The program offers three distinct features to position graduates for higher-level positions and more influence in your organization:

• A cross-disciplinary cohort that covers a core curriculum in engineering leadership.
• The completion of a hands-on capstone project with industry relevance and tangible impact supported by project management, teaming and coaching.
• The benefits of tailored career advising focused on professional development and career placement.

In the MEng program, students deepen their technological expertise by completing 12 units of graduate-level engineering coursework. This is balanced with 8 units of leadership coursework covering the essential business and management concepts engineers must know to advance to higher positions in industry. Additionally, 5 units of focused work on the capstone project integrate the technical and leadership elements of the curriculum.

MBA/MEng: Earn two master’s degrees (MBA & MEng) in two years through our joint degree program with the Berkeley Haas School of Business. As many of our MEng students are recent graduates, some will work for 5-8 years and then return to school for an MBA or EMBA degree. Learn more.

For those seeking a research or academic career, an MS/PhD program may be the best fit. However, if you ever intend to start a firm or take on managerial roles within the industry, or simply want to multiply the effectiveness of your technical research, the MEng is an excellent choice. The MEng provides both the leadership and technical skills for advancement toward these goals after just one year of intensive, industry-oriented study.

In a 5th-year master’s, you continue to take engineering coursework, but you do not have access to the leadership coursework, integrative capstone experience, or specialized career development services.

The Berkeley MEng is a 2-semester program with 450-600 students that develops leadership and professional skills in engineers. The program allows students to select a technical focus from over 35 concentrations in the College of Engineering, including a Product Design concentration in the Mechanical Engineering department which is focused on design methodologies. The MDes is a 3-semester, interdisciplinary design and innovation program with between 30-45 students per year, offered through both the College of Engineering and College of Environmental Design. Both are professional degree programs for students targeting a career in industry, entrepreneurship, nonprofit or other non-academic positions.

Compare the Berkeley MEng to other UC Berkeley College of Engineering professional degree programs.

IEOR’s Master of Engineering program focuses on engineering leadership. The Master of Analytics program shares core analytical methods courses with the Master of Engineering program, but it offers elective decision analytics courses with industry context in place of the Master of Engineering leadership courses as well as an Analytics Lab – a project oriented course for building analytics solutions from ground up

Whereas Master of Engineering students start the program with a pre-semester boot camp on leadership, Master of Analytics program starts with a 50-hour Python programming language bootcamp.

The Master of Analytics program includes a summer internship to help students with career placement instead of the two-semester Master of Engineering capstone project.

Both programs have a quantitative curriculum, however, the Master of Engineering program may be a better fit for those more interested in developing their leadership skills along with quantitative interests, while the Master of Analytics program may be a better option for those students with more data and quantitative interests along with industry context.

Compare the Berkeley MEng to other UC Berkeley College of Engineering professional degree programs.

Obtaining graduate level technical expertise as well as exposure to business and leadership topics increases your competitiveness in the search for your next professional position. Review our MEng Alumni Employment Data to see the job titles and salaries of our recent graduates.

The MEng program welcomes early-career professionals who opt to resume their education. Industry experience will be an advantage in the leadership and capstone courses. Being out of school for more than 5-7 years may make the technical or quantitative graduate courses more challenging. In the selection process, we will be looking for a balance of these two skillsets.

We accept applications once per year for a fall semester program start. The Berkeley MEng application opens in September and is due in early January. Most admitted students will be notified by mid-March.

Follow your department’s instructions for submitting your letters of recommendation, GRE (not required for BioE, CEE, EECS, ME, MSE, NE and optional for IEOR.) and TOEFL (for international students, if required) scores and other supplemental materials. Annual application deadlines are listed here. 

The best resource while you are preparing your MEng application is the Graduate Admissions FAQ website which describes all graduate application requirements in detail.

Please direct all GPA related questions to your department, they will be able to provide you with specific information on their GPA calculation requirements. Generally, if your department does not require a GPA calculation, you do not need to convert your grades to a 4.0 scale.

