Electrical Engineering and Computer Sciences at University of California: Fees, Living Costs, Test Scores, Visa Process, Work during Study, Entry Requirements.

UC Berkeley MEng Electrical Engineering and Computer Sciences Fees, Requirement, Application, Deadline 2026.

Berkeley, CaliforniaLocation
UniversitySchool type
Estd1868established year
45882enrollment
Public
Berkeleycampus
6.9/10

Master of Engineering [MEng] (Electrical Engineering and Computer Sciences)

1 year
Full Time
On Campus

$16,902 /Yr

43 Students Applied
4 Students Admitted
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Study Abroad Team

Updated on - Oct 26, 2026

University of California, Berkeley Master of Engineering in Electrical Engineering and Computer Sciences is a one-academic-year, full-time, in-person professional degree starting in Fall 2027. Applicants need a bachelor’s equivalent, GPA 3.0 on 4.0, approximately 75% to 80% or CGPA 7.5 to 8.0 on 10 and strong technical preparation. Fall 2027 tuition is unpublished; 2026-27 tuition and required fees were US$74,085.50 (INR 70.33 Lakhs), as a prior-cycle reference.

The EECS MEng combines advanced technical courses, engineering leadership and a two-semester team capstone that connects design choices with user and commercial needs. Its compressed structure suits applicants prepared for intensive coursework and collaborative delivery, rather than those seeking a thesis-led route or a two-year internship timetable.

  • The 25-unit curriculum includes four technical courses, four leadership units and a five-unit capstone sequence.
  • Students can build depth across computing, hardware, robotics, signal processing and visual computing while retaining some cross-area flexibility.
  • A dedicated career team supports the one-year job search, which must begin alongside the first semester’s academic workload.

Current Admission Status

Applications for the Fall 2027 intake are Open. International student deadline: 6 January 2027 at 8:59 p.m. Pacific Standard Time.

The portal cutoff equals 7 January 2027 at 10:29 a.m. Indian Standard Time. Submit earlier because EECS does not allow application documents or test scores to be updated after submission.

UC Berkeley MEng EECS Fees and Living Costs 2027

The 2027-28 nonresident MEng fee schedule is not yet published, so applicants should not treat the prior total as a Fall 2027 bill. Verify the target fee on the official fee page.

Prior-cycle context: The table uses official 2026-27 nonresident MEng charges as a planning reference. The annual figures combine one new-student fall term, one continuing-student spring term and two international service charges.

2026-27 fee itemAmount (US$)Amount (INR equivalent)
Fall new-student totalUS$37,002.25INR 35.13 Lakhs
Spring continuing-student totalUS$36,883.25INR 35.02 Lakhs
Calculated two-semester schedule subtotalUS$73,885.50INR 70.15 Lakhs
International Student Service Fee for two termsUS$200INR 18,988
Calculated academic charges for planningUS$74,085.50INR 70.33 Lakhs

All INR conversions in the article use a conversion rate of US$1 = INR 94.94 as of 26 October 2026. Rates fluctuate daily, verify before applying.

Source: UC Berkeley Office of the Registrar 2026-27 MEng nonresident fee schedule and international student service fee definition.

  • Do not size an education loan from the prior total because 2027-28 tuition, insurance and campus charges can change.
  • The fee schedule already includes health insurance, while an approved waiver could change the eventual bill only under Berkeley’s stated criteria.
  • Berkeley’s payment plan spreads qualified semester fees across five monthly instalments but does not reduce the amount owed.

Cost of Living in Berkeley for MEng EECS Students

Berkeley’s 2026-27 graduate-professional budget estimates nine months of living and personal expenses for an on-campus student. Monthly figures below divide each official academic-year amount by nine, so they are calculated planning averages rather than published rent quotations.

