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GRE Scores
UCSC Test Reporting Code for GRE scores: 4860
It is not necessary to indicate a department code since all scores are sent to the Division of Graduate Studies, but if you are required to choose a department code indicate 00 or “other.”
Scores must be reported electronically.
We will not accept paper test score reports, and we will not look up individual scores.
If you experience any barriers accessing the Test Score Requirements sheet below, you can also view the Google Sheet or download this sheet as a PDF document; contact gradadm@ucsc.edu if you need further assistance.
When will we receive your scores?
- GRE scores must be received by the Division of Graduate Studies prior to the application deadline.
- Internet-Based Testing: Scores reports are sent to you and up to 4 institutions, if you designate them on the day of the test, approximately 10 to 15 days after your test date.
- Paper-Based Testing: Scores reports are sent to you and up to 4 designated institutions, if you designated them prior to the test administration, approximately 4 to 6 weeks.
Information about the GRE exam may be obtained at the ETS GRE website.
TOEFL & IELTS Scores
Scores must be reported electronically.
We will not accept paper test score reports, and we will not look up individual scores.
If you declare English as your second language, the TOEFL/IELTS examination requirement will show up, regardless of your citizenship status.
TOEFL Exam Requirements
For Admissions:
For those choosing to take the TOEFL iBT (including the TOEFL iBT Home Edition*) the following scores are the minimum allowed by UC Santa Cruz for admission qualifications:
- 89 for applicants to the Bioinformatics, Chemistry and Biochemistry, Applied Math, Computational Media, Computer Science and Engineering, Electrical and Computer Engineering and Statistical Sciences programs;
- 83 for all other programs.
- For inquiries on test dates, fees and free test preparation courses and guides, please contact TOEFL Services.
- *Test scores from the TOEFL ITP Plus China Edition are not accepted at UC Santa Cruz.
For Teaching Assistantships:
Any international students who wish to be considered for Teaching Assistant opportunities must score a 26 or higher on the Spoken Word portion of the TOEFL iBT.
IELTS Exam Requirements
For Admissions:
For those choosing to take the IELTS Academic (in-person and online versions), a minimum overall score of 7 from the IELTS test is required for admission.
- We will accept IELTS One Skill Retake test results but only if you have reported an official, valid (not expired) IELTS Academic score report, as well to our campus. – Postponed, not available for the 2024 application.
- For inquiries on test dates, fees and preparation, please contact your nearest IELTS test center.
For Teaching Assistantships:
Any international students who wish to be considered for Teaching Assistant opportunities must score an 8 or higher on the Speaking portion of the IELTS Academic test.
When are TOEFL or IELTS scores due?
- Different programs at UCSC have different requirements for when your language testing scores should arrive (for example before the application deadline, or a few weeks after the deadline).
- It is the applicant’s responsibility to verify with the program they are applying to when language scores should be received.
Language Waiver Requests
Note: Waivers are only issued to admitted applicants; we will not issue a waiver before an offer of admission is given.
You may ask the program you are applying to for a waiver of the requirement based on your language and life experience, where you may have used English in an academic setting, and other relevant aspects to your background and mastery of language (certificates in English, or degrees earned at English-speaking schools).
English Language Waiver for Admission:
- May be requested by applicants who have completed a four-year bachelor’s degree at an English-speaking institution.
- Request this waiver in the application, in the English Proficiency section.
- You must select a back-up method of examination on the admission application in case your request is not approved.
English Language Waiver for Teaching Assistantships:
- May be requested by applicants with a Master’s degree earned in the United States, at an accredited university, and with experience as a Teaching Assistant at that university.
- Request this waiver in the application, in the English Proficiency section. This is a distinctly separate waiver from the admissions waiver.
- A final transcript indicating that the degree was awarded, as well as a letter from the TA supervisor confirming the applicant’s position, their level of responsibility in the classroom, and their proficiency in English are required to apply for this type of waiver.
- Provide this to your UCSC graduate program upon admission.