In all cases, you are required to submit your transcript in English; transcript copy can be unofficial. Academic records should be issued in the original language and accompanied by English translations. Learn more on the Graduate Division Admissions Requirements page.

The MEng application now includes video/audio requirements with this prompt: Please upload a 1-2 minute video or audio file on the Audio/Visual page explaining how you have solved an engineering problem. The file specifications can be found directly within the “Audio/Visual Uploads” section of the MEng application.

The main purpose for this requirement is to see the applicant’s communication and presentation skills as well as their demonstration of problem solving in engineering context. The prompt is purposefully broad to give applicants an opportunity to present a wide range of answers in their chosen format.

Adding the new audio/video requirement means that we will have this additional information on all applicants, rely less on additional, post-submission interviews. If you are asked to complete an admission interview, this means the department wants to find out more about your communication skills, academic background, overall fit for the program, and/or leadership experience. You can use the interview as an opportunity to ask any questions you have about the program which have not been answered on our website and information sessions. You will be interviewed by either a current MEng student or one of our MEng alumni.

You cannot apply to more than one UC Berkeley graduate program at a time. You will need to decide which graduate program is the best fit for your goals, and apply to that one program. If you are seeking a research or academic career, apply to an MS/PhD program. If you are seeking a professional or management career, apply to the MEng program.

You can only apply to one MEng department per admission term. Before starting your application, review the department’s technical courses and concentrations, and choose the department that is the best fit for your skillset and professional goals.

MEng EECS applicants who select a second choice department will receive only one final decision from Berkeley: an offer of admission or denial from the EECS department, or an offer of admission from your second choice department. Students are offered admission into only one department and one program per year. An offer of admission into your second choice program means you would be held to the degree requirements for that particular program. You can learn more about each department’s degree requirements on their websites.

Offers of admission are not transferable to other departments or degree programs. It is also important to note that you will not be able to enroll in EECS courses, since seats in those classes are reserved for EECS students. If you decide that you prefer to continue pursuing the EECS MEng program, you are welcome to reapply in the next application cycle.

Yes, you’ll need to provide all materials required for a standard UC Berkeley graduate application, such as academic transcripts, a statement of purpose, letters of recommendation, and (if applicable) TOEFL scores. Please review the complete application instructions. In selecting candidates for the professional MEng, the College of Engineering will use the same criteria used for evaluating MS candidates, with extra emphasis on leadership potential. Your statement of purpose and letters of recommendation will be especially important in that regard.

As of Fall 2022, the GRE is not required for BIOE, CEE, EECS, ME, MSE, NE and optional for IEOR. Complete application instructions.

MBA/MEng is the only concurrent degree offered for MEng students at UC Berkeley. However, we do have partnerships with three universities where students can build the MEng program into their other degrees:

• TBSI (China) – The dual-degree MEng program is a 2.5 years program that takes place in both Berkeley and Tsinghua
• ESSEC Business School (France) – A partnership with the MEng program for ESSEC students who are interested in engineering, business, and/or leadership
• Universidad Politécnica de Madrid (Spain) – A partnership with the MEng program for UPM Madrid students who are interested in engineering, business, and/or leadership

In 2021, we received 4,253 applications and enrolled a class of 667 full-time MEng students. The admissions rates vary widely by department. 

Applicants with academic master’s degrees in fields that are different from the MEng department/concentration you are interested in are welcome to apply. The MEng program may be beneficial for your career goals, particularly if it is significantly different from that of your original master’s program and does not duplicate previous technical coursework. Please contact the MEng department you are applying to if you have any questions about your eligibility.

The one-year MEng program follows a cohort model, in which students start in the fall semester and complete the program as part of a closely knit group. This cohort becomes a professional network you can rely on throughout your career. Many of the required courses are offered only once per year and spring courses require the fall courses as a prerequisite. For these reasons, spring admission is unfortunately not an option.

