University of Virginia

• Resume or CVRequired

  A resume or curriculum vitae. There is no preference for students with or without professional work experience. Do not include high school information.

• Short answer questionsRequired

  Two required short answer questions and one optional (see essay prompts).

• Unofficial transcriptsRequired

  Upload unofficial transcripts of your entire post-secondary academic record, including all undergraduate- and graduate-level institutions attended. Enrolling students must provide official transcripts for all degree-granting institutions and proof of degree conferral by Aug. 1.

• Letters of recommendation2 letters

  If you are currently or were recently a student, one recommendation should be from a professor, instructor, or TA; if you are currently working, one should be from a current or recent supervisor. The second may be from any person who knows you well and can speak to your preparedness for the program.

  Two letters of recommendation. Recommenders receive an email invitation to submit electronically.

• GMAT not reviewedNot accepted

  We do not review other standardized test scores (i.e., GRE, GMAT, MCAT) in our holistic evaluation of applicants.

• GRE not reviewedNot accepted

  We do not review other standardized test scores (i.e., GRE, GMAT, MCAT) in our holistic evaluation of applicants.

• Course-by-course credential evaluationIf your degree wasn't taught in EnglishRequired

  If English was NOT the primary language of instruction at your undergraduate institution: submit a course-by-course credential evaluation from a NACES-member evaluator (IEE and SpanTran offer custom applications for the School of Data Science).

• Duolingo English TestIf your degree wasn't taught in English

  The school’s official pages say this differently. Here is what each one says — check with the school before you rely on it.

  Duolingo English Test (DET)

  Accepted per the admissions page: 130 overall (speaking 125, writing 130, reading 130, listening 125). Scores may be self-reported; all enrolling students must submit an official score report. Valid if taken within two years of the application deadline.

  Admissions ↗

  Duolingo English Test not listed (FAQ)

  The FAQ says all other international applicants (those without an undergraduate degree taught in English) must self-report either a TOEFL or IELTS score; the Duolingo English Test is not listed there.

  FAQs ↗
• IELTSIf your degree wasn't taught in English

  The school’s official pages say this differently. Here is what each one says — check with the school before you rely on it.

  IELTS

  Required if English was NOT the primary language of instruction at your undergraduate institution (one of TOEFL, IELTS or DET). Admissions page minimum: 7.0 overall (speaking 6.5, writing 6.5, reading 7.0, listening 7.0). Scores may be self-reported; all enrolling students must submit an official score report. Valid if taken within two years of the application deadline.

  Admissions ↗

  IELTS (FAQ minimum)

  FAQ minimum: 7.0 total with a minimum score of 6.5 in each section. Both the IELTS Academic and IELTS General Training exams are accepted. Must be taken within the last two years.

  FAQs ↗
• PTE Academic not listedIf your degree wasn't taught in EnglishNot accepted

  Not listed: the admissions page lists TOEFL, IELTS and the Duolingo English Test (DET) as the accepted English proficiency tests.

• Duolingo English Test, IELTS or TOEFLIf your degree wasn't taught in EnglishRequired

  Duolingo English Test (DET): Accepted per the admissions page: 130 overall (speaking 125, writing 130, reading 130, listening 125). Scores may be self-reported; all enrolling students must submit an official score report. Valid if taken within two years of the application deadline.

  IELTS: Required if English was NOT the primary language of instruction at your undergraduate institution (one of TOEFL, IELTS or DET). Admissions page minimum: 7.0 overall (speaking 6.5, writing 6.5, reading 7.0, listening 7.0). Scores may be self-reported; all enrolling students must submit an official score report. Valid if taken within two years of the application deadline.

  IELTS (FAQ minimum): FAQ minimum: 7.0 total with a minimum score of 6.5 in each section. Both the IELTS Academic and IELTS General Training exams are accepted. Must be taken within the last two years.

