Admissions Considerations
We're crafting a community of scholars who are:
- Intellectually curious and prepared to engage in the intensive study of data science
- Proficient in high-level quantitative and technical skills
- Passionate about understanding how data is captured and communicated to make informed decisions
- Motivated, studious, and mature; willing to contribute to our diverse community as teaching assistants, researchers, and colleagues
Who should apply?
As the nation's first standalone School of Data Science to offer a Ph.D. program, we are seeking candidates who wish to study cutting-edge methods for learning from data or the impact of data driven decisions on society. Ph.D. students are expected to be the next generation of data science researchers and experts, contributing to and pushing the discipline forward.
The Ph.D. in Data Science is a rigorous program, and applicants must demonstrate their ability to succeed in our educational environment. We seek candidates from a variety of majors, disciplines, and backgrounds, so no specific program of study is required. A master’s degree is not required and does not make an applicant more competitive in the admissions process. However, completion of prerequisite courses is required prior to matriculation.
The Ph.D. in Data Science program does not require students to identify a research supervisor prior to applying for our program. We facilitate interactions between faculty and Ph.D. students to showcase their research, and students usually choose a supervising faculty member by the end of their second year in the program. You do not need to contact School of Data Science faculty to request their supervision of your research or work in their labs to be more competitive for admission to the Ph.D. in Data Science.
Doctoral students typically receive financial support from the School of Data Science for the duration of their enrollment in the program, pending satisfactory completion of requirements and progression through the program. This includes full remission of tuition, fees, and the premium for single-person coverage through the University of Virginia’s student health insurance plan. Tuition and fees are set annually by the University of Virginia Board of Visitors in early spring. In addition, Ph.D. students will receive either a fellowship, research assistantship, or teaching assistantship that includes annual living support in the approximate amount of $35,000 per year, distributed over 12 months.
Explore the Ph.D. in Data Science admission timeline, including important deadlines.
Prerequisite Courses and Minimum Qualifications
We welcome applicants from all undergraduate majors or programs of study who have earned their bachelor's degree prior to matriculation from a three- or four-year accredited institution.
The Ph.D. in Data Science program requires several prerequisite courses. You can still apply without having all prerequisites, but they must be completed prior to matriculation. Proof of completion will be required for any incomplete prerequisites if an applicant is admitted and accepts their offer of admission.
All prerequisites must be taken at an accredited college or university for credit and a grade. Certificates, open courses, and boot camps will not satisfy the requirements. Courses may be taken at a community college (online or in-person) and need not be completed with a baccalaureate degree.
The following are required upon matriculation:
Multivariable Calculus
- A course or courses from an accredited college or university that covers concepts through multivariable calculus and functions in more than one dimension. In the U.S., this is typically a three-course sequence (Calculus I, Calculus II, Calculus III).
Matrix Algebra or Linear Algebra
- A course in matrix algebra via a linear algebra or similar mathematics course from an accredited college or university, or completion of Linear Algebra for Data Scientists.
Statistics
- At least one course from an accredited college or university that covers concepts in probability and statistical inference.
Programming Experience
- This experience can be demonstrated by completion of a course in computer science from an accredited college or university or substantial experience working with a programming language (such as Python, R, Matlab, C++, or Java). We will ask you to detail this experience in your application.