This is a one-year professional program that culminates in the Master of Engineering (MEng) degree. If, partway into the MEng program, you decide to pursue a research career instead, you will need to ask your department faculty and staff how to be considered for the doctoral program. You may be able to apply credits earned in the MEng program toward a PhD, provided you are accepted and at the department’s discretion. Historically, a very small subset of MEng graduates pursue a PhD immediately after graduation (5% or less). 

Yes, you will be a regularly matriculated graduate student and be accorded all the rights and responsibilities associated with this status. Go Bears!

Work experience is not required. The program is designed for recent college graduates and early-career technical professionals. About 3/4 of a typical cohort are recent college graduates.

Yes! International students are encouraged to apply as we seek a globally diverse student cohort. Student visas are available to students admitted into the full-time MEng program. In 2021-22, the class represents 45 different countries and is 76% international by passport.

We strongly encourage Berkeley Engineering undergraduates and alumni to apply given their strong preparatory coursework, although we do not have an official policy giving them preference for admission. We do offer a application waiver for UC Berkeley students and Alumni

See: Berkeley MEng application fee for Cal undergrads and alumni

Upon completion of program requirements, students receive the Master of Engineering (MEng) degree in their chosen technical department; i.e., Civil & Environmental Engineering, Electrical Engineering & Computer Sciences, Industrial Engineering & Operations Research, Materials Science & Engineering, Mechanical Engineering or Nuclear Engineering. The MEng degree is a STEM degree. 

We also offer optional Tech+PLUS certificates to acknowledge additional technical coursework in addition to a student’s technical concentration. 

The full-time MEng program is currently a lock-step, two-semester degree program. Students are expected to graduate in two semesters and exceptions are considered in exceptional circumstances, for example failing a required class. We cannot accommodate requests for planned or voluntary program extensions for non-academic reasons. Students who are interested in a 2-4 year program should apply to the separate and distinct part-time MEng program.  

Students who do not complete all of their degree requirements in the normative time may petition to extend their time to degree; however approval is not guaranteed. UC Berkeley’s Graduate Division considers petitions to extend a student’s program from the degree-granting department on an individual basis for academic reasons only. It is Graduate Division policy that when a student completes their degree requirements, then they will graduate.

Yes, you do not need to have an undergraduate major in the department you are applying to for MEng. Your application should demonstrate your ability to handle the technical and/or quantitative rigor of your engineering concentration, at the graduate level. Please see department web pages for specific technical prerequisites and/or characteristics of a successful application. No specific leadership or business background is required, however your application should demonstrate an interest in the leadership aspect of the program.  

We define diversity broadly, but also recognize the specific challenges facing students from particular demographic groups that have historically faced discrimination and marginalization, including but not limited to underrepresented minority students (particularly Black, Latinx, and Native students), students with disabilities, LGBTQ+ students, undocumented students, students from low socioeconomic backgrounds, veterans, and first generation college students. We also recognize that diverse students bring a wide variety of strengths and cultural wealth that enrich our community. We recognize that diversity alone is not enough and that we also need to foster an inclusive and equitable community in which all our faculty, staff, and undergraduate and graduate students belong and thrive.

Resources on campus include: 

• Connect with a Diversity & Community Fellow
• The Fung Institute’s Commitment to Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging
• The Office of Graduate Diversity
• UC Berkeley Undocumented Student Program
• DACA Letter to Trump from: UC, CSU, CC
• University of California Statement of Principles in Support of Undocumented Members of the UC Community
• UC Berkeley On-Campus Resources for LGBTQ students
• UC Berkeley Disabled Students’ Program
• Arab Resource and Community Center Resources
• Council on American-Islamic Relations
• Stop Hate Awareness Program
• East Bay Community Law Center
• East Bay Sanctuary Covenant

The 2022-23 cohort is planned to be approximately 500 students. Future cohorts are planned for between 450-600 students depending on our capacity to offer excellent courses and co-curricular services. 

While each course and department sizes may vary, typically technical class sizes range from 10-30 students in a technical course, to a weekly lecture of 150. The engineering leadership classes typically range from 25-50 students, depending on the course.

