Biosciences PhD Programs

The Fall 2027 entry season

Requirements and funding

GRE

Not accepted: scores are not considered

English tests

Minimum TOEFL 4.5 (tests from 21 Jan 2026) or 90 (earlier tests); IELTS 7. Not required with a US degree or two or more consecutive years of full-time English-language study or work in the past 10 years. Lower scores (below TOEFL 5.5/109 or IELTS 8) mean taking Stanford's English Placement Test. Scores must be from 1 September 2024 or later.

Application fee

$125. Fee waivers available. Waivers prioritise US citizens and permanent residents; international applicants may apply for the school-based fee waiver.

Recommendation letters

3 to 4

Also needed

• Statement of purpose (up to 2 single-spaced pages)
• Resume or CV
• Unofficial transcripts
• Research and experience entries (up to 6)

Funding

All students in good standing are funded. Limited funding for international students. Stipend $58,460 a year (2026-27). Students in good standing receive a stipend, tuition and health insurance. Stanford has a limited number of fellowships for the most competitive international applicants, and international admission varies with funding and space. It encourages applying for home-country scholarships too.

International applicants

Accepted. International admission varies from year to year depending on funding and available space.

Interviews

Invitations go out from mid-January to mid-February. The single in-person interview session is March 3–6, 2027; some applicants abroad may be offered a virtual interview.

Decisions

Applicants not invited to interview by mid-February are unlikely to be admitted.

Good to know

GRE General Test scores are not considered by any of the 14 programs.