ExpenseMonthly (US$)Monthly (INR equivalent)Annual (US$)Annual (INR equivalent)
Housing and utilitiesUS$2,102.89INR 2.00 LakhsUS$18,926INR 17.97 Lakhs
FoodUS$942.67INR 89,497US$8,484INR 8.05 Lakhs
Books and suppliesUS$85.33INR 8,102US$768INR 72,914
Miscellaneous and personalUS$319.33INR 30,318US$2,874INR 2.73 Lakhs
TransportationUS$359.78INR 34,157US$3,238INR 3.07 Lakhs
Total living and personal budgetUS$3,810INR 3.62 LakhsUS$34,290INR 32.55 Lakhs

Combining prior-cycle academic charges of US$74,085.50 (INR 70.33 Lakhs) with the professional living budget gives US$108,375.50 (INR 1.03 Crore). This is a prior-cycle planning illustration, not a Fall 2027 quote. General campus baselines also list residence-hall food and housing at US$23,640 (INR 22.44 Lakhs) and on-campus apartment housing at US$20,500 (INR 19.46 Lakhs).

Read More: Cost of Living in the USA for International Students

ROI reality: The prior-cycle planning illustration exceeds INR 1 Crore, so obtain loan terms and scholarship results before committing to Berkeley housing.

Also Check: UC Berkeley MEng EECS Admission

UC Berkeley MEng EECS Admission 2027

Berkeley admits EECS MEng students only for Fall 2027, and applicants need strong computing foundations before the programme begins. The published minimum is GPA 3.0, while the page reports a 3.7 average for admitted students and a 12% average admission rate.

Academic Eligibility for Indian Applicants

A recognised bachelor’s equivalent is necessary, but the undergraduate major need not be EECS or computer science. Applicants from another discipline must prove preparation through coursework, projects, research or industry work covering the expected technical foundation.

Indian grade equivalents below are approximate planning ranges because Berkeley does not publish a universal India conversion for this programme. The university makes the official equivalency decision, and translated records may use its accepted certified translation or World Education Services route.

CriterionPublished EECS requirement or evidenceIndian-applicant interpretation
DegreeBachelor’s degree or recognised equivalent before classes beginA recognised Indian bachelor’s must be judged equivalent to a US bachelor’s
Minimum GPA3.0 on a 4.0 scaleApproximately 75% to 80% or CGPA 7.5 to 8.0 on 10, for planning only
Admitted-student benchmarkAverage admittee GPA 3.7 on a 4.0 scaleApproximately 90% to 93% or CGPA 9.0 to 9.3 on 10; this is not a cutoff
Technical preparationProgramming, algorithms, data structures, computer systems, artificial intelligence and theoryMap transcripts and substantial projects to the listed areas, especially when changing fields
Work experienceNo minimum duration published; recent graduates and early-career professionals are welcomeUse employment only when it demonstrates technical depth, teamwork or leadership potential
GRENot required for EECS MEngPrioritise technical evidence, essays and recommendations instead of treating GRE as compulsory
RecommendationsThree letters required for EECS applicantsSelect recent referees who can assess technical execution, initiative and collaboration
EssaysStatement of Purpose and Personal History Statement, each suggested at one to two single-spaced pagesConnect concentration choice, capstone readiness and leadership evidence without duplicating both essays

The 12% average admission rate describes the programme’s published history, not an Indian-applicant probability. A profile at the 3.0 minimum remains eligible, but the 3.7 admitted average makes evidence beyond grades important for selection.

English Language Proficiency

Applicants whose bachelor’s institution falls under Berkeley’s English-testing rule must submit TOEFL or IELTS unless they meet a published exemption. Review the Fall 2027 English requirements because the accepted TOEFL scale depends on the test date.

Fall 2027 score policy: Berkeley publishes separate requirements before and after the TOEFL scale change on 21 January 2026. The university does not accept Duolingo, TOEFL ITP, MyBest Scores, IELTS Indicator or IELTS One Test Retake.

