Documents Required

Official sources are the final authority

Statement of purpose

Usually 1–2 pages; do not duplicate the Personal History Statement.

CV or resume

Required with the Statement of Purpose and Personal History Statement.

Personal history statement

Minimum 250 words; typically 1–2 pages. No maximum length published.

Recommendation letters x 3

Submitted online.

Official transcript(s)

University-produced official transcript uploaded for every post-secondary institution; include grading scale. Final official records after SIR if admitted. International admits complete WES Course-by-Course ICAP.

Published Score Requirements

Official sources are the final authority

Academic: Bachelor's degree with GPA 3.0/4.0; Four-year bachelor's or equivalent; Graduate Division requires at least a cumulative B average from the degree-granting institution.
Prerequisites: Relevant academic background; Undergraduate degree in physics or equivalent preparation for doctoral physics research.
IELTS: 7.0 overall; University minimum overall band when English proficiency is required.
TOEFL: New scale: 4.0 overall | Old scale: 80 overall; University minimum when English proficiency is required. New scale for exams on or after 21 Jan 2026.; University minimum when English proficiency is required. Old scale for exams before 21 Jan 2026; new scale on or after that date.
GRE: Not considered; GRE scores are not required and will not be accepted.

UC PhysicsUniversity of California, Santa Barbara

Program Info

Program Overview

Application Result

Score Distribution

Documents Required

Published Score Requirements