Minimum Application Requirements

Duke’s engineering master’s programs do not require a minimum GPA or a minimum score on the GRE or an English test. We do not require work experience.

Preferred Requirements by Program

Artificial Intelligence	Proficiency in at least one programming language (Python preferred)	Two (2) semesters of calculus	Prior coursework in probability and statistics and linear algebra is highly encouraged, but not required for admission
Design & Technology Innovation	An undergraduate degree in a STEM / STEM-adjacent field OR another field with evidence of substantial STEM-related coursework OR relevant technical or technical-adjacent work experience if your degree is not in a STEM field	A minimum of one (1) semester of programming (any language), (1) semester of calculus, and (1) semester of physical or natural science (physics, biology, chemistry, or related subject), with laboratory strongly preferred	Prior coursework in human-centered design and/or engineering design is highly encouraged, but not required for admission
Game Design, Development & Innovation	An undergraduate degree in science or engineering (or equivalent technical work experience if your degree is in a non-technical field)	A minimum of one (1) semester of programming (any language)	Prior coursework in probability and statistics and linear algebra is highly encouraged, but not required for admission
Engineering Management	A minimum of two (2) courses in engineering, computer science, mathematical science, or physical science; more are preferred	Calculus I, Calculus II, Calculus III or Statistics or other Math courses beyond Calculus II

Uploading a Transcript

Before submitting an application, applicants are required to upload one (1) copy of a scanned unofficial transcript from each institution attended. Admitted applicants send official transcripts at the time of admission.

Once you have uploaded your file, click the “View Document” button to ensure that what you’ve uploaded is legible throughout.

If you cannot upload a legible unofficial transcript, you will be asked to have an official transcript mailed to Duke. Contact us for help. This is a variation of our standard process and will delay review of your application.

Applicants from China and India may find these Transcript Guidelines helpful.

Important Notes

• Illegible scans will not be accepted. Take care that scanned documents are legible before uploading
• Official English translations must accompany documents, not in English
• Official English translations must bear an original ink signature and seal
• Translations alone will not be accepted
• For institutions not using a 4.0 system, an estimated GPA and grade scale are required
• Check with your institution’s registrar to see if electronic transcripts are offered
• Paper transcripts must be scanned and uploaded
• Upload your institution’s web-based academic record, if available
• Make sure your file text is oriented vertically
• Make sure that all critical and identifying marks have been scanned and are legible. These include the institution’s name, your name, the name of your courses and the grades you have received.
• Make sure that your file is in MS Word or PDF format
• Make sure that your file does not exceed 1.5 MB
• To minimize file size, you may scan your file at the lowest legible resolution and in black-and-white

Grade Scale

Upload to us the official scale your institutions uses.

Your Grade Scale (also known as: grading system, score system, or percentage system) tells us what your grades mean.

It does not need to convert to a 4.0 scale, but should show differentiation between passing scores, and indicate what is a failing score at your institution. It should also explain other marks on your transcript, such as Withdrawal, Audit, or Incomplete.

Please upload to us the official scale your institution uses. This can be the reverse side of your transcript, a screenshot of the registrar’s guidelines or an excerpt from your transcript.

Please see the examples below.

Grade Scale Examples

Reverse of Transcript Example from a US Institution

Reverse of Transcript Example from an Indian Institution

Excerpt from an Indian Institution

Screenshot Example from a Chinese Institution

Excerpt from Chinese Institution, in Both Chinese and English

Resume

We require a resume highlighting experience, activities, and leadership, whether in the classroom, in a volunteer setting, a club or organization, or on the job. Work experience is not required for the campus program, but current undergraduates can focus on any internship experience they have.

If you have a preferred format, please use it. If you don’t, you might find it helpful to view a couple of sample resumes below from current Duke students. Notice the kind of information they highlight. Generally, students with little experience should be able to get their resume down to a maximum of two pages.

