First-year requirements
UC's minimum admission requirements are comprised of a subject and a GPA requirement, and they represent the minimum academic standards students must attain to be considered for admission as a first year.
Applicants should be reminded that admission to the University of California is competitive, and most applicants present more than the minimum requirements when applying for admission.
Please be aware that only the math and language other than English requirements may be met with coursework completed in 7th and/or 8th grade. All other subject requirements must be completed during 9th-12th grade.
Subject requirement
First-year applicants are required to complete a minimum of 15 yearlong A-G courses with a letter grade of C or better in grades 9-12. Seven of these courses must be taken in the last two years of high school. Students must complete:
Subject area |
Requirement |
|
| A. | History (world and U.S.) | 2 courses |
| B. | English (composition/literature in the language of instruction) | 4 courses |
| C. | Mathematics (including elementary algebra, geometry and intermediate algebra; or a series of integrated math courses - including sufficient geometry content) |
3 courses (4 courses recommended) |
| D. | Science (from two disciplines: biology, chemistry and/or physics; or one biology, chemistry or physics, and one interdisciplinary or integrated or earth and space sciences course) |
2 courses (3 courses recommended) |
| E. | Language other than English (foreign language) |
2 courses (3 courses recommended) |
| F. | Visual and performing arts (one yearlong course from the following disciplines: dance, music, theater, visual arts or interdisciplinary arts; or two one-semester courses from the same discipline) | 1 course |
| G. | College preparatory elective (to be chosen from the fields above or another course approved by UC) | 1 course |
Eleven A-G courses must be completed prior to the 12th grade/last year of high school/secondary school. No particular course pattern is required for this review.
A specific 11-course pattern is required for consideration in UC's Eligibility in the Local Context (ELC) program and must be completed prior to the beginning of 12th grade. Courses completed during summer after 11th grade will be considered. Although a minimum of 11 courses are required for admissions consideration, completion of at least the full 15 yearlong college-preparatory required courses will be expected of all students by the end of their senior year.
GPA requirement
In order to be considered for admission, applicants must have earned a minimum GPA of 3.0 (3.4 for nonresidents) in all A-G courses completed in grades 10 and 11, with no grade lower than a C. We award extra grade points for grades received in approved honors-level courses to a maximum of eight semesters, including no more than four semesters taken in the 10th grade.
Standardized tests (not required)
UC eliminated its standardized test requirement in 2020.
UC no longer considers SAT or ACT test scores when making admissions decisions or awarding scholarships. Test scores submitted as part of the application may be used as an alternate method of fulfilling minimum requirements for eligibility or for course placement after matriculation at UC.
Students who plan to use test scores to meet a minimum subject requirement or for course placement should take their tests no later than December of the senior year/last year prior to high school/secondary school graduation.
Students can self-report ACT and/or SAT scores in the admission application, but they must first submit the application without scores. Once the application has been submitted, the student can log back into the application to report ACT or SAT scores. If a student self-reports a test score, they should provide the official score report when they receive an offer of admission from UC.
International students
Applicants who have completed all of their secondary/high school education in a country where English is not the language of instruction must take the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL), the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) examination (academic modules), or the Duolingo English Test (DET). Review the English proficiency requirement for international students »
Advanced Placement, International Baccalaureate, Advanced level and SAT Subject Tests
We recommend that students who complete Advanced Placement courses complete the related AP examination to demonstrate subject mastery. Similarly, International Baccalaureate scores and A level exam scores can be used to showcase academic mastery. In order to receive unit credit toward the baccalaureate degree, students must submit an official copy of their AP or IB scores or A level Statement of Results directly from the testing agency or exam board. This must be done in the summer prior to enrolling at a specific UC campus.
SAT Subject Tests were discontinued in 2021. Students who may have scores from before 2021 can submit them to meet subject requirements, but they must first submit the application without scores. Once the application has been submitted, the student can log back into the application to report SAT Subject Test scores. No UC campus or program requires SAT Subject Tests for admission selection.
High school proficiency exam
All students admitted as first years are required to earn a valid high school diploma or secondary school leaving certificate. If students do not have a high school diploma, we will accept the Certificate of Proficiency awarded by the State Board of Education upon successful completion of the California High School Proficiency Examination (CHSPE). We'll also accept proficiency examinations from other states, and the General Education Development (GED) Certificate, in place of a diploma. UC will not accept a GED from another country.
Students presenting a CHSPE or GED certificate must still meet UC's subject and GPA requirements.