Documents Required

Official sources are the final authority

Statement of purpose

Maximum 1,000 words.

CV or resume

Personal history statement

Word limit 500–1,000.

Writing sample

Required for Health Policy PhD; also provide publications/presentations list (PubMed ID or URL if applicable).

Recommendation letters x 3

Combination of professional and academic recommenders; typically at least one academic.

Official transcript(s)

From each institution attended. Degree certificates if conferral date not on transcript (international).

Published Score Requirements

Official sources are the final authority

Academic: Bachelor's degree with GPA 3.0/4.0; Graduate Division / Berkeley Public Health minimum B average (3.0) or equivalent. Master's preferred but not required; most admitted students hold a master's.
Prerequisites: Quantitative background; Entering students should have completed introductory coursework in statistics, microeconomics, epidemiology, and public health. Students without master's-level coursework in these areas must take relevant courses at UC Berkeley or otherwise demonstrate mastery. Strong quantitative preparation is expected for the Health Economics specialty field.
IELTS: 7.0 overall; Berkeley Public Health non-SOPHAS international minimum for applicable applicants.
TOEFL: 100 overall; Berkeley Public Health non-SOPHAS international minimum (higher than Grad Division 90). Institution code 4833. Dual-scale Fall 2027 guidance also published centrally.
GRE: Optional; Optional but strongly recommended, especially without other quantitative evidence. If not submitting, provide alternative evidence of quantitative capability via coursework (statistics, microeconomics, math) and/or professional experience.