Master of Engineering (MEng) Discipline	Resume Example
Biomedical Engineering	Example 1
Electrical & Computer Engineering	Example 2
Environmental Engineering	Example 3

Recommendations

We require degree applicants to provide three (3) letters of recommendation. Graduate Certificate and non-degree applicants must provide two (2) letters of recommendation.

Recommendations are submitted electronically via the online application. Enter the contact and email addresses of your recommenders. Immediately, each recommender will receive a link to submit a recommendation.

The letters can be academic or professional. If you’re still a student, at least one should be academic. If you’re a working professional, it’s fine for all to be professional.

When choosing academic recommendation providers, do not simply choose those professors who gave you the highest grades. Instead, consider selecting those who can give insight into your preparedness for a Duke engineering master’s program. You might consider providing an overview of the program, a copy of your resume and an understanding of your goals.

GRE Scores

Duke’s Master of Engineering and Master of Engineering Management programs have waived the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) test score requirements for the 2025 application cycle.

Applicants may still submit GRE scores if they feel the scores enhance their application, and we will accept results from ETS’ GRE at home. If you choose to enter self-reported test scores, official test scores will become a required component of your application. The scores must not be more than five years old, and an official copy must be sent to Duke directly from the Educational Testing Service (ETS).

(Note: GRE scores are not required to apply to our Graduate Certificate Programs.)

When sending scores to Duke, please indicate:

• Institution code 5156
• Department code 5199 (“Any department not listed”)

Personal copies are not acceptable, nor are “attested” or notarized copies.

ETS can take several weeks to send electronic scores to schools, so you should plan to take the test or order prior scores at least one month prior to the deadline you seek.

If you choose to send us scores, you must send official score reports. Your scores must arrive prior to the application deadline. We do not require a minimum score.

For further information on the GRE, please visit gre.org

Name Discrepancies

We receive GRE scores electronically from the ETS. Because we match scores by applicant’s name, it is important your name on the application and your name on your test scores be the same.

If not, you must contact us.

Dual Degree Candidates

Generally, the Duke Master’s of Engineering Program requires GRE scores for all applicants. An exception is made for dual degree candidates in programs at Duke University. If this applies to you, contact us for more information.

English Language Testing

International applicants must submit official test scores unless eligible for a waiver.

All international students may be required to take English placement exams prior to the start of classes, pending their language score submission provided in their application for admission to the Pratt School of Engineering. 

Submitting Duolingo English Test scores will allow students to waive additional placement exams. Depending on placement results, students are either exempt from or placed into English course(s). Students with English course requirements must make satisfactory progress toward completing these requirements while in the program.

It can take several weeks for scores to arrive at schools, so you should plan to take the test or order prior scores at least one month before the deadline you seek.

Duolingo is Preferred

The Duolingo English Test is the preferred language testing option of the Admissions & Recruiting team at the Pratt School of Engineering. For more information on the Duolingo English Test, visit the Duolingo website at englishtest.duolingo.com/applicants.

Why Duolingo?

• Costs a fraction of the other leading language assessments
• Offers reduced test time
• It is a convenient, secure at-home exam
• It is accepted by universities around the world
• Provides results within 48 hours of exam completion
• Your results can be shared with unlimited institutions at no extra cost

Plus, Duolingo seamlessly integrates with your application to the Pratt School of Engineering. It provides a further dimension to your candidacy by allowing for video interviews and writing samples to be captured and viewed by the admissions committee. As such, if you do attend Pratt School of Engineering, you will not have to be additionally assessed for language classes when you submit a Duolingo English Test as part of your application.

Important Notice

If you opt to submit scores from other standardized assessments, you may be required to complete additional language testing upon acceptance into our programs.

Reporting Your Score

Duolingo

Report official scores and subscores:

• “Graduate” program type, and
• “Duke University Graduate Programs: Graduate School; Divinity; Engineering; Environment; Public Policy; Duke Kunshan”
  • Important notes: There is no institution code. Also, score reports without subscores will not be accepted. If you are not sure how to include subscores in your score report, please contact Duolingo English Test support on the Duolingo English Test website.

