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Ready to Apply to GPS?

Take the next step in your global career.

Starting your graduate journey is straightforward. Our online application system is designed to guide you step-by-step. You can save your progress and return to add supporting materials at any time before submitting your final application.

If you have questions as you prepare your application, our team is here to support you.

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Application Deadlines

Applications and supporting online materials must be submitted via the portal by 9:59 p.m. PT on the deadline date. Hard-copy materials must be postmarked by the deadline.

Early Notification Benefit: Complete applications (including letters of recommendation) will receive an admission decision within 3 weeks of receipt.

Master's and Ph.D. Programs

GPS application deadlines by program
Program	Application Opens	Early Notification Deadline	Deadline	Key Requirement Highlight
MIA (Master of International Affairs)	Sept. 2	Oct. 30	Jan. 15^*	–
MPP (Master of Public Policy)	Sept. 2	Oct. 30	Jan. 15^*	–
MCEPA (Master of Chinese Economic and Political Affairs)	Sept. 2	Oct. 30	Jan. 15^*	2 years of university-level Mandarin Chinese study or its equivalent
MAS-IA (Master of Advanced Studies in International Affairs)	Sept. 2	Oct. 30	Jan. 15^*	5+ years of professional experience
Ph.D. (Political Science and International Affairs)	Sept. 2	N/A	Dec. 1	GRE required

^*All materials must be received by Jan. 15 to be considered for fellowship funding. Applications received after this date are reviewed on a rolling basis.

Concurrent Degree Programs

These five-year combined programs are open exclusively to current UC San Diego undergraduate students.

GPS concurrent degree application deadlines
Program	Application Opens	Deadline
BA/MIA (International Studies or Political Science)	Jan. 3	April 10
BA/MPP	Jan. 3	April 10
BS/MPP	Jan. 3	April 10

Application Requirements by Program

Select your program below to view specific admission criteria and document guidelines.

Concurrent Degrees

These requirements apply to current UC San Diego undergraduates applying to our consecutive five-year programs.

GPA Requirement: Applicants must be in good academic standing.
Personal Statement: Describe your statement of purpose and professional objectives in international affairs or public policy, detailing how your background has prepared you for graduate-level study.
Optional Statement: You may upload a brief essay (250-word limit) to discuss any circumstances or challenges you have overcome that affected your academic history but are not addressed elsewhere in your file.
Resume or CV: Upload a PDF of your current professional resume or curriculum vitae.
Two Letters of Recommendation: Recommenders are only required to complete our online ranking rubric; the formal letter of recommendation is optional. At least one recommendation must be from an academic instructor who can speak to your ability to succeed in a graduate environment. Letters must be in English and submitted directly by the recommender through the application portal.
Transcripts: Upload copies of your official UC San Diego academic transcripts directly to the online application.
Admissions Interview: Invitations for an interview are sent after your completed application, essays, resume and fee are received.

MIA and MPP Programs

Academic Preparation: Applicants must hold a four-year bachelor's degree or its equivalent from an accredited institution with a minimum grade point average of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale.
Personal Statement: Detail your professional objectives in international affairs, public policy, or research, and explain how your background prepares you to achieve these goals.
Optional Statement: You may submit a brief essay (250-word limit) to share unique challenges, hardships, or personal circumstances that impacted your academic journey.
Resume or CV: Upload a PDF of your current professional resume or curriculum vitae.
Three Letters of Recommendation: The admissions committee requires at least one letter from an academic reference who can speak to your academic potential, and at least one letter from a professional reference who can speak to your workplace performance. The third letter may be from a reference of your choice. Letters must be in English and submitted directly by the recommender through the application portal.
Transcripts: Upload copies of your transcripts to the online portal. Official, sealed paper transcripts are only required upon admission.
Standardized Tests (Optional): You may submit GRE or GMAT scores, but they are not mandatory. If you choose to share your scores, have them sent directly from ETS to UC San Diego (or upload an official score report). The admissions committee will consider the highest score in each section if multiple reports are received.
English Language Proficiency: Required for all international applicants whose undergraduate degree was earned at an institution where English was not the sole language of instruction (verified via the World Higher Education Database).
- Minimum Score Requirements: TOEFL iBT: 90 | IELTS Academic: 7.0 | PTE Academic: 65 | Duolingo English Test: 120.

MCEPA Program

Academic Preparation: Requires a four-year bachelor's degree (or equivalent) with a minimum grade point average of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale.
Language Prerequisite: Applicants must have completed a minimum of two years of college-level Mandarin Chinese study (or equivalent) and be comfortable reading and speaking Mandarin.
Personal Statement: Outline your professional and research interests in Chinese economic and political affairs and how your academic or professional background prepares you for this specialized track.
Optional Statement: Submit a supplemental essay (250-word limit) to address any context or challenges not covered elsewhere in your application.
Resume or CV: Upload a PDF of your current professional resume or curriculum vitae.
Three Letters of Recommendation: Provide at least one academic recommendation, one professional recommendation, and one of your choosing. Letters must be in English and submitted directly by the recommender through the application portal.
Transcripts: Upload digital copies of your academic records to the online system.
Standardized Tests (Optional): GRE or GMAT scores are not required, but you may submit them to strengthen your application.
English Language Proficiency: Required for international applicants who completed postsecondary education at institutions where English is not the sole language of instruction.
- Minimum Score Requirements: TOEFL iBT: 90 | IELTS Academic: 7.0 | PTE Academic: 65 | Duolingo English Test: 120.

