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UC Riverside

Computer Engineering

WE ENGINEER EXCELLENCE

Graduate Admissions

 

Fall 2025 applications opening October 1!

 

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Admission Criteria for the M.S. Degree

  • A bachelor's degree, or its equivalent, from an accredited institution. The degree must represent the completion of a program equivalent in subject matter and scholarship to that offered by the University of California.  Although we welcome promising students from all disciplines, entering students must have a substantial background in both electrical engineering and computer science.
  • A minimum of 3.2 GPA (on a 4.00 scale) in the undergraduate junior and senior years, and at least 3.5 in any graduate study. These averages are considered the minimum requirements; the actual standard for admission is set by the current pool of applicants and is generally higher.
  • All applications are initially reviewed by the graduate program before a recommendation is submitted to the Graduate Division for final approval.

 

Admission Deadlines

June 1, 2024 International Applicants
June 1, 2024 Domestic Applicants

 

Postal Address

Attn: MS in Computer Engineering Program
Winston Chung Hall, Room 351
University of California
Riverside CA 92521, USA

*Please include your application number and reference Computer Engineering program on the envelope of any documents sent to the department.

 

CEN Contact Information

Email: cengradinfo@cen.ucr.edu 
Phone: (951) 827-5639
Fax: (951) 827-4643

 

Graduate Admission Office

Graduate Division
University Office Building
University of California, Riverside
Riverside, CA 92521, USA
 
For additional information, please check the Graduate Division website.

Admissions Requirements

Below is a breakdown of our graduate application with information about each section you are required to complete. Additional instructions are provided in the online application. 

The department welcomes promising students from all disciplines. However, all applicants are expected to demonstrate competence in the following prerequisites or comparable courses taken in another institution. 
 
  • EE 100A:  Electronic Circuits I
  • CS 153: Design of Operating Systems
  • CS 161:  Design and Architecture of Computer Systems
  • CS/EE 120A:  Logic Design
 
Please refer to the online catalog for course descriptions. Please note that these prerequisite courses may not be taken for graduate credit in any core, depth, breadth, or elective areas. A student who is deficient in any of these competency areas may be asked to complete the corresponding UCR course.
All applicants whose first language is not English and who have not earned an undergraduate (bachelor's or first-degree equivalent) or advanced degree (master's or doctorate) at an institution where English is the exclusive language of instruction must submit passing current exam scores from the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or Academic Modules of the International English Language Testing System (IELTS). The Graduate Division will not accept the Duolingo English Test. Scores submitted may not be borrowed, photocopied, returned to you, or sent elsewhere.
 
TOEFL or IELTS Scores
The TOEFL exam is administered by ETS and offered in nearly every country abroad. This exam must be taken within two years of the time you intend to enroll at UCR. We are accepting the TOEFL iBT Special At Home version for the 2024-25 application cycle. However, the TOEFL ITP+ or the TOEFL MyBest™ scores; offered by ETS cannot be accepted. For more information about registering for this exam or to locate the office of any test center, visit ETS.
 
  • Interned-Based (iBT) - 80
  • Home Version (iBT) - 80
  • Paper-Based test (PBT) - 550
TOEFL UCR code: 4839
TOEFL Department code: 78 Computer Sciences

 

The IELTS exam is jointly managed by the British Council, IDP: IELTS Australia, and the University of Cambridge ESOL Examinations. We accept the IELTS Indicator for the 2022 -23 and 2023-24 application cycles. This exam must be taken within two years of the time you intend to enroll at UCR. Please request an official Test Report Form (TRF) of your IELTS exam score. Remember to order the TRF from the test center where you took the test and ask the administrator to send the electronic score to UCR. For more information about registering for this exam or to locate the office of any test center, visit IELTS

Minimum IELTS score: 7 overall total score
The minimum score in each individual component must be 6 or above
GRE score submission is Optional
 
If you would like to submit GRE scores:
The GRE General Test at Home version is also being accepted for the 2024-25 application cycles.The test must be taken within the last five years before the desired date of admission.
 

GRE UCR code: 4839
GRE Department code: 1201

For more information on the GRE, visit ETS.

Applicants enter their recommenders' information directly into our online application. Recommenders are notified electronically and provided instructions on how to submit a letter online. All letters of recommendation must be received electronically so they are attached to the applicant's file for review. 
 
A minimum of three letters of recommendation are required for admission. At least two of these letters must be from professors in your major subject. If you have a M.S. degree, one letter must be from your M.S. advisor.  The most important aspect of letters of recommendation is that they are completed by individuals who can analyze your academic ability and potential for success in a rigorous graduate program. All letters of recommendation must be in English.

Unofficial transcripts are required for the admission committee to review your application. Upload UNOFFICIAL transcripts of all academic institutions you have attended after high school to your application. Official transcripts will be required when applicants are admitted to the program and subsequently accept the offer.

If you attended an institution located outside of the U.S., visit International Academic Records for additional document requirements.

Applicants must submit these essays directly into their online application. Please note that each essay should not duplicate the other. 

The Statement of Purpose is your opportunity to state your specific interests with respect to the program to which you are applying. Your intended area of specialization, career objectives and research interests and experience are of interest. 

The Personal History Statement is your opportunity to discuss how your personal background informs your decision to pursue a graduate degree. Please include any educational, familial, cultural, economic, or social experiences, challenges, or opportunities relevant to your academic journey; how you might contribute to social or cultural diversity within your chosen field; and/or how you might serve educationally underrepresented segments of society with your degree. 

Please also submit your curriculum vitae/resume and include any relevant experience (publications, research, internships, etc.).

Domestic Applicants: $135
International Applicants: $155

*Fee Waivers are available to qualified domestic applicants only.