2023-24 Edition

Undergraduate Admissions

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The UCI Office of Undergraduate Admissions is responsible for the admission of new undergraduate freshman and transfer students. Inquiries may be addressed to:

Office of Undergraduate Admissions

University of California, Irvine
Irvine, CA 92697
http://www.admissions.uci.edu

The Office of Undergraduate Admissions is open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday; telephone 949-824-6703.

Categories of Application

An undergraduate applicant is a student who wishes to complete a program of study leading to a Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Fine Arts, Bachelor of Music, or Bachelor of Science degree.

A freshman applicant is a student who is currently in high school or has graduated from high school but has not enrolled in a regular session (fall, winter, spring) at a college or university.

A transfer applicant is a student who has enrolled in a regular session (fall, winter, or spring) at a college or university after high school. (Students who meet this definition cannot disregard their college records and apply as freshmen. A student who attends a college summer program immediately after graduating from high school or who has completed college work while in high school is still considered a freshman applicant.)

A California Community College applicant is one who completed at least 30 semester (45 quarter) UC-transferable units at one or more California Community Colleges. The last college the student attended in a regular session (fall/spring or fall/winter/spring) before admission to a UC campus must be a California Community College.

A nonresident applicant is a student whose legal permanent residence (as determined by the University) is outside of the State of California. Nonresident applicants are generally required to pay Nonresident Supplemental Tuition and must also present a higher grade point average than is required of California residents.

An applicant for readmission is a student who was formerly registered and enrolled at UCI and who has interrupted the completion of one or more quarters of enrollment. See Readmission: Undergraduate and Graduate Students.

A second baccalaureate applicant is a college graduate who wishes to obtain a second bachelor’s degree in a major different from that of the first degree.

An international applicant is a student who is not a U.S. citizen or U.S. permanent resident.

A limited status applicant - frequently known as a non-degree-seeking student - is held to the same restrictions as applicants pursuing a second B.A. or B.S. degree.

Admission as a Freshman Applicant

The undergraduate admissions policy of the University of California is guided by the University’s commitment to serve the people of California and the world, from every culture and ethnicity and across the economic spectrum.

The University’s admission requirements, described in detail in the Minimum Admission Requirements for Freshmen section, are designed to ensure that students are adequately prepared for University-level work. Meeting admission requirements entitles an applicant to be considered for admission but does not constitute an offer of admission.

In recent years, the number of freshman applicants to UCI has exceeded the number of spaces available. Since the campus cannot admit all eligible applicants, it must use standards that are more demanding than the minimum UC requirements to select students. These standards, which the University calls selection criteria, are used to identify applicants who have demonstrated the highest academic achievement and who have a variety of other qualities that can contribute to the strength and diversity of the campus community.

In the case that UCI is unable to accommodate all qualified applicants in their first-choice major, those students who indicate a valid alternate major may be offered admission in that major. Students who wish to change their major after enrolling at UCI must submit an Undergraduate Petition for Change of Major to the academic counseling office in the school or program of their prospective major.

Admissions Selection

Due to COVID-19, be sure to visit admissions.uci.edu for the most up-to-date information regarding undergraduate admission requirements.

UCI seeks to select students who have a demonstrated record of academic and personal achievement. Academic achievement includes the number of college preparatory courses completed; the level of achievement in these courses, including honors, Advanced Placement, International Baccalaureate, and college courses completed; and the quality of the senior-year program as measured by the type and number of academic courses in progress or planned. Also considered are the high school grade point average (GPA) calculated on UC-specified subjects (UCI uses a maximum of eight honors grade points in determining the UC GPA).

The level of performance needed to gain admission varies from year to year depending on the size and the academic quality of the applicant pool and the number of enrollment spaces.

Personal achievement outside of the classroom is also considered in UCI's selection process. A range of pursuits is considered, including academic activities, the creative and performing arts, community service and leadership, athletics, participation in pre-collegiate programs that develop academic ability, and other extracurricular activities. Persistence counts more than scattered involvement, while initiative and curiosity are also important.

The admissions process at UCI is also sensitive to individual circumstances and the effect these may have had on the resources available to and the experiences of applicants. While all applications receive careful consideration, reviewers take note of any extenuating circumstances and/or a variety of cultural and economic situations, including students who are the first in their families to attend college, who have a low family income, or who have worked in support of their family during high school. The emphasis, however, is less on the personal circumstances of the applicant and instead is more focused on how the applicant has responded to challenges while achieving academic success.

Every attempt is made to become familiar with the unique accomplishments of each applicant.

Students interested in the majors below should be aware of the following provisions.

Dance and Music:

Dance applicants must audition in late January/early February in ballet, modern, hip hop, and jazz, prior to the fall quarter when entrance is anticipated, and be selected by faculty.

All Music applicants must apply to the B.A. program and audition in late January/early February with an instrument or voice, prior to the fall quarter when entrance is anticipated; admission to the B.Mus. program is by a second audition after matriculation.

Computer Science and Engineering (offered jointly by the Donald Bren School of Information and Computer Sciences and The Henry Samueli School of Engineering): Applicants must complete four years of high school mathematics through pre-calculus or math analysis and are advised to have completed one year each of chemistry and physics. One semester of programming coursework is also advised. (This requirement does not apply to other majors offered by the Donald Bren School of Information and Computer Sciences.) That preparation, along with honors courses and advanced placement courses, is fundamental to success in the program. 

Nursing Science: Admission to the Nursing Science major is limited and selective. Applicants must complete two years of basic science providing fundamental knowledge in the core disciplines of biology and chemistry. Advanced laboratory science classes that have biology or chemistry as prerequisites and offer substantial additional material may be used to fulfill this requirement. Students must earn grades of C or higher in order to fulfill their subject requirements.

Admission Requirements for Freshmen

Due to COVID-19, be sure to visit admissions.uci.edu for the most up-to-date information regarding undergraduate admission requirements.

The requirements described below represent the minimum academic standards students must attain to be considered for admission to the University. Meeting minimum admission requirements does not guarantee admission. Admission to UCI and the program of choice often requires students meet more demanding standards.

Freshman applicants who are not residents of California should also refer to the Nonresident Admission Requirements section.

Subject Requirement

To satisfy the subject requirement, students must complete a minimum of 15 yearlong (or 30 semester) UC-approved college preparatory courses with a letter grade of C or better, with at least 11 (22 semester) of the courses finished prior to the beginning of their last year of high school. These courses are also known as the A-G courses. A grade point average (GPA) of 3.0 or better must be earned (3.4 if the student is a nonresident) in these courses with no grade lower than a C.

The 15 required A-G courses are:

A. History: Two years of history, including one year of world or European history, cultures and geography (may be a single yearlong course or two one-semester courses); and one year of U.S. history or one-half year of U.S. history and one-half year of civics or American government.

B. English: Four years of college-preparatory English that include frequent writing, from brainstorming to final paper, as well as reading of classic and modern literature. No more than one year of ESL-type courses can be used to meet this requirement.

C. Mathematics: Three years of college-preparatory mathematics that include the topics covered in elementary and advanced algebra and two- and three-dimensional geometry. A geometry course or an integrated math course with a sufficient amount of geometry content must be completed.  Approved integrated math courses may be used to fulfill part or all of this requirement, as may math courses taken in the seventh and eighth grades if the high school accepts them as equivalent to its own courses.

D. Science: Two years of college-preparatory science, including or integrating topics that provide fundamental knowledge in two of these three subjects: biology, chemistry, or physics. One year of approved interdisciplinary or earth and space sciences coursework can meet one year of the requirement. Computer Science, Engineering, Applied Science courses can be used in area D as an additional science (i.e., third year and beyond).