Application Requirements — All Applicants
Short Answer Questions & Audio Prompt
Short Answer Questions
Required: Most research is data-driven. Data-driven research is when researchers collect and analyze data to generate new knowledge in a field of study. Data science research is about developing new frameworks and tools which change the practice of data science. Are you oriented towards data-driven research or towards data science research? In what ways do you want to shape the practice of data science? (250 words or fewer)
Required: What about your individual background, perspective, or experience will serve as a source of strength for you or those around you at the School of Data Science? Feel free to write about any past experience or part of your background that has shaped your perspective and will be a source of strength, including but not limited to those related to your community, upbringing, educational environment, race, gender, or other aspects of your background that are important to you. (250 words or fewer)
Required: Our Ph.D. program does not require you to have identified a faculty advisor before applying or to be competitive for admission. However, it is helpful for the admission committee to understand your research interests. Please identify one of our faculty members whose research aligns with your interests and propose a future research project which builds on that faculty member’s previously published work. Note that mentioning a specific faculty member does not guarantee or obligate you to match with them if admitted.) (250 words or fewer)
Optional: An application addendum is not required; however, some applicants may have additional information that would be useful for the admissions committee. Use this space to discuss positive dimensions of your background not otherwise highlighted in this application, or to provide insight and/or context regarding other aspects, including, but not limited to, aberrant grades, gaps in your academic record or resume, or other extenuating circumstances. (250 words or fewer)
Audio Prompt
Required: In 45 seconds, describe a single project or experience that demonstrates your enthusiasm and curiosity for data science, which the School defines broadly via the Domains of Data Science Model. (Only discuss a single experience; do not list multiple experiences or projects.)
Letters of Recommendation
Three letters of recommendation are required as part of the application. Once you have saved the contact information for a reference, the individual will receive email instructions to submit a letter of recommendation on your behalf. The Admission Committee prefers (but does not require) at least two letters to be from an individual with substantial knowledge of your academic accomplishments. An application will not be considered submitted until all letters of recommendation are received.
Curriculum Vitae
Your Curriculum Vitae (CV) will demonstrate your preparedness for graduate study, including involvement in activities outside of school or work (such as leadership, service, civic engagement), coding or research projects, and any other accomplishments you’d like to share. You can find guidance about your CV here.
Standardized Tests
The Ph.D. in Data Science does not review standardized test scores (i.e., GRE, GMAT, MCAT) in its holistic evaluation of applicants.
Application Requirements — Domestic Applicants
The application requires the following materials that must be submitted by the deadline date for it to be considered complete:
Transcripts
Applicants must upload unofficial transcripts of their entire post-secondary academic record to the online application, including all undergraduate- and graduate-level institutions attended.
If admitted to the School of Data Science and you decide to accept your offer, you will be required to submit proof of degree conferral prior to course enrollment. Send official transcripts electronically to sdsadmission@virginia.edu or by mail to:
Mailing Address
School of Data Science Admissions
P.O. Box 401109
Charlottesville, VA 22904
Physical Address (for DHL and FedEx)
School of Data Science Admissions
Room 232
1001 Emmet Street North
Charlottesville, VA 22903
Application Fee
All graduate applications to the School of Data Science have a non-refundable application fee of $85 required for submission.
Per UVA policy, we provide application fee waivers for US citizens and permanent residents who meet the Application Fee Waiver Eligibility criteria and submit an Application Fee Waiver Request Form. Application fees are automatically waived for all active military and veterans. In addition, application fees are waived for full-time UVA employees who have worked more than 90 days at the University (contact the admissions team for the employee fee waiver code).
You cannot be granted a fee waiver after payment of the application fee. An application will not be considered submitted until the fee is paid.
Application Requirements — International Applicants
The School of Data Science values the backgrounds, perspectives, and experiences that our international students contribute to our community, and we welcome applications from around the world.
The following information is provided to help prospective international students through the Ph.D. in Data Science application process. All students are considered in the same pool regardless of the prospective student’s citizenship and the country of the student’s undergraduate institution.
International applicants must hold a bachelor's degree from an accredited institution equivalent to a four-year American degree, which may include an undergraduate degree earned in three years.
Prerequisites
International applicants who completed the prerequisites under a different title (e.g., instead of Calculus III, the course is listed as Mathematics IV on your transcript) must submit a course description and/or syllabus of the course to confirm the completion of the prerequisites.
Transcripts
If English was the primary language of instruction at your undergraduate institution: You must upload unofficial transcripts of your entire post-secondary academic record to the online application, including all undergraduate- and graduate-level institutions attended. You are exempt from the TOEFL/IELTS and this requirement will automatically be waived on your application.
