• What is the organizational structure of the NGP and who do I apply to?

The NGP is part of the umbrella program at UVA called the Biomedical Sciences Graduate Program (BIMS). The BIMS program is a part of the School of Medicine (SOM). You must apply through BIMS in order for the NGP to consider your application.

• What is the application deadline?

The application deadline for the Neuroscience Graduate Program is December 1st.   All materials required for the application should be submitted and received by December 1st.  These deadlines are for admission for the following summer/fall semester. We do not offer spring admissions.

• What is the application deadline if I want to be considered for financial aid?

December 1st.

• How do I apply to the Neuroscience Graduate Program?

Follow these instructions.  Be sure to choose “Neuroscience” or “Neuroimmunology” as the first of the three Research Interests on your application. Make sure you mention your desire to pursue a PhD in Neuroscience in your Statement of Purpose. Your application will be sorted based on your first area of interest, and if you wish to be considered for admission to the NGP, you must indicate Neuroscience as your primary area of interest.

• I am an international applicant. Should I apply online or send a hard copy of the application?

All applications must be submitted online.

• Where should I send supplemental documents (i.e., transcripts)?

Applicants must upload unofficial transcripts of their entire post-secondary academic record to the online application, including all undergraduate- and graduate-level coursework. Transcripts that are not stated in English must be accompanied by a translation into English.

Please do not request and mail official transcripts as part of the application process.  Unofficial transcripts are sufficient for the faculty’s review of your application.  If you are offered admission to the BIMS program, you will be asked at that time to send official transcripts from each college or university you have attended to the Admissions Office.

• Can I send a copy of my GRE scores, or do I have to have an original score report sent?

The GRE is not required for application.

• Do I have to have a Master's degree?

No. Applicants who are offered admission need only to have completed a Bachelor's degree.

• Does the NGP accept international applicants?

Yes. Admission is offered to exceptional international applicants.

• What percentage of offers go to international applicants?

The number of offers extended to international applicants varies each year.

• How do I know my application (and other materials) has/have been received?

The application process can be monitored online once the application has been submitted electronically. Applicants create a user name and password as part of the application process and can return to the application check the status of the application and supplemental documents (i.e., recommendation letters).

• What happens once my application has been accepted?

After review of the application, competitive applicants will be invited by one of our Admission Committee Chairs for an expense-paid interview and recruiting visit.  The applicant’s choice of research interests, as indicated by selection of Research Disciplines #1, 2, 3 on the application will be used to coordinate interviews with faculty from the BIMS Graduate Group.

• How long is the application review process?

The admissions period runs from December until late March.

• How early can I apply?

The application system becomes available on September 1st of the Fall semester for the following year.

• What are the requirements for application to the NGP?

The requirements for admission to the NGP PhD program are rigorous. UVA's NGP recruits a competitive group of students that will become future scientific leaders in the field of neuroscience in academia, industry, and other areas.

Following are the requirements for application:

• Completion of a Bachelor's degree at a reputable undergraduate institution with a minimum GPA of 3.0 or better.
• Research experience carries significant weight and the most important criterion for admission is the student's commitment to research and passion for neuroscience.
• We require at least three letters of recommendation. It is strongly encouraged to have at least one of those letters be from research advisors.
• This is a Ph.D. Program. Students wishing to obtain a Master's Degree should not apply.
• The optimal background of entering students would include courses in Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Psychology, and Mathematics but there are no specific requirements.
• Students accepted into the program receive stipend and healthcare support as well as tuition and fee waivers for the duration of their graduate education as long as they remain in good academic standing.
• Applicants must submit all official materials to the School of Medicine using the application link here.
• International students are expected to have an outstanding command of the English language. Applicants must understand that biomedical sciences courses are conducted in English and all exams and papers must be submitted in English.

Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL):

• A total score of at least 600 on the PBT [paper-based test] TOEFL, 250 on the CBT [computer-based test] TOEFL - A score may not be more than two years old.
• The University expects individuals who take the new iBT TOEFL to earn a score of at least 22 in writing, 22 in speaking, 23 in reading, and 23 in listening (total score: 90).

International English Language Testing System (IELTS) exam:

• A score of at least 7.0 on the IELTS - A score may not be more than two years old. If your TOEFL scores is lower than these minimums, you may still be accepted as a student but may be required to take both speaking and writing courses.