Test and test dateFall 2027 minimumImportant condition
TOEFL taken 1 June 2025 to 20 January 202690 total on the published 0 to 120 scaleScore must be sent directly using institution code 4833
TOEFL taken on or after 21 January 20265 total, with 4.5 in Speaking and WritingUse Berkeley’s published 1 to 6 scale values without self-conversion
IELTS taken 1 June 2025 to 20 January 20267 overallOnly the accepted Academic test routes qualify
IELTS taken on or after 21 January 20267 overall, with 6.5 in Speaking and WritingScores must be sent electronically from the test centre
  • Indian degree holders should not assume that English-medium instruction creates an exemption unless their record fits Berkeley’s published exemption categories.
  • Choose IELTS when one stable score framework is preferable, or use the revised TOEFL thresholds exactly for tests taken after 20 January 2026.
  • Complete testing early enough for official score matching, but enter valid self-reported results before the EECS deadline if processing remains pending.

Class Profile and Selection Context

The full-time MEng Class of 2026 has 449 students across seven engineering departments, not only EECS. Its average age of 23 supports the programme’s stated fit for recent graduates and early-career professionals, although EECS-specific demographics are not published.

Class of 2026 measurePublished MEng figureScope
Full-time students449All MEng departments
Women32%All MEng departments
Average age23All MEng departments
Countries represented43All MEng departments

Check Out: UC Berkeley Courses and Fees

Selection context

The gap between the 3.0 minimum and 3.7 admitted average means eligibility alone is not a competitiveness signal. Use essays and three recommendations to demonstrate readiness for both EECS depth and team leadership.

Tip for Indian students: Match every prerequisite area to transcript evidence or a substantial project, because career-change eligibility still requires bachelor’s-level computing preparation.

UC Berkeley MEng EECS Application 2027

The Fall 2027 application is open, and EECS accepts no spring or summer entry for this full-time programme. Berkeley opened the graduate portal on 24 September 2026, while EECS closes submissions and supplemental materials on 6 January 2027.

Fall 2027 timeline: Pacific Time controls the portal, and the IST conversions below remove ambiguity for Indian applicants. Months without a numeric date reproduce Berkeley’s published timeline without inventing a day.

StageBerkeley date and timeIndian Standard Time or applicant meaning
Graduate application opened24 September 2026 at 12:00 p.m. Pacific Time25 September 2026 at 12:30 a.m. IST
Application and supplemental materials deadlineWednesday, 6 January 2027 at 8:59 p.m. Pacific Standard TimeThursday, 7 January 2027 at 10:29 a.m. IST
Interviews, only when the committee needs more informationJanuary to February 2027No interview should be assumed, and applicants should monitor email
Admission decisionsMarch 2027The programme publishes a decision month, not a numeric day
Statement of Intent to Register15 April 2027Admitted students should use the time shown in their offer portal
Mandatory orientation and instructionAugust 2027Plan Berkeley arrival only after the programme publishes exact dates

International applicants pay a US$155 application fee (INR 14,716), plus a 4.22% card-processing charge. The calculated payment is US$161.54 (INR 15,337), unless an approved programme-specific exemption applies.

Application Components and Positioning

EECS evaluates technical readiness and leadership potential through one combined application rather than a separate scholarship form. Complete the official Berkeley graduate application only after checking every uploaded file, because submitted materials cannot be replaced.

ComponentEECS MEng requirementBest use of the component
Academic recordsUnofficial records from every post-secondary institution, with degree evidence where neededMake prerequisites and advanced technical progression easy to identify
Statement of PurposeSuggested length of one to two single-spaced pagesConnect a chosen technical direction with capstone and career objectives
Personal History StatementSuggested length of one to two single-spaced pagesExplain initiative, context, barriers and contribution without repeating the purpose statement
RecommendationsThree letters for EECS applicantsUse recent supervisors or faculty who observed complex technical and team work
English evidenceTOEFL or IELTS when the published exemption does not applyEnter a valid self-reported score and arrange official delivery
Funding questionsAutomatic merit consideration, plus a grant section for need-based reviewComplete every financial and essay field before final submission
  • Choose the intended EECS concentration before drafting so technical evidence and career logic point toward the same curriculum.
  • Ask three referees early and provide each person with the project, leadership example and deadline relevant to the requested letter.
  • Submit before the IST conversion of the cutoff because the university’s Pacific timestamp, not the applicant’s local device time, controls acceptance.
  • Use the January to February interview window for readiness, but do not interpret the absence of an interview as an admission outcome.

