Compare 32 PhD course options at 8 universities in California — rankings, tuition fees, intakes and English requirements for international students. Free admission and visa guidance from GIEC Global.
Stanford University, Stanford
QS World University Rankings 2026: #3
Study Computer Science at Stanford University, Stanford — Bachelor's, Master's, PhD. QS 2026 #3.
Stanford University, Stanford
QS World University Rankings 2026: #3
Study Economics at Stanford University, Stanford — Bachelor's, PhD. QS 2026 #3.
Stanford University, Stanford
QS World University Rankings 2026: #3
Study Engineering at Stanford University, Stanford — Bachelor's, Master's, PhD. QS 2026 #3.
California Institute of Technology (Caltech), Pasadena
QS World University Rankings 2026: #10
Study Biology at California Institute of Technology (Caltech), Pasadena — Bachelor's, PhD. QS 2026 #10.
California Institute of Technology (Caltech), Pasadena
QS World University Rankings 2026: #10
Study Chemistry at California Institute of Technology (Caltech), Pasadena — Bachelor's, PhD. QS 2026 #10.
California Institute of Technology (Caltech), Pasadena
QS World University Rankings 2026: #10
Study Computer Science at California Institute of Technology (Caltech), Pasadena — Bachelor's, PhD. QS 2026 #10.
California Institute of Technology (Caltech), Pasadena
QS World University Rankings 2026: #10
Study Engineering at California Institute of Technology (Caltech), Pasadena — Bachelor's, Master's, PhD. QS 2026 #10.
California Institute of Technology (Caltech), Pasadena
QS World University Rankings 2026: #10
Study Mathematics at California Institute of Technology (Caltech), Pasadena — Bachelor's, PhD. QS 2026 #10.
California Institute of Technology (Caltech), Pasadena
QS World University Rankings 2026: #10
Study Physics at California Institute of Technology (Caltech), Pasadena — Bachelor's, PhD. QS 2026 #10.
University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley
QS World University Rankings 2026: #17
Study Computer Science at University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley — Bachelor's, Master's, PhD. QS 2026 #17.
University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley
QS World University Rankings 2026: #17
Study Economics at University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley — Bachelor's, PhD. QS 2026 #17.
University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley
QS World University Rankings 2026: #17
Study Engineering at University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley — Bachelor's, Master's, PhD. QS 2026 #17.
University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley
QS World University Rankings 2026: #17
Study Public Health at University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley — MPH, PhD. QS 2026 #17.
University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), Los Angeles
QS World University Rankings 2026: #46
Study Computer Science at University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), Los Angeles — Bachelor's, Master's, PhD. QS 2026 #46.
University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), Los Angeles
QS World University Rankings 2026: #46
Study Engineering at University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), Los Angeles — Bachelor's, Master's, PhD. QS 2026 #46.
University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), Los Angeles
QS World University Rankings 2026: #46
Study Psychology at University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), Los Angeles — Bachelor's, PhD. QS 2026 #46.
University of California, San Diego (UCSD), San Diego
QS World University Rankings 2026: #66
Study Biology at University of California, San Diego (UCSD), San Diego — Bachelor's, PhD. QS 2026 #66.
University of California, San Diego (UCSD), San Diego
QS World University Rankings 2026: #66
Study Computer Science at University of California, San Diego (UCSD), San Diego — Bachelor's, Master's, PhD. QS 2026 #66.
University of California, San Diego (UCSD), San Diego
QS World University Rankings 2026: #66
Study Economics at University of California, San Diego (UCSD), San Diego — Bachelor's, PhD. QS 2026 #66.
University of California, San Diego (UCSD), San Diego
QS World University Rankings 2026: #66
Study Engineering at University of California, San Diego (UCSD), San Diego — Bachelor's, Master's, PhD. QS 2026 #66.
University of California, Davis, Davis
QS World University Rankings 2026: #114
Study Biology at University of California, Davis, Davis — Bachelor's, PhD. QS 2026 #114.
