Fully Funded PhD Program in Computer Science at Duke University
Duke Computer Science gives incoming students an opportunity to investigate a range of topics, research problems, and research groups before committing to an advisor in the first year.
Funding from the department and Duke makes it possible to attend group meetings, seminars, classes and colloquia. Students may work on multiple problems simultaneously while finding the topic that will motivate them through their first project. Sharing this time of learning and investigation with others in the cohort helps create lasting collaborators and friends.
PhD in Computer Science Program Requirements
Applicants must hold either a US bachelor’s degree or its equivalent from a regionally accredited institution. If the degree was granted by an institution outside of the US, the institution must be accredited by the governing educational body of the country (such as the ministry of education).
We recommend that candidates who did not receive a 4-year bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university have their credentials evaluated by a third-party service.
PhD Funding Coverage
The Department and The Graduate School commit to funding students in good standing for 5 years, although funding usually goes beyond that when the student needs more time to finish.
Support for the first two years is typically a combination of grad fellowships and teaching assistantships. This arrangement gives junior PhD students an opportunity to explore new areas and options for research before requiring financial support from faculty advisors.
Support for the the third year and beyond is provided by the advisor’s research grant funding. Stipend support can come from a combination of grad fellowship, teaching assistantship, or research assistantship during any year of support, although the scenario above is most typical.
Each admitted Ph.D. will receive a letter that details the financial support package to be offered; information in this letter subsumes and supersedes the information in this section, which is intended as a brief overview.
Application Requirement
2. Transcripts: As part of your online application, you must upload one copy of the scanned unofficial transcript from each undergraduate and graduate institution where you
- earned (or will earn) a degree;
- studied for one semester or more;
- earned 12 or more hours of credit; or
- took classes that relate to your graduate study interests.
3. Letters of Recommendation: The Graduate School requires three recommendation letters in support of your application (Applications for Graduate Liberal Studies require only two recommendation letters). Your recommenders must submit their letters of recommendation electronically via the online recommendation system.
4. Statement of Purpose: As part of your online application, you must upload a statement of purpose. The statement should be one to two pages and single spaced. It should briefly discuss
- your purposes and objectives in pursuing graduate study;
- your special interests and plans;
- your strengths and weaknesses in your chosen field;
- any research projects or any independent research in which you have actively participated and how they have influenced your career choice and desire to pursue graduate studies; and
- any particular reasons you may have for applying to Duke (e.g. you would like to work with a specific faculty member).
5. Resume / CV: As part of your online application, you must upload a resume or curriculum vitae (CV). This document should summarize your education, academic achievements, work history, and professional accomplishments. It may also include a list of skills, publications, research experiences, and other credentials that demonstrate your preparedness for graduate study.
6. GRE: Not required
7. English Language Proficiency Test Scores: If your first language is not English, you must submit scores from either the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or the academic modules of the International English Language Testing System (IELTS).
8. GPA: You are required to provide an undergraduate grade point average (UGPA) in the Additional Academic Information section of your application. Duke does not have an absolute cut-off point for UGPA when considering applicants, but it may be useful to review the averages and ranges for grades of applicants admitted in recent years.
Application Deadline
December 14, 2023
Application Fee
The Duke University Graduate School application fee is $95.