If English was NOT the primary language of instruction at your undergraduate institution: You must submit a course-by-course credential evaluation to help us better understand your educational background and capabilities. IEE and SpanTran are NACES-member companies that have created custom applications for the School of Data Science at a discounted rate. We accept transcript evaluations from all NACES-member evaluators.
You are required to submit TOEFL or IELTS scores. These can be self-reported on the application, but you must submit an official score report by Aug. 1 if you are admitted and choose to enroll. Test scores are considered valid if taken within two years from the application deadline.
Official TOEFL and IELTS scores should be sent electronically; no paper reports will be accepted. To send your scores:
- TOEFL: institution code B875 (no department code needed).
- IELTS: no institution code or department code needed.
We require minimum scores of:
- TOEFL (iBT): 100 overall (including minimum section scores of 22 in speaking, 22 in writing, 23 in reading, and 23 in listening).
- IELTS: 7.0 overall (including minimum section scores of 6.5).
All admitted students who accept their offer to enroll must submit proof of degree conferral by Aug. 1. Send official transcripts electronically to sdsadmission@virginia.edu or by mail to:
Mailing Address
School of Data Science Admissions
PO Box 401109
Charlottesville, VA 22904
Physical Address (for DHL and FedEx)
School of Data Science Admissions
Room 232
1001 Emmet Street North
Charlottesville, VA 22903
Application Fee
All graduate applications to the School of Data Science have a non-refundable application fee of $85 required for submission.
The School of Data Science is committed to diversity which we define as excellence expressing itself through every person’s perspective and lived experience. We acknowledge that financial disparities exist that may discourage prospective students from applying. In hopes of creating and increasing access to our graduate programs, we currently provide application fee waivers to:
- Recipients of DACA, Deferred Enforced Departure, or Temporary Protected Status (TPS). Contact Degi Betcher if you meet this eligibility.
- Citizens from the countries listed below, defined by the United Nations as the least developed countries (LDCs). The application system will automatically waive the payment based on the citizenship you select on the application. International applications from countries not listed as LDCs will not be eligible to receive need-based application fee waivers.
- Afghanistan
- Angola
- Bangladesh
- Benin
- Burkina Faso
- Burundi
- Cambodia
- Central African Republic
- Chad
- Comoros
- Democratic Republic of the Congo
- Djibouti
- Eritrea
- Ethiopia
- Gambia
- Guinea
- Guinea-Bissau
- Haiti
- Kiribati
- Lao People's Democratic Republic
- Lesotho
- Liberia
- Madagascar
- Malawi
- Mali
- Mauritania
- Mozambique
- Myanmar
- Nepal
- Niger
- Rwanda
- Sao Tome and Principe
- Senegal
- Sierra Leone
- Solomon Islands
- Somalia
- South Sudan
- Sudan
- Timor-Leste
- Togo
- Tuvalu
- Uganda
- United Republic of Tanzania
- Yemen
- Zambia
OPT/STEM OPT
Ph.D. in Data Science graduates will be eligible to apply for Optional Practical Training (12 months) and consecutively STEM OPT Extension (24 months).
F-1 Visa/I-20
Admitted international applicants will be required to submit supplemental documentation to the International Student & Scholars Program confirming the financial resources available for their study in the United States. Timely submission of the I-20 request form and financial forms is imperative in receiving the I-20 form and applying for the F-1 student visa or transferring the SEVIS record. Connect with the International Student Office with all questions related to student visas and immigration statuses. Do not submit financial documentation with your application.
Financial Aid
Admitted applicants will receive financial support from the School of Data Science for the duration of their enrollment in the program, pending satisfactory completion of requirements and progression through the program. This includes full remission of tuition, fees, the premium for single-person coverage through the University of Virginia’s student health insurance plan, and annual wages. Read more on the Tuition and Fees page.
Health Insurance Requirement
All UVA students, both domestic and international, are charged the full comprehensive fees with their tuition must meet the health insurance verification requirements. Read the details of the health insurance requirements here. The health insurance premium will be covered under the financial aid package.
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For technical questions about the application, contact sdsadmission@virginia.edu. For all other questions, connect with us.