FAQs

You can apply online here.  Generally, applications can be submitted from early September to mid-December for the following fall semester.

• Statement of Purpose and Personal Statement.
• Transcripts of all college-level work.
• Three letters of recommendation.
• A critical or scholarly writing sample of no more than 20 pages.

THE GRE GENERAL TEST AND SUBJECT TEST IN ENGLISH ARE NO LONGER REQUIRED TO APPLY TO OUR PROGRAM.

The Admissions Committee uses a holistic approach when considering applicants and will examine all aspects of your application. Your application should show why you are interested in pursuing a Ph.D. in English as well as why you’d like to get your Ph.D. in the English Department at UC Berkeley.

Please get in touch with the English Department Graduate Office if you have this concern.

Yes, the decision about what to submit is yours, but bear in mind that letters of reference should give the Admissions Committee a clear picture of why your recommenders consider you qualified for graduate school.

No, we admit many students with only the BA degree.

No, the English Department does not offer a MA program.

Unfortunately the department is unable to accommodate requests for application fee waivers. If you are a US Citizen or permanent resident of the US who can demonstrate financial need or have participated in certain programs, please consult this page for more information.

The English Department is happy to answer your questions about the application process, but can’t reply to detailed questions regarding the content of individual applications. Thank you for your understanding.

We offer funding to every admitted student, but cannot guarantee funding for the entire length of the program.

The English Department offers one conference travel and one archive travel reimbursement for up to $600 each academic year. In addition, graduate students can apply for language study funding once during their academic careers in the department.

Please refer to the Financial Aid and Scholarships Office's Graduate Student Cost of Attendance Information.

Yes, we encourage students to work as Graduate Student Instructors, Graduate Student Researchers, and Readers if they are eligible to do so and working as a GSI does not interfere with their academic progress.

Graduate Student Instructor Appointments are 50% time appointments. Please review the current rates for GSIs at the UC Berkeley People and Culture website.

Working full time while going to class full time (12 units per semester) is not recommended. The Graduate Division asks students to not work over 50% time on campus. If you must work over 50% time you need the Head Graduate Advisor’s approval. If you must work over 75% time you will need the Dean’s approval.

We do not offer graduate courses online.

Students who have completed graduate-level course work at other institutions may submit a written petition to the Graduate Chair requesting that specific courses be considered for credit (transferred) toward satisfying course and breadth requirements.  The petition should provide a brief description of the course(s) to be considered.  In no case will such credit be given for more than three courses.

The normative time for the program is 6 years. The first three years are considered “time to candidacy,” during which students satisfy course and language requirements and take their qualifying oral examination. Having passed the qualifying exam, students “advance to candidacy,” and proceed to the prospectus and dissertation.. For more information, please refer to our Handbook for Graduate Study in English found here.

The University offers various sources of support for graduate student parents. While working as GSIs, for example, graduate students can be reimbursed by the university for some of their daycare expenses. The university also offers affordable family housing. For detailed information, please refer to this page.