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for Fall 2026 admission.
Application Deadlines
Ph.D. PROGRAM
- Priority deadline: Dec. 1, 2025
- Final deadline: Jan. 15, 2026
M.S. PROGRAM
- Jan. 15, 2026
Have questions about applying? Submit a request for information from our Graduate Program Coordinators.
Program Information
We value diversity. The Graduate Program in Statistics is committed to increasing diversity and equity among our graduate student population. Our Admissions Committee takes a holistic approach to admissions by considering a number of factors to assess if applicants have the background to be successful in the program, including exposure to and performance in coursework in mathematics and statistics, personal statements by the applicants to gain insight into their interest, motivation, and fit for the program and the recommendations of other faculty. We do not consider race, ethnicity or gender in our admissions decisions.
The program does not accept part-time students. Please note that we only accept entry in the Fall quarter.
Our Statistics and Biostatistics Master's and Ph.D. programs are STEM designated degree programs.
For more information about our programs, please visit our Master's program and Ph.D. program.
Admissions Requirements and Prerequisites
An undergraduate major in mathematics or statistics is typical for Statistics graduate students, but is not required. However, because of the mathematical nature of some of the graduate coursework, students should be able to demonstrate good mathematical ability. Students without sufficient coursework in mathematics may be admitted with the expectation that sufficient mathematical background will be acquired during the first year of study.
- Master's Program: Minimum Requirements
- The minimum requirements for the M.S. program are as follows:
- Bachelor’s degree with overall GPA of 3.0 or above
- One year of calculus
- One course of linear algebra
- Facility with a programming language
- Upper division undergraduate coursework in mathematics and/or statistics
- See English Language Testing requirements info below
Note: the GRE is NOT required and will not be reviewed.
Please keep in mind that meeting the minimum requirements may not be enough to be accepted. The admissions committee reviews all applications fully, and takes into account a number of factors to assess if applicants have the background to be successful in the program, including exposure to and performance in coursework in mathematics and statistics, personal statements by the applicants to gain insight into their interest, motivation, and fit for the program and the recommendations of other faculty. - Ph.D. Program: Minimum Requirements
- The minimum requirements for the Ph.D. program are as follows:
- Bachelor’s degree with overall GPA of 3.0 or above
- one semester or two quarters of advanced calculus (real analysis) at a level equivalent to Mathematics 127A and 127B
- one quarter of linear algebra at a level equivalent to Mathematics 67 (Math course list here)
Note: the GRE is NOT required and will not be reviewed.
Please keep in mind that meeting the minimum requirements may not be enough to be accepted. The process is very competitive, and applicants need a strong background in mathematics and statistics to be accepted. The admissions committee reviews all applications fully, and takes into account a number of factors to assess if applicants have the background to be successful in the program, including exposure to and performance in coursework in mathematics and statistics, personal statements by the applicants to gain insight into their interest, motivation, and fit for the program and the recommendations of other faculty. - Funding and Cost of Attendance
2025-26 Graduate Tuition and Fees
Cost of Attendance for Graduate Studies Programs at UC DavisPlease note: funding is currently only offered to Ph.D. students.
Funding is available to Ph.D. students in the form of fellowships and employment within the department as a Teaching Assistant or Graduate Student Researcher. TAs and GSRs are eligible for tuition and fee reimbursement as well as a salary (more information on our Financial Support page). We typically also offer fellowships that cover non-resident tuition (for international or non-California residents), contingent on academic progress. Ph.D. applicants who apply on or before January 15th will automatically be considered for financial support within the department; there is no need to submit a TA/GSR application.
Additionally, all applicants are eligible to apply for internal fellowships offered by UC Davis Graduate Studies and are encouraged to do so at the time of the online application.
M.S. students are encouraged to apply for student employment (TA/Reader/GSR) positions across campus. We employ M.S. students in the Department of Statistics when we have availability and advertise available student positions in the Department of Statistics directly to our students.- English Language Examination Requirements - TOEFL & IELTS
- More detailed information can be found on the Graduate Studies website.