The current MEng Class of 2022 cohort consists of students across all seven departments:

BIOE – 54
CEE – 33
EECS – 153
IEOR – 167
ME – 220
MSE – 27
NE – 13

*Class of 2023 data to be added soon

Yes, you can take Berkeley summer session classes for personal interest before the program starts, but courses will not count towards your degree. We recommend a course to learn the Python programming language. International students can enhance their English skills through courses as well.

The full-time MEng program is currently a lock-step, two-semester degree program. Students are expected to graduate in two semesters and exceptions are considered in exceptional circumstances, for example failing a required class. We cannot accommodate requests for planned or voluntary program extensions for non-academic reasons. Students who are interested in a 2-4 year program should apply to the separate and distinct part-time MEng program.  

Students who do not complete all of their degree requirements in the normative time may petition to extend their time to degree; however approval is not guaranteed. UC Berkeley’s Graduate Division considers petitions to extend a student’s program from the degree-granting department on an individual basis for academic reasons only. It is Graduate Division policy that when a student completes their degree requirements, then they will graduate.

Classes are taught on campus by top Berkeley Engineering faculty and industry expert lecturers. Each semester, a subset of courses may be taught online if this is the best format for the pedagogy of the class and the student experience. For fall 2022 we are planning to offer 2-week boot camp classes both in person and online, and spring 23 2-week boot camp classes will be taught in online sections. Other leadership classes during the semester AY 22-23 are planned to be taught in person.  

You may choose to apply to either the full-time one-year program, or the decelerated, part-time program for working professionals. You will be asked to choose which option you will be considered for during the application process. Both options employ the same standards and criteria for admissions. 

You apply to, and are admitted into one College of Engineering department (and concentration) offering the MEng degree, chosen by you during the admissions process. Admitted students cannot switch departments or degree programs. 

Offers of admission are not transferable to other departments or degree programs. You are required to reapply for next year if you prefer to enroll in the MEng program in another department, or in another degree program, such as MS or PhD.

MEng students admitted to the EECS department cannot switch to a different concentration. Concentration policies for other department vary; please ask your department staff advisor about your department’s policy on switching concentrations. Any changes must be implemented before the program begins in fall.

We offer engineering concentrations across all seven Berkeley Engineering departments. Concentrations specificity and flexibility vary by department, please view our list of engineering concentrations by the department. We also offer optional Tech+PLUS certificates to acknowledge additional technical coursework in addition to a student’s technical concentration. 

The course sequence for your 12 units of technical electives has been carefully designed to give you the optimal exposure to your chosen field in just two semesters. If you have an interest in, for example, energy, your home department (the one offering your technical concentration) may allow you to choose some energy-related technical electives. We also offer optional Tech+PLUS certificates to acknowledge additional technical coursework in addition to a student’s technical concentration.

Yes; on a space availability basis. About 2/3 of MEng students take one or more additional courses during their year in the program. These extra courses are often another technical course in their department or another engineering department, an MBA class like the Lean Launchpad business plan course, or I-School class in information management and systems.

A subset of Berkeley MBA electives are made available each semester for enrollment by other graduate students. The request process and course list are available here. MBA courses do not count towards the requirements for the MEng degree.

Computer Science courses at Berkeley are highly impacted. Students outside of the EECS department should not expect to be able to take non-required CS classes due to limited availality.

MEng students cannot transfer in required classes to decrease the number of units taken while in the MEng program. All 25 required units must be taken on the UC Berkeley campus as an MEng admitted student. Students may petition for an exception to their department to substitute introductory courses for more advanced courses.

In your 8 units of leadership and management coursework, you will learn how technology innovation is managed in both entrepreneurial ventures and established companies. The required skill set is the same in both settings: finding a market for your idea, identifying risks and opportunities, motivating stakeholders, and securing resources. View the full required course schedule here.

Berkeley MEng students are strongly discouraged from working during the two semester program, due to the brevity and intensity of the experience. On-campus employment in graduate student instructional and research positions are limited, and hiring decisions are at the discretion of the department to which you are applying for employment.