E. Language Other Than English: Two years, or equivalent to the second level of high school instruction, of the same language other than English are required. (Three years/third level of high school instruction recommended.) Courses should emphasize speaking and understanding, and include instruction in grammar, vocabulary, reading, composition, and culture. American Sign Language and classical languages, such as Latin and Greek, are acceptable. Courses taken in the seventh and eighth grades may be used to fulfill part or all of this requirement if the high school accepts them as equivalent to its own courses. (Students are strongly encouraged to complete three or four years of one language in preparation for the UCI Language Other Than English and/or the International/Global Issues general education requirements.)

F. Visual and Performing Arts: One yearlong course of visual and performing arts chosen from the following disciplines: dance, drama/theater, music, interdisciplinary arts or visual art -- or two one-semester courses from the same discipline is also acceptable.

G. College Preparatory Elective: One year (two semesters), in addition to those required in "A-F" above, chosen from the following areas: visual and performing arts, history, social science, English, advanced mathematics, laboratory science and language other than English (a third year in the language used for the “E” requirement or two years of another language).

Courses Satisfying the “G” Requirement

History: All history courses should require extensive reading and writing. Courses should enable students to establish a breadth of understanding of history (for example, world history, political history or economic history) and should provide an understanding of the human past, including its relation to the present. Courses should develop a student’s critical thinking, ability to evaluate historical data, and ability to analyze and synthesize evidence.

Social Science: Courses should be in one of the social sciences: anthropology, economics, geography, political science, psychology, or sociology, or, alternatively, courses should be interdisciplinary, drawing knowledge from two or more of these fields. Course objectives should include as many of the following as are applicable to the field: (1) to understand the development and basic features of major societies and cultures; (2) to examine the historic and contemporary ideas that have shaped the world; (3) to understand the fundamentals of how differing political and economic systems function; (4) to examine the nature and principles of individual and group behavior; and (5) to study social science methodologies.

In order to develop a student’s critical thinking, ability to evaluate ideas and information, and ability to analyze and synthesize qualitative and quantitative evidence in the laboratory and in the field, a social science course must include a body of basic knowledge, extensive reading, and written and oral exposition.

Courses which are designed to meet state-mandated social studies graduation requirements are acceptable provided that they meet the above criteria. Courses of an applied, service, or vocational character are not acceptable social science electives.

English: All English courses should require substantial reading with frequent and extensive practice in writing which is carefully evaluated and criticized. A course in creative writing, journalism, speech or debate is acceptable if it meets the general requirements in reading and writing stated above. An advanced-level course in English as a Second Language (ESL) or English Language Development (ELD) may be acceptable provided it meets the standards outlined under the “B” requirement.

Advanced Mathematics: Acceptable electives are courses in mathematics with second-year algebra as a prerequisite such as trigonometry, linear algebra, precalculus (analytic geometry and mathematical analysis), calculus, and probability and statistics.

A computer science course is an acceptable mathematics elective if it fulfills the following objectives. The course should enable each student to express algorithms in a standard computer language such as C++, Pascal, Java, BASIC, FORTRAN, or COBOL. By the end of the course, each student should complete substantial programming projects in the language used. The course should also involve the study and mastery of various aspects of computer science: how computers deal with data and instructions, the internal components of a computer, and the underlying computer logic.

Science: Acceptable courses should cover topics from the biological or physical sciences in which students make their own observations and measurements and analyze these data to obtain further information.

An introductory science course normally offered in the ninth grade, (such as earth science or physical science) is an acceptable science elective provided it is designed to prepare students for laboratory science courses in the tenth grade and beyond. The course must provide an introduction to the fundamental principles of physical and/or biological science. Laboratory activities as defined above shall be included. (A terminal course designed only to meet graduation requirements is not an acceptable science elective.)

Language Other Than English: It is recommended that elective courses be in the same language used to satisfy the language other than English “E” subject requirement. Elective courses in this language must have at least two years of the language as a prerequisite. In order for a second language to qualify as an elective, at least two years of this language must be completed.

Visual and Performing Arts: Courses in this area consist of instruction in dance, drama/theater, music, interdisciplinary arts or visual art. Courses should enable students to understand and appreciate artistic expression and, where appropriate, to talk and write with discrimination about the artistic material studied.

Courses devoted to artistic performance and developing creative artistic ability should have prerequisites (either one year of introductory coursework or experience approved by the instructor) and should assume proficiency beyond the introductory level.

Courses must require on average the equivalent of a five-period class per week. Work outside of class must be required; for example, portfolio/performance preparation, reading, writing, research projects and/or critical listening/viewing.

Dance courses offered for physical education credit or under any other departmental arrangement are acceptable provided they include content satisfying the above criteria.

Courses which are primarily athletic or body conditioning are not acceptable visual and performing arts electives.

College Preparatory Elective: The general objectives of the “G” requirement are to improve students’ analytical abilities, promote artistic development, and strengthen oral and written skills. The requirement is intended to encourage prospective University students to fill out their high school programs with courses that: (1) strengthen general study skills, particularly analytical reading, expository writing and oral communication; (2) provide an opportunity to begin work that could lead directly into a major program of study at the University; (3) experience, at some depth, new areas of academic disciplines that might form the basis for future major or minor studies at the University.

Courses that fulfill the “G” requirement should allow students to prepare for college-level work in the subject area, so that the level attained at the end of such courses would be well beyond the introductory or survey level. Courses that have narrow objectives aimed at meeting specific societal or personal lifestyle goals are not acceptable.

California High School Students. Courses taken to fulfill the subject requirement must be certified by the University as meeting the requirement and must be included on the UC-certified course list of the school the student attended. The high school counselor or principal will have a copy of this list. In addition, the lists are available at the A-G course list site.

Out-of-State High School Students. The UCI Office of Undergraduate Admissions will review and accept courses that meet the requirements for applicants graduating from out-of-state schools.

Exam Requirement

UCI will not consider SAT or ACT scores for admission or scholarship purposes. After enrollment, exams may be used for class placement or some graduation requirements. 

IMPORTANT: SAT Subject Tests have been discontinued.

Scholarship 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.

California Students

State residents who qualify for admission requirements by one of the following paths and are not admitted to a campus they apply to will be offered admission at another campus if space is available.

  • Statewide path: Students must rank in the top 9 percent of California students, according to the UC admissions index.
  • Local path (ELC): Students must rank in the top 9 percent of their own high school graduating class.

Eligibility in the Local Context (ELC)

To qualify for Eligibility in the Local Context, an applicant must be a California resident and attend a participating California high school.

To be considered for ELC, an applicant must have a minimum GPA of 3.0 and complete the following A-G courses prior to their senior year:

  • History: 1 year
  • English: 2 years
  • Mathematics: 2 years
  • Science: 1 year
  • Language Other Than English: 1 year
  • Other A-G courses (chosen from the subjects listed above or another course approved by the University): 4 years

Admission By Exam

In general, this method of consideration is designed for students who have been unable to meet the regular subject requirements and/or earn a high school diploma because of unique circumstances, such as non-traditional education or long-term illness. To be considered, a student must take either the ACT or the SAT, as well as two SAT Subject Tests, and earn a minimum UC Score calculated from their exam scores.

Students may not use an SAT Subject Test to meet this requirement if they have completed a transferable college course with a grade of C or better in that subject.

Students who qualify by examination are not guaranteed admission. However, they are entitled to a full review of their application. For more information, visit UC Admission by Exam website.

Nonresident Freshman Admission Requirements

Due to COVID-19, be sure to visit admissions.uci.edu for the most up-to-date information regarding undergraduate admission requirements.

