University of California graduate admissions

San Francisco

UC San Francisco is a recognized world leader in health sciences research and education.

Its highly ranked Ph.D. and master's programs in basic and translational sciences, social and population sciences, and clinical sciences are delivered by a distinguished faculty that includes Nobel laureates, Lasker, MacArthur and Shaw award recipients, and scores of National Academy of Sciences members.

Nearly all UCSF graduate programs cross disciplines, generating opportunities to collaborate, expand knowledge and participate in breakthroughs that advance human health on a global scale. UCSF’s innovative and immersive programs combine rigorous class work with cutting- edge research. Access to state-of-the art labs, equipment and core facilities keeps graduate students ahead of the technological curve. Career planning and development activities position students to lead in academia, biotechnology or science and health policy.

The San Francisco Bay Area is the birthplace of biotech and home to many of the most innovative technology companies in the world. Rich in both natural beauty and cultural diversity, it is a place where the arts thrive and the region’s deep history surfaces everywhere, from Golden Gate Park to the SF Jazz Center. The region has great natural beauty, with numerous parks and beaches within easy reach. UCSF students find endless opportunities to explore nearly any intellectual, creative or outdoor pursuits they desire.

UCSF is the only UC campus dedicated to graduate-level study in health sciences. Students can be found in UCSF locations across the city, including Mission Bay, a world-class research hub with over one million square feet of research space.

On campus, UCSF students have created hundreds of groups that build community and help them explore personal and intellectual interests. Campus organizations include our award-winning SACNAS chapter; groups active in science advocacy, communications and policy; and groups focused on cultural and creative pursuits. All foster an inclusive and supportive climate for all learners. With its singular focus on the health sciences, UCSF is a world-class research hub and the closest UC campus to the Silicon Valley biotech empire. It’s the perfect place to launch your career in academia, public, or for-profit sectors.

UCSF is a world leader in health sciences research and education. Its highly ranked Ph.D. and master's programs in basic and translational sciences, social and population sciences, and clinical sciences are delivered by a distinguished award-winning faculty. The UCSF Graduate Division strives to foster the highest quality of graduate education and postdoctoral training; to help graduate programs grow and evolve to meet the changing demands of science and needs of society; to nurture an inclusive and supportive learning environment; and to ensure that every graduate student and postdoc at UCSF can look forward to a meaningful and personally satisfying career.

Graduate Division programs are housed within all four of the professional schools and Global Health Sciences at UCSF. The programs are almost all inter-disciplinary, creating a dynamic and synergistic atmosphere for research. UCSF is among the top universities of its kind in the world and a key contributor to the Bay Area's well-deserved reputation as a hub of innovation, technology, and progressive influence. Our graduate students, postdocs, and faculty take advantage of year-round opportunities to learn from and engage with leaders and ground-breakers in the community and in the region.

In Fiscal Year 2021, for the 15th year in a row, UCSF received more research funds from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) than any other public institution in the United States. Our $100 million Discovery Fellows Program is the largest endowed Ph.D. program in the history of the University of California, designed to support our emerging basic scientists. UCSF employs more than 1,000 postdoctoral scholars, raising the bar on research and providing students with valuable mentors and role models.

Summer research programs

Completing a research project before you apply to graduate school can help you be a competitive applicant. UC San Francisco offers several summer research programs for undergraduates and master's students. Learn more about research at the Summer Research Training Program.

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