Master Programme
Master of Science in Computer Science and Engineering
UC San Diego's CSE master's degree is offered in computer science or in computer engineering, each through a thesis plan or a comprehensive-exam plan (standard or interdisciplinary option). Students take three breadth courses across theory, systems and applications, three depth courses in one area (artificial intelligence, bioinformatics, computer engineering, computer systems and security, database systems, graphics and vision, human-computer interaction, programming languages and software engineering, robotics, or theoretical computer science) and electives or research. The interdisciplinary option adds twelve units in a second department such as cognitive science, ECE or the Rady School.
University
University of California, San Diego
Country
United States
Level
Master
Field
Computer Science
Duration
1-2 years full-time (40 units; 48 units for the interdisciplinary option); part-time study is also possible
Language
English
Campus
La Jolla (San Diego)
Degree
Master of Science (MS) in Computer Science and Engineering, or Computer Science and Engineering (Computer Engineering)
Intake
Fall quarter only (late September)
Application Deadline
Fall 2027 entry (UC San Diego Application for Graduate Admission; international applicants pay a non-refundable US$155 fee): the application is open from 2 September 2026 until 16 December 2026 at 11:59 p.m. Pacific. CSE admits MS students for the fall quarter only, and you can apply to either the MS or the PhD, not both
Tuition Information
2026-27 graduate tuition and fees (state-supported program, three quarters: fall, winter and spring): US$38,087 for non-California residents, including international students, against US$22,985 for California residents. This covers UC tuition of US$13,722, the student services fee of US$1,344, campus fees, mandatory health insurance of US$6,660 (waivable with equivalent cover), a one-time US$115 enrollment services fee and US$15,102 in Nonresident Supplemental Tuition (US$5,034 a quarter). New international students also pay a one-time US$200 visa administration fee. UC San Diego's 2026-27 graduate cost of attendance adds food and housing of US$31,056 to US$31,548, books of US$729, personal costs of US$2,574 and transportation of US$3,990, for an estimated nonresident total of US$76,329 to US$76,821 a year. The program is not on UC's 2026-27 list of UC San Diego degrees that charge Professional Degree Supplemental Tuition. Rates for 2027-28 have not been published yet
Admission Requirements
- A bachelor's degree (or equivalent from a recognised university abroad) with at least a B (3.0) average. A degree in computer science, computer engineering, electrical engineering or mathematics is preferred; applicants from other fields must have completed at least the minimum required CSE courses or equivalents. CSE receives more than 6,000 graduate applications a year and meeting the minimums does not guarantee admission
- GRE not required for fall 2027 MS applications (valid scores may still be sent, institution code 4836). All materials go through the online application, following CSE's application checklist
- UC San Diego graduate English proficiency (international applicants): TOEFL iBT 4.5 on the new scale (85 on the previous scale), IELTS Academic 7, Duolingo English Test 120 or PTE Academic 65; TOEFL MyBest scores are not accepted. You are exempt if you have or will have a bachelor's, master's or doctoral degree with B (3.0) grades or better from an accredited US university that teaches only in English, or from a university abroad that the IAU World Higher Education Database lists as teaching solely in English