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    University of California-Santa Cruz

    Physics MS

    Last verified against the official program page on .

    Santa Cruz, USMSIn-person2 years
    STEM-OPT
    $73,542.00
    Tuition
    over 24mo
    18%
    Acceptance
    of applicants
    $155.00
    App fee

    Physics MS at University of California-Santa Cruz is a 2-year, in-person MS program based in Santa Cruz, US. Tuition is $73,542 and the program is STEM-OPT eligible for international students.

    About the program

    The program covers core graduate physics courses in classical mechanics, electromagnetism, quantum mechanics, and statistical physics, with electives. Students perform research in areas such as particle physics, astrophysics, condensed matter physics, and biophysics, developing laboratory and computational skills.

    Focus: research
    US News #47 in Physics

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    Admissions

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    GPA thresholds, GRE/TOEFL/IELTS minimums, essay counts, recommendation letters, prerequisites, admissions contacts, and country-specific requirements like APS certification, portfolio submissions, or GATE scores.

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    Standardized tests

    TOEFL
    optional
    Min TOEFL 83 (iBT)
    IELTS
    optional
    Min IELTS 7.0 overall

    After the program

    Post-study work rights

    12 months OPT + 24 months STEM OPT (US)

    $26,202.00
    Annual living cost

    Application Checklist

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    Prerequisites

    Specific coursework this program expects you to have completed: calculus, linear algebra, programming, statistics, and subject-specific prerequisites where applicable.

    Recommendations

    Exact count of letters required, whether academic vs professional references are preferred, and any program-specific guidance on who to ask.

    Essays

    Number of essays required (statement of purpose, personal statement, diversity statement), prompts where the program publishes them, and whether supplemental essays are optional or mandatory.

    Contact

    Direct email and phone for the admissions office handling this program, plus a link to the program-specific inquiry page where available.

    Frequently asked questions

    How much does Physics MS at University of California-Santa Cruz cost?
    The total estimated tuition for Physics MS at University of California-Santa Cruz is $73,542.
    Is Physics MS at University of California-Santa Cruz online or in-person?
    Physics MS at University of California-Santa Cruz is offered in-person.
    How long does Physics MS at University of California-Santa Cruz take to complete?
    Physics MS at University of California-Santa Cruz is structured around 2 years.
    What GPA is required for Physics MS at University of California-Santa Cruz?
    Per the program's published guidance: Cumulative 3.0 GPA on a 4.0 scale in the last two years of undergraduate education
    Is Physics MS at University of California-Santa Cruz STEM-OPT eligible?
    Yes - Physics MS at University of California-Santa Cruz is STEM-OPT designated, allowing international graduates to extend their post-completion OPT for up to 36 months total.