Ph.D. / MA - Economics

    Application Quarter(s) and Deadline(s)

    Application QuarterPriority Financial DeadlinePriority DeadlineFinal Deadline
    Fall 2027Wednesday, December 2, 2026N/AWednesday, December 16, 2026

    Program Contact Information

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    Contact Email
    grad@econ.ucsb.edu

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    Program Phone Number
    +1 805-893-2205

    Requirements

    Quick Overview

    RequirementRequired?Minimum Requirements
    Transcripts from all Post-Secondary Institutions✅
    GRE General Test✅
    GRE Subject Test❌
    Letters of Recommendation✅3 Letters
    Résumé or Curriculum Vitae✅
    Statement of Purpose✅
    Personal History Statement✅
    Department Form✅Description of Academic Background
    Writing Sample❌
    Other Requirement❌
    English Language Exam ScoresDepends on Applicant*TOEFL (post-Jan 2026): 5.0
    TOEFL (pre-Jan 2026): 100
    IELTS: 7
    DET: 130

    *See English Language Exam Scores for more information

    Requirements - Detailed Information

    Transcripts from all Post-Secondary Institutions

    You are required to upload a transcript for each institution attended. All schools at which you completed one or more full academic terms (or equivalent) should be reported on your application. This includes community colleges, summer sessions, extension programs, and any other postsecondary education for which you received credit. Do not include high schools or college preparatory schools.

    The transcript legend or key for each institution (usually found on the backside of the official transcript or in the school’s general catalog or website) must be included in your uploaded document. Additional instructions can be found in the Education History section of the How to Complete the Application webpage and within the application itself.

    Note: DO NOT send your transcripts or any other documents directly to UCSB unless you have been admitted and chosen to attend UCSB or you have been specifically instructed to do so. You must upload a PDF of your transcript to your application.

    GRE General Test

    Instruct ETS to report GRE scores to institution code 4835 to have the official scores sent to UCSB. You do not need to provide an ETS department code when sending your scores, but if you do provide a department code we will still receive your scores.

    Exam scores must be sent directly to the UCSB Graduate Division. The Department will only use the most recent and complete set of test scores reported. Scores must be forwarded directly from the testing institution.

    All applicants must take the GRE, TOEFL/IELTS/DET as early as possible to ensure scores arrive on or before the application deadline.

    Official Graduate Record Examination (GRE) scores are required for all applicants. Requests for exemptions will not be considered.

    GRE scores must be no more than five years old at the time of application, no exceptions.
    ETS institution code: 4835
    Economics department code GRE: 1801

    Letters of Recommendation

    Applicants to the Ph.D. / MA - Economics program are required to provide 3 letters of recommendation. General instructions can be found in the Letters of Recommendation section of the How to Complete the Application webpage and within the application itself.

    Additional Program Instructions: Students are advised that it is most effective to obtain letters from Economics Faculty.

    Program Note on Reference Type: Academic letters preferred if available

    Résumé or Curriculum Vitae

    List your positions of employment or volunteer work/community service since high school, either full or part-time, including the hours per week worked and the nature and dates of employment or service.

    Note: Do not include GRE scores on your Résumé or Curriculum Vitae (CV) if your program does not accept them.

    Statement of Purpose

    Give a brief statement outlining your reasons for undertaking a graduate program, your particular area of specialization within the major field, your past academic work, and your plans for future occupation or profession. Also include any additional information that may assist the selection committee in evaluating your preparation and aptitude for graduate study at UC Santa Barbara.

    Your Statement of Purpose must be written in narrative (essay) form without duplicating content from your Personal History Statement.

    Personal History Statement

    UC Santa Barbara is interested in a diverse and inclusive graduate student population. Please describe any aspects of your personal background, accomplishments, or achievements that you feel are important in evaluating your application for graduate study. For example, please describe if you have experienced economic challenges in achieving higher education, such as being financially responsible for family members or dependents, having to work significant hours during undergraduate schooling or coming from a family background of limited income. Please describe if you have any unusual or varied life experiences that might contribute to the diversity of the graduate group, such as fluency in other languages, experience living in bi-cultural communities, academic research interests focusing on cultural, societal, or educational problems as they affect under-served segments of society, or evidence of an intention to use the graduate degree toward serving disadvantaged individuals or populations.

    A minimum word count of 250 words is required for your Personal History Statement. There is no maximum length requirement. Most statements are typically 1–2 pages. Your Personal History Statement must be written in narrative (essay) form without duplicating content from your Statement of Purpose.

    Department Form: Description of Academic Background

    Description of Academic Background

    All applicants are REQUIRED to upload a document showing the details of their academic background, especially in the areas of Mathematics and Economic Theory. For more information and examples, please refer to the "Description of Academic Background - Information and Examples". This document and a template can also be downloaded from the sidebar on this webpage.

    Applications missing this document will not be reviewed for admissions consideration and will be closed for being incomplete.

    English Language Exam Scores (if applicable)

    An excellent command of written and spoken English is required prior to enrollment at UC Santa Barbara. Applicants whose native language is not English are required to take the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL), the International English Language Testing System (IELTS), or the Duolingo English Test (DET).

    Exemptions from the English language admissions requirements are permitted for applicants who have completed an undergraduate or graduate degree at an institution where the verified sole official language of instruction is English. More information can be found in the Exam Scores section of the How to Complete the Application webpage.

    The minimum score requirements for accepted exams are listed below:

    • TOEFL Minimum Total iBT Score: 5.0 (post-January 2026) or 100 (pre-January 2026)
    • IELTS Minimum Overall Band Score: 7
    • DET Minimum Total Score: 130

    Additional Program Instructions: Minimum DET total score of 130 or higher.
    Minimum IELTS overall band score is 7 or higher.
    Minimum TOEFL iBT (internet-based test) score is 5.0. (6-point scale, exams taken on or after January 21, 2026). Successful applicants typically score 5.5 or higher.
    Minimum TOEFL iBT (internet-based test) score is 100. TOEFL iBT (120-point scale, exams taken prior to January 21, 2026). Successful applicants typically score 106 or higher.