Other Tests

TOEFL

Report official scores to Institution Code 5156 (Duke University). [Note: There is no department code.]

IELTS

Report official scores to “Duke University Pratt School of Engineering.”

Name Discrepancies

We receive TOEFL scores electronically from the Educational Testing Service and IELTS results via mail from Cambridge ESOL, British Council, and IDP: IELTS Australia. Because we match scores by an applicant’s name, the name on the application and on your test scores must be the same. If it is not, you must contact us.

Waivers

We offer waivers to those who:

• Are citizens of any of the following countries –

American Samoa	India	Saint Kitts and Nevis
Antigua and Barbuda	Ireland	Saint Lucia
Australia	Jamaica	Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
Bahamas	Kenya	Samoa
Belize	Kingdom of Eswatini	Seychelles
Bermuda	Kiribati	Sierra Leone
Botswana	Lesotho	Singapore
Cameroon	Malawai	Tonga
Canada	Namibia	Trinidad and Tobago
Dominica	Nauru	Tuvalu
Fiji	New Zealand	Uganda
Gambia, The	Nigeria	United Kingdom
Ghana	Northern Mariana Islands	United Republic of Tanzania
Guam	Papua New Guinea	Virgin Islands (British & U.S.)
Guyana	Rwanda	Zambia

• Have studied full-time for two years or more at a college or university where the sole language of instruction is English and in a countery where English is the primary spoken language. The two years of study must be completed prior to the start of the program, or
• Have earned an undergraduate degree at Duke Kunshan University (DKU), or
• Have worked full-time for a minimum of two years in Australia, Canada, the United States, or the United Kingdon after receipt of undergraduate degree.

Waivers based on citizenship are automatic.

If you believe you qualify for a waiver based on the education or work criteria, indicate this and then answer the questions in the waiver section of your online application that require you to state where you completed the study or work requirement. 

Due to the volume of applications we receive, we will not examine, confirm the status of, or grant any waiver requests prior to extending an offer of admission.  If your request is not granted, we will notify you as soon as possible to give you time to take the test.  Therefore, it is in your best interest to apply in the earliest round for each admission cycle. 

English Placement Exams

All international students may be required to take oral and written English placement exams administered at Duke prior to the start of classes.

These exams are independent of the score submission requirement.

Depending on placement results, students are either exempt from, or placed into, English course(s). Students with English course requirements must make satisfactory progress toward completing these requirements while in the program.

Application Fee

An application fee of US $75 is required – pay by credit card within the online application.

We offer application fee waivers in a limited number of situations, and many are automatic. If a request is required, it must be submitted before an application is submitted. Fees paid before a waiver is requested and confirmed cannot be refunded.

Available Fee Waivers

Eligibility	Required Action
A current Duke or DKU student	Nothing, automatic
Submitted a Duke Graduate School Application and paid a Duke application fee for the same term of admission	Send proof of payment to pratt_masters@duke.edu
Attended a live event hosted by Duke University Pratt School of Engineering, in person or online	An active but unsubmitted Duke University Pratt School of Engineering application
Participate in Project 1000 or the Gates Millennium Scholars program	Send a letter signed by the program director verifying your participation to pratt_masters@duke.edu
Participated in the Peace Corps or Teach for America, within one year of your date of application	Send a letter signed by the program director verifying your participation within one year of application to pratt_masters@duke.edu
An active member, reservist, or veteran of the U.S. Armed Forces	Nothing, automatic
A Fulbright candidate	Nothing, automatic
Eligible for benefits through Bright Horizons EdAssist	Application to a participating Duke engineering master’s degree program

Video Introduction and Video Interview

Video Introduction

Your Duke Engineering application includes a required video introduction in which you’ll answer one question. The question prompt will be shown to you, and you will have at least 60 seconds of preparation time.

Note

If you have multiple applications in our system, you may see multiple questions. For the MEng application, use the question labeled Pratt. For an MS or PhD application, use the question labeled Engineering.

