Admissions

To be eligible for graduate study in mechanical engineering, students must satisfy the following minimum requirements:

Applications to the M.S. and Ph.D. programs in Mechanical Engineering no longer require the submission of GRE scores. Submitting these scores is optional. The admission committee uses a holistic approach to admissions, reviewing all parts of the application to get a picture of each applicant’s academic and professional background, life experiences, interests and goals, and fit with our program offerings.

Note: The GRE is required for M.S. and Ph.D. programs in Operations Research and Industrial Engineering.

Deadlines

Fall Semester

ALL materials are due by:

International Students: Because the availability of testing centers is sparse in some regions of the world, we accept official TOEFL/IELTS & GRE scores until January 15th. This means they must be submitted by then, not that you can take your exam until January 15th.

Spring Semester

Domestic & International Students: ALL materials are due by October 1st. Note that we rarely grant admission in the spring semester.

Because of the highly competitive nature of our program we do not accept late materials. Please plan accordingly and begin your application well before the deadline.

Due to the high volume of applications and questions we receive, we ask that you please check this page for answers to your questions prior to contacting the ME/OR Admissions Office.

General Program Questions

Do you offer waivers to cover the application fee?

Yes. For instructions on how to apply, please visit the Prospective Student webpage.

How many credit hours are required to graduate?

For more information of the degree requirements refer to our Degree Information page

What is the required coursework for the ME Program?

Masters: A minimum of six required courses should be taken in your major study area. The rest can be supporting courses in closely related areas or from other departments. Certain areas have specific required courses. Please consult the Graduate Areas of Study webpage.

Doctorate: Determined by the student's supervisor and supervising committee.

For more information on course schedule, please review the University of Texas Course Schedule.

Where can I find information about the ME Faculty?
How many letters of recommendation are required?

We require three (3) letters of recommendation for your application. Please be mindful that all letters must be submitted via the application portal, so emailed or mailed letters will not be accepted.

Is there a word limit for the Statement of Purpose?

There is no word limit for your Statement of Purpose (SOP). Your SOP should be a summary of your academic and professional goals, as well as a description of the research work you have done in your past, and what research work you plan to do as a graduate student at UT. Please make sure these documents are edited to your liking before you upload them, for they cannot be deleted once they have been uploaded to your application.

Where can I find information about minimum TOEFL (international students only) scores?
Do I need to secure a faculty advisor before applying to the program?

It is not necessary to secure a faculty advisor before submitting your application materials, but we recommend connecting with potential advisors to determine whether your research interests would be a good fit. Our faculty directory can be found here.

Can I apply for my second masters or doctorate in a similar field with your program?

No. We do not admit students who already have a degree in a similar field for a second degree. Master's students interested in a Ph.D. are welcome, but students seeking a second Master's or a second Ph.D. who already hold that degree in a similar field (e.g., metallurgy, materials, ceramics, polymers, etc.) should not apply.

How many students are admitted to the ME graduate program each year?

200-230 students based on many factors including but not limited to faculty availability, quality of applicants, and funding.

We do not have a set number or percentage of domestic or international students that we admit.

I do not have a background in Mechanical Engineering. Am I still eligible to apply?

Mechanical Engineering is an interdisciplinary field, and we admit students from many different backgrounds including biology, chemistry, physics, computer science and other engineering disciplines. Students outside of these disciplines are eligible to apply. Make sure to include in your statement of purpose a detailed description of how your background makes you qualified for a graduate degree in Mechanical Engineering and what research topics you are interested in.