Thank you for your interest in the Ph.D. Program in Materials Science and Engineering at the University of Washington. Our program offers opportunities to pursue advanced research across a wide range of materials science and engineering fields.
Application deadline: January 5, 2027
Admission is competitive, and applications are evaluated based on academic preparation, research experience, research interests, and potential for success in doctoral study.
We encourage prospective applicants to review the admissions requirements and application process below to understand our expectations and how faculty-based admissions work in our department.
Admission and application requirements
When to apply
Autumn 2027 application deadline: Tuesday, January 5, 2027, at 11:59 p.m. Pacific Time.
The department accepts new Ph.D. students for autumn quarter only. Completed applications must be submitted by 11:59 p.m. Pacific Time on the deadline date. Late applications will not be accepted.
The department begins reviewing applications after the deadline has passed. You can monitor your application status by logging in to the application system. If we have questions or concerns regarding your application, we will contact you.
Ph.D. admissions and funding
Admission to the MSE Ph.D. program is directly tied to faculty research opportunities and funding availability. Students are admitted to work with a specific faculty adviser and join that faculty member's research group upon entering the program. The department does not offer laboratory rotations.
Ph.D. funding depends on whether a faculty member is actively recruiting students and has funding available to support them. Support may include research or teaching assistantships, departmental support, and fellowships from various organizations. Funding is contingent upon satisfactory academic and research progress and the continued availability of funds.
Faculty members who are recruiting students will review applications relevant to their research areas. Applicants do not need to contact faculty separately to express interest or inquire about admission. Instead, identify 1–3 faculty members whose research interests align with yours in your application and describe your research interests and preparation in your statement of purpose.
Admission requirements
Degree requirements
- Applicants must hold a four-year bachelor's degree or an internationally recognized equivalent from an accredited institution.
- A master's degree is preferred but not required. Students may earn a master's degree as part of the Ph.D. program.
- Applicants must have a bachelor's or master's degree in Materials Science and Engineering or a related field, such as another engineering discipline, physics, or chemistry.
- Applicants may apply while completing their degree, provided all degree requirements are fulfilled before the Ph.D. program begins.
Transcripts and GPA requirements
Applicants must upload unofficial transcripts with their application from every college or university where they earned a degree or are currently pursuing a degree.
Electronic transcripts must clearly display the institution's name, the student's name, all courses taken and grades received, and the title and date of any degrees conferred. Please combine all transcript documents into a single PDF file for upload.
The UW Graduate School requires a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or a GPA of 3.0 in your most recent 90 graded quarter credits (60 semester credits). However, admission to the MSE Ph.D. program is competitive, and successful applicants generally have a GPA of 3.5 or higher.
If you are currently enrolled in a college or university and have not yet graduated, upload a transcript showing your most recently completed term. If admitted, you must submit a final transcript confirming completion of your degree before the program begins.
Applicants with international transcripts: Transcripts must be submitted in the original language and include the date of graduation and the title of the degree awarded. If your transcript is not in English, you must also provide a certified English translation. You do not need to have your transcript evaluated by a credential evaluation agency.
English language proficiency
English language proficiency (ELP) is required for graduate study at the University of Washington. Applicants whose native language is not English must demonstrate proficiency in accordance with UW Graduate School requirements. All applicants must indicate on the graduate application whether English is their native language.
This requirement may be satisfied by earning a bachelor's, master's or doctoral degree (or an internationally recognized academic degree at the same level) from an accredited institution for which English was the medium of instruction.
English proficiency examination
Applicants who do not qualify for a degree-based exemption must submit official scores from an accepted English proficiency examination using UW institution code 4854. The MSE Ph.D. program requires applicants to meet or exceed the following test scores:
- TOEFL iBT: 4.5 or higher on the 0–6 scale for tests taken on or after January 21, 2026, or 92 or higher on the previous 0–120 scale for tests taken before January 21, 2026.
- Duolingo English Test (DET): 130 or higher.
- IELTS Academic: 7.0 or higher.
Please review the UW Graduate School policy for current minimum requirements, qualifying degree exemptions, accepted test formats, score validity, and score-submission instructions.
Learn more: UW Graduate School English Language Proficiency Requirements.
Application materials
Statement of purpose
Your statement of purpose should provide insight into your background, motivations, and goals beyond the information presented in your transcripts and resume or CV. We recommend a length of approximately one page, although statements may extend to two pages if needed. An 11-point font is generally appropriate.
Address your reasons for pursuing a Ph.D. in Materials Science and Engineering, your academic and research preparation, your research interests, and your plans for completing the degree. You may also include other relevant information that helps the admissions committee understand your qualifications, research goals, and readiness for doctoral study.
Resume/Curriculum Vitae (CV)
A current resume or curriculum vitae (CV) is required as part of your application. Your document should summarize your academic background, research experience, professional experience, and relevant accomplishments.
Include degrees earned or in progress, relevant employment and research experience, awards, publications, presentations, technical skills, and other achievements that demonstrate your preparation for graduate study in Materials Science and Engineering.
Highlight experiences and qualifications relevant to your proposed area of research and goals for doctoral study.
Letters of recommendation
As part of the online application, you will be asked to provide the names and contact information of your recommenders. Once added, your recommenders will receive an email with instructions for submitting their letters electronically. You can log in to the application system to track the status of their submissions and ensure all letters are received by the application deadline.
Choose recommenders who know you well and can speak to your academic preparation, research experience, skills, and potential for success in doctoral study. Recommenders may include faculty members, research advisers, professional supervisors, or others who can speak directly to your qualifications and readiness for graduate study.
Professors of interest
As part of your application, you will be asked to identify 1–3 faculty members whose research interests align with your own. Review the MSE Faculty Directory to explore faculty research areas and identify potential advisers.
Because admission is tied to faculty research opportunities and funding availability, consider how your research interests align with the faculty members you identify. You do not need to contact faculty separately.
Optional: GRE scores
GRE scores are optional and are not required for admission to the MSE Ph.D. program. Applicants who choose to submit GRE scores may include them as part of their application. If submitted, GRE scores will be considered alongside the other application materials during the admissions review.
If you choose to submit GRE scores, use UW institution code 4854.
Application fee
A nonrefundable application fee of $90 is required and must be paid by credit card through the online application system.
Application fee waivers: The UW Graduate School offers a limited number of application fee waivers to eligible applicants who demonstrate financial need or hardship. Waivers are available to U.S. citizens, permanent residents, and undocumented applicants who meet the eligibility criteria.
Requests must be submitted at least seven days before the program's application deadline to allow sufficient time for review.
Please note: The MSE department does not offer application fee waivers. All requests must be submitted through the UW Graduate School.
After you submit your application
Application review
Application review will begin January 6, 2027. Please ensure that all required application materials, including letters of recommendation, have been submitted.
You can monitor your application status through the online application system. If additional information is needed, the department will contact you.
Virtual and in-person meetings
Selected applicants will be invited to meet with faculty virtually toward the end of January. Some applicants may also be invited to participate in in-person meetings on our Seattle campus in early March.
Admissions offers
The first round of admission offers is expected to be extended by early March. Admitted applicants will have until April 15 to confirm their acceptance.
Master's program option
Applicants who are not admitted to the Ph.D. program may request consideration for the master's program without submitting a new application.
Final decisions
All applicants will receive a final admission decision by the end of April, if not sooner.