Nonresident freshman applicants must meet the same admission requirements as those for California-resident students, except, nonresident applicants must have a minimum 3.4 GPA in the 15 college preparatory courses (A-G), with no grade lower than a C. Refer to the Expenses, Tuition, and Fees section of this Catalogue for information regarding residence classification for tuition purposes and the Nonresident Supplemental Tuition.

Admission as a Transfer Applicant

The University defines a transfer applicant as a student who enrolled in a regular session (fall, winter, or spring) at a college or university after high school. (Summer sessions do not count.) UCI considers a California Community College transfer applicant as a student who has completed at least 30 semester units/45 quarter UC transferable units at one or more California Community Colleges and the last college attended in a regular session (fall/spring or fall/winter/spring) before admission to UCI is a California Community College. A competitive UCI transfer applicant should have a UC transferable GPA of 3.0 or above. All majors at UCI are selective and applicants are encouraged to earn the highest possible GPA. A transfer applicant may not disregard the college record and apply for admission as a freshman. (Transfer applicants who are not residents of California should also refer to the section on Nonresident Transfer Admission Requirements.)

Transfer Admission Guarantee: UCI’s Transfer Admission Guarantee (TAG) program offers provisional admission to well-qualified junior-level students from participating California Community Colleges. While all majors at UCI are selective, through TAG, admission to participating TAG majors can be guaranteed for transfer students who meet the TAG eligibility and major prerequisites requirements. (see TAG Requirements later in this section).

Selection Criteria

Due to COVID-19, be sure to visit admissions.uci.edu for the most-up-to-date information regarding undergraduate admission requirements.

UCI attempts to accommodate as many qualified transfer applicants as possible. Priority consideration for admission of transfer applicants is given to junior-level applicants (with a minimum of 60 semester/90 quarter units of UC transferable credit) from California Community Colleges and is based upon:

  1. GPA in transferable courses;
  2. depth of preparation toward general education and major requirements; and
  3. participation in the TAG (Transfer Admission Guarantee) program, which requires early completion of one transferable English composition course and one transferable course in mathematical concepts and quantitative reasoning.

TAG Applicants for fall quarter 2022 admission must have completed the first English and one mathematics course by the end of summer 2021. The second English course must be completed by spring 2022. Transfer applicants with the strongest academic performance will be the most competitive for admission. Junior transfers from four-year colleges, including other UC campuses, and lower-division transfers will be considered as space permits.

In the case that UCI is unable to accommodate all qualified applicants in their first-choice major, those students who indicate a valid alternate major may be offered admission in that major. Students who wish to change their major after enrolling at UCI must submit an Undergraduate Petition for Change of Major to the academic counseling office in the school or program of their prospective major. This is of particular importance to those who apply in majors which are subject to additional course prerequisites and/or have a limit placed on the number of applicants admitted into the major. (See the following list.)

UCI’s transfer selection process is also based upon consideration of the academic criteria in conjunction with the following personal achievement criteria: an exceptionally challenging curriculum; outstanding accomplishments relevant to academic aims; hardships or unusual circumstances the applicant has faced, and the ways in which the student has responded to these challenges; a strong, thoughtful match between UCI’s programs and the student’s academic and career objectives, preparation, talents, and skills; and potential contributions to the campus. The level of performance needed to gain admission varies from year to year depending on the size and the academic quality of the applicant pool and the number of enrollment spaces.

Transfer applicants to the following majors must complete prerequisite courses for the major as specified.

Biological Sciences: Junior-level applicants with the highest grades overall and who satisfactorily complete course prerequisites will be given preference for admission to the Biological Sciences major. All applicants must complete one year of general chemistry with laboratory with grades of C or better; one year of organic chemistry with laboratory with grades of C or better; one year of biology courses equivalent to BIO SCI 93BIO SCI 94 at UCI with a grade of C or better in each course; and have a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher.

Biology/Education: Junior-level applicants with the highest grades overall and who satisfactorily complete course prerequisites will be given preference for admission to the Biology/Education major. All applicants must complete one year of general chemistry with laboratory with grades of C or better; one year of organic chemistry with laboratory with grades of C or better; one year of biology courses equivalent to BIO SCI 93, BIO SCI 94 at UCI with a grade of C or better in each course; and have a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher.

Business Administration: Junior-level applicants with the highest grades overall (minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0) and who satisfactorily complete lower-division courses equivalent to UCI’s calculus (MATH 2A - MATH 2B), economics (ECON 20A - ECON 20B or MGMT 4A - MGMT 4B), and statistics and accounting (MGMT 7, MGMT 30A - MGMT 30B) will be given preference for admission. MGMT 1 may be completed at UCI. Admission to the major will be competitive due to limited space availability.

Business Information Management: Junior-level applicants who satisfactorily complete the following requirements will be given preference for admission:

  1. One year of approved college-level math, preferably courses in calculus equivalent to UCI’s MATH 2A - MATH 2B; if not available, two semester courses equivalent to other major-related math courses are acceptable;
  2. Completion of one year of transferable computer science courses involving concepts such as those found in Java, Python, C++, data structures, or other object-oriented or high-level programming language.
  3. One year of introductory accounting theory and practice equivalent to UCI’s MGMT 30A - MGMT 30B and
  4. One year of micro- and macro-economics theory equivalent to UCI’s ECON 20A - ECON 20B.

NOTE: The introductory sequence in Information and Computer Science (ICS) has moved to Python. The Bren School of ICS strongly encourages all participants to become familiar with this programming language prior to matriculation. Additional computer science courses beyond the two required are strongly recommended, particularly those that align with the major(s) of interest. Java is used extensively in the curriculum; therefore, transfer students should plan to learn it by studying on their own or by completing a Java-related programming course prior to their first quarter at UCI.

Additional courses beyond those required for admission must be taken to fulfill the lower-division degree requirements, as many are prerequisites for upper-division courses. For some transfer students, this may mean that it will take longer than two years to complete their degree.

The Business Information Management major is offered jointly by the Donald Bren School of Information and Computer Sciences and The Paul Merage School of Business. More information is available at the Bren School of ICS Student Affairs Office website; telephone 949-824-5156; email: ucounsel@uci.edu.

Chemistry: Preference will be given to junior-level applicants with the highest grades overall and who have satisfactorily completed the following required courses: one-year of general chemistry with laboratory and one year of approved calculus. Completion of one year of organic chemistry is strongly recommended.

Computer Science and Engineering (offered jointly by the Donald Bren School of Information and Computer Sciences and The Henry Samueli School of Engineering): Students are encouraged to complete as many of the lower-division degree requirements as possible prior to transfer, including one year of approved calculus; one year of calculus-based physics with laboratories (mechanics, electricity and magnetism); one year of transferable computer science courses1 involving concepts such as those found in Java, Python, C++, or other object-oriented or high-level programming language; and one additional approved transferable course for the major (an approved math, science, or CSE course).

1Additional computer science courses beyond the two required are strongly recommended, particularly those that align with the major of interest. Java and C++ are used in the curriculum; therefore, transfer students should plan to learn these languages by studying on their own or by completing related programming courses prior to their first quarter at UCI.

Students who enroll at UCI in need of completing lower-division course work may find that it will take longer than two years to complete their degrees. For further information, contact the Donald Bren School of Information and Computer Sciences at 949-824-5156 or The Henry Samueli School of Engineering at 949-824-4334.

Dance: Applicants must audition in late January/early February in ballet, modern, hip hop, and jazz, prior to the fall quarter when entrance is anticipated, and be selected by faculty.

