Stanford University

Postgraduate study has been a feature of Stanford University since it was founded in 1891, and today more than 9,300 students are enrolled in master’s and PhD programs across 90 departments and programs in all of Stanford’s seven graduate schools. These are: business; earth, energy and environmental sciences; education; engineering; humanities and sciences; law; and medicine. 

Recent figures show that engineering is Stanford’s most popular graduate school, accounting for around 40 percent of students. Stanford was actually ranked second in the world for engineering & technology in the QS World University Rankings by Subject 2018, behind the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). After engineering, the next most popular graduate school at Stanford is humanities and science, which accounts for a quarter of graduate students. 

A third of graduate students are international and men make up 61 percent. In contrast to Ivy League schools, a majority of graduate students (69 percent) are studying towards a master’s degree. 

To be considered for postgraduate study, candidates must provide three types of document: a statement of purpose, letters of recommendation, and university transcripts (academic records). 

Departments may require additional materials, such as writing samples, so it’s important for students to review whichever department they intend to apply to in advance. 

There is a non-refundable application fee of $125, and all students must submit GRE test scores as part of their application. In addition, non-native English speakers must prove their proficiency in the language by submitting an official TOEFL exam score.

Tuition at Stanford varies according to the program taken. Generally speaking, a graduate is expected to cover a minimum of eight units for the Autumn, Winter, and Spring quarters, at a cost of $10,620 per quarter to be considered full-time. 

Those who study more than ten units per quarter, as well as all medicine, law, and business school graduate students, are charged more, at around $20,000 per quarter. 

For doctoral students, the cost of tuition can be offset by university fellowships, research assistantships, and teaching assistantships. In special cases, master's students may be able to receive these too, and charities, firms and external organizations have also helped graduate students at Stanford finance their studies. 

Those whose funding does not cover all of their costs may need to use student loans, savings, or other personal assets to meet their educational expenses. More information on the financial assistance available to Stanford students is available directly from the university.