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Which Type of Graduate Degree is Right for You?
Click here to learn more about choosing a graduate degree
The answer to that question depends on your professional goals. What do you imagine yourself doing in 10 years? Do you see yourself working in a large corporation designing new products or processes, or starting your own company and bringing a product or service to market? Will you work in a research lab, or serve as a university professor building your own research program while teaching and mentoring students? Are you planning to use your engineering degree as a springboard into a different field such as medicine, law or business? Do you want to improve your skills and marketability in your current career? How much time are you willing to invest in a graduate engineering degree?
Whatever your goals, UVA Engineering has a graduate degree that can help you get there.
- UVA Graduate Engineering Programs
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Tips for Applying to Graduate Programs
What are Graduate Admissions looking for in an applicant?
- Potential for productivity
- Research readiness
- Leadership experience
- Persistence, motivation, and a passion for science/engineering
- Creativity and vision
- Ability to collaborate
- Academic ability in chosen field
The Application Packet:
- The Application itself
- Complete every question thoroughly
- CV
- Higher-education degrees along with graduation date, GPA, and class rank (if known).
- Any certificates and other forms of training
- Give thorough explanations of any research and leadership experience, including advisor names
- All publications, including journal articles and conference presentations
- Professional experiences and include names of companies
- Research and academic awards, fellowships, and internships
- Any teaching experience
- Any outreach and service
- Letters of Recommendation
- Request letters well in advance and remind recommenders as you approach the deadline
- Make sure each writer can attest to your character and your potential success in graduate school.
- Include research advisors
- Include instructors with whom you have taken more than one course, or with whom you have worked closely with on projects
- Include relevant employers
- We welcome letters of recommendation from Interfolio. For more information, please visit their website.
- Personal Statement
- Who are you outside of your test scores and transcripts? What distinguishes you?
- What are your plans for graduate study and career, and how will this program help you achieve your goals?
- What previous research and leadership experience do you have, and how has it prepared you for success?
- Have you overcome any hardships or obstacles that shows your determination and passion (may also be used to explain any gaps or poor metrics in your academic record)?
- How do your research interests fit with the interests of faculty in the program?
- Transcripts
- From each institution of higher learning
- GRE
- The GRE test is optinal for all applicants.
- TOEFL/IELTS
- A TOEFL or IELTS examination is required for all non-native English speakers
- Applicants may submit Duolingo exam scores as a supplement to the TOEFL or IELTS examination; Duolingo alone does not meet the university's English language examination requirement
- Always alert faculty of interest to your application. A professor who is impressed with you is a powerful advocate.
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Application Deadlines
Application deadlines vary depending on the program to which you are applying and request for departmental funding aid.
You may submit an application for admission until the deadline below. Not all programs admit students in every term. Applications received after the deadline may be declined without review.
Biomedical Engineering
PhD Deadline for Fall 2024: December 15, 2023
MS Deadline for Fall 2024: December 15, 2023
ME Deadline for Fall 2024: May 30, 2024
Chemical Engineering
Online ME (VEO program) Deadline for Spring 2024: December 1, 2023
ME Deadline for Fall 2024: April 1, 2024 (International Applicants) and August 1, 2024 (U.S. Citizens and Permanent Residents)
Online ME (VEO program) Deadline for Fall 2024: August 1, 2024
PhD Deadline for Fall 2024*: January 15, 2024
Civil Engineering
ME Deadline for Spring 2024: September 29, 2023 (International Applicants) and January 15, 2024 (U.S. Citizens and Permanent Residents)
Online ME (VEO program) Deadline for Spring 2024: January 15, 2024
ME Deadline for Fall 2024: April 1, 2024 (International Applicants) and August 15, 2024 (U.S. Citizens and Permanent Residents)
Online ME (VEO program) Deadline for Fall 2024: August 15, 2024
MS Deadline for Fall 2024*: January 5, 2024
PhD Deadline for Fall 2024*: January 5, 2024
Computer Engineering
ME Deadline for Fall 2024: January 5, 2024