You do not have to use the entire time if you do not need that much. You may start over once, but the question will change.

Please relax and know this is a nerve-wracking experience for everyone! It is only one part of your overall application and we are simply using it to get to know you better.

Video Interview

We may invite some candidates to interview before an admission decision can be posted. Please note:

• Interviews are offered by invitation only and are based on a thorough evaluation of your complete application.
• You may not request an interview. Instead, selected applicants will be invited to interview and given instructions on moving forward in the interview process.
• Interviews are conducted by staff members and are generally completed in the weeks prior to our decision notification date. See below for Interview Tips.
• An interview does not guarantee admission.

While interviews allow us to learn more about you, they also give you the opportunity to learn more about Duke and see if this program is right for you. There will be time for your questions during the interview – use it!

Interview Tips

1. Duke uses Slate Scheduler and Zoom to conduct video interviews.
2. We suggest that you log in to the interview via computer. Mobile devices (e.g. phones) may not work as well.
3. Video requires reliable internet access. Free and private wireless signals should not be used. An Ethernet cable can provide a clear connection.
4. We encourage you to use a headset with a microphone built in during the video interview. A headset will prevent background noise from overpowering your voice. You may find it helpful to mute yourself when you’re not talking.
5. Check sound settings so that you’re ready when the interview starts. If you are using headphones with a microphone, make sure those components are selected over your computer’s default audio.
6. Don’t let your computer die mid-question. Charge your machine fully or plug it in during the interview.
7. The access link for your interview can be found in your email.

Joining the Interview

You’ll receive a link in your interview confirmation email. That link will connect you to the Zoom meeting. You may be placed in a waiting room, but you will be admitted to the session when the interview starts.

When you join the meeting successfully, be sure to Join With Computer Audio so that you can hear the interviewer and the interviewer can hear you.

International Applicants

Unlike many schools, Duke does not require financial support documents as part of the application; instead, students submit this information after they have been admitted and are enrolled in the program.  

Duke does not automatically issue I-20s to students upon admission.  Instead, students work with the department to submit information and supporting documents to Duke’s Visa Services Office. The process is described below.

• Upon accepting the offer of admission, a student will receive an email from our office with a User Name and password in order to complete the online Request for Temporary Visa Form – Part II.
• The student completes the online form, prints it off, signs it, and returns it to our office, along with the appropriate supporting documents.
• Students must show liquid funds in the total amount listed in the PDF document available on our Tuition page.
• Financial documents must be less than four months old.
• Only after we receive everything from the student will our office complete Part I of the Request for Temporary Visa Form. At that time, the student’s entire packet will be sent to Duke Visa Services for processing.
• Visa documents (I-20 or DS-2019) are usually issued within 2 calendar weeks from the date that Duke Visa Services received the completed packet.
• Register for your visa appointment only after you receive your visa documents.

Those on non-Duke visas complete a modified process during the enrollment period.

Duke University Policy on Documentation of Non-Citizen Students

1. All non-citizen students ((undergraduate, graduate and professional) must present evidence of immigration status to the Duke Visa Services Office before the first day of classes and whenever, thereafter, their status changes. Failure to comply will result in the inability to enroll for classes. Students who are outside the U.S. and who are therefore unable to comply (e.g. visa stamp delays) will be handled on a case by case basis.
2. Undergraduate students who are not in lawful status, but who accurately report their status, will be allowed to enroll. Such students will be advised of the risks to them of being out of status and the importance of dealing with that situation through their own means and with private immigration counsel. Students who are not in lawful status are not eligible for Federal financial aid, but they may apply for Duke-based assistance.
3. Individual cases deemed worthy of a temporary exception to this Policy due to unusual circumstances may be presented to a hearing committee, by Duke Visa Services or the appropriate departmental representative, for consideration and recommendation to the Provost. The committee shall be composed of the Vice Provost for Academic Affairs, the Director of Visa Services and the appropriate representative from the student’s school or program.