The Berkeley MEng capstone experience is unique based on the department and/or concentration. For more information, please visit the capstone selection process.

There are a variety of different project configurations. To learn more about the different examples, please visit the capstone project format.

Our students have worked on a range of project topics – with NASA to build actuators for flexible robots, General Motors (GM) to quantify environmental benefits of autonomous vehicles, and United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) to translate patenting behavior into actionable business insights. 

To see projects that will be offered in the upcoming academic year, please review our Capstone Projects Preview 2022-23 list. 

To see the variety of projects and partners we have had in the past, please review our Project Profiles page.

Admitted students can propose their own capstone project. However, please be advised that this is a competitive process.

Admitted students can propose their own capstone project. Review the Student Capstone Proposal Submission Form for additional details. Getting a capstone project approved is challenging. Please reach out to Dr. Jennifer Mangold to discuss your ideas before submitting the form by June 30. 

Startup or entrepreneurial projects that are proposed and led by admitted students without external support have not been successful in the past and therefore typically are not accepted.

The Berkeley MEng has a dedicated team to assist you in during your career search: Director of Career Development and Alumni Relations, Julie McShane, Assistant Director of Career Development, Dione Rivera, and Career Services Specialist, Alicia Mandac.

You can expect to participate in targeted workshops, individual career coaching, resume/cover letter consultations, job search planning & strategy, interview assistance, and networking opportunities. You will also have access to industry partners, UC Berkeley Career Center job fairs and workshops,employer information sessions, and alumni networks. Please read about career services/resources for more information.

Find out where our students are employed in this comprehensive MEng Employment Report!

In addition to the Berkeley MEng career development services, the UC Berkeley Career Center has an extensive on-campus recruiting program and numerous programs and workshops for engineering students. Both MEng Career Development and the UC Berkeley Career Center have special programs such as how to approach the job market, resume preparation, how to interview, along with providing opportunities to meet employers. Lastly, you will be with a community of engineering leaders from different industries who will be your instant professional network as well as possible mentors, guiding you in your career journey.

In high-tech settings, the program facilitates a career path leading to positions such as technology manager, director of R&D, director of engineering, vice president of engineering and so forth. Virtually all companies and organizations in today’s global economy rely heavily on technology. This program prepares graduates to play a key strategic role in influencing how technology can be managed to advance business objectives. Take a look at the employment trends for our graduates: This report summarizes postgraduate activities for our graduate students from the class of 2020.

The Fung Institute Industry Partnership Program fosters meaningful industry collaboration as we train the next generation of technical innovators and leaders. Across the program’s three dimensions–leadership coursework, technical concentration and capstone project–plus career development workshops, you’ll have regular contact with industry leaders and organizations. Guest lecturers will describe what they’ve learned from their successes and failures. Industry partners will help you apply your technical knowledge to real-world challenges and opportunities. We offer a one unit elective Engineering Leadership Speaker Series; view the videos on YouTube. We also have a large and active alumni network that offers mentorship, recruiting opportunities, and industry expertise through career programming.

Every MEng cohort benefits from tailored career development advising and programming through the Fung Institute for Engineering Leadership Career Development Team. These services emphasize professional development and career search support. Both the Master of Engineering Career Development Team and the Cal Career Center have special programs such as how to approach the job market, resume preparation, how to interview, along with providing opportunities to meet employers.

Yes! MEng program graduates are eligible for 12-month Optional Practical Training (OPT) work authorization, with the 24-month STEM extension under current guidelines. For more information, please consult the Berkeley International Office OPT Information. 

To check the most up-to-date fee information at any time, visit the Office of the Registrar‘s website under “Graduate: Professional – College of Engineering”. Please note that tuition quoted is per semester, and it differs based on whether you qualify as  “resident” or “nonresident” for tuition purposes. Fees for some items such as health insurance are not finalized until June. Actual tuition, fees, and charges are also subject to change by the Regents of the University of California and could be affected by state funding reductions. Accordingly, a student’s final balance due may differ from the amounts listed above. 

