Graduate Application deadline: 8:59 PM (PST) December 3, 2024
Graduate Admissions Online Application

Hardcopies of the Graduate Admissions Application will not be accepted. The application and all supporting documents, i.e., 3 letters of recommendation, GRE Scores,* and TOEFL or IELTS scores (if applicable) MUST be submitted via the online Graduate Admissions Application.

The online application (essays, payment, all degree information, recommender information, writing samples, etc) are due Monday, December 3 and will not be accepted after the deadline for any reason. Supporting documentation (recommendation letters, transcripts, scores) may come in through December 12th. We will not accept materials after this date. 

Late applications will not be considered after the December 3, 2024 deadline, and incomplete applications will not be considered after December 12th.

Application Fee Waiver 

Alums of the American Economic Association Summer Training and Scholarship Program qualify, for more information please visit: https://grad.berkeley.edu/admissions/apply/fee-waiver/.

Required Supporting Documents:

  1. Unofficial and Official Transcripts
  2. 3 Letters of Recommendation
  3. GRE Scores*
  4. Evidence of English Language Proficiency (if applicable)

All supporting documents must be uploaded to your Graduate Application file. DO NOT mail in your documents, we will not print any supporting documents for your application file.

Optional Supporting Documents:

  1. CV/Resume and Writing Sample (Optional)

Key Areas to Note for the Graduate Admission Online Application

It is required that you list your cumulative GPA, all coursework after the first two years, major GPA , and graduate GPA (if applicable). International students with a different grading system should not try to convert their grades into U.S. standard grades.  Please leave this area blank if this applies to you.

  1. For Areas of Emphasis 1 and Areas of Emphasis 2 YOU MUST list two fields that you are interested in pursuing from the list of available fields on the Year 2 page.
  2. The Department does not require you to list faculty you have contacted or expect to contact concerning your application for admission and, in fact, discourages prospective students from contacting faculty prior to being admitted. 
  3. The online application requires that you list two faculty members in the department whose research is of particular interest to you. This information is considered preliminary as it is helpful for the department to know in advance; it is expected that one's research interest will change and refine over time. 
  4. Please make sure to list all of your current and/or pending financial resources, i.e., external fellowships, grants, loans and personal savings.
  5. Students applying to the Ph.D. program in Economics are typically not eligible for Foreign Language and Area Studies (FLAS) Fellowships.
  6. The Statement of Purpose and Personal History Statement should be no longer than 3 pages, double spaced each.  For information you consider to be special circumstances, such as illness, personal hardships, parent's status, etc. please write this in your Personal History Statement. Resources for writing the Statement of Purpose and Personal History statement can be found on the UC Berkeley Graduate Division website.  

Unofficial and Official Transcripts

Unofficial Transcripts are accepted and uploaded online ONLY for graduate application process and review.

All unofficial copies transcripts for domestic and international applicants must be uploaded onto your online application. All transcripts should show courses, grades, and dates the courses were taken.

International applicants with a different grading system should not try to convert their grades into US standard grades.

Official Transcripts are required ONLY if an applicant accepts an offer of admission.

An applicant who is recommended for admission AND accepts the offer of admission must submit official transcripts.

International applicants who accept the offer of admission must submit official transcripts, degree certificates, diplomas, etc. in the original language accompanied by a translation. We accept translations from proper school officials and from government and/or official translators. The translator's statement must be prepared on the letterhead of the translator's institution and must state "This is a complete and exact word-for-word translation of the original." Every page must be signed in ink with the translator's title and, if possible, the seal or stamp of their institution. Stamps and signatures must be originals.

Letters of Recommendation

We require only three (3) letters of recommendation from professors who know your academic history. Letters from non-academic sources (e.g., employers) may be submitted.

Please request that your letter writers complete and submit your letters of recommendation via the online Graduate Application system by December 3, 2024 (early submissions appreciated).

GRE Test Scores

Applicants who want to submit their General GRE test scores should do so on the online application and have an official score report sent to the department so that it ARRIVES BY the application deadline - December 3, 2024. We do not require or accept GRE subject tests. The GRE may not be substituted with the GMAT. Tests should be taken in October, but no later than November. Applicants with scores below 165 on the Quantitative portion of the GRE should retake the test. Scores from tests taken before April 2020 we consider no longer valid. If you took the GRE between April 2020 and the time of application, you need to order the reports to be sent to the department. Make sure that the institution and department codes are correct when ordering reports to be sent. If you have taken the GRE more than once, make sure that you enter the correct registration number for the score you would like to be reported on your application - you receive a new registration number every time you take the exam. The registration number is crucial to making sure your official score report is appropriately matched to your online application. If your GRE score is not properly matched to your application, it may appear as though your application is incomplete. It is the applicant's responsibility to 1) take the exam WELL before the exam deadline, and 2) to make sure their exam is accurately matched. If you used two separate emails for your application and scores auto-matching will not happen. Additionally, if your name is not EXACTLY the same on your verified scores and your application (whether one includes accents and the other doesn't, or if you use a middle name/initial, hyphenate your first or last name, etc), your scores will not match. Make sure you contact gradofc-econ@berkeley.edu if you have a question about matching. We will not, however, take your PDF as proof NOR upload any additional materials. 