MS Deadline for Fall 2024: January 5, 2024
PhD Deadline for Fall 2024: January 5, 2024
Computer Science
MCS Deadline for Fall 2024: January 29, 2024
MS Deadline for Fall 2024: January 29, 2024
PhD Deadline for Fall 2024*: December 15, 2023
Electrical Engineering
ME Deadline for Fall 2024: April 1, 2024
Online ME (VEO Program) Deadline for Fall 2024: April 1, 2024
MS Deadline for Fall 2024*: December 15, 2023
PhD Deadline for Fall 2024: December 15, 2023
Materials Science and Engineering
MMSE Deadline for Summer 2024: January 16, 2024
Online MMSE (VEO program) Deadline for Summer 2024: January 16, 2024
MS Deadline for Summer 2024*: January 8, 2024
PhD Deadline for Summer 2024*: January 8, 2024
MMSE Deadline for Fall 2024: January 16, 2024
Online MMSE (VEO program) Deadline for Fall 2024: January 16, 2024
MS Deadline for Fall 2024*: January 8, 2024
PhD Deadline for Fall 2024*: January 8, 2024
Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering
ME Deadline for Fall 2024: April 1, 2024 (International Applicants) and August 1, 2024 (U.S. Citizens and Permanent Residents)
Online ME (VEO program) Deadline for Fall 2024: August 1, 2024
MS Deadline for Fall 2024*: January 5, 2024
PhD Deadline for Fall 2024*: January 5, 2024
Systems Engineering
ME Deadline for Spring 2024: September 29, 2023 (International Applicants) and January 5, 2024 (U.S. Citizens and Permanent Residents)
Online ME (VEO program) Deadline for Spring 2024: January 5, 2024
Accelerated Master’s Program (AMP) ME for Summer 2024: May 20, 2024
ME Deadline for Fall 2024: April 1, 2024 (International Applicants) and August 1, 2024 (U.S. Citizens and Permanent Residents)
Online ME (VEO program) Deadline for Fall 2024: August 1, 2024
MS Deadline for Fall 2024*: January 5, 2024
PhD Deadline for Fall 2024*: January 5, 2024
*Program will accept applications to this degree after the posted deadline, but full consideration for placement into the program is not guaranteed for late applicants and may lower the probability you will receive funding. Please refer to the program’s ME/MCS/MMSE deadline for the final date an application will be considered. For additional information, please contact the Graduate Admissions Director or Graduate Coordinator.
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Application Instructions
An applicant must have a baccalaureate degree from a recognized college or university. While this degree will normally be in the field of engineering or applied science, degrees in other fields may be acceptable. Undergraduate courses that may be required to remedy deficiencies must be taken without credit. An applicant should have at least a B average for admission into graduate studies.
Each candidate must complete the Application for Admission. The application includes:
- The on-line application.
- Transcripts of all academic work.
- Three letters of recommendation. These can be submitted directy by recommenders through our online recommendation form. We also welcome letter of recommendation from Interfolio (see Interfolio website for more information).
- Applicant’s Statement of Purpose essay.
- UVA Engineering is excited to share that a fee waiver for the $85 application fee will be automatically applied to your application if you are applying for 2024 admission.
- Graduate Records Exam (GRE) general test scores (Institution code 5820). NOTE: All programs have made the GRE optional for 2023 applications; however, if you choose to submit self-reported scores at the time of application you will be required to submit official scores at the time of matriculation.
- TOEFL or IELTS scores for applicants whose native language is not English (institution code B875). If you are a Permanent Resident of the U.S. or if you have a bachelor degree entirely at an institution where English is the primary language of instruction, you do NOT need to provide these scores.
Official transcripts and test scores are NOT required for the review process but applicants should be sure to upload unofficial transcripts and indicate your unofficial test scores in your application. All materials including your resume, essays, unofficial transcripts, unofficial test scores and other supplemental materials should be submitted electronically as part of your application. We have no set minimum scores. If you are offered admission and choose to accept, we require official transcripts (either submitted electronically directly from your University Registrar or paper transcripts in envelopes sealed and signed by the University Registrar) and official test scores reported from ETS to institution code 5820 (GRE) and B875 (TOEFL) before you can enroll and before a Form I-20 can be issued (for international students).
If you wish to apply to a second program, please note you must pay an additional application fee for each submitted program and degree application. However, you will be able to use your same login information.
