We offer both an MS and PhD in materials science.
Applications for fall admissions for the PhD program are due by January 15, 2025.
Applications for fall admission for the MS program first deadline is January 15 2025, with rolling admissions until April 15 for international applicants, and until June 1 for domestic applicants. Applications submitted prior to the deadline will be reviewed before January 15.
There is a $70 application fee.
Applicants must submit all of the following through our online application system to be considered:
*It is highly preferred that the letters be written on official institutional letterhead.
Your statement of purpose should be a clear, readable narrative that contains information relevant to your materials science graduate program application. Statements are best kept to approximately two pages, single spaced, and should not exceed three pages. It should address why a degree in materials science will further your professional and academic goals. Please be sure to identify University of Rochester faculty members in whose work you interested. Do not repeat information found elsewhere in your application.
Application to our graduate program DOES NOT require a GRE. If you take the GRE and want to include it on your application, you can submit official results to the university through the GRE website. The GRE institutional code for the University of Rochester is 2928. Be sure to use the exact same spelling of your name on both your application and test score report.
All international students whose native language is not English are required to provide proof of English language proficiency through the submission of official test scores from one of the following exams. Scores more than two years old from the application deadline are not valid. Student can use IELTS, TOEFL, TOEFL iBT Home Edition, or Duolingo. A minimum TOEFL score of 95, an IELTS score of 7.0, and/or a minimum Duolingo score of 120 is preferred for admittance.
Please send IELTS scores to the following address:
University of Rochester
Graduate Studies
500 Joseph C. Wilson Blvd
P.O. Box 270401
Rochester NY 14627
TOEFL scores can be submitted using the code 2928 (a department code is not necessary).
Duolingo scores can be sent directly to the University of Rochester at no cost.
The English proficiency test requirement is waived for citizens of the following countries whose native language is English:
The requirement may also be waived if a student has completed at least three years of full time and in-person postsecondary study in one of the countries listed above of the United States. We reserve the right to require further demonstration of English proficiency, even if you have received your degree from one of the above-mentioned countries.
If you would like to be granted a waiver for these exams, please email graduate.admissions@rochester.edu.
We are now accepting applications for fall 2025. We do not have a spring intake.
Generally, PhD applications are not reviewed until after the application deadline. It usually takes several weeks after the application deadline to receive a decision letter, but it can take longer. Decisions are released to candidates as soon as the committee determines eligibility. Notification may be staggered over several weeks. Please be patient as your application is being reviewed by multiple committee members.
For PhD applicants, interviews are commonly conducted. Interviews are conducted online by materials science faculty in whose research program the applicant has expressed interest.
MS applications are reviewed on a rolling basis and may be reviewed prior to the deadline.
Admitted applicants will be notified by March 1.
Funding is not guaranteed for MS students. A partial tuition award (merit scholarship for reduced tuition) may be available for some of the strongest applicants in our masters program. Decisions will be made upon admission to the program. Applicants will be responsible for raising the difference between any departmental tuition award and full tuition.
For further information on tuition, please visit the Office of the Bursar’s website and consult the graduate tuition rates, under "Arts and Sciences & Hajim”; note that our MA and MS have 32 credit hours. For further information on financial aid and scholarships, please visit the Financial Aid Office’s website. The GEPA office also has a Costs and Financial Support section on its website that can also be helpful.
Our full-time PhD students receive competitive teaching or research assistantships comprising of an annual stipend, medical benefits, and full coverage of graduate tuition. The details of a particular student's financial offer can vary depending upon specific circumstances and will be specified in a letter sent to each student at the time that an admission offer is made.
The University of Rochester prohibits and will not engage in discrimination and harassment on the basis of age, color, disability, domestic violence victim status, ethnicity, gender identity or expression, genetic information, marital status, familial status or an individual’s reproductive health decision making, military/veteran status, national origin, race (including hair style), religion/creed (including religious attire and facial hair), sex, sexual orientation, citizenship status, or any other status protected by law (anyone individually, a “Protected Class”). Discrimination or harassment (including hostile work environment harassment) based on protected status is illegal, will not be tolerated, and is considered misconduct that will be subject to discipline.
For more information, view the University Nondiscrimination Statement.
Have questions or need more information?
Contact Liz Strong, academic administrator by email at estrong3@ur.rochester.edu or by phone at (585) 275-1626.