Education Sciences: Preference will be given to junior-level applicants with the highest grades overall (minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0). It is suggested that prospective transfer students work toward completing coursework to fulfill the UCI general education requirements or IGETC.

Earth System Science: Preference will be given to junior-level applicants with the highest grades overall and who have satisfactorily completed the following required courses: one year of approved calculus and either one year of general chemistry with laboratory (preferred) or one year of calculus-based physics with laboratory. Note: The one year of approved calculus can be substituted with one semester of approved calculus plus one semester of approved statistics.

Ecology and Evolutionary Biology: Junior-level applicants with the highest grades overall and who satisfactorily complete course prerequisites will be given preference for admission to the Ecology and Evolutionary Biology major. All applicants must complete one year of general chemistry with laboratory with grades of C or better; one year of organic chemistry with laboratory with grades of C or better; one year of biology courses equivalent to BIO SCI 93, BIO SCI 94 at UCI with a grade of C or better in each course; and have a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher.

Economics: Transfer applicants with the highest grades overall and who satisfactorily complete course prerequisites will be given preference for admission to the majors in Economics, Business Economics, and Quantitative Economics. All applicants must complete one course in microeconomics, one course in macroeconomics, and two quarters/two semesters of approved first-year calculus. Applicants interested in the major of Quantitative Economics must also complete one quarter/one semester of approved linear algebra. 

Engineering: Applicants must select either Aerospace Engineering, Biomedical Engineering, Biomedical Engineering: Premedical, Chemical Engineering, Civil Engineering, Computer Engineering, Computer Science and Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Environmental Engineering, Materials Science and Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or Engineering Undeclared (option for freshmen only) as their major on the application. Junior-level applicants with the highest grades overall and who satisfactorily complete course prerequisites will be given preference for admission. All applicants must complete the following required courses: two years of approved calculus, one year of calculus-based physics with laboratories (mechanics, electricity and magnetism), additional courses as specified by the major, and completion of lower-division writing. Students are encouraged to complete as many of the lower-division degree requirements as possible prior to transfer. See The Henry Samueli School of Engineering section of this Catalogue for information on courses required for each major.

See also the listing for Computer Science and Engineering, a major jointly administered by the Donald Bren School of Information and Computer Sciences and The Henry Samueli School of Engineering.

Humanities: Junior-level transfers for all majors within the School of Humanities must have completed the UC Entry Level Writing Requirement, and two semester or two quarter courses of approved lower-division English composition with grades of C or better.

Information and Computer Science (ICS): This major is not open for admission on the UC application. Students are strongly encouraged to follow the transfer preparation guidelines for any of the other Bren ICS majors. Applicants must select either Business Information Management1, Computer Science, Computer Science and Engineering2, Data Science, Game Design and Interactive Media, Informatics, or Software Engineering as their major on the application. Visit the UCI Office of Admissions website for information on transfer requirements for these majors.

1

See also the listing for Business Information Management, a collaborative major between the Donald Bren School of ICS and The Paul Merage School of Business in the Interdisciplinary section of the Catalogue, and administered by the Donald Bren School of Information and Computer Sciences.

2

Apply at the Interdisciplinary section of the UC Application. See also the listing for Computer Science and Engineering, a major jointly administered by the Donald Bren School of ICS and The Henry Samueli School of Engineering in the Interdisciplinary section of the Catalogue.

Mathematics: Preference will be given to junior-level applicants with the highest grades overall and who have satisfactorily completed the required coursework of one year of approved calculus. Additional coursework in multivariable calculus, linear algebra, and differential equations is strongly recommended.

Music: All Music applicants must apply to the B.A. program and audition in late January/early February with an instrument or voice, prior to the fall quarter when entrance is anticipated; admission to the B.Mus. program is by a second audition after matriculation.

Nursing Science: Admission to the major is limited and selective. Junior-level applicants with the highest grades overall and who satisfactorily complete course prerequisites will be given preference for admission to the Nursing Science major. The following list of prerequisites is required for transfer students applying for fall 2022 entry and beyond. All applicants must complete the following with grades of B or better: one year of general chemistry equivalent to UCI’s CHEM 1A - CHEM 1B - CHEM 1C; one quarter/semester of genetics equivalent to UCI’s BIO SCI 97; one quarter/semester of biology equivalent to UCI’s BIO SCI 93; one quarter/semester of human physiology with laboratory equivalent to UCI’s PHRMSCI 120 and PHRMSCI 120L; one quarter/semester of microbiology with laboratory equivalent to UCI’s BIO SCI M115; one quarter/semester of human anatomy with laboratory equivalent to UCI’s BIO SCI D170; one quarter/semester of philosophy equivalent to UCI’s PHILOS 4 or PHILOS 5; one quarter/semester of psychology equivalent to UCI’s PSYCH 7A/PSCI 9; one quarter/semester of public health equivalent to UCI’s PUBHLTH 1; one quarter/semester of sociology equivalent to UCI’s SOCIOL 1; and one quarter/semester of statistics equivalent to UCI’s STATS 7 or STATS 8. It is recommended, but not required, to complete one quarter/semester of lifespan developmental psychology equivalent to NUR SCI 116, and one quarter/semester of nutrition equivalent to NUR SCI 50 prior to admission. Applicants must have a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher to be considered.

Pharmaceutical Sciences: Students may be admitted to the Pharmaceutical Sciences major upon entering the University as freshmen, via change of major, or as transfer students from other colleges and universities.

Information about change-of-major policies is available in the Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences office and at the UCI Change of Major Criteria website.

Transfer Students: All applicants must have completed the following required courses with a grade of B- or better in all courses: one year of general chemistry with laboratory equivalent to UCI's CHEM 1A-CHEM 1B-CHEM 1C and CHEM 1LC-CHEM 1LD AND one year of organic chemistry with laboratory equivalent to UCI’s CHEM 51A-CHEM 51B-CHEM 51C and CHEM 51LB-CHEM 51LC-CHEM 51LD. Transfer students must also complete two years of biology courses equivalent to UCI’s BIO SCI 93, BIO SCI 94, BIO SCI 97, BIO SCI 98, and BIO SCI 99.  Moreover, all transfer applicants must have a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or better. Additional courses that are recommended, but not required: one year of calculus and one year of calculus-based physics.

Physics: Preference will be given to junior-level applicants with the highest grades overall and who have satisfactorily completed the following required courses: one year of approved calculus and one year of calculus-based physics with laboratory for engineering and physics majors.

Freshmen: There are no specific requirements for admission at the freshman level, however completion of a college preparatory high school curriculum including two years of high school biology, a combination of natural science courses including one year each of mathematics and chemistry, and courses in health science and social sciences will be helpful. Grades of B or better are recommended in all of these preparatory courses.

Transfer Students: Junior-level applicants with the highest grades overall and who satisfactorily complete lower-division requirements will be given preference for admission to the Public Health majors. All applicants to the B.S. in Public Health Sciences must have a minimum overall GPA of 3.0 and a minimum GPA of 3.0 in required courses, one year of general chemistry with laboratory, and one year of courses equivalent to UCI’s BIO SCI 93 and BIO SCI 94. All applicants to the B.A. in Public Health Policy must have a minimum overall GPA of 3.0 and a minimum GPA of 3.0 in required courses, and complete one year of social science courses in any combination of the following topics: anthropology, economics, sociology, and/or psychology.

Transfer Student Admission Requirements

Due to COVID-19, be sure to visit admissions.uci.edu for the most up-to-date information regarding undergraduate admission requirements.

The University of California requirements for admission as a transfer applicant vary according to the high school record. Transfer applicants who have completed a California Certificate of Proficiency or the equivalent must also meet regular University entrance requirements.