We strongly discourage applicants from mailing in any items that can be uploaded, to avoid delays in your application review and we ask that you not send duplicate copies of previously uploaded materials.
For US Postal:
Graduate School of Engineering and Applied Science Admissions
P.O. Box 401103
Charlottesville, VA 22904For UPS/FEDEX:
ATTN: Graduate School of Engineering and Applied Science Admissions
Room 232
1001 North Emmett Street
Charlottesville, VA 22903 -
Test Score Information
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GRE Scores are Optional
Graduate Records Exam (GRE) are an optional credential and as an applicant you may decide if you want to submit your scores as part of your application. Should you choose to submit your scores, please send to institution code 5820. Please note, applicants who choose to include self-reported scores at the time of application are required to submit official GRE scores upon matriculation.
UVA Engineering has waived the GRE test requirement for all 2024 applications to our graduate programs, meaning applicants are not required to submit GRE scores to satisfy a requirement for the department in which they are applying. However, it is strongly recommended that international applicants take the examination. Educational systems and assessment metrics can differ widely between, and sometimes within countries, so reporting a GRE score helps our application reviewers contextualize your application regardless of where you went to school. Each application is evaluated for academic quality via letters of recommendation, academic experience and aligning interests, leadership ability and prior academic achievements.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Completing the Application
- Can I apply to more than one program?
Yes, you may apply to up to two different graduate programs within UVA Engineering. You will need to complete and submit a separate application for each graduate program.
- My recommender did not receive an email notification or is having difficulty submitting their letter of recommendation. What should I do?
If your recommender did not receive an email notification with instructions on how to submit a letter of recommendation online, or if they are having problems submitting a letter of recommendation online, please have them email the letter of recommendation to the Central Admission Office at gseasadmission@virginia.edu.
- Are official transcripts and official test scores required at the time of application?
Applications are reviewed based on unofficial transcripts and self-reported test scores. Official test scores and transcripts are not necessary for the review process, but will be required if the applicant matriculates as a student. Offers of admission are not binding until official transcripts and official test scores have been received and verified by the Central Admission Office.
- How do I check the status of my application?
The application status is displayed when you log in to your online application.
- What should I do if I want to change a document I've already submitted or to add a document to my application after submission?
Once the application is submitted, we are unable to delete or replace items in your package; however, you are able to upload additional items and include them in the area for ‘supplementary materials’. We recommend including a line at the top of the newly uploaded document referencing the update.
- Do you offer application fee waivers?
UVA Engineering is excited to share that a fee waiver for the $85 application fee will be automatically applied to your application if you are applying for 2024 admission.
Standardized Tests
- What are the minimum requirements for the GRE and TOEFL/IELTS?
There are no set minimum scores to apply to the Graduate School of Engineering and Applied Science. The GRE test is optional for all applicants. TOEFL/IELTS is required for all applicants whose first language is not English.
- How long are my test scores valid?
A TOEFL or IELTS score should not be more than two years old. A GRE score should not be more than five years old.
Admissions Decisions
- How are admissions decisions made?
Admissions decisions are made within each program. Questions about your admission status, the academic program, funding, or research conducted within the program should be directed to the listed graduate director for your area of interest. See "Graduate Program Contacts" below.
- How will I be notified when an admissions decision is made on my application?
When an admissions decision has been made on your application, you will be notified via email. Admissions decisions are viewed by logging into your online application.
- When will I hear about an admissions decision?
Admissions decisions are made within each program according to their timeline. Please wait until at least four weeks after the application deadline has passed for the program you have applied to before reaching out to your Graduate Program Contact to ask about a timeline for an admissions decision.
- How do I respond to my offer of admission?
To accept or decline an offer of admission, an applicant must enter the online application, access the decision letter and follow the link to the response page.
- Can I apply to more than one program?
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Graduate Program Contacts
For information about the various graduate programs, please contact the appropriate graduate coordinator or director listed below.