MAS-IA Program

Academic & Experience Requirements: Requires a four-year bachelor's degree (or equivalent) with a minimum grade point average of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale, plus a minimum of five years of professional, relevant international experience.
- International experience may include: foreign work experience, employment with a multinational corporation, government work, NGO operations abroad or extended residency abroad.
Personal Statement: Clarify your professional objectives in international affairs and explain how your extensive experience prepares you for our rigorous mid-career curriculum.
Resume or CV: Upload an updated PDF of your resume or curriculum vitae.
One Letter of Recommendation: A single professional or academic recommendation is required. Letters must be in English and submitted directly by the recommender through the application portal.
Standardized Tests: GRE or GMAT scores are neither required nor considered for this program.
Admissions Interview: Our admissions staff will contact you to schedule a virtual or in-person interview once you begin your online application.
Transcripts: Upload digital copies of your academic records directly to the application portal.
English Language Proficiency: Required for international applicants who completed postsecondary education at institutions where English is not the sole language of instruction.
- Minimum Score Requirements: TOEFL iBT: 85 (or 550 PBT) | IELTS Academic: 7.0 | PTE Academic: 65 | Duolingo English Test: 120.

Ph.D. Program

Academic Preparation: Applicants must hold a four-year bachelor's degree or equivalent with a minimum grade point average of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale. Strong quantitative coursework in your undergraduate background is highly encouraged.
Personal Statement: Clearly articulate your research interests, academic goals, and how your background has prepared you to pursue doctoral-level research in political science and international affairs.
Resume or CV: Upload a PDF copy of your academic CV.
Three Letters of Recommendation: The admissions committee looks for letters that speak to your potential for high-level academic research. Recommend letters from academic faculty. Letters must be in English and submitted directly by the recommender through the application portal.
Standardized Tests (Required): Official Graduate Record Examinations (GRE) scores must be submitted.
Transcripts: Upload digital copies of your official academic records to the application portal.
English Language Proficiency: Required for international applicants who completed postsecondary education at institutions where English is not the sole language of instruction.
- Minimum Score Requirements: TOEFL iBT: 90 | IELTS Academic: 7.0 | PTE Academic: 65 | Duolingo English Test: 120.

Important Information for Applicants

Application Fees

Application fees are non-refundable and must be paid when submitting your application:

U.S. Citizens, Permanent Residents, and Undocumented Applicants: $135

International Applicants: $155

Fee waivers are administered through the UC San Diego Division of Graduate Education and Postdoctoral Affairs.

International Applicants

An international applicant is anyone who is neither a U.S. citizen nor a U.S. permanent resident at the time of application.

Visit the Division of Graduate Education and Postdoctoral Affairs for detailed application requirements.

Degree Equivalency: You must hold the equivalent of a U.S. four-year bachelor's degree.

Academic Records: Transcripts must be uploaded in their original language and accompanied by a certified English translation. Records must display all courses taken, grades received and proof of degree conferral.

English Proficiency Waiver: The English exam requirement is automatically waived if you have earned (or will earn) a degree from an institution where English is the sole language of instruction, as verified by the IAU World Higher Education Database (WHED). No other documentation or letters can be accepted to waive this requirement.

The minimum TOEFL score required is a 90 (iBT).
The minimum IELTS Academic band score is 7.0.
The minimum PTE Academic score required is a 65.
The minimum Duolingo Academic score required is a 120.

Veterans and Military Families

If you plan to fund your degree using veterans' educational benefits, please contact the School Certifying Official (SCO) before submitting your application. They will help you verify which program fees are covered by your specific benefits.

Mailing Supplemental Materials

It is the responsibility of the applicant to ensure that all materials are received by the deadline.

If letters of recommendations are mailed, the recommendation must include complete contact information for the recommender in a sealed envelope signed across the flap by the recommender.

Applicants may either submit official academic transcript(s) by mail in an unopened envelope sealed by the university's registrar.

Office of Admissions
UC San Diego School of Global Policy and Strategy
9500 Gilman Drive #0519
La Jolla, CA 92093-0519

Reapplying to GPS

If you applied previously and were not offered admission, we welcome you to reapply. We keep application files on record for one year.

To reapply:

Contact us to notify our office of your intent to reapply and confirm which materials remain on file.
Submit a new online application.
Pay the application fee.
Ensure that any reused materials (such as test scores) have not expired and that your letters of reference are up to date.