Vanderbilt Graduate School Admissions

Creating and fostering thriving learning communities for the best and brightest students is at our core and we are committed to helping you excel, beginning with the admissions process.

Applications are open August 15 – January 15.

Vanderbilt Graduate School Admissions

Find your Program

The Graduate School enrolls about 2,400 students across 59 distinct academic programs (49 Ph.D. and 10 Master’s) that are housed within different schools and colleges across the university. Academic excellence at Vanderbilt is driven by our excellent research facilities, outstanding faculty and support of a diverse student body.

Whether it is a degree offered by the Graduate School (Ph.D., M.A., M.S., M.F.A., M.L.A.S.), a degree housed at a professional school (like an MBA or M.Div.), or a non-degree certificate program, you can find a program that relates to your selected field of study.

Quick Guide

What you need to submit a complete application.

Full Application Process

Application Requirements

I chose Vanderbilt for completing my Ph.D. in Anthropology because...I found incredible academics, scholars, researchers, and most of all people...who will support me in my academic career as a professional and a scholar, but also as a person.

What Our Students Say

Community Profile

*These statistics are related to the 2021-22 school year.

  • 49

    Departments represented in Ph.D. programs; Biomedical Engineering with highest enrollment
  • 30

    Departments represented in Master’s programs with 10 degrees available; Computer Science with highest enrollment
  • 20.4%

    Acceptance rate of students that applied to the Graduate School in 2022
  • 24

    Number of programs (Ph.D. and Master’s) taught at the College of Arts and Science
  • 18

    Number of programs (Ph.D. and Master’s) taught at the Medical School
  • 24.4%

    of students are International students

Commitment to Diversity

The Graduate School at Vanderbilt University is committed to principles of equal opportunity and encourages individuals from diverse, under-represented populations to apply to its graduate programs. The university does not discriminate against individuals on the basis of race, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, color, national or ethnic origin, socio-economic background, or disability.

Helpful Links

I picked this program because of their community environment and promotion of collaborative research efforts. My mentor is very good about teaching us to share our message of our research define what we are doing, and why we’re doing it...and how that is important for others.

Graduate School Admissions
Graduate School Admissions

Tuition and Funding

Within the Graduate School there are many academic programs, departments, degree types represented. Because of this, tuition and funding opportunities can vary widely. It is important to contact the department you are applying to for specific questions about cost of attendance, financial aid, stipends, student health insurance, fees, fellowships, scholarship, grants and more.

Explore Funding Opportunities

International Students

If you are not a citizen or permanent resident of the United States, you will be contacted by International Student and Scholar Services. If you are requesting an I-20 for F-1 student status or a DS-2019 for J-1 student status, you will follow instructions in the email you receive from ISSS. If you are in another visa status that allows you to study, make sure to provide ISSS with documentation of that status.

See International Requirements

Virtual Tour

Explore Vanderbilt from anywhere in the world with our virtual tour. With over 20 tour stops, embedded videos, and 360-degree photos, our virtual tour offers a great way to learn more about our campus community.

Launch Experience

Ready for Your Next Step?

Selecting a Vanderbilt graduate program and applying is a multifaceted decision. For full details on how to apply, see our application process or contact your Program Manager.

View Application Process

Resources for Student Success

  • Nashville and Housing

    Nashville

    Nashville, known as “Music City,” is a thriving metropolis with rich cultural arts, award-wining dining, shopping and beautiful parks. Located a little more than a mile from downtown, Vanderbilt University allows students the unique opportunity to take in the history and hospitality of one of the South’s premier cities.

    Learn more about Nashville

    Find the Top 10 places to experience in Nashville

    Volunteer as part of the community with Hands on Nashville

    Housing

    There are many close-to-campus housing options for graduate and professional students.

    The Broadview at Vanderbilt is located just steps from campus in downtown Nashville and offers a community of collaboration and elevated living space. Choose from studio, one- and two-bedroom apartment homes with fully equipped upgraded kitchens, hardwood-inspired floors, and washer/dryer units. Amenities include a 24-hour fitness and wellness center, an on-site coffee shop and grocer, multiple study spaces, as well as outdoor BBQ areas and media room. While it is not university-owned and operated, our intent, through public-private partnership, is to support an additional choice for Vanderbilt graduate and professional students as they seek housing in the city.

    An Off Campus Referral Service is provided by The Office of Housing and Residential Education to support the needs of new and continuing graduate students. Here you will find ads from landlords looking for Vanderbilt-affiliated tenants as well as a forum for students seeking Vanderbilt roommates or housemates.

    At Nashville.gov, you can find utilities, update your driver’s license, and access information on living, working and playing in the metro area.

  • Career Development

    Through a partnership with the Vanderbilt Career Center, graduate students can receive robust career services that help them explore possibilities, feel supported and gain confidence while they pursue their future path. Services include development opportunities, advising on fellowships and career paths, and coaching.

  • Russell G. Hamilton Graduate Leadership Institute (GLI)

    The Russell G. Hamilton Graduate Leadership Institute (GLI) provides graduate students with the skills, learning tools and self-awareness that allow them to define their own unique leadership style, determine how they interact with others, and learn other practical and technical skills needed to develop business acumen to be used in the academy, industry or government work. With helpful programming and funding opportunities, this program helps graduate students better prepare for the world beyond graduate school.

  • Graduate Postdoc Academic Success (GPAS) Program

    The Graduate and Postdoc Academic Success (GPAS) Program assists graduate students in their academic and professional development during their time at Vanderbilt. This team supports students with individual coaching and group programming around effective time and stress management, resilience, conflict resolution, navigating academic relationships, and juggling work/life responsibilities.

  • Mental, Physical and Emotional Well-being

    To enrich the graduate student experience and support the mental, physical and emotional well-being of our students and their families, we partner with many campus organizations and networks to offer resources and services:

  • Family Support

    General English for partners and spouses is a tuition-free course designed to teach listening, speaking, reading and writing to Vanderbilt employees and VU community spouses/partners who are non-native Speakers of English. The focus is to enable students to use English in the workplace and at home.

    Child & Family Center provides childcare for children ages 6 weeks to PreK and support for aging loved ones. If you plan to send your child to the Vanderbilt Childcare Center, we recommend getting on the wait list as soon as possible.

    Parental Leave: Prior to and/or following childbirth or adoption of an infant, the primary caregiver (whether mother or father) will be allowed to take six weeks of parental leave. During this period, the student's current stipend, and, if applicable, funding for health insurance and tuition, will be continued without interruption. The student's enrollment status will be continued during this period, as well.

    Explore Our Parental Leave Policy

  • Innovative Scholarship and Teaching

    The Graduate School aims to offer students both a meaningful role on campus and a much richer experience at Vanderbilt by creating opportunities to share research, encourage interdisciplinarity and collaboration, and engage academic resources to add value through education and training.

  • Graduate Student Council

    The Graduate Student Council (GSC) provides leadership with a representative from each graduate department of the University. They coordinate academic and social activities and strive to promote community while also facilitating communication between graduate students, administration, and faculty.

    Their efforts created an annual print calendar, which summarizes resources, policies and procedures for students, as well as the Mental Bill of Rights and Responsibilities.