Graduate Coordinators
- Biomedical Engineering - Kim Fitzhugh-Higgins
- Chemical Engineering - Sam Caneda
- Civil Engineering - Michelle Busby and Paul Miller
- Computer Engineering - cpe-support@virginia.edu
- Computer Science - cs-office@virginia.edu
- Electrical Engineering - Beth Eastwood-Beatty
- Materials Science and Engineering - Bryana Amador
- Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering - Sydney Witucki
- Systems Engineering - Chantel Gross
- Systems Engineering Accelerated Master's Program (AMP) - Matt Burkett
- Virginia Engineering Online (VEO) - Jennifer Mauller
Graduate Admissions Directors
- Biomedical Engineering - Kevin Janes (PhD and MS Admissions), and Jonathan Rosen (ME Admissions)
- Chemical Engineering - Roseanne Ford
- Civil Engineering - Majid Shafiee-Jood
- Computer Engineering - Mircea Stan
- Computer Science -Matthew Dwyer
- Electrical Engineering - Zongli Lin
- Materials Science and Engineering - Stephen McDonnell
- Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering - Matt Panzer and Jason Forman
- Systems Engineering - Laura Barnes
- Systems Engineering Accelerated Master's Program (AMP) - Matt Burkett
- Virginia Engineering Online (VEO) - Amy Clobes
Online Education Advisors
The Virginia Engineering Online (VEO) Professional Master's Degree program is a part-time degree program offering Master of Engineering degrees in the disciplines listed below:
- Chemical Engineering - Gary Koenig
- Civil and Environmental Engineering- Jose Gomez
- Electrical Engineering- Zongli Lin
- Materials Science and Engineering - Leo Zhigilei
- Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering - Matt Panzer
- Systems and Information Engineering - Robert RIggs
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Training in a Secure & Supportive Environment
Charlottesville is a beautiful small city (population 40,000) nestled in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains in central Virginia. It is frequently at the top of popular rankings for the “best places to live.” The presence of the University of Virginia’s vibrant community of students, faculty, and staff is one of the primary reasons that this area thrives.
The safety and well-being of our students is among our highest priorities at the University of Virginia. We are committed to assisting all members of our community in providing for their own safety and security. Our safety program includes:
OFFICE OF SAFETY AND EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS
- The University Police Department (UPD), a professional police department that provides the same level of service offered by a municipal police department along with other services unique to an academic institution. UPD participates in a mutual aid agreement with other local departments and a cooperative patrol agreement with the City of Charlottesville.
- Ambassadors Program, a service that provides extra eyes and ears on the streets and assistance including walking escorts in neighborhoods frequented by students
- University Transit Service (UTS) bus system that has an annual ridership greater than 3 million
- SafeRide shuttle program during hours when UTS buses are not operating
- Yellow Cab Charge-a-Ride program available with student ID
- Educational seminars, bystander training, and self-defense classes
- More than 500 blue light emergency phones
- Lighted pathways and ongoing inspection of buildings and the Grounds
- Security cameras strategically placed around the Grounds
- Card key system for access to residence halls at all times and other buildings during designated hours
- UVaAlerts emergency notification system, sirens and public address system
- Fire alarm and suppression systems
- Security and General Safety Committee, an advisory group made up of students, faculty, staff, and parents
Federal law requires the University to publish an Annual Security and Fire Safety Report. The report includes information on crime prevention, fire safety, University Police law enforcement authority, crime reporting policies, and statistics about crimes that occurred during the previous three years on Grounds or in designated areas near the Grounds as well as in other locations specified by law. The annual report is available at http://cleryact.virginia.edu/report. You may request a hard copy of the report from the University by writing to clery@virginia.edu.
This Clery Act publication contains information about safety measures and statistics about crime in and near our University community. It also describes our efforts to combat alcohol and drug abuse.
The Notice of Non-Discrimination & Equal Opportunity describes UVA's policies and initiatives for preventing discrimination on the basis of age, color, disability, gender identity, marital status, national or ethnic origin, political affiliation, race, religion, sex (including pregnancy), sexual orientation, veteran status, and family medical or genetic information, in its programs and activities as required by Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, as amended, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, Titles VI and VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the Age Discrimination Act of 1975, the Governor’s Executive Order Number One (2014), and other applicable statutes and University policies. The University of Virginia prohibits sexual and gender-based harassment, including sexual assault, and other forms of interpersonal violence.