Exemption Eligibility:
This requirement is automatically waived in the application if the applicant has earned or will be earning a bachelor's, master's, or doctoral degree from either:
• A regionally accredited U.S. college or university where English is the sole language of instruction
OR
• A foreign college or university which provides instruction solely in English. UC Davis Graduate Studies will only approve waivers for foreign colleges and universities which list English as the sole language of instruction in the IAU World Higher Education Database (WHED). If English is not the sole language of instruction listed (or if no language is listed at all), or if the institution does not appear on the WHED website, the waiver will not be approved. No other documentation (e.g. letters, language certificates, school websites) will be reviewed or accepted.
Minimum Score Requirements:
Applicants who do not meet the above requirements must submit English language test scores no more than two years old:
• TOEFL iBT Scores (in-person or online exams): 80
Institution Code: 4834 (no department code)
Note: iBT scores below 104 will require additional coursework or testing to work as a Teaching Assistant (TA).
Note: TOEFL MyBest scores are not accepted. You may submit multiple exam scores to UC Davis; each exam score will be reviewed separately.
• IELTS (in-person or online exams): 7.0 or above on a 9 point scale
Send scores to: University of California, Davis Graduate Studies
• Duolingo English Test: 130*
*The minimum Duolingo English Test score to be eligible for admission to graduate study at UC Davis is a total score of 130. All applicants who submit Duolingo English Test scores as their sole English language test will be required to take the UC Davis Test of Oral English Proficiency (TOEP) if they are admitted to a UC Davis graduate program. Additionally, applicants who are selected for admission may be required to complete additional English language testing or take English language courses once they enroll at UC Davis.
More detailed information can be found here
If you believe you are eligible for a waiver and the English proficiency examination requirement currently appears in your application, please contact our office (stat-grad-staff@ucdavis.edu).
Note: It Can Takes 2-4 Weeks for UC Davis to Receive Your Scores
Note: All graduate students are required to enroll in an English language course during their first academic year, unless:
• Undergrad or grad degree is from approved English-medium institution OR
• TOEFL = 105+ or IELTS 7.5+ OR
• TOEFL Writing=24+ and Speaking=23+ - International Students: English Language Requirements as a UCD Student
UC Davis has three English Language requirements for international students. If you do not plan to apply for a Teaching Assistant position, you do not need to fulfill the third requirement.
First-Year English Course requirement:
All graduate students are required to enroll in an English language course during their first academic year, unless they meet any of the conditions listed above.
Notes: you cannot mix and match TOEFL scores from different tests. TOEFL Home Edition is allowable.
Students are required to only take one of the available courses that fulfill the requirement, but they may choose to take more if they would like more language or writing instruction. Recommended course options include:
• UWP 225 (writing, speaking, listening, reading)
• UWP 226 (writing)
• UWP 391 (speaking)
TA/AI (Teaching Assistant/Associate Instructor) Language Proficiency requirement:
Find more information about eligibility and the TOEP (Test of Oral English Proficiency) exam here.
- 2025 Master's and Ph.D. Info Session
- We host info sessions in November for all interested Master's and Ph.D. applicants. This year's info session will held virtually on Nov. 13, 2025 at 4:30-5:30pm PST. Register here.
Application Materials
- Statement of Purpose
- Personal Statement
- Three letters of recommendation
- Copies of transcripts
- TOEFL or IELTS scores, if applicable
- Application Fee
GRE: NOT required for admission and will not be reviewed.
Please make sure your application is complete! It is the applicant's responsibility to ensure all application materials are submitted and received, and that the application is complete.
- Statement of Purpose
- Describe your academic preparation, relevant experience, motivation for applying, research interests/intended focus of your studies, and professional goals as they relate to the graduate program and major field. Each essay is limited to 4,000 characters (including spaces).
- Academic preparation refers to educational background, practical learning, extracurricular activities, self-directed research, and academic accomplishments/qualifications that demonstrate your potential for success as a master’s or doctoral student in the graduate program
--- Examples: related coursework, academic research and writing, fieldwork, internships, laboratory activities, scholarships/awards, independent study, presentations, publications, teaching, faculty or peer mentorship, studio projects, organizational membership, and study abroad.
- Interests, specializations, and career goals may include your research interests, disciplinary subfields, area/s of specialization, and professional objectives.