Submission lock

EECS states that uploaded documents, test scores and other information cannot be updated after submission. Finalise concentration choices, file versions and recommender details before paying the application fee.

Application tip: Work backward from 7 January 2027 at 10:29 a.m. IST and reserve the final week for document and recommender checks.

UC Berkeley MEng EECS Scholarships 2027

International EECS applicants can access two current MEng awards through the admission application, while an I-House award can reduce residential costs after admission. Berkeley has not published Fall 2027 rupee amounts or separate scholarship deadlines.

Current published funding terms: Percentage awards below remain cycleless on the live funding page and are not guaranteed target-cycle values. Their percentages must not be converted using the older 2026-27 tuition schedule.

AwardPublished valueIndian-applicant eligibilityApplication route and timing
Fung Excellence ScholarshipApproximately 25% to 50% of tuition and feesAll full-time MEng applicants receive merit consideration, including international applicantsAutomatic with the MEng application due 6 January 2027
MEng Opportunity GrantApproximately 25% to 30% of tuition and feesInternational applicants demonstrating financial need and educationally diverse experience may qualifyComplete the grant and essay portions before the MEng deadline
I-House Scholarship ProgramPartial room and board supportAdmitted Berkeley students seeking I-House residence and demonstrating financial needUse the separate I-House process after admission and check its current schedule

The Fung Excellence Scholarship depends on department nomination, while the Opportunity Grant requires applicants to complete the financial section and related essay. Because both awards cover percentages, their cash value remains unknown until Berkeley publishes 2027-28 charges and an applicant receives an award.

Dean’s Full Scholarship and Dean’s Grant do not fit a typical Indian international profile because they require California tuition residency. They also require a University of California or California State University bachelor’s. Excluding these restricted awards avoids overstating funding available to a direct applicant from India.

  • Complete every opportunity-grant field before submitting because the need-based review uses information inside the admission application.
  • Keep a full-cost funding plan because Berkeley says most international MEng students remain responsible for the entire cost of attendance.
  • Treat I-House support as a housing offset only after admission, not as a substitute for proof of tuition funds.
  • Investigate private borrowing early because international students cannot use US federal loans and usually need a US co-signer for listed private options.

Read More: UC Berkeley Scholarships for International Students

Funding limitation

The published MEng awards are selective percentages, and Fall 2027 cash values remain unpublished. Submit the strongest funding application possible, but obtain finance approval that does not depend on an award.

Scholarship reality: International applicants have two programme funding routes, yet neither publishes a guaranteed 2027 amount, so scholarships should remain upside rather than base financing.

UC Berkeley MEng EECS Salary 2027

The strongest available career evidence is the EECS-filtered MEng Class of 2025 dashboard, not a university-wide salary benchmark. It reports a US$150,000 median base salary (INR 1.42 Crore) among known records, but it does not publish an EECS offer rate.

EECS MEng Class of 2025 Salary Evidence

Salary figures cover the EECS department’s reported MEng destinations six months after graduation. They describe the known Class of 2025 records and should not be read as guaranteed pay for every graduate.

EECS course-cohort measureAmount (US$)Amount (INR equivalent)Evidence scope
Median base salaryUS$150,000INR 1.42 CroreKnown EECS MEng Class of 2025 salary records
Median signing bonusUS$18,000INR 17.09 LakhsKnown EECS MEng Class of 2025 bonus records

Source: Fung Institute Class of 2025 employment dashboard, filtered to the Electrical Engineering and Computer Sciences department.

Destination evidence: The dashboard reports an 86.8% EECS knowledge rate, meaning Berkeley knew the destination of that share of the cohort. A knowledge rate is not an employment rate, and the dashboard does not supply a denominator for placement claims.

