a Master's degree. It does not preclude entering the Ph.D. program at a later date if you become more interested in research.
- M.S./Ph.D. Program: for students who have not yet earned a Master's degree and also intend to do research towards the Ph.D. degree.
- Ph.D. Program: for students who already have an Master's degree and intend to do research towards the Doctor of Philosophy degree.
Research Areas
Refer to the ECE Research Areas and Faculty Research pages for information about areas of study and potential advisors for the graduate program. Research in the ECE Department is broken into four different areas:
Financial Support
All submitted admission applications are considered for financial support and are merit-based. Types of financial support available include:
- Graduate Student Research (GSR) Positions: pays a monthly stipend plus fees, health insurance and nonresident tuition. Offers are made by individual faculty members.
- Teaching Assistantships (TAships): pays a monthly stipend plus fees, health insurance and nonresident tuition. Offers are made by the department.
- Fellowships: most pay a quarterly stipend plus fees and health insurance and sometimes nonresident tuition. Offers are made by the department or UCSB's Graduate Division.
Financial Aid
Need-based aid is only available for domestic students.
- UCSB Financial Aid Office
- UCSB Financial Support
- Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) – U.S. Department of Education's online form to apply for aid.
Additional Information: UCSB Cost of Attendance Calculator
Annual Application Deadlines
- Fall quarter (M.S., M.S./Ph.D. and Ph.D. applicants): December 15th of the prior year for priority consideration for financial support
- Winter quarter (Ph.D. applicants only - an M.S. degree is required prior to application): November 1st of the prior year
- Spring quarter (Ph.D. applicants only - an M.S. degree is required prior to application): January 2nd
* If the dates above fall on a Saturday or a Sunday then the deadline is the Monday following those dates
FAQ Not Listed? Contact Graduate Division
- Existing Applicants: to ensure attention to your questions, contact Graduate Division via the Online Application System
- Login to your application
Press the envelope button at the top right side of the page to start a message chain
- Potential Applicants: contact gradadmissions@graddiv.ucsb.edu