Graduate Program - Application Procedure
We have experienced a significant increase in the number of International applications. This has led to increasing competition for admission to our graduate degree programs and even higher competition for available financial aid in the form of graduate assistantships. Therefore, we request that all International students interested in applying to our programs consider the information below.
To build a strong program and to ensure that admitted students will have a positive experience, we seek our international applicants students to:
- Have a BS and/or MS in Computer Science or Computer Engineering from one of the top 10 universities in their country;
- Have excellent grades;
- Have GRE scores above the 85th percentile on the quantitative and 70th percentile on the verbal and 60th percentile on the analytical writing portion;
- Have strong academic recommendations and research or project experience.
Undergraduate Prerequisites for Application (All Applicants)
Preparatory course work should include a three-semester sequence in differential and integral calculus (MA, 141, 241, and 242 ), a calculus based course in probability and statistics (ST 370 or MA 421 (preferred)) and Computer Science courses equivalent to our CSC 216, 226, 236, 316 and either 333 or 456. See individual degree descriptions for some additional requirements. Applicants must have a minimum undergraduate grade point average (GPA) of 3.0 in order to be considered for a graduate degree program.
Chances for admission are substantially reduced if an applicant does not meet these criteria. Admitted students are candidates for financial aid but should indicate so on their application. No additional forms are needed. A subset of admitted students will be offered financial aid. Final decisions on admission and financial aid are subject to resource availability, regardless of qualifications. Applications are not processed until all of the following items have been received:
Graduate School application process
Official Transcripts/Prerequisites
Recent scores for the GRE General Tests
Scores for the GRE Subject Test
Statement of Purpose form
A Completed Statement of Degree and Faculty Interest Form
Letters of Recommendation
Recent TOEFL or IELTS scores
Please be sure to include your full name and NCSU ID number on all documents mailed to NCSU. Do not send financial documentation at this time.
All items listed with a red ball () above should be mailed to the Graduate School at:
Graduate School Admissions Office
North Carolina State University
Room 240, Research Building III
1005 Capability Drive
Campus Box 7102
Raleigh NC 27695
All the items listed with a yellow ball () above should be mailed to the Department at:
Computer Science Graduate Admissions
North Carolina State University
890 Oval Drive
2310 Engineering Building II
Box 8206
Raleigh, NC 27695-8206
Graduate School application process
Applications for admission can be submitted online from the Graduate School's admissions web page. This page also has links to related information on programs, admission requirements, and application deadlines. The application fee cannot be waived or deferred. Please write your name on your application exactly as it appears on your passport or social security card.
Please submit one official transcript attesting to an accredited baccalaureate degree with average grades of B or higher. Preparatory course work should include a three-semester sequence in differential and integral calculus, a calculus based course in probability and statistics, and computer science courses equivalent to CSC 216, 226, 236, 316, and one of 312, 333, or 456.
Recent scores for the GRE General Test
Guideline scores are: Verbal Reasoning 65%, Quantitative Reasoning 85%, Analytical Writing 60%. To have your official GRE scores sent to us, use Institution Code 5496 and Department Code 0402. GRE scores expire five years after the test date. Expired scores will not be accepted.
In recent years, admission has become more competitive and the scores have generally exceeded the above-mentioned guidelines. All components of the application are considered in arriving at an admission decision.
Scores for the GRE Subject Test.
A recent score for the GRE Subject Test in Computer Science is recommended for all PhD applicants and for Master's (MS) level applicants who are seeking aid of any form. Guideline scores are 720 for PhD and 670 for MS admission. GRE Engineering and Mathematics Tests are acceptable for MS applicants. Subject GRE scores expire five years from the test date. Expired scores will not be accepted.
Statement of Purpose form.
Please write a Statement of Purpose of approximately 500 words addressing the following points:
- Your career goals.
- How graduate study in general, and study at NCSU in particular, will contribute to your goals.
- How you will contribute to our department as a student.
It is recommended that you attach a resume, curriculum vitae, or list of significant honors and awards. A resume or curriculum vitae will not be accepted in lieu of a Statement of Purpose. Please do not send copies of diplomas, certificates, award letters, or citations at this time.
Please submit your Statement of Purpose as part of your online application or return it directly to:
Computer Science Graduate Admissions
North Carolina State University
890 Oval Drive
2310 Engineering Building II
Box 8206
Raleigh, NC 27695-8206
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A Completed Statement of Degree and Faculty Interest Form
Please submit the form online here. Also, a blank form in Adobe Acrobat (pdf) format can be downloaded here.
If you do not submit the form online, please return your statement directly to:
Computer Science Graduate Admission
North Carolina State University
890 Oval Drive
2310 Engineering Building II
Box 8206
Raleigh, NC 27695-8206
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Three letters of recommendation from persons qualified to evaluate the potential to succeed in graduate studies in computer science must be submitted. Letters from professors in computer science or a closely related discipline who have supervised the student in a class or research are most informative. Forms for the letters of recommendation are included with the online application
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In order to be eligible for admission to the Graduate School at NCSU, all international applicants, regardless of citizenship, must demonstrate proficiency in English at a level necessary to be successful in a graduate program at NC State. This requirement can be met for most applicants in one of the following ways:
- Provide Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) with a total score of at least 80 on the Internet-based Test (iBT). Minimum test scores for each section:
Listening18 points (minimum score)
Reading
18 points (minimum score)
Writing
18 points (minimum score)
Speaking
18 points (minimum score) - for admission to the Graduate School
23 points - for TA appointment where TA has direct verbal interactions with students
26 points - for TA appointment where TA presents lectures in the class or laboratory
- Provide the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) with a total score in at least the 6.5 band. Minimum test scores for each section:
Listening6.5 (minimum score)
Reading
6.5 (minimum score)
Writing
6.5 (minimum score)
Speaking
6.5 (minimum score) - for admission to the Graduate School
7 - for TA appointment where TA has direct verbal interactions with students
- be a citizen of a country where English is an official language and the language of instruction in higher education;
- have successfully completed at least one year of full-time study in a degree program at a four-year US College or university.
- TOEFL test date or the IELTS test date must be no older than two years (24 months) prior to the beginning of the requested entry term.
You can find score comparisons for different versions of the TOEFL here.
TOEFL and IELTS scores may be reported to us using institution code 5496. You do not need to provide a department code.
Current NCSU Students wishing to transfer to Computer Science
Students requesting admission through transfers from other departments at NC State or through co-major applications must complete the Request for Change of Degree Status or Curriculum [PDF][WORD] form by the last day of fall exams for spring admission and June 1 for fall admission. Any student requesting to transfer to one of our masters programs must meet with the Computer Science Admissions Specialist prior to initiating the transfer. Any student requesting to transfer to our PhD program must meet with the Computer Science Director of Graduate Programs prior to initiating the transfer.