- Alignment may include how your preparation, experiences, and interests match, specific faculty or resources and characteristics of your graduate program at UC Davis. Please include specific faculty within your desired graduate program with whom you would like to work and how your interests align with the identified faculty member/s. - Personal Statement
- While the Statement of Purpose is primarily focused on academic preparation, research interests/concept, and alignment with the graduate program, the Personal Statement is an opportunity to share the unique background, experiences, perspectives, and abilities that you will bring to a graduate program. Each essay is limited to 4,000 characters (including spaces).
Please describe how your background and life experiences shaped your academic and/or professional path and influenced your decision to pursue a graduate degree. This may include formative experiences, environment, values, motivations, interactions, decisions, etc.
We encourage you to consider these potential scenarios when developing your Personal Statement:
- Commitment to overcoming significant obstacles despite economic disadvantage, challenging social environment, or other specific experiences of hardship.
- Unique talents, abilities or skills relevant to personal growth.
- Employment experiences, extracurricular activities, or community participation that inspired further education.
- Evidence of growth, maturity and commitment to graduate study and/or a major field. - Recommendation Letters
- Three letters of recommendation must be uploaded directly from your recommenders to your online application.
More information about how to add Recommenders, communicate with Recommenders and edit or remove Recommenders can be found here. - Copies of Transcripts
- UC Davis requires academic records from each college-level institution you have attended. You will be instructed to upload scanned copies of your transcripts for each school you add to the Academic History section.
More information about submitting transcripts and additional instructions for applicants with international transcripts can be found here. - English Language Examination Requirements - TOEFL & IELTS
- More detailed information can be found on the Graduate Studies website.
Exemption Eligibility:
This requirement is automatically waived in the application if the applicant has earned or will be earning a bachelor's, master's, or doctoral degree from either:
• A regionally accredited U.S. college or university where English is the sole language of instruction
OR
• A foreign college or university which provides instruction solely in English. UC Davis Graduate Studies will only approve waivers for foreign colleges and universities which list English as the sole language of instruction in the IAU World Higher Education Database (WHED). If English is not the sole language of instruction listed (or if no language is listed at all), or if the institution does not appear on the WHED website, the waiver will not be approved. No other documentation (e.g. letters, language certificates, school websites) will be reviewed or accepted.
Minimum Score Requirements:
Applicants who do not meet the above requirements must submit English language test scores no more than two years old:
• TOEFL iBT Scores (in-person or online exams): 80
Institution Code: 4834 (no department code)
Note: iBT scores below 104 will require additional coursework or testing to work as a Teaching Assistant (TA).
Note: TOEFL MyBest scores are not accepted. You may submit multiple exam scores to UC Davis; each exam score will be reviewed separately.
• IELTS (in-person or online exams): 7.0 or above on a 9 point scale
Send scores to: University of California, Davis Graduate Studies
• Duolingo English Test: 130*
*The minimum Duolingo English Test score to be eligible for admission to graduate study at UC Davis is a total score of 130. All applicants who submit Duolingo English Test scores as their sole English language test will be required to take the UC Davis Test of Oral English Proficiency (TOEP) if they are admitted to a UC Davis graduate program. Additionally, applicants who are selected for admission may be required to complete additional English language testing or take English language courses once they enroll at UC Davis.
More detailed information can be found here
If you believe you are eligible for a waiver and the English proficiency examination requirement currently appears in your application, please contact our office (stat-grad-staff@ucdavis.edu).
Note: It Can Takes 2-4 Weeks for UC Davis to Receive Your Scores
Note: All graduate students are required to enroll in an English language course during their first academic year, unless:
• Undergrad or grad degree is from approved English-medium institution OR
• TOEFL = 105+ or IELTS 7.5+ OR
• TOEFL Writing=24+ and Speaking=23+ - Application Fees
- A graduate application fee is required from all applicants. Unfortunately, we cannot offer fee waivers.
Applicants who choose to apply to more than one graduate program must pay an application fee for each program. The application fee is not refundable and must be paid before the application can be reviewed. Instructions for payment will appear when you submit your online application. Current fees can be found here. - GRE Scores: NOT required
- The GRE is NOT required and will not be reviewed.