University of California, Davis, Davis
QS World University Rankings 2026: #114
Study Computer Science at University of California, Davis, Davis — Bachelor's, Master's, PhD. QS 2026 #114.
University of California, Davis, Davis
QS World University Rankings 2026: #114
Study Engineering at University of California, Davis, Davis — Bachelor's, Master's, PhD. QS 2026 #114.
University of Southern California, Los Angeles
QS World University Rankings 2026: #146
Study Computer Science at University of Southern California, Los Angeles — Bachelor's, Master's, PhD. QS 2026 #146.
University of Southern California, Los Angeles
QS World University Rankings 2026: #146
Study Engineering at University of Southern California, Los Angeles — Bachelor's, Master's, PhD. QS 2026 #146.
University of Southern California, Los Angeles
QS World University Rankings 2026: #146
Study Psychology at University of Southern California, Los Angeles — Bachelor's, PhD. QS 2026 #146.
University of California, Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara
QS World University Rankings 2026: #179
Study Computer Science at University of California, Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara — Bachelor's, Master's, PhD. QS 2026 #179.
University of California, Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara
QS World University Rankings 2026: #179
Study Economics at University of California, Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara — Bachelor's, PhD. QS 2026 #179.
University of California, Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara
QS World University Rankings 2026: #179
Study Engineering at University of California, Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara — Bachelor's, Master's, PhD. QS 2026 #179.
University of California, Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara
QS World University Rankings 2026: #179
Study Mathematics at University of California, Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara — Bachelor's, PhD. QS 2026 #179.
University of California, Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara
QS World University Rankings 2026: #179
Study Physics at University of California, Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara — Bachelor's, PhD. QS 2026 #179.
University of California, Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara
QS World University Rankings 2026: #179
Study Psychology at University of California, Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara — Bachelor's, PhD. QS 2026 #179.
No course matches your search.
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The table below lists PhD courses at universities in California with the university ranking, international tuition, intakes and English requirement. Always confirm the latest details on the official course page before you apply.
| Course & university | Level | University ranking | Tuition fee (international) | Intakes | English requirement |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Computer Science Stanford University | Bachelor's, Master's, PhD | QS World University Rankings 2026: #3 | Approx. $62,000 – $70,000 per year (undergraduate tuition; varies by program) (university-wide) | Fall (August/September) — main intake; some graduate programs also admit in Spring (January) (university-wide) | TOEFL iBT around 100 or IELTS Academic 7.0+ is typically expected (requirements vary by school and program) (university-wide) |
| Economics Stanford University | Bachelor's, PhD | QS World University Rankings 2026: #3 | Approx. $62,000 – $70,000 per year (undergraduate tuition; varies by program) (university-wide) | Fall (August/September) — main intake; some graduate programs also admit in Spring (January) (university-wide) | TOEFL iBT around 100 or IELTS Academic 7.0+ is typically expected (requirements vary by school and program) (university-wide) |
| Engineering Stanford University | Bachelor's, Master's, PhD | QS World University Rankings 2026: #3 | Approx. $62,000 – $70,000 per year (undergraduate tuition; varies by program) (university-wide) | Fall (August/September) — main intake; some graduate programs also admit in Spring (January) (university-wide) | TOEFL iBT around 100 or IELTS Academic 7.0+ is typically expected (requirements vary by school and program) (university-wide) |