Reported EECS outcomeClass of 2025 countWhat the count establishes
Software engineer40Largest reported job-title group among known EECS records
Machine learning engineer9Reported role count, not a hiring probability
Hardware engineer7Evidence of hardware pathways alongside software outcomes
Computer software industry49Largest reported industry group among known EECS records
Computer hardware industry6Second-largest named technical industry group
Google, Meta and Apple9, 8 and 4 offersReported employer presence, not sponsorship or future recruitment commitments

The concentration mix explains why outcomes span software, machine learning and hardware rather than one occupation. Applicants should align course selection and capstone work with one target market, because a nine-month programme leaves little time for unfocused recruiting.

ROI for Indian Applicants

The prior-cycle planning illustration reaches US$108,375.50 (INR 1.03 Crore) before financing costs, while the Fall 2027 bill remains unpublished. Course-specific salary evidence is encouraging, but cycle-mismatched costs prevent a defensible payback calculation.

  • The 25-unit one-year structure limits internship runway, so start portfolio refinement and employer outreach before arriving in Berkeley.
  • The US$150,000 median (INR 1.42 Crore) is gross reported pay, so model taxes, Bay Area expenses and loan interest before comparing repayment capacity.
  • Programme awards cover selective percentages rather than guaranteed cash, so secure financing for the full published bill before counting scholarship savings.
  • Eligible graduates may access 12 months of OPT plus a conditional 24-month STEM extension, so target degree-related employers that meet extension rules.
  • An India return removes the US salary basis, so compare rupee loan instalments against written Indian compensation offers rather than converting Berkeley’s median.

Take-home pay varies with tax residency, location, benefits and withholding, so the median cannot be used as disposable income. After receiving a US offer, use the IRS Tax Withholding Estimator when eligible and add California deductions separately.

ROI reality: EECS reports a US$150,000 median base salary (INR 1.42 Crore), but only a funded one-year plan and timely recruiting make that outcome evidence financially useful.

US Visa for UC Berkeley MEng EECS Students 2027

Admitted Indian students normally use the F-1 academic student visa after Berkeley issues Form I-20. The visa application costs US$185 (INR 17,564), while the I-901 SEVIS fee is US$350 (INR 33,229). Their combined US$535 (INR 50,793) is separate from tuition and Berkeley’s living-cost budget.

  • Eligible graduates can seek 12 months of OPT and a 24-month STEM extension, creating a conditional work window of up to 36 months.
  • An H-1B employer must pay the higher actual or prevailing wage, so there is no single MEng-linked sponsorship salary threshold.
  • Employment-based permanent residence depends on category, employer action and visa availability, and the degree creates no automatic settlement timeline.
  • An F-2 spouse or unmarried child under 21 may accompany the student, but F-2 dependants cannot work in the United States.

Check Out: Post-Study Work Options in the USA

Visa reality: The 36-month OPT pathway is conditional, so target degree-related roles with qualifying employers before the initial work period ends.

UC Berkeley MEng EECS Ranking 2027

Berkeley’s relevant published evidence is the 2026 U.S. News graduate subject ranking, not a standalone MEng league table. Electrical engineering and computer engineering rank first, while computer science ranks fourth nationally.

Ranking scope: The positions apply to Berkeley’s graduate disciplines at institution level. They describe academic reputation and peer assessment, not this professional course’s admission odds, salary or employer sponsorship.

Graduate disciplineU.S. News 2026 positionPrevious published positionCourse relevance
Electrical engineeringNo. 1No. 1Relevant to physical electronics, signal processing and hardware study
Computer engineeringNo. 1No. 1Relevant to computer systems, embedded software and integrated design
Computer scienceNo. 4No. 2Relevant to data science, systems and visual computing study

The rankings support the academic strength of both halves of EECS, which matters when an applicant wants cross-area technical depth. However, concentration fit and the capstone model should drive the decision because the credential remains one intensive professional year.

Read More: UC Berkeley Subject Rankings

Honest take: The No. 1 electrical and computer engineering positions strengthen academic credibility, but applicants should choose Berkeley for its technical-leadership structure rather than rank alone.

UC Berkeley MEng EECS fits applicants with proven technical foundations who want concentrated engineering leadership rather than a thesis-led master’s. Its capstone and concentration model turns technical depth into team delivery, which supports both specialist and product-facing roles. However, the one-year pace and prior-cycle budget above INR 1 Crore create substantial workload and funding risk. Before 6 January 2027, map every prerequisite, confirm finance without assumed scholarship income and select the concentration that best supports a focused job search.