Transfer applicants should also refer to the section on Information for Transfer Students: Fulfilling Requirements for a Bachelor’s Degree.

The transcript submitted from the last college attended must show, as a minimum, that the student was in good standing and had earned a GPA of 2.4 (2.8 for nonresidents) or better in all transferable coursework.

A transfer applicant must also meet one of the following conditions:

  1. If a student was eligible for admission to the University when the student graduated from high school — meaning that the student satisfied the Subject and Scholarship Requirements, or was identified by the University as eligible under the Eligibility in the Local Context (ELC) program — the student is eligible to transfer provided the applicant maintained a grade-point average of at least 2.0 in all transferable college coursework.
  2. If a student met the Scholarship Requirement in high school but did not satisfy the Subject Requirement, the student must take transferable college courses in the missing subjects, earn a grade of C or better in each of these required courses, and earn an overall C (2.0) average in all transferable college coursework to be eligible to transfer.
  3. Students who were not eligible for admission to the University when they graduated from high school because they did not meet the Scholarship Requirement must:
    1. Complete 60 semester (90 quarter) units of UC transferable college coursework with a grade point average of at least 2.4 (2.8 for nonresidents). A competitive UCI transfer applicant should have a UC transferable GPA of 3.0 or above. No more than 14 semester (21 quarter) units may be taken Pass/No Pass credit and Pass/No Pass credit may not be used for major requirements; and
    2. Complete the following course pattern requirement, earning a grade of C or better in each course:
      1. Two UC transferable college courses (3 semester or 4–5 quarter units each) in English composition; and
      2. One UC transferable college course (3 semester or 4–5 quarter units) in mathematical concepts and quantitative reasoning; and
      3. Four UC transferable college courses (3 semester or 4–5 quarter units each) chosen from at least two of the following subject areas: arts and humanities, social and behavioral sciences, or physical and biological sciences.

The above seven courses may be completed with a Pass/Credit/Satisfactory grade if such designations are equivalent to a letter grade of C (2.0) or better.

NOTE: For UCI, in fulfilling items i and ii, applicants for fall should complete the courses in English and mathematics no later than the spring term.

Transfer Admission Guarantee (TAG) Requirements

Due to COVID-19, be sure to visit admissions.uci.edu for the most up-to-date information regarding undergraduate admission requirements.

UCI's Transfer Admission Guarantee (TAG) program guarantees admission to highly-qualified students from all California Community Colleges. Admission to most majors at UCI can be guaranteed through TAG for transfer students who meet the eligibility requirements, complete and submit the online TAG application September 1-30 at http://uctap.universityofcalifornia.edu, and submit the UC Application to UCI online (applying to the same major as on the TAG application) November 1-30 at https://admission.universityofcalifornia.edu. A California Community College applicant is defined as a student:

  • who completed at least 30 semester or 45 quarter UC transferable units at one or more California Community Colleges; and
  • for whom the last college attended in a regular session (fall/spring or fall/winter/spring) before admission to a UC campus is a California Community College.

 California Community College students may be eligible for admission to UCI through TAG if they will have met all of the following requirements:

  • complete 30 semester or 45 quarter UC transferable units including Advanced Placement (AP), International Baccalaureate (IB), and A level credit by the end of the summer 2021 term for fall 2022 admission;
  • earn a minimum GPA of 3.4 in all UC transferable coursework by the end of the summer 2021 term for fall 2022 admission and will maintain a 3.4 GPA in all UC transferable coursework for all subsequent terms;
  • complete one UC transferable math course with a grade of C or better by the end of the summer 2021 term;
  • complete one UC transferable English composition course with a grade of C or better by the end of the summer 2021 term;
  • complete a second UC transferable English composition course with a grade of C or better by the end of the spring 2022 term;
  • complete 60 semester or 90 quarter UC transferable units by the end of the spring 2022 term for fall 2022 admission, with at least 30 semester or 45 quarter UC transferable units completed at a California Community College;
  • complete all major coursework for chosen major, including course prerequisites and maintain minimum course GPA through the end of the spring 2022 term for fall 2022 admission (major course prerequisite information are available at https://www.admissions.uci.edu/apply/transfer/requirements.php);
  • is in good standing for all colleges attended and satisfy all UC transfer eligibility requirements; and
  • attend a California Community College during a regular session in your last term.

NOTE: The majors in Business Administration, Business Information Management, Cognitive Sciences, Computer Game Science, Computer Science, Computer Science and Engineering, Dance, Data Science, Informatics, Language Science, Music, Nursing Science and Software Engineering do not participate in the TAG program. For the most current information, visit the Admissions website.

Nonresident Transfer Admission Requirements

Due to COVID-19, be sure to visit admissions.uci.edu for the most up-to-date information regarding undergraduate admission requirements.

Nonresident transfer applicants must meet the same minimum admission requirements as those for California-resident students, except, nonresidents must have a grade point average of 2.8 or higher in all transferable college coursework. Refer to the Expenses, Tuition, and Fees section of this Catalogue for information regarding residence classification for tuition purposes and the Nonresident Supplemental Tuition.

Admission of International Students

Due to COVID-19, be sure to visit admissions.uci.edu for the most up-to-date information regarding undergraduate admission requirements.

The credentials of an international undergraduate applicant — a student who is not a U.S. citizen or U.S. permanent resident and who wishes to attend school in the United States — are evaluated in accordance with the general regulations governing admission. The application should be submitted at University of California Admissions website early in the appropriate application filing period. This will allow time for exchange of necessary correspondence and, if the applicant is admitted, will help the student in obtaining the necessary passport visa. Official certificates and detailed transcripts of records should be submitted directly to the UCI Office of Undergraduate Admissions only when requested.

International applicants who completed all or some high school/secondary school in a country where English is not the language of instruction can demonstrate English proficiency in a number of ways. This is accomplished in any of the following ways:

  • Score 24 or higher for the ACT English Language Arts (ELA); or
  • Score 31 or higher on Writing and Language in the SAT; or 
  • Score 3, 4 or 5 on the AP examination in English Language and Composition, or English Literature and Composition; or
  • Score 6 or 7 on the IB Standard Level examination in English (Language A only); or 
  • Score 5, 6 or 7 on the IB Higher Level examination in English (Language A only); or 
  • Score 6.5 or higher on the International English Language Testing System (IELTS); or
  • Score 6.5 or higher on the IELTS Indicator (Fall 2021 and Fall 2022 only); or
  • Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) examination; or
    • Internet-based test (iBT) or iBT Home Edition: Minimum score of 80 or better
    • Paper-delivered test: Minimum score of 60 or better
  • Duolingo English Test (DET): Minimum score of 115 (Fall 2021 and Fall 2022 only)

ACT

CollegeBoard

duolingo

IELTS

International Baccalaureate

TOEFL

Students must ask ACT, CollegeBoard, duolingo, IELTS, International Baccalaureate, or TOEFL to forward results of their tests to the UCI Office of Undergraduate Admissions. These scores must be received no later than January for students applying for the fall term. As an alternative to providing these scores to clear the English proficiency requirement, international freshman applicants may complete one UC-transferable English composition course; transfer applicants must complete two UC-transferable English composition courses with a grade of C or better.

Students who wish to improve their English proficiency may enroll in the intensive Program in English as a Second Language sponsored by UCI Division of Continuing Education. Information is available from:

International Programs
UCI Division of Continuing Education
Building CE-3 #234

Pereira at Brandywine
Irvine, CA 92697

Web: http://ip.ce.uci.edu

Email: ip@ce.uci.edu
949-824-5991

In addition to satisfying the English Proficiency requirement, all international students whose native language is other than English must take an Academic English Placement Exam (AEPE) upon arrival and prior to registration. Based upon the results of this test, students may be required to improve certain language skills by enrolling in Academic English (AC ENG) courses during their first year, with other major coursework being adjusted accordingly.