| Biology California Institute of Technology (Caltech) | Bachelor's, PhD | QS World University Rankings 2026: #10 | Approx. $62,000 – $70,000 per year (undergraduate tuition; varies by program) (university-wide) | Fall (August/September) — main intake; some graduate programs also admit in Spring (January) (university-wide) | TOEFL iBT around 100 or IELTS Academic 7.0+ is typically expected (requirements vary by school and program) (university-wide) |
| Chemistry California Institute of Technology (Caltech) | Bachelor's, PhD | QS World University Rankings 2026: #10 | Approx. $62,000 – $70,000 per year (undergraduate tuition; varies by program) (university-wide) | Fall (August/September) — main intake; some graduate programs also admit in Spring (January) (university-wide) | TOEFL iBT around 100 or IELTS Academic 7.0+ is typically expected (requirements vary by school and program) (university-wide) |
| Computer Science California Institute of Technology (Caltech) | Bachelor's, PhD | QS World University Rankings 2026: #10 | Approx. $62,000 – $70,000 per year (undergraduate tuition; varies by program) (university-wide) | Fall (August/September) — main intake; some graduate programs also admit in Spring (January) (university-wide) | TOEFL iBT around 100 or IELTS Academic 7.0+ is typically expected (requirements vary by school and program) (university-wide) |
| Engineering California Institute of Technology (Caltech) | Bachelor's, Master's, PhD | QS World University Rankings 2026: #10 | Approx. $62,000 – $70,000 per year (undergraduate tuition; varies by program) (university-wide) | Fall (August/September) — main intake; some graduate programs also admit in Spring (January) (university-wide) | TOEFL iBT around 100 or IELTS Academic 7.0+ is typically expected (requirements vary by school and program) (university-wide) |
| Mathematics California Institute of Technology (Caltech) | Bachelor's, PhD | QS World University Rankings 2026: #10 | Approx. $62,000 – $70,000 per year (undergraduate tuition; varies by program) (university-wide) | Fall (August/September) — main intake; some graduate programs also admit in Spring (January) (university-wide) | TOEFL iBT around 100 or IELTS Academic 7.0+ is typically expected (requirements vary by school and program) (university-wide) |
| Physics California Institute of Technology (Caltech) | Bachelor's, PhD | QS World University Rankings 2026: #10 | Approx. $62,000 – $70,000 per year (undergraduate tuition; varies by program) (university-wide) | Fall (August/September) — main intake; some graduate programs also admit in Spring (January) (university-wide) | TOEFL iBT around 100 or IELTS Academic 7.0+ is typically expected (requirements vary by school and program) (university-wide) |
| Computer Science University of California, Berkeley | Bachelor's, Master's, PhD | QS World University Rankings 2026: #17 | Approx. $46,000 – $52,000 per year (non-resident undergraduate tuition and fees) (university-wide) | Fall (August) — main intake; Spring (January) for selected programs (university-wide) | TOEFL iBT around 100 or IELTS Academic 7.0+ is typically expected (requirements vary by school and program) (university-wide) |
| Economics University of California, Berkeley | Bachelor's, PhD | QS World University Rankings 2026: #17 | Approx. $46,000 – $52,000 per year (non-resident undergraduate tuition and fees) (university-wide) | Fall (August) — main intake; Spring (January) for selected programs (university-wide) | TOEFL iBT around 100 or IELTS Academic 7.0+ is typically expected (requirements vary by school and program) (university-wide) |
| Engineering University of California, Berkeley | Bachelor's, Master's, PhD | QS World University Rankings 2026: #17 | Approx. $46,000 – $52,000 per year (non-resident undergraduate tuition and fees) (university-wide) | Fall (August) — main intake; Spring (January) for selected programs (university-wide) | TOEFL iBT around 100 or IELTS Academic 7.0+ is typically expected (requirements vary by school and program) (university-wide) |
| Public Health University of California, Berkeley | MPH, PhD | QS World University Rankings 2026: #17 | Approx. $46,000 – $52,000 per year (non-resident undergraduate tuition and fees) (university-wide) | Fall (August) — main intake; Spring (January) for selected programs (university-wide) | TOEFL iBT around 100 or IELTS Academic 7.0+ is typically expected (requirements vary by school and program) (university-wide) |
