The UCSB Department of English seeks highly qualified, research-focused graduate students with a commitment to an atmosphere of working collaboratively with faculty-led teams on cutting edge projects. In the National Research Council’s (2010) rankings of similar programs across the country, our graduate program has moved up dramatically.

The graduate faculty includes nationally prominent scholars working at the forefront of current literary studies in a professionally oriented research department. A recent national study places the University of California with its nine campuses in a class apart from all other public universities in the United States for quality of research; the same study, ranking the scholarly productivity of faculty in the humanities at all public research institutions, places UCSB second only to Berkeley nationwide.

Admission into the graduate program is based on past academic record, intellectual promise and programmatic fit. Students entering the program have typically completed an English BA or the equivalent in a related field. Students who do not already have a master’s degree should apply to the MA/PhD program; those with an MA degree should apply directly to the PhD program. The department accepts students only for the PhD or the MA/PhD. It does not offer a terminal MA degree.

Admission into the graduate program is based on past academic record, intellectual promise and programmatic fit. Students entering the program have typically completed an English BA or the equivalent in a related field. Students who do not already have a master’s degree should apply to the MA/PhD program; those with an MA degree should apply directly to the PhD program. The department accepts students only for the PhD or the MA/PhD. It does not offer a terminal MA degree.

The admissions deadline for Fall 2025 is December 9, 2024 (by 11:59 PM PST).

Graduate Division graduate degree program information sheets include application deadline dates and other pertinent information: https://www.graddiv.ucsb.edu/graduate-programs/departments/english

Students may enter the program only in the fall.

Admission Requirements:

• Online application: https://www.graddiv.ucsb.edu/eapp
• Statement of Purpose, Personal History & Diversity Statement, and CV/Resume (submit via online application)
  Length of Statement of Purpose:  suggested length is approximately 2 double-spaced pages; Length of Personal History & Diversity Statement:  250 words minimum; suggested length is approximately 2 double-spaced pages
• Three Letters of Recommendation (submit via online application)
• Unofficial transcripts from all post-secondary institutions attended (submit via online application). If accepted into the program, you will be required to submit official transcripts to the Registrar.
• Writing Sample: A critical paper written in an upper-division or graduate literature class. Suggested length is 10-12 double-spaced pages. (submit via online application)
• English Language Exam Scores (if applicable): TOEFL Internet-Based Test (IBT) total score of 80, or TOEFL Paper-Based Test (PBT) total score of 550, or IELTS Overall Band score of 7, or Duolingo English Test total score of 120, or higher
• See https://www.graddiv.ucsb.edu/how-apply/how-complete-online-application for further information

Graduate students are eligible to live on campus in San Clemente Villages (for single graduate students) and in Family Student Housing (for graduate students with a partner and/or a family). New single graduate students are guaranteed housing for one year as long as they adhere to application procedures and deadlines each year. There are often waiting lists for family student housing, so apply early. You need not wait for acceptance to the graduate program before applying for housing. See the UCSB Housing & Residential Services website for more information.

Many graduate students also live off campus in Santa Barbara, Ellwood Beach and Goleta. You can search apartment listings for all of the communities surrounding campus through craigslist for Santa Barbara. The UCSB Housing & Residential Services also maintains a listing for housing in the communities surrounding campus that is free for students to use.

It’s important to note that housing in Santa Barbara is somewhat scarce and expensive, so be prepared to plan ahead.