Graduate – Prospective – Admission
All persons who are admitted into the graduate program of the Department of English at UCLA enter the first phase of the doctoral program, successful completion of which results in the MA. If you come to UCLA with the master’s degree, you may waive certain course requirements (see below), but you must pass the First Qualifying Examination (which also grants admission into the second phase of the doctoral program).
Admission to the program is based on a thorough review of your academic record. Ordinarily, if you hold the BA, you are expected to meet these minimum requirements: an undergraduate major or program that prepares you for the advanced study of literature, and a grade-point average in English courses in the junior and senior years of at least 3.5. Because of funding constraints we are able to offer admission to a limited number of international students.
Application Components:
- UCLA online graduate application – available via the “Launch Application Form” link at: https://grad.ucla.edu/admissions/admission-application-for-graduate-admission/. Submission fee required.
- A statement of purpose – Entered directly into the online application system, where you will find detailed prompts. Please be sure to observe the character limit on your statement that is specified in the online application form. Care should be taken with the statement of purpose and the writing sample (below), as the quality of thought and argument these exhibit, as well as their style, weigh significantly in admissions decisions.
- A personal statement – Uploaded directly into the online application system, where you will find detailed prompts. The Personal Statement is an opportunity for you to provide additional information that may aid the selection committee in evaluating your preparation and aptitude for graduate study at UCLA. It will also be used to consider candidates for the Cota-Robles fellowship. The suggested length is 500 words.
- A writing sample – The sample should be about the length of a seminar paper (15 to 25 pages). However, excerpts of longer works can be submitted, and should demonstrate the applicant’s interest, competence, and experience in the chosen field of specialization. Writing samples are uploaded using the online application system.
- Three letters of recommendation attesting to your ability to succeed in graduate study. Letters are submitted via the online application system.
- Transcripts – Unofficial transcripts of all undergraduate and graduate work must be uploaded into the online application system. (To read more about the parameters that define an acceptable unofficial transcript for the purposes of application review, click here). Admitted students will be required to provide official, sealed transcripts directly to the English department (see address below) at a later date. NOTE: Transcripts from community colleges and short-term study abroad programs are not necessary, as the coursework will be reflected on your undergraduate transcript.
- TOEFL/IELTS scores (for international students whose first language is not English or who did not receive their Bachelor’s Degree in an Anglophone country) must be submitted before an application can be reviewed. This requirement cannot be waived. Please visit https://grad.ucla.edu/admissions/english-requirements/. to confirm whether the TOEFL/IELTS is required and to view minimum acceptable scores.
- The GRE is no longer required for applicants to our program.
For fall 2024 admission, the submission deadline for all application materials is December 4, 2023.
We admit applicants only in the Fall quarter. All admitted applicants are automatically considered for recruitment fellowships and teaching assistantships. These awards are usually made in mid-March. Questions about need-based aid should be directed to the Financial Aid Office at (310) 206-0400.
Please visit the UCLA Graduate Division website at https://grad.ucla.edu/ for information regarding funding, application procedures, and general graduate information.
Admitted students may order e-delivery of official transcripts to graduate@english.ucla.edu. If your institution does not support electronic transmission of transcripts, please reach out to graduate@english.ucla.edu.
If you should have further questions about the admissions process or the status of your application, please contact the English Department Graduate Assistant at (310) 825-3927 or graduate@english.ucla.edu.