* Please note that GRE is required for the 2024-2025 admissions season (admits to be matriculated in 2025/2026)

****Official score reports are required and must be received by the department by the application deadline. Official scores cannot be substituted with self-reported scores.****  

The institution code for UC Berkeley is 4833.

The Department of Economics code is 1801.

Evidence of Evidence of English Lanuage Proficiency

Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL)

International English Language Testing System (IELTS)

For Fall 2025 matriculation, tests taken before June 1, 2023 will not be accepted by Graduate Admissions. Requests to waive either the TOEFL or IELTS requirements must to sent to Graduate Admissions.

CV/Resume and Writing Sample

CV/resumes and/or a writing sample are NOT required and are optional for your application. If you would like to submit optional materials, please upload your CV/resumes and/or a writing sample onto your online application in PDF format. CV/resume and/or a writing sample WILL NOT be accepted via email or the mail.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does the Department of Economics offer a master's/MA/MS program?

The Department of Economics does not offer a master's degree, only the Ph.D.

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Does the Department of Economics admit for the Spring?

No. The Department of Economics only admits for the Fall.

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Does the Department of Economics accept the GMAT for applying to the Ph.D. program?

No. We only accept the GRE.

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How many applications does the department expect to receive?

The Department of Economics receives approximately 900 applications for each admissions cycle.

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How many applicants do you admit and how many accept your offer of admission?

On average, we admit approximately 60-70 applicants for our total application pool. Of the 60-70 admitted, approximately 20-25 accept our offer of admission.

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Do you offer fellowships? Who receives fellowships?

Yes, we do offer competitive fellowship packages that are based on merit and academic achievement to both domestic and international applicants. Over 50% of our new admits receive some form of university or department financial support.

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When is the last possible date I can take the GRE?

We recommend that you take the GRE in October to ensure scores are received in a timely fashion by the department and that your application is complete by the December deadline for receipt of supporting documents. Official GRE score reports must be received by the application deadline. As soon as you have your GRE scores you should report your unofficial scores on your online application and enter the appropriate registration number under the exam requirements section of the application. Each time you take the GRE you will receive a unique registration number so please make sure to use the correct registration number for the score you would like reported on your application. Incorrect registration numbers may result in your application appearing to be incomplete. We must have your official score report on file by the December application deadline - unofficial scores will not be accepted in place of official score reports. 

(GRE scores are required for the admissions cycle that closes on December 3, 2024).

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How can I qualify for a TOEFL/IELTS exemption?

If you have completed at least one year of full-time academic course work with grades of B or better in residence at a recognized U.S. institution, you do not need to take a standardized test. Instead, you must upload an unofficial transcript from the recognized U.S. institution.
 
Applicants may also be exempt from the English language proficiency requirement (TOEFL or IELTS) if they:
  • Have a basic degree from a recognized institution in a country where the official language is English.
  • Have completed a basic or advanced degree at an institution, in the United States or abroad, where the language of instruction is English and the institution is accredited by one of the United States regional accrediting* agencies.
  • Have completed at least one year of full-time academic course work with a grade B or better at a regionally accredited* institution within the United States.
 
* Regionally accredited college or university means an institution of higher education accredited by one of the following regional accreditation associations in the United States:
  1. Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools
  2. New England Association of Schools and Colleges
  3. North Central Association of Colleges and Schools
  4. Northwest Association of Schools and Colleges
  5. Southern Association of Colleges and Schools
  6. Western Association of Schools and Colleges

If applicants do not meet any of the above criteria, there are two standardized tests you may take: the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL), and the International English Language Testing System (IELTS). 

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Do letter writers also need to submit letters of recommendation by the official application deadline, or do they have an extended deadline?

Letters of Recommendation must be uploaded to the online application system by December 12th. (Only for admissions cycle taking place in 2024/2025)

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How will I know if my application is complete?

Only those applicants whose applications are incomplete will be notified via email. Please do not contact us to inquire about the status of your application or to confirm receipt of items sent. Given the number of applications we process it is not possible to respond to such inquiries.

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What GRE dates are no longer valid?

Scores are valid five years from the end of the testing year when you took the test. GRE testing years begin on July 1. This means that a test taken on May 15, 2020, remains valid until June 30, 2025. Please send scores from 2020 or earlier. 

NOTE: for admissions cycle in 2024/2025 (for matriculation in 2025/2026) the GRE is required. 

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Is it possible to transfer credit for graduate level course work in Economics from another institution?

This can only be determined once you have applied, been admitted to the program, AND accept the offer of admission. New students can then submit course syllabi and reading lists to the appropriate faculty for review and a decision on whether or not it is appropriate to waive certain requirements. Faculty typically don't allow course waivers, but may make an exception on a case-by-case basis.

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How long does it take to complete the Ph.D. in Economics?

The program typically takes 5 - 6 years with a rare number of students finishing in 4 years or less.

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Is it possible to enroll part-time in the Ph.D. program in Economics?

The Ph.D. program in Economics at U.C. Berkeley is a full-time program and there are no opportunities for part-time study.

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Does the department offer Ph.D. courses online or have distance learning opportunities?

This program is not offered online and we do not offer any Ph.D. courses online or have distance learning opportunities at this time.

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