| Computer Science University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) | Bachelor's, Master's, PhD | QS World University Rankings 2026: #46 | Approx. $46,000 – $52,000 per year (non-resident undergraduate tuition and fees) (university-wide) | Fall (August) — main intake; Spring (January) for selected programs (university-wide) | TOEFL iBT around 100 or IELTS Academic 7.0+ is typically expected (requirements vary by school and program) (university-wide) |
| Engineering University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) | Bachelor's, Master's, PhD | QS World University Rankings 2026: #46 | Approx. $46,000 – $52,000 per year (non-resident undergraduate tuition and fees) (university-wide) | Fall (August) — main intake; Spring (January) for selected programs (university-wide) | TOEFL iBT around 100 or IELTS Academic 7.0+ is typically expected (requirements vary by school and program) (university-wide) |
| Psychology University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) | Bachelor's, PhD | QS World University Rankings 2026: #46 | Approx. $46,000 – $52,000 per year (non-resident undergraduate tuition and fees) (university-wide) | Fall (August) — main intake; Spring (January) for selected programs (university-wide) | TOEFL iBT around 100 or IELTS Academic 7.0+ is typically expected (requirements vary by school and program) (university-wide) |
| Biology University of California, San Diego (UCSD) | Bachelor's, PhD | QS World University Rankings 2026: #66 | Approx. $46,000 – $52,000 per year (non-resident undergraduate tuition and fees) (university-wide) | Fall (August) — main intake; Spring (January) for selected programs (university-wide) | TOEFL iBT around 80–100 or IELTS Academic 6.5–7.0 (requirements vary by program) (university-wide) |
| Computer Science University of California, San Diego (UCSD) | Bachelor's, Master's, PhD | QS World University Rankings 2026: #66 | Approx. $46,000 – $52,000 per year (non-resident undergraduate tuition and fees) (university-wide) | Fall (August) — main intake; Spring (January) for selected programs (university-wide) | TOEFL iBT around 80–100 or IELTS Academic 6.5–7.0 (requirements vary by program) (university-wide) |
| Economics University of California, San Diego (UCSD) | Bachelor's, PhD | QS World University Rankings 2026: #66 | Approx. $46,000 – $52,000 per year (non-resident undergraduate tuition and fees) (university-wide) | Fall (August) — main intake; Spring (January) for selected programs (university-wide) | TOEFL iBT around 80–100 or IELTS Academic 6.5–7.0 (requirements vary by program) (university-wide) |
| Engineering University of California, San Diego (UCSD) | Bachelor's, Master's, PhD | QS World University Rankings 2026: #66 | Approx. $46,000 – $52,000 per year (non-resident undergraduate tuition and fees) (university-wide) | Fall (August) — main intake; Spring (January) for selected programs (university-wide) | TOEFL iBT around 80–100 or IELTS Academic 6.5–7.0 (requirements vary by program) (university-wide) |
| Biology University of California, Davis | Bachelor's, PhD | QS World University Rankings 2026: #114 | Approx. $46,000 – $52,000 per year (non-resident undergraduate tuition and fees) (university-wide) | Fall (August) — main intake; Spring (January) for selected programs (university-wide) | TOEFL iBT around 80–100 or IELTS Academic 6.5–7.0 (requirements vary by program) (university-wide) |
| Computer Science University of California, Davis | Bachelor's, Master's, PhD | QS World University Rankings 2026: #114 | Approx. $46,000 – $52,000 per year (non-resident undergraduate tuition and fees) (university-wide) | Fall (August) — main intake; Spring (January) for selected programs (university-wide) | TOEFL iBT around 80–100 or IELTS Academic 6.5–7.0 (requirements vary by program) (university-wide) |
| Engineering University of California, Davis | Bachelor's, Master's, PhD | QS World University Rankings 2026: #114 | Approx. $46,000 – $52,000 per year (non-resident undergraduate tuition and fees) (university-wide) | Fall (August) — main intake; Spring (January) for selected programs (university-wide) | TOEFL iBT around 80–100 or IELTS Academic 6.5–7.0 (requirements vary by program) (university-wide) |
| Computer Science University of Southern California | Bachelor's, Master's, PhD | QS World University Rankings 2026: #146 | Approx. $62,000 – $70,000 per year (undergraduate tuition; varies by program) (university-wide) | Fall (August/September) — main intake; some graduate programs also admit in Spring (January) (university-wide) | TOEFL iBT around 100 or IELTS Academic 7.0+ is typically expected (requirements vary by school and program) (university-wide) |
