FAQ
Master of Engineering (MEng)
Frequently asked questions about the program appear below. If you have additional questions, please reach out to our Admissions team.

Enrollment & Admissions
Q: When can I apply and how soon will I know I have been accepted?
A: The application is now open and the deadline for fall 2022 is Dec. 1, 2021. This deadline may be extended to Feb. 1, 2022 depending on the number of applications we receive. We encourage you to apply as soon as possible. If you have questions about the application process and timelines, please email meng@seas.ucla.edu with your inquiry. Applicants will be notified of admission decisions by email. Applicants may also check their status through the Online Decision Status for Graduate Admission.
Please refrain from contacting our office regarding admission decisions. While the school of engineering may send a courtesy email with a recommendation of admission, only official notification from the dean of the UCLA Graduate Division constitutes approval of admission.
Q: How long does the degree take to complete? Do we have to start the program in fall 2022, or can we start in another quarter?
A: Courses begin on campus in fall 2022. The degree is meant to be completed in one calendar year (fall, winter, spring and summer). Deferrals are considered on a case-by-case basis.
Q: What is the maximum time-to-degree for this program, and will there be any opportunities to submit a Leave of Absence during the one-year program?
A: Students have two years to finish the program. Therefore students can submit Leave of Absence only after they have matriculated in the first quarter. However, we strongly encourage students to finish the program within the given time as it is structured so students can do capstone projects with their cohort. For international students, please meet with an International Advisor at Dashew Center before making any decision.
Q: Why is the school requiring in-person attendance for this program with so much COVID-19 uncertainty?
A: The MEng program will not be launched if the campus remains under remote instruction, which is not the case as of fall 2021. Safety of our students and faculty is our top priority and we will continue to adhere to public health guidelines. The school has up-to-date COVID-related information that can be accessed from the homepage.
Ultimately, we want our students to have access to our beautiful, multidisciplinary campus where they can have peer-to-peer and student-faculty interactions in person, as well as industry networking opportunities. We believe that our on-campus program will help enrich the students’ educational experience.
Q: How does the admissions process work at UCLA?
Q: When will students receive admission decision?
A: Admission process takes two months to process from the date the applicants submit the application. Please note that all students are required to SIR to the program by April 15th.
Q: Who is eligible to apply?
A: The program is open to all qualified applicants, including early career professionals. Please check the admissions requirements for details. Prior work experience in the area of study is not mandatory.
Q: What requirements are needed for admission?
A: Applicants must have earned a bachelor’s degree in engineering, computer science, mathematics, physics, chemistry (or its approved equivalent) from an ABET-accredited institution (if you are uncertain, use the link to locate your institution). International students have a separate admission guideline. Applicants must attain an undergraduate record that satisfies the standards established by the UCLA Graduate Division.
Q: Is GRE required? Does it make my application stronger if I were to include the report?
A: Applicants for the 2022-2023 academic year are not required to take the GRE or submit GRE scores as part of their application package. We understand some applicants do not have access to GRE preparation and that’s why we’re not requiring it and are generally de-emphasizing GRE scores. However, if you have taken the GRE, you are welcome to include the report in your package, which will be looked at holistically as we do with all applications. The GRE exemption will be reviewed for the cohort beginning fall 2023.
Q: What is the minimum GPA requirement?
A: We will look at all applications holistically; however please keep in mind the minimum GPA requirement is 3.0. The average GPA of students accepted into the fall 2021 cohort was 3.7. We will calculate equivalent GPA scores for international students who attended schools with a different grading system. Please email us with any questions.
Q: Are letters of recommendation required?
Q: I’m a current undergraduate student and my grades won't be finalized before Dec. 1. For the admissions process, is it okay if my transcripts do not include them?
Q: How many students will be accepted to the program each year?
A: For the fall 2022 cohort, there will be a total of 100 students across all seven areas of study. The program will increase to 150 students for fall 2023 and 200 students for fall 2024. We will then maintain an ongoing enrollment of 200 students per academic year.
Q: Will there be 150 students per area of study or 150 students total for this cohort?
