Learn More about Graduate Programs in Engineering
Important Dates
Applications Open: August 1
This is the date by which most programs begin accepting Fall 2027 applications. If you have further questions, please directly contact the office of your program of interest.
Your application should be submitted through the Vanderbilt University Graduate School.
Fall 2027 Ph.D. and M.S. Deadlines
Applications must be submitted by 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time on the deadline date.
| December 1, 2026 | Fee waiver deadline for Ph.D. applicants for Fall 2027 admission. |
| December 15, 2026 | Ph.D. application deadline for Fall 2027 admission (recommended submission date; fee waiver NOT available after Dec. 1.). |
| January 8, 2026 | Final Ph.D. application deadline for Fall 2027 admission. |
| March 15, 2027 | Final M.S. application deadline for Fall 2027. (No application fee for M.S. program.) |
Ph.D. applicants are encouraged to submit their applications by December 15 whenever possible to allow sufficient time to ensure that all materials are complete and to address any outstanding application requirements before the final deadline. Applications will continue to be accepted through January 8.
Spring 2027 Ph.D. and M.S. Deadlines
| October 15, 2026 | Ph.D. application deadline for Spring 2027. |
| October 15, 2026 | M.S. application deadline for Spring 2027. |
| Ph.D. programs offering Spring 2027 admission | Electrical and Computer Engineering Mechanical Engineering |
| M.S. programs offering Spring 2027 admission | Biomedical Engineering Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering Electrical and Computer Engineering Mechanical Engineering |
Spring/Fall 2027 M.Eng. Deadlines
Applications for the School of Engineering's Master of Engineering (M.Eng.) programs are evaluated on a rolling basis for Spring* and Fall 2027 matriculation.
*The following M.Eng. programs offer Spring admission: Cyber-Physical Systems (CPS), Engineering and Surgical Intervention (ESI), Mechanical Engineering (ME), and Risk, Reliability and Resilience (RRR)
Admissions Responses: April 15
Deadline for applicants to respond to offers of admission. If your reply is not received by April 15th, the department may reallocate any offer of financial award.
Graduate Funding and Fellowships
For Master's degree students, partial tuition scholarships may be available to qualified applicants. Doctoral candidates are awarded full financial assistance in the form of teaching or research positions. This support typically includes a full-tuition scholarship, monthly stipend, and paid health insurance. Student activity fees, which allow access to the student recreation center, are also covered. In addition, individual fellowship awards above and beyond the standard financial aid package are regularly awarded to outstanding applicants.
Learn more about graduate funding
In addition to Vanderbilt's graduate funding, numerous fellowships are available through private donors, philanthropic organizations and government agencies.
Application Guidance
The Vanderbilt School of Engineering seeks well-rounded individual with proven academic accomplishment as well as demonstrated personal character and ambition. Our decision is based on careful evaluation of each applicant's complete record, including an online application, statement of purpose, TOEFL, IELTS, or Duolingo scores if applicable, transcripts and letters of recommendation.
Important for the 2026-2027 admissions cycle: the School of Engineering is not requiring Graduate Record Examination (GRE) scores for consideration for admission.
Vanderbilt is a comprehensive research university and holds the highest designation of research universities in the Carnegie classification system. All applicants for both the master and doctoral degrees are considered on the basis of merit.
International Student Applicants
For international students who did not graduate from an institution in a country where English is the official language, proficiency in English must be shown by a minimum score of 89 on the TOEFL, 7.0 on the IELTS test, and for the Duolingo English test the minimum acceptable score is 130. For more information please visit the Graduate School website.
Transcript Submissions
Transcripts can be sent either via the postal service or via secure electronic delivery. In order to be considered official, transcripts and other documents must come directly from the institution attended. Some institutions provide secure electronic delivery of transcripts. These submissions may be made to cdm@vanderbilt.edu.
Transcripts sent via the postal service should be addressed as follows:
CDM
PMB 407833
2301 Vanderbilt Place
Nashville, TN 37240-7833
Contact Us
Garrett Marino
Senior Director of Enrollment Management
Santavaya Jordan
Assistant Director for Graduate Recruiting
PMB 351826
2301 Vanderbilt Place
Nashville, TN 37235-1826
gradengineering@vanderbilt.edu