Generally, financial assistance and scholarships from the University are not available to the non-immigrant-visa student. International students must provide proof that sufficient funds will be available to meet their educational commitments while studying in the United States. International undergraduate students are considered nonresidents of California and are required to pay Nonresident Supplemental Tuition in addition to fees paid by legal residents of California.

Please direct all inquiries regarding the undergraduate admission of international students to the Office of Undergraduate Admissions. See admissions.uci.edu/contact.

English Language Proficiency of Permanent Resident, Refugee, and International (F-1 Visa) Students: Academic English

Any student (1) who completed their secondary school/high school in a country where English is not the language of instruction (2) whose verbal scores on the Writing section of the SAT fall below a set level, (3) who has not satisfied the UC Entry Level Writing requirement, and (4) who has received a letter from the Program in Global Languages and Communication requiring them to take the Academic English Placement Exam (AEPE), or any such student without a verbal SAT score, must take the AEPE prior to the first quarter of enrollment, regardless of the student’s TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) score, IELTS (International English Language Testing System) score, or TSWE (Test of Standard Written English) score. Also, any student who is placed into the Essentials of Academic English identified through the UC Analytical Writing Placement Process may take the AEPE. The test is given prior to the beginning of each academic year on a date to be announced. Information is available from the Academic Testing Center and the Program in Global Languages and Communication.

Based upon the results of the test, students may be required to enroll in AC ENG courses prior to enrolling in any other required writing courses. Students who do not sit for the AEPE before the start of their first quarter will enroll in AC ENG 20A. Students required to enroll in AC ENG courses must begin satisfying their AC ENG requirements within their first or second quarter at UCI. They must take these courses in consecutive quarters. The AC ENG requirements are to be completed within the first six quarters at UCI. Students who have not satisfied the AC ENG requirements by the end of their sixth quarter will be ineligible to enroll for a seventh quarter at UCI. The UC Entry Level Writing requirement must be satisfied during the quarter following the completion of AC ENG requirements. If the AC ENG requirements are completed during the first quarter of enrollment, the UC Entry Level Writing requirement must be satisfied before the beginning of the fourth quarter of enrollment.

AC ENG courses, offered by the School of Humanities and listed in the School’s section of this Catalogue, include classes in writing, speaking and listening, and reading and vocabulary development.

Credit for AC ENG Coursework

Students whose first language is not English may receive up to 12 baccalaureate credits for AC ENG coursework. Students may receive workload credit for courses taken beyond this 12-unit limit but will not receive additional credits applicable to the bachelor’s degree.

Credit for Native Language

Students whose first language is not English may receive credit for coursework in their native language and literature, provided such courses were completed at the college level in the country of the vernacular, or at the upper-division or graduate level at UCI or another accredited English-speaking institution. Some restrictions apply; see the School of Humanities section for information.

Admission for a Second Bachelor’s Degree

A student whose educational objective has changed substantially after receiving the bachelor’s degree may be considered for admission to a program for a second degree. Admission as a candidate for a second bachelor’s degree requires that the applicant be fully eligible for admission to the University and have strong promise of academic success in the new major. All such admissions are subject to the approval of the dean or director of the UCI school or program in which the second degree will be earned.

Students who have not attended UCI as undergraduates during a regular academic quarter should complete the undergraduate application for admission and scholarships, available at the University of California Admissions website. Students who have attended UCI as undergraduates during a regular academic quarter should contact the Academic Advising Office of the major of interest to initiate the electronic Second Baccalaureate/Readmission Process. For more information, visit the University Registrar's Readmission website.

Advanced Placement and International Baccalaureate Credit

Duplicate Credit. Students should be aware that AP examinations, IB examinations, and college courses taken prior to or after enrolling at the university may be duplicative. In these cases, the university will award credit for only one of these. Students cannot earn units or grade points at UCI in courses from which they have been exempted on the basis of AP or IB credit. Students who elect to enroll in courses for which they have already received AP or IB credit will have those courses specially coded on their transcript without unit or grade credit. However, some examinations exempt the student from a greater number of UCI units than the number of AP or IB units earned. In such cases, the student may elect to take the final course in the series for credit.

Advanced Placement (AP). Students who earn scores of 3, 4, or 5 on the College Board AP examinations will receive credit toward graduation at UCI. The unit and subject credit allowed toward degree requirements assigned to each test are shown in the accompanying chart.