A: There will be a total of 150 students for the cohort across the seven areas of study — not 150 each.
Q: How many students did you accept for fall 2021?
A: We had hundreds of applicants, but accepted only 50.
Q: How many students do you have in the inaugural class for fall 2021?
A: 40, with some deferrals due to the pandemic.
Q: When will the 2021-2022 application statistics be available?
A: A: We expect to post statistics on our graduate MEng website in April 2022.
Q: Is this a recurring program? Would current juniors have the option of applying to this program for fall 2023?
A: Yes, this is a recurring program and we will provide updates on application timelines for each year on the website. Current juniors are encouraged to explore admissions criteria if they intend to apply in their senior year.
Q: Is it possible to complete the program while employed full time or concurrently with part-time work?
Q: What is the cost of the program? Is financial assistance available?
A: The program’s tuition is $50,400, plus quarterly fees charged by the campus for all students. As campus fees vary by academic quarter and degree, please visit the Registrar’s Office for more information. Limited financial support for need-based, domestic students will be considered after April 15 on a case-by-case basis.
Q: Will there be an opportunity to lower the cost of tuition if I become a Teaching Assistant (TA)?
A: The MEng program combines curriculum from several departments. Since TA hiring is at the discretion of individual Samueli departments, current TA status may be viewed favorably for admissions, but a reduction in tuition may not be guaranteed.
Q: Can students who have been approved for the Exceptional Student Admissions Program (ESAP) gain automatic admission into the new program?
A: ESAP students who choose to apply to the MEng program are automatically admitted.
Q: What does the capstone project entail? Is there a thesis requirement?
Q: When will the course list become available?
Degree Comparisons
Q: How is this degree different from the existing Master of Science (M.S.) in Engineering degree?
Q: If I pursue this degree with a focus on Data Science, how is it different from similar master’s programs at UCLA?
Q: How does this program compare to other master's programs with a focus in Translational Medicine?
Q: How is this program different from an MBA with technical breadth?
Q: How is this program different from an engineering undergraduate program with a capstone project?
Q: Can I major in this degree along with my current master’s degree? Can I switch from my current master’s degree to this one entirely?
Q: Will employers view a single-year degree with the same weight as a two-year degree?
Areas of Study & Coursework
Q: What areas of study are offered?
Q: What requirements must be met to earn the degree?
A: Students must successfully complete 36-quarter units of graduate and upper-division undergraduate courses (in or related to the major subject area).
Q: What are the components of the program and how much technical coursework is covered?
Q: Can students take additional technical graduate courses in addition to the five required for their track?
Q: For the ENGR 2XX professional development classes, are they only open to enrollment for students in the MEng program, or will they be open to on-campus M.S. students as well?
Q: Will the capstone project be in the area of study we sign up for?
Q: Why is civil and environmental engineering not offered as an area of focus?
Q: Would a background in mechanical engineering be a good fit for this program?
Q: Will classes be offered with a Pass/No Pass option, or must they be taken for a letter grade?
International Students
Q: Do I have to submit TOEFL/IELTS scores?
A: Those whose first language is not English are required to submit acceptable scores from the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or the International English Language Testing System (IELTS).
If you attained a Bachelor’s degree in the U.S., then you do not need to submit scores as you had instructions in English while obtaining your degree.
Q: Can international students apply to the program and if so, is it valid for the OPT visa?
Q: Because of COVID-19 challenges, if an admitted international student cannot get a visa to come to the U.S., will it be possible to defer enrollment for the following year?
Q: Is there a quota limitation on international students?
General Interest
Q: What degree will be listed on my diploma?
Q: Are internships a part of this program?
Q: Do you plan to hire faculty from notable industry companies?
Q: Will there be career placement help available?
Q: Can I participate in the commencement ceremony? When is it?
A: Yes. MEng students are eligible to participate in the commencement ceremony held in mid-June and then finish the capstone project requirements during the summer quarter. Degree conferral is contingent upon successful completion of all program requirements.
The ceremony is organized by the Office of Academic and Student Affairs. Please view the OASA website for more information.