UMaDoctor of Philosophy in Computer ScienceUniversity of Massachusetts Amherst · Amherst, Massachusetts, United States

Program Overview

Dates and tuition are specific to the 2027 intake

Please check the official program website (link below) for specific writing guidelines

Personal statement

CICS-suggested topics.

CV or resume

Current CV or resume.

Recommendation letters x 2

Two letters discussing research, community service, or work experience.

Official transcript(s)

From all colleges or universities attended; English translation if needed. Unofficial copies for review; official copies typically after admission.

Academic: Bachelor's degree; No published hard GPA cutoff; emphasis on letters, personal statement, and GPA. Applicants come from CS, engineering, math, EE, psychology, and social sciences with solid CS undergraduate background.
Prerequisites: Relevant academic background; Solid undergraduate background in computer science.
IELTS: 6.5 overall; Graduate School / CICS published IELTS Academic minimum.
TOEFL: New scale: 4.0 overall | Old scale: 80 overall; Graduate School minimum combined score of 4 for tests January 2026 or later (new TOEFL scale).; UMass Amherst Graduate School minimum for tests prior to January 2026. CICS cites IELTS 6.5 as the published combined minimum; TOEFL numeric minimum is from Graduate School international-applicant guidance.
GRE: Not considered; No GRE required for PhD (and MS/PhD) applicants.

Historical admission data is not published.