College Board Advanced Placement

Advanced Placement Examination AP Score Unit Credit Credit Allowed Toward Degree
Art
- Art History 3 8 One course toward Art History major, minor, category IV of the UCI GE requirement as ART HIS 40A, and satisfaction of category VIII, plus 4 units of elective credit; may not replace School of Humanities requirements
4 or 5 8 Two courses toward Art History major, minor, category IV of the UCI GE requirement as ART HIS 40A and ART HIS 40B, and satisfaction of category VIII; may not replace School of Humanities requirements
- Art and Design1
- - Drawing 3, 4, or 5 8 Elective credit only
- - 2-D Art and Design 3, 4, or 5 8 Elective credit only
- - 3-D Art and Design 3, 4, or 5 8 Elective credit only
Biology 3, 4, or 5 8 Non-Bio. Sci. majors earn one Biological Sciences course toward Category II of the UCI GE requirement. Bio. Sci. majors earn elective credit only
Capstone Research and Seminar Approved as area g college-prep elective only. No university credit awarded
Chemistry 3 8 Elective credit only
4 or 5 8 CHEM 1A or ENGR 1A, plus 4 units of elective credit. Students pursuing Chemistry or a related field, and all students with a score of 5, are encouraged to enroll in Honors General Chemistry: CHEM H2A-CHEM H2B-CHEM H2C
Chinese Language and Culture2 3 8 Elective credit only
4 or 5 8 CHINESE 1A-CHINESE 1B-CHINESE 1C, CHINESE 2A. Satisfies categories VI and VIII of the UCI GE requirement. Additional course credit may be awarded following placement examination
Computer Science
- A Exam 3, 4, or 5 8 Elective credit only
Computer Science Principles 3,4, or 5 8 I&C SCI 20
Economics
- Macroeconomics 3 4 Elective credit only
4 or 5 4 ECON 20B or MGMT 4B. May not replace School of Social Sciences requirements for the bachelor’s degree
- Microeconomics 3 4 Elective credit only
4 or 5 4 ECON 20A or MGMT 4A. May not replace School of Social Sciences requirements for the bachelor’s degree
English1 3 (on either or both exams) 8 Elective credit only. Fulfills UC Entry Level Writing requirement
- Language and Composition 4 or 5 8 WRITING 505 and one course toward category IV of the UCI GE requirement for ENGLISH 10 or ENGLISH 12; may not replace Literary Journalism major or minor, English major or minor, or School of Humanities requirements
- Literature and Composition 4 or 5 8 WRITING 505 and one course toward category IV of the UCI GE requirement for ENGLISH 10 or ENGLISH 12; may not replace Literary Journalism major or minor, English major or minor, or School of Humanities requirements
4 or 5 (on both exams) 8 WRITING 505 and two courses toward category IV of the UCI GE requirement for ENGLISH 10 and ENGLISH 12; may not replace Literary Journalism major or minor, English major or minor, or School of Humanities requirements
Environmental Science 3 4 Elective credit only
4 or 5 4 EARTHSS 1
French
- French Language and Culture 3 8 FRENCH 1A-FRENCH 1B-FRENCH 1C. Satisfies category VI of the UCI GE requirement
4 or 5 8 FRENCH 2A-FRENCH 2B-FRENCH 2C. Satisfies categories VI and VIII of the UCI GE requirement
Geography
- Human Geography 3, 4, or 5 4 Elective credit only
German Language and Culture 3 8 GERMAN 1A-GERMAN 1B-GERMAN 1C. Satisfies category VI of the UCI GE requirement
4 or 5 8 GERMAN 2A-GERMAN 2B-GERMAN 2C. Satisfies categories VI and VIII of the UCI GE requirement
Government and Politics
- U.S. Government and Politics 3 4 Elective credit only
4 or 5 4 American Institutions and POL SCI 21A credit. May not replace School of Social Sciences requirements for the bachelor's degree
- Comparative Government and Politics 3 4 Elective credit only
4 or 5 4 POL SCI 51A credit. May not replace School of Social Sciences requirements for the bachelor's degree
History
- European 3 or 4 8 Elective credit only
5 8 One lower-division course toward the History major or minor (excluding HISTORY 70B), GE category IV, and satisfaction of category VIII; plus 4 units of elective credit; may not replace School of Humanities requirements
- United States 3 or 4 8 Satisfies American History and Institutions requirement
5 8 One course toward HISTORY 40A-HISTORY 40B-HISTORY 40C, GE category IV; plus 4 units of elective credit; may not replace School of Humanities requirements. Satisfies American History and Institutions requirement
- World: Modern 3 or 4 8 Elective credit only
5 8 One course toward HISTORY 21B-HISTORY 21C, GE category IV, and satisfaction of category VIII; plus 4 units of elective credit; may not replace School of Humanities requirements
Italian Language and Culture 3 8 ITALIAN 1A-ITALIAN 1B-ITALIAN 1C. Satisfies category VI of the UCI GE requirement
4 or 5 8 ITALIAN 2A-ITALIAN 2B-ITALIAN 2C. Satisfies categories VI and VIII of the UCI GE requirement
Japanese Language and Culture2 3 8 JAPANSE 1A-JAPANSE 1B-JAPANSE 1C. Satisfies category VI of the UCI GE requirement
4 or 5 8 JAPANSE 2A-JAPANSE 2B-JAPANSE 2C. Satisfies categories VI and VIII of the UCI GE requirement
Latin 3 4 Elective credit only
4 or 5 4 Satisfies categories VI and VIII of the UCI GE requirement. Course credit toward the Classics major or School of Humanities language requirement awarded upon petition
Mathematics1
- Calculus AB Exam 3 4 Elective credit only
4 or 5 4 MATH 2A or MATH 5A
- Calculus BC Exam4 3 8 MATH 2A or MATH 5A
4 or 5 8 MATH 2A-MATH 2B or MATH 5A-MATH 5B
Music Theory 3, 4 or 5 8 Elective credit only
Physics1
- Physics 1 3, 4, or 5 8 Elective credit only
- Physics 2 3, 4, or 5 8 Elective credit only
- Exam C, Part I or II 3 4 Elective credit only
4 4 PHYSICS 2
- Exam C, Part I (Mechanics) 5 4 PHYSICS 3A
- Exam C, Part II (Electricity and Magnetism) 5 4 PHYSICS 3B
Psychology 3 4 Elective credit only
4 or 5 4 PSCI 9 or PSYCH 7A
Research Satisfies the UC Entry Level Writing Requirement. No university credit awarded
Seminar Satisfies the UC Entry Level Writing Requirement. No university credit awarded
Spanish2
- Spanish Language and Culture 3 8 SPANISH 1A-SPANISH 1B-SPANISH 1C. Satisfies category VI of the UCI GE requirement
4 or 5 8 SPANISH 2A-SPANISH 2B-SPANISH 2C. Satisfies categories VI and VIII of the UCI GE requirement.
- Spanish Literature and Culture 3 8 SPANISH 1A-SPANISH 1B-SPANISH 1C. Satisfies category VI of the UCI GE requirement
4 or 5 8 SPANISH 2A-SPANISH 2B-SPANISH 2C. Satisfies categories VI and VIII of the UCI GE requirement
Statistics 3, 4, or 5 4 STATS 7 or STATS 8 or MGMT 7 or SOCECOL 13 or EDUC 15
1

Maximum credit 8 units.

2

Students who wish to enroll in any Chinese, Japanese, or Spanish course at UCI are still required to take the placement examination (and oral interview, if necessary). Students, however, cannot earn units or grade points in courses from which they have been exempted on the basis of Advanced Placement credit, even if placement results require enrollment in such a level.

3

Maximum credit 4 units.

4

Students who take the Calculus BC examination and earn a subscore of 3 or higher on the Calculus AB portion will receive credit for the Calculus AB examination, even if they do not receive a score of 3 or higher on the BC examination.

5

Students who score a 4 or 5 on either exam receive credit for WRITING 50 and qualify to take only WRITING 60 to satisfy GE category Ia Lower-Division Writing. Students who qualify cannot take WRITING 30 or WRITING 31 to satisfy the Lower-Division Writing requirement.

*

NOTE: All students should refer to the Duplicate Credit section that appears before the AP chart.

International Baccalaureate (IB). Students completing the IB diploma with a score of 30 or above will receive at minimum 6 quarter units (4 semester units) toward their UC undergraduate degree. In addition to the diploma units, the University will grant 8 quarter units credit for certified IB Higher Level examinations on which a student scores 5, 6, or 7. The University does not grant credit for Standard Level examinations. Some Higher Level examinations may be used to fulfill course requirements in lower-division major or general education requirements.

