January
Admissions Overview
The UC Berkeley School of Information’s online master’s programs offer three start dates throughout the year (January, May, and September). Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis as they are received, so you are encouraged to submit your completed application as early as possible. Talk to your enrollment specialist about potential application fee waivers.
Start Dates
May
September
Application Deadlines
January 2027
| Deadline | Date |
|---|---|
Early Action Deadline | August 5, 2026 |
Priority Application Deadline | September 2, 2026 |
Final Application Deadline | September 23, 2026 |
Classes Start | January 2027 |
Application Requirements
To complete your application, you must submit the following:
- Online application
- Transcripts from all educational institutions attended
- Statement of Purpose and any additional admissions statements (1-2 pages)
- Two professional letters of recommendation
- Current resume
- Application fee: $135 (domestic), $155 (international)
- TOEFL Scores (if applicable)
- GRE or GMAT scores (optional)
Please note that prospective students are expected to submit original, authentic answers for their applications and are strongly discouraged from relying on AI tools for submissions.
Admissions Requirements
We evaluate applications holistically, considering your academic performance, professional experience, personal essays, letters of recommendation, and the alignment of your goals with the program. The UC Berkeley School of Information looks for students with the intellectual preparation and professional drive to thrive in a rigorous graduate program. To be eligible for the online master’s programs, you should demonstrate the following:
A bachelor’s degree
Applicants should hold a bachelor’s degree (or recognized equivalent) from an accredited institution and have a strong academic record, typically a GPA of 3.0 or above.
Submitting transcripts electronically is strongly preferred. Many institutions offer electronic transcript delivery through their own systems or third-party vendors. If available, send transcripts directly to the program you’re applying to at:
- Data Science (MIDS): applicationservices@datascience.berkeley.edu
- Cybersecurity (MICS): appsvcs@cybersecurity.berkeley.edu
Physical documents will not be accepted or returned. If your institution does not offer electronic delivery, contact your enrollment specialist.
Quantitative Ability
Applicants should demonstrate strong quantitative aptitude through one or more of the following:
- Professional experience involving quantitative analysis or data-driven problem-solving
- Academic coursework that reflects strong quantitative skills
Analytical Reasoning and Problem-Solving
Applicants should demonstrate the ability to break down complex problems, evaluate competing approaches, and draw sound conclusions from incomplete or ambiguous information, as evidenced through their academic and/or professional background.
Foundational Technical Knowledge
MIDS Applicants
Applicants should have foundational knowledge of:
- Object-oriented programming (e.g., Python, Java, C++)
- Data structures
- Algorithms
- Algorithm analysis
- Linear algebra
Applicants who meet all other admission requirements but lack this background may be asked to complete a bridge course before enrolling in DATASCI 207 Applied Machine Learning.
MICS Applicants
Applicants should have foundational knowledge of:
- Programming fundamentals (e.g., Python, C)
- Technology foundations (e.g., hardware, software, operating systems, applications, etc.)
- Data literacy
Applicants who meet all other admission requirements but lack this background may be asked to complete a bridge course before enrolling in CYBER 204: Software Security and CYBER 210: Network Security.
Effective Communication
Applicants should be able to communicate effectively, as demonstrated through one or more of the following:
- Academic performance
- Professional experience
- Strong application essays
Programming Proficiency
MIDS Applicants
Applicants should demonstrate basic proficiency in object-oriented programming, such as:
- Python
- Java
- C++
This proficiency may be demonstrated through academic coursework or professional experience. Applicants with limited programming experience are required to take DATASCI 200: Introduction to Data Science Programming during their first term. Those with sufficient prior knowledge may complete a waiver exam to place out of the course.
MICS Applicants
Applicants should have knowledge of programming fundamentals in at least one language, such as:
- Python
- Java
- C
This knowledge may be demonstrated through academic coursework or professional experience.
Applicants seeking additional preparation are encouraged to participate in the free Introduction to Python Bridge Course.
Test Scores
GRE and GMAT are not required.
English Language Proficiency: A TOEFL or IELTS Academic score is required unless you qualify for an exemption.
You may be exempt if you:
- Earned a degree from an institution in a country where English is an official language
- Earned a degree from a U.S. institution (or U.S. institution abroad) where English was the language of instruction
- Completed at least one year of full-time coursework with grades of B or higher at a regionally accredited U.S. institution
Minimum scores (Fall 2026, Spring 2027 and Summer 2027 admissions):
| Test | Test date | Minimum score |
|---|---|---|
TOEFL | June 1, 2024 – January 20, 2026 | 90 |
TOEFL | January 21, 2026 or later | 4.5 |
IELTS | N/A | 7.0 |
Test Codes
| Test | Code/Dept | Valid For |
|---|---|---|
GRE (optional) | 1634/0404 | 5 years |
GMAT (optional) | N2V-Q0-28 | 5 years |
TOEFL | 4833/99 | 18 months |
IELTS | TRF1 | 18 months |
1Test Report Form must be sent directly from IELTS arrow_upwardReturn to footnote reference
Frequently Asked Questions
For any questions, please download and read our FAQ (PDF, 539.0 KB).
Get Started
Contact an enrollment specialist today with any questions, or fill out a brief form to request more information.