MS Mechanical Engineering at University of California, Riverside

Programme overview

The MS in Mechanical Engineering requires at least 36 approved upper-division and graduate units under a thesis or comprehensive exam plan. It is also available fully online through the Master of Science Online program.

Faculty: Bourns College of Engineering | Department: Mechanical Engineering | Duration: 6 quarters normative time (Plan I, thesis); 3 quarters (Plan II, comprehensive exam) | Study mode: full-time | Location: Riverside, CA, United States

What you will study

At least 24 units of 200-series graduate courses, of which at least 20 are ME graduate courses, plus ME 250 seminar. Plan I requires a thesis with public defense before a three-member committee; Plan II requires a comprehensive exam in spring or summer.

Official programme page

Application information

Entry requirements

GRE is not required for the MS or PhD program. Graduate Division (university-wide): bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited institution or recognized international equivalent; minimum 3.0 undergraduate GPA (some programs set a higher standard); transcripts, statement of purpose and letters of recommendation; English proficiency (TOEFL iBT or IELTS Academic 7 with no component below 6) unless the prior degree was taught in English; GRE/GMAT only where the program requires it (many no longer do). Source: graduate.ucr.edu/admission-requirements.

UC Riverside operates a quarter system. Summer begins mid-June, Fall late September, Winter early January and Spring late March/early April. Most graduate programmes admit and begin in the Fall quarter only.

New domestic applicants: Fall January 5 (fellowship consideration) / June 1 (admission only), Winter November 1, Spring February 1, Summer May 1. New international applicants: Fall January 5 (fellowship consideration) / June 1 (admission only), Winter September 1, Spring December 1, Summer March 1. A few programmes have deadlines after June 1 and some have earlier programme deadlines. The Winter 2027 and Spring 2027 applications are open for select programmes only; the Summer/Fall 2027 application opened September 1, 2026, with rolling review for most programmes.

Apply through the official page: https://grad.ucr.edu/apply/

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