Explore Graduate School at UW–Madison

As one of America’s leading research institutions, UW–Madison boasts a strong academic reputation, access to rigorous research, and a deep commitment to public service.

Why come to UW–Madison for graduate school?

Our graduate programs are consistently ranked among the top in their fields.
Our 160+ graduate programs offer opportunities for breadth and depth in your academic training.
Our faculty conduct cutting-edge research across disciplines along with their graduate student mentees, contributing to UW–Madison’s $1.9 billion in annual research expenditures.
Our programs provide multi-year funding commitments to incoming PhD students.
We are committed to preparing graduate students to foster environments of inclusive excellence.
We support you in achieving your academic and career goals from day one.

Explore our highly ranked programs

About UW–Madison

in the U.S. for research expenditures

Nobel prizes awarded to graduate alumni

#12

in patents awarded to U.S. universities

Washington Monthly ranked UW–Madison the #1 public university for research excellence, social mobility, and community service.

Time magazine ranked UW–Madison the
#6 public university for developing future leaders.

Guided by the Wisconsin Idea

We are guided by public service. Our students and alumni are leaders, making groundbreaking research advances in the lab, inspiring students in the classroom, and demonstrating enthusiastic commitment to public service in our community and the world at large.

Graduate Student Support

A graduate student smiles in an indoor pool, raising an arm to participate in an aqua Zumba class.

Health and wellness

We support students’ health and wellness with a top-of-class University Health Services, providing mental health care, medical care, and wellness programs. Top-notch recreation programs and facilities encourage you to incorporate wellbeing into your routine.

A student uses a brush to practice calligraphy in a communal setting with other students doing the same.

Inclusion and belonging

We are committed to creating environments and programs that foster a sense of belonging for all students, including the Multicultural Student Center, the Bridge & Build Community series, and resources for student parents.

A student demonstrates a science experiment to a child visiting a table at an outreach event during the evening.

Leadership and service

We offer numerous opportunities for leadership, from formal service like representing your peers in the student government to informal volunteer opportunities to share your research, scholarship, and life experiences with others.

Four people work together to paint a colorful mural on a wall.

Community

Peer support through graduate student organizations and academic communities connects you with scholars to inspire and support you throughout your graduate school journey.

A student in business casual attire speaks with someone in professional attire while presenting a research poster in an ornate rotunda decorated with columns and marble.

Funding support

At UW–Madison, 88% of PhD students and 28% of master’s students have full university funding. In addition, experts in fellowship- and grant-seeking share their knowledge to help students secure external funding.

A student at a reception smiles during a conversation.

Professional development

Campus-wide, more than 500 events each year plus on-demand learning support students’ professional and career development, supplementing what you learn in your program.

Life in Madison

Living in Madison is an experience unlike any other: the natural beauty of the multiple surrounding lakes partnered with an active city filled with award-winning restaurants, shops, and attractions create a vibrant and bustling community that has activities no matter the season.

A person exchanges cash with a farmers market vendor while holding vegetables in a tote bag that says Madison Farmers Market, Madison, Wisconsin.

People sit on a grassy park lawn next to two bicycles and helmets. Another sits on a bench beside the lakefront.

UW offers awesome opportunities for graduate students to escape from their unending duties: workshops, lectures on relevant topics, mini-courses … and let’s not forget the activities waiting to be lived in Madison, from salsa dancing to windsurfing on Lake Mendota, from fresh sushi on Library Mall (as fresh as it can get in the Midwest), to organic beef and frozen custard.
If you dare, come and experience Madison!

Eulàlia Puig Abril, Life Sciences Communication