| Engineering University of Southern California | Bachelor's, Master's, PhD | QS World University Rankings 2026: #146 | Approx. $62,000 – $70,000 per year (undergraduate tuition; varies by program) (university-wide) | Fall (August/September) — main intake; some graduate programs also admit in Spring (January) (university-wide) | TOEFL iBT around 100 or IELTS Academic 7.0+ is typically expected (requirements vary by school and program) (university-wide) |
| Psychology University of Southern California | Bachelor's, PhD | QS World University Rankings 2026: #146 | Approx. $62,000 – $70,000 per year (undergraduate tuition; varies by program) (university-wide) | Fall (August/September) — main intake; some graduate programs also admit in Spring (January) (university-wide) | TOEFL iBT around 100 or IELTS Academic 7.0+ is typically expected (requirements vary by school and program) (university-wide) |
| Computer Science University of California, Santa Barbara | Bachelor's, Master's, PhD | QS World University Rankings 2026: #179 | Approx. $46,000 – $52,000 per year (non-resident undergraduate tuition and fees) (university-wide) | Fall (August) — main intake; Spring (January) for selected programs (university-wide) | TOEFL iBT around 80–100 or IELTS Academic 6.5–7.0 (requirements vary by program) (university-wide) |
| Economics University of California, Santa Barbara | Bachelor's, PhD | QS World University Rankings 2026: #179 | Approx. $46,000 – $52,000 per year (non-resident undergraduate tuition and fees) (university-wide) | Fall (August) — main intake; Spring (January) for selected programs (university-wide) | TOEFL iBT around 80–100 or IELTS Academic 6.5–7.0 (requirements vary by program) (university-wide) |
| Engineering University of California, Santa Barbara | Bachelor's, Master's, PhD | QS World University Rankings 2026: #179 | Approx. $46,000 – $52,000 per year (non-resident undergraduate tuition and fees) (university-wide) | Fall (August) — main intake; Spring (January) for selected programs (university-wide) | TOEFL iBT around 80–100 or IELTS Academic 6.5–7.0 (requirements vary by program) (university-wide) |
| Mathematics University of California, Santa Barbara | Bachelor's, PhD | QS World University Rankings 2026: #179 | Approx. $46,000 – $52,000 per year (non-resident undergraduate tuition and fees) (university-wide) | Fall (August) — main intake; Spring (January) for selected programs (university-wide) | TOEFL iBT around 80–100 or IELTS Academic 6.5–7.0 (requirements vary by program) (university-wide) |
| Physics University of California, Santa Barbara | Bachelor's, PhD | QS World University Rankings 2026: #179 | Approx. $46,000 – $52,000 per year (non-resident undergraduate tuition and fees) (university-wide) | Fall (August) — main intake; Spring (January) for selected programs (university-wide) | TOEFL iBT around 80–100 or IELTS Academic 6.5–7.0 (requirements vary by program) (university-wide) |
| Psychology University of California, Santa Barbara | Bachelor's, PhD | QS World University Rankings 2026: #179 | Approx. $46,000 – $52,000 per year (non-resident undergraduate tuition and fees) (university-wide) | Fall (August) — main intake; Spring (January) for selected programs (university-wide) | TOEFL iBT around 80–100 or IELTS Academic 6.5–7.0 (requirements vary by program) (university-wide) |
Each university sets its own entry requirements. Applicants usually need relevant previous qualifications, a statement of purpose, academic references and proof of English such as IELTS Academic, PTE Academic or TOEFL iBT.
GIEC Global counsellors help you shortlist PhD courses in California, check your eligibility, prepare your SOP and complete your application and Student visa — free of cost.
Stanford University, California Institute of Technology (Caltech), University of California, Berkeley, University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), University of California, San Diego (UCSD), University of California, Davis, University of Southern California, University of California, Santa Barbara. Compare them in the table on this page.
This page lists 32 course options at 8 universities in California.
Most universities accept IELTS Academic, PTE Academic or TOEFL iBT. Check each course page for the exact score.
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