  TOEFL: Required if English was NOT the primary language of instruction at your undergraduate institution (one of TOEFL, IELTS or DET). Minimums: TOEFL taken prior to Jan. 21, 2026: 100 overall (speaking 22, writing 22, reading 23, listening 23). TOEFL taken after Jan. 21, 2026: 5 overall (speaking 4, writing 4.5, reading 4.5, listening 5). Institution code B875. Scores may be self-reported; all enrolling students must submit an official score report. Valid if taken within two years of the application deadline.

  Waiver / exemption: We will only waive the English-language Test Score requirement if your undergraduate degree was taught in English. Not waived for graduate degrees taught in English or based on citizenship status.

  Waiver / exemption: Not required of applicants who have or will have obtained an undergraduate degree entirely from an institution (or institutions) in which English is the primary language of instruction.

• Audio response (45 seconds)Required · with the application

  Required audio response to one question, in lieu of an interview component (see essay prompts). Audio, not video.

• Interview not part of the processIf invited

  No, an interview is not a part of the application process.

Who can apply

• Bachelor's degreeRequired

  Bachelor's degree earned prior to matriculation from a three- or four-year accredited institution; applicants from all undergraduate majors are welcome.

• Calculus IIRequired

  Single Variable Calculus (Calculus I and II). You can apply without all prerequisites, but they must be completed prior to matriculation; may be met with the Calculus for Data Scientists Boot Camp.

• Linear AlgebraRequired

  One of four prerequisites; must be completed prior to matriculation. May be met with the Linear Algebra for Data Scientists Bootcamp.

• ProgrammingRequired

  One of four prerequisites; must be completed prior to matriculation. May be met with the Python/R for Data Scientists Bootcamps.

• StatisticsRequired

  One of four prerequisites (introductory statistics); must be completed prior to matriculation.

• Essay 1 · RequiredData Science is about solving the world’s most challenging and compelling problems. Tell us about a time when you worked on a team to solve a meaningful data-related challenge. What was the problem, what was your role in solving it, and what was the outcome?

  Data Science is about solving the world’s most challenging and compelling problems. Tell us about a time when you worked on a team to solve a meaningful data-related challenge. What was the problem, what was your role in solving it, and what was the outcome?

• Essay 2 · Required · 250 wordsExcellence in data science requires collaboration; students and faculty succeed by working together and relying on one another. What about your background, perspective, or life experiences will enable you to contribute to our collaborative community?

  Excellence in data science requires collaboration; students and faculty succeed by working together and relying on one another. What about your background, perspective, or life experiences will enable you to contribute to our collaborative community?

• Essay 3 · To apply for the REGARDS Genomics Concentration · 250 wordsComplete the subsequent short answer prompt (150-250 words) about why you wish to pursue the REGARDS Genomics Concentration and how it will help you reach your professional goals.

  Complete the subsequent short answer prompt (150-250 words) about why you wish to pursue the REGARDS Genomics Concentration and how it will help you reach your professional goals.

• Essay 4 · Optional · 250 wordsOptional: Use this space to provide insight and/or context regarding aspects of your application not otherwise addressed in the application, including, but not limited to, aberrant grades, gaps in your academic record or resume, or other extenuating circumstances.

  Optional: Use this space to provide insight and/or context regarding aspects of your application not otherwise addressed in the application, including, but not limited to, aberrant grades, gaps in your academic record or resume, or other extenuating circumstances.

• Essay 5 · Required · 250 wordsWhat skills and/or knowledge do you want to gain from UVA’s M.S. in Data Science program to help you achieve your professional goals?

  What skills and/or knowledge do you want to gain from UVA’s M.S. in Data Science program to help you achieve your professional goals?

• Essay 6 · To apply for the Sports Data Science concentration · 250 wordsComplete the subsequent short answer prompt (150-250 words) about a sports data science-related experience that deepened your interest in pursuing a career in the field.

  Complete the subsequent short answer prompt (150-250 words) about a sports data science-related experience that deepened your interest in pursuing a career in the field.