Deadline and How to Apply

All applicants for the PhD programs must apply online using the UCI Online Application for Graduate Admissions

Paper applications are no longer used.

The graduate application will be available in October 2025. Please submit the online application on or after that date to create and submit your application for the Fall 2026 admission cycle.

The deadline for applications is December 1, 2025.

The Sociology Department requires one (1) writing sample. The applicant should upload the sample during the application process into the application portal created. The document should be in pdf format.

Please see the FAQ page for more details.

 

Admission Requirements

The following items are required as part of the graduate application:

• Application Fee - US$120 (US Citizens and Permanent Residents); US$140 (international applicants): Application Fee Information
  
• Application fee waivers are available to qualifying US citizens and permanent residents: Fee Waiver Information
  

Fee waivers are not available to international applicants.

• GRE scores
• TOEFL or IELTS
• Three (3) Letters of Recommendation
• Transcripts
• One (1) Writing Sample

For further information about these requirements, please click here on FAQ for prospective students.

If you have further questions, please visit the School of Social Science's FAQ Page  or contact the Graduate Admissions Office at socsci.gradinfo@uci.edu or (949) 824-7352.

 

GRE AND TOEFL/IELTS

Graduate Record Exam (GRE)

GRE scores are required of all applicants. GRE scores remain valid for 5 years following the test date. Visit this site for more information on this test. 

We cannot accept GMAT, LSAT, or MCAT scores in place of the GREs. We do not require that applicants file scores from any of the various GRE (subject) tests available.

Test scores for Fall admission must be dated no earlier than four years prior.

Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) and International English Language Testing System (IELTS)

All graduate students, except those who have earned an undergraduate degree or a master’s degree from an institution at which English was the sole language of instruction according to the World Health Education Database, are required to demonstrate English proficiency before they admitted to a UCI graduate program. For Teaching Assistant and Associate positions, 1) only an undergraduate degree can be used for the aforementioned exception; 2) the degree must be earned within five years prior. Please read the full policy on English proficiency for graduate admissions and how to search for your institution in the database on the UCI Graduate Division website. 

English Proficiency Requirement for Social Sciences

UCI recognizes two levels of English proficiency: A lower level that is required for admission to any doctoral program and a higher level that is required for working as a Teaching Assistant (TA). Because all doctoral students in Social Sciences work as TAs, we require all students to meet the higher standard. Students can show their proficiency by meeting any one of the following criteria:

• TOEFL iBT: Overall score of 80 or higher; score of 26 or better on the speaking section. (Scores are good for two years.)
• IELTS: Overall score of 7 or better; no section below 6; score of 8 or better on the speaking section. (Scores are good for two years.)
• TOEP: Score of 5 or better. (Scores are good for as long as student is enrolled at UCI.)
• Having earned an undergraduate degree from an institution at which English was the sole language of instruction according to the World Higher Education Database within the past five years.