Each year, UC Berkeley’s Graduate Division estimates the average additional costs for a graduate student during the nine-month academic year. These costs include living expenses, books and supplies, in addition to fees and tuition. These estimates are the basis for determining financial aid eligibility and supplemental loan borrowing limits. Because these estimates are averages, actual costs–especially housing costs–may be higher. Estimated living expenses are not included in tuition/fees (estimated costs for housing/transportation/food etc.).

Some or all instruction for all or part of the academic year may be delivered remotely. Tuition and fees have been set regardless of the method of instruction and will not be refunded in the event instruction occurs remotely for any part of the academic year. Figures for tuition and fees represent currently approved or proposed amounts and may not be final. Actual tuition and fees are subject to change by the University of California as determined to be necessary or appropriate. Final approved tuition and fee levels may differ from the amounts presented.

Please refer to the MEng Financial Aid website for the most recent tuition and fee estimates. 

Some or all instruction for all or part of the academic year may be delivered remotely. Tuition and fees have been set regardless of the method of instruction and will not be refunded in the event instruction occurs remotely for any part of the academic year. Figures for tuition and fees represent currently approved or proposed amounts and may not be final. Actual tuition and fees are subject to change by the University of California as determined to be necessary or appropriate. Final approved tuition and fee levels may differ from the amounts presented.

All full-Time admitted MEng students are automatically considered for a merit-based Fung Excellence Scholarship. To be considered for the MEng Opportunity Grant (also only available to full-time MEng students), please fill out the College of Engineering Grant Application section within the online application completely by the application deadline. The grant application asks for financial need information as well as a short essay about your ability to contribute to the educational diversity of the cohort.  More information is available on our Tuition & Financial Aid website.

Estimated living expenses are NOT included in tuition/fees. We recommend researching the estimated cost of attendance, including housing, food, and personal costs so that you may budget responsibly.

Multiple federal and private loans are available to MEng students, domestic and international. You can find details about different types of loans and eligibility criteria on our Tuition & Financial Aid webpage. Please work with the UC Berkeley Financial Aid Office to apply for loans.

Students must enroll in a minimum 6 units per semester to be eligible for financial aid, including federal loans. Part-time MEng program students should be prepared to cover the entire cost of the program through employer support, savings, and loans. Scholarships or grants are not widely available for part-time MEng students.

Student Loans

Federal financial aid, in the form of loans, is available for graduate students who are either US citizens or permanent residents taking six or more units per semester. To apply, file the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). The FAFSA is also used to determine eligibility for need-based fellowships and departmental funding. UC Berkeley’s institution code for the FAFSA is 001312. You can and should apply for aid before you are admitted to Berkeley.

UC Berkeley participates in the Federal Direct Loan Program, a federally funded, non-credit-based loan program for US citizens and permanent residents. Up to $20,500 may be borrowed annually through a combination of subsidized and unsubsidized loan funds. Students wanting to borrow more than $20,500 can also use the Federal Grad PLUS Loan.

Employer Support

The majority of our part-time students receive some form of employer support to help with tuition and scheduling.

The Department of Veteran Affairs (VA) website provides extensive details on the education benefits available to veterans in various statuses, such as vocational/rehabilitation, the Post 9/11 GI Bill, and active duty. Check out the VA’s Benefits Calculator to learn more details about the amounts available to you. Please also check out the BAH Calculator to get an idea of what your housing allowance might be.

Veterans Yellow Ribbon Program

The Berkeley MEng program participates in the VA’s Yellow Ribbon Program (YRP). Students who believe they qualify for 100% of the Post 9/11 GI Bill benefits (also known as Chapter 33) can be considered. The Yellow Ribbon Program provides funding for any gap in tuition and fees not already covered by the VA or other fee-specific award. To be considered for YRP funding, please follow the application instructions on the YRP website. For more information contact the UC Berkeley Veteran’s Benefits unit in the Office of the Registrar.