Graduate Admissions FAQ

Below are some of the most common questions our office is asked by prospective graduate students. After reviewing the FAQ and you still have questions, please contact the ICS Graduate Affairs Office at 949-824-5158 or gcounsel@ics.uci.edu.

What is the GPA requirement for ICS M.S. and Ph.D. programs?

The University GPA requirement is a 3.0 out of the 4.0 scale. However, if your calculated GPA is lower than a 3.0, you are more than welcome to submit an application. Applicants will be evaluated holistically, which refers to mission-aligned admissions processes that consider applicants’ experiences, attributes, and academic metrics, as well as the value an applicant would contribute to learning, practice, and teaching. Holistic Review allows admissions committees to consider the “whole” applicant, rather than disproportionately focusing on any one factor.

Is the TOEFL or IELTS required for admission?

All graduate applicants are required to demonstrate English proficiency for admissions consideration. Applicants are waived from the English Language Proficiency requirement if they have earned an undergraduate or master’s degree from an institution at which English was the sole language of instruction according to the World Higher Education Database (WHED). Please see WHED’s instructions on how to search for your institution. If English is not the sole language of instruction listed or if no language is listed at all, the waiver does not apply and the applicant is required to take and pass an approved English proficiency test. Please view the following link for more information. Any further questions should be forwarded to the Graduate Division at gradapplicant@uci.edu regarding English language proficiency.

Please note: Test results that are two years old or older are not acceptable.

IMPORTANT NOTE: If a student will be supported as a Teaching Assistant (TA) by their program, please read the English proficiency requirement policy for Teaching Assistantships. Some programs require students who have not earned an undergraduate degree from an institution at which English was the sole language of instruction according to WHED to demonstrate English language proficiency to serve as a TA when they apply to the program. Please check with the program(s) to which you intend to apply for individual requirements.

What transcripts should I include in my application?

Unofficial transcripts from all higher educational institutions you attended, including transfer credit appearing on your transcripts from community colleges or other universities, must be uploaded to your application. Uploaded transcripts should be recent, clear, and officially translated into English. Additionally, it should include the following: your name, dates of attendance, grades/marks received, credits, and grading legend.

Is the statement of purpose and the personal history statement required for the ICS research programs?

The statement of purpose is required while the personal history statement is optional but highly recommended.

The “statement of purpose” should focus on your academic/research background and interests. The “personal history statement” essay should focus on your personal background and any challenges or obstacles you may have encountered in your academic journey and how you overcame them.

Is funding available for the M.S. and Ph.D. programs?

Please take a look at the following webpage to learn more about different funding opportunities. M.S. students have the opportunity to apply for teaching assistant positions and graduate student researcher positions. We strive to award all PhD admits full funding for the time they are in the program. This may be in the way of a teaching assistantship, graduate student researcher or various other awards.

Can I submit my materials past the deadline?

All application materials, including your exam scores and letters of recommendation, should be received by our final deadline, December 15th. If you are unable to make this deadline, you are welcome to submit your materials as soon as they are available. However, please note that your application cannot be reviewed until all materials have been submitted. Unfortunately, we cannot guarantee your application will be reviewed if the admissions committee has finalized their admissions decisions for this admissions cycle.