UC Berkeley MEng EECS FAQs

Ques. Is UC Berkeley MEng EECS worth the cost for an Indian applicant?

Ans. The case is strongest for applicants targeting technical leadership in software, hardware or related US markets. The EECS Class of 2025 median was US$150,000 (INR 1.42 Crore), but the prior-cycle budget exceeded INR 1 Crore. Treat the salary as cohort evidence, not a payback promise, and proceed only with finance that survives a delayed job search.

Ques. Can I apply to Berkeley MEng EECS without an EE or CS degree?

Ans. Yes, the department does not require a particular major, but it expects bachelor’s-level preparation in programming, algorithms, data structures, systems, artificial intelligence and theory. A career changer should map accredited coursework and substantial projects to those areas. Eligibility without that evidence is unlikely to show readiness for the compressed curriculum.

Ques. How competitive is a 3.0 GPA for Berkeley MEng EECS?

Ans. A 3.0 GPA meets the published minimum, yet the reported admitted-student average is 3.7 and the programme’s average admission rate is 12%. The average is not a cutoff, but it changes the application strategy. Applicants near the minimum need unusually clear technical progression, strong recommendations and evidence of capstone-ready teamwork.

Ques. How much funding should I arrange before accepting an offer?

Ans. Fall 2027 charges are unpublished, while the prior-cycle academic and living illustration totals US$108,375.50 (INR 1.03 Crore). Arrange capacity for the full target bill because programme scholarships are selective percentages. Replace the older figure when Berkeley posts 2027-28 fees and add loan interest to the acceptance decision.

Ques. How long can an Indian graduate work in the United States after this MEng?

Ans. An eligible F-1 graduate can seek 12 months of Optional Practical Training and a conditional 24-month STEM extension. The resulting 36-month window requires degree-related work and compliance with extension rules. It does not guarantee H-1B sponsorship or permanent residence, so employer eligibility should shape the job shortlist.


Tuition Fees

Year1st Year Fees
Tuition Fees$16902

Other Expenses

HeadAvg Cost Per Year
Housing & Utilities$17312
Transportation$3166

Important Dates

The Fall 2026 Graduate Admission application for EECS is now open.

Scores Required

7 / 9

Avg. Score in

IELTS

90 / 120

Avg. Score in

TOEFL

3 / 4

Minimum gpa

GPA

155

Application Fees


Ranking

202620252024202320222021202020192018

Collegedunia Study Abroad logo

QS World University logo
Engineering 6 out of 556 in Global Ranking
( #3 out of 74 in USA 2026)

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TOP Scholarships

Scholarship nameAward amountEligibility
Guru Gobind Singh Fellowship$30,000Student must be a graduate of an Indian or Pakistani university in designated area.
MEng Opportunity GrantCovers approximately 25-30% of tuition and feesAvailable to students demonstrating financial need and who contribute to educational diversity; international students are eligible.
Fung Fellows AwardCovers approximately one-third of tuitionMerit-based, all applicants considered



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Scholarship Grants & Financial Aids

NameScholarship Per StudentLevel of StudyType
QS Connect Master’s ScholarshipScholarship per student$ 5,000/Yr$5,000Level Of StudyMasterTypeMerit-Based
Go Clean ScholarshipScholarship per student$ 3,500/Yr$3,500Level Of StudyBachelorTypeMerit-Based
Business Administration ScholarshipsScholarship per studentVariable AmountLevel Of StudyBachelorTypeMerit-Based
Novus Biological Scholarship ProgramScholarship per student$ 1,500/Yr$1,500Level Of StudyAssociateTypeMerit-Based
Washington DC ScholarshipsScholarship per studentVariable AmountLevel Of StudyBachelorTypeMerit-Based
TEC ScholarshipScholarship per student$ 1,000/Yr$1,000Level Of StudyBachelorTypeMerit-Based

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