IB Exam IB Score Unit Credit Credit Allowed Toward Degree
Anthropology, Social and Cultural 5, 6, or 7 8 ANTHRO 2A. Satisfies the School requirement for School of Social Sciences major; satifies one Anthropology course toward category III, and one course toward category VIII of the UCI GE requirement.
Biology 5, 6, or 7 8 Non-Bio. Sci. majors earn one Biological Sciences course toward Category II of the UCI GE requirement. Bio Sci majors earn elective credit only.
Business & Management 5, 6, or 7 8 Elective credit only.
Chemistry 5, 6, or 7 8 Elective credit only.
Classical Languages1
- Classical Greek 5 8 GREEK 100
- Classical Greek 6 or 7 8 GREEK 100 and two courses of GREEK 103, or GREEK 100 and two courses of GREEK 104, or GREEK 100 and GREEK 103 and GREEK 104.
- Latin 5 8 LATIN 100
- Latin 6 or 7 8 LATIN 100 and two courses of LATIN 103, or LATIN 100 and two courses of LATIN 104, or LATIN 100 and LATIN 103 and LATIN 104.
Computer Science 5, 6, or 7 8 Satisfies category Vb of the UCI GE requirement.
Dance 5, 6, or 7 8 Elective credit only.
Economics 5, 6, or 7 8 ECON 20A-ECON 20B or MGMT 4A-MGMT 4B. Satisfies the major requirement for Economics and International Studies; satisfies category III of the UCI GE requirement.
Film 5, 6, or 7 8 Elective credit only.
Geography 5, 6, or 7 8 Satisfies two Geography courses toward category III of the UCI GE requirement.
Global Politics 5, 6, or 7 8 Elective credit only.
History2
History of the Americas 5, 6, or 7 8 Satisfies two courses toward HISTORY 40A-HISTORY 40B-HISTORY 40C for category IV of the UCI GE requirement. Satisfies American History and Institutions requirement.
Non-U.S. exams 5, 6, or 7 8 Satisfies two courses toward HISTORY 21A-HISTORY 21B-HISTORY 21C for category IV; satisfies category VIII of the UCI GE requirement.
Language A: Language and Literature, or Language A: Literature3 (Native Language)
- Arabic 5, 6, or 7 8 ARABIC 2C
- Chinese* 5, 6, or 7 8 CHINESE 2C
- English (Higher Level) 5, 6, or 7 8 Satisfies the UC Entry Level Writing Requirement.
- English (Standard Level) 6 or 7 No unit credit Satisfies the UC Entry Level Writing Requirement. (https://admission.universityofcalifornia.edu/elwr/)
- French* 5, 6, or 7 8 FRENCH 2C
- German 5, 6, or 7 8 GERMAN 2C
- Hebrew 5, 6, or 7 8 Satisfies School of Humanities language other than English requirement for School of Humanities majors.
- Italian 5, 6, or 7 8 ITALIAN 2C
- Japanese* 5, 6, or 7 8 JAPANSE 2C
- Korean* 5, 6, or 7 8 KOREAN 2C
- Persian 5, 6, or 7 8 PERSIAN 2C
- Portuguese 5, 6, or 7 8 Elective credit only.
- Russian 5, 6, or 7 8 RUSSIAN 2C
- Spanish* 5, 6, or 7 8 SPANISH 3
-Vietnamese 5, 6, or 7 8 VIETMSE 2C
- Albanian, Amharic, Bosnian, Bulgarian, Catalan, Croatian, Czech, Danish, Dutch, Estonian, Filipino, Finnish, Greek (Modern), Hindi, Hungarian, Icelandic, Indonesian, Latvian, Lithuanian, Macedonian, Malay, Nepali, Norwegian, Persian, Polish, Romanian, Serbian, Sesotho, Sinhalese, Slovak, Slovene, Swahili, Swedish, Thai, Turkish, Ukrainian, Urdu, Welsh 5, 6, or 7 8 Course credit for requirements may be awarded upon petition.
Language B3 4 (Non-native Language)
- Arabic 5, 6, or 7 8 ARABIC 2C
- Mandarin or Cantonese* 5, 6, or 7 8 CHINESE 2C
- English 5, 6, or 7 8 Elective credit (does not satisfy ELWR https://admission.universityofcalifornia.edu/elwr/)
- French* 5, 6, or 7 8 FRENCH 2C4
- German 5, 6, or 7 8 GERMAN 2C4
- Italian 5, 6, or 7 8 ITALIAN 2C4
- Japanese* 5, 6, or 7 8 JAPANSE 2C4
- Portuguese 5, 6, or 7 8 Elective credit only.
- Russian 5, 6, or 7 8 RUSSIAN 2C4
- Spanish* 5 or 6 8 SPANISH 2C4
- Spanish 7 8 SPANISH 3
- Danish, Dutch, Finnish, Hindi, Indonesian, Swedish 5, 6, or 7 8 Elective credit only.
Mathematics (2020 and before) 5, 6, or 7 8 MATH 2A or MATH 5A
Mathematics, Analysis and Approaches (2021 and later) 5 5, 6, or 7 8 MATH 2A or MATH 5A
Mathematics, Further (2020 and before) 5, 6, or 7 8 MATH 3A and MATH 13
Music 5, 6, or 7 8 Elective credit only.
Philosophy 5, 6, or 7 8 Elective credit only.
Physics 5, 6, or 7 8 Satisfies two Physics courses toward category II of the UCI GE requirement.
Psychology 5 8 Satisfies category III of the UCI GE requirement.
Psychology 6 or 7 8 PSYCH 9C or PSCI 11C. Satisfies category III of the UCI GE requirement.
Theater Arts 5, 6, or 7 8 Elective credit only.
Visual Arts 5, 6, or 7 8 Elective credit only.
Diploma Programme 6 or more The Diploma Programme included six IB exams, with varying GE and/or course credit. Students are granted 6 quarter units if they earn 30 total Diploma Programme points.
1

Course credit satisfies the School of Humanities language other than English requirement for School of Humanities majors; satisfies categories VI and VIII of the UCI GE requirement.

2

History exam credit is only applicable toward GE, not School of Humanities major requirements.

3

Course credit applies toward the School of Humanities language other than English requirement for School of Humanities majors and International Studies; satisfies both categories VI and VIII of the UCI GE requirement.

4

Additional course credit may be awarded toward the major, upon petition. Course credit applies toward the School of Humanities language other than English requirement for School of Humanities majors and International Studies; satisfies both categories VI and VIII of the UCI GE requirement.

5

No credit is awarded for the Mathematics Applications and Interpretations exam offered 2021 and later.

*

Students who wish to enroll in any Chinese, French, Japanese, Korean or Spanish course at UCI are still required to take the placement exam (and oral interview if necessary). Students, however, cannot earn units or grade points in courses from which they have been exempted on the basis of IB credit, even if placement results require enrollment in such a level.

The units granted for IB examinations are not counted toward the maximum number of credits required for formal declaration of an undergraduate major or the maximum number of units a student may accumulate prior to graduation from the University. Students who enter the University with IB credit do not have to declare a major earlier than other students nor are they required to graduate earlier.

Application Procedures

Students may apply to UCI using the online application at the University of California Admissions website.

Applications must be submitted by the last day of the admission application filing period. The nonrefundable application fee is $70 ($80 for international students).

When to Apply for Admission

To ensure that applications will be considered for admission to UCI and the student’s choice of major or program of study, the completed application and the application fee should be submitted during the admission application filing period, November 1–30, 2021, for fall quarter 2022. UCI accepts for consideration all applications it receives during this period. 

After the admission application filing period has ended, UCI will accept applications only if openings remain for new students.

Academic Record. On the application, students must report all high schools and colleges attended, regardless of credit earned or courses completed. All courses taken must also be reported, regardless of grades earned. This includes reporting courses repeated with both the original and repeated grade.

Failure to submit an accurate academic record will result in any admissions offer being rescinded.

Transcripts

The UCI Office of Undergraduate Admissions requires complete, accurate, and up-to-date information about a student’s academic program and work in progress in order to process and respond to the application in a timely manner. Transcripts and other documents submitted as part of the application become the property of the University; they cannot be returned or forwarded in any form to another college or university.

Freshman Applicants. Freshman applicants should not send transcripts unless requested to do so. Applicants will be notified if a preliminary high school transcript is required. Once students are admitted and decide to enroll at UCI, an official final high school transcript showing an official graduation date must be forwarded to the Office of Undergraduate Admissions even if a student attends summer session. Final official transcripts are due in the Office of Undergraduate Admissions by July 1 for those students admitted for fall quarter. [A California Certificate of Proficiency, the results from a proficiency test from any state, or a General Educational Development (GED) Certificate can be accepted in place of a high school diploma.] Delays in receiving official transcripts will disadvantage students in the academic advising process and can affect enrollment in appropriate courses.

Transfer Applicants. Transfer applicants should not send transcripts unless requested to do so. It is essential that applicants accurately complete the self-reported college credit information in the application because it will be used for initial admission screening. Once students are admitted and decide to enroll at UCI, an official transcript from each college attended and the high school from which they graduated must be sent to the Office of Undergraduate Admissions even if a student attends summer session. Final official transcripts are due in the Office of Undergraduate Admissions by July 1 for those students admitted for the fall quarter. Summer-session transcripts must be submitted by September 15. Delays in receiving official transcripts will disadvantage students in the academic advising process and can affect enrollment in appropriate courses.

Notification of Admission

Most fall quarter freshman applicants are notified of their admission status between February 1 and March 31. Transfer applicants are usually notified by May 1. In some cases for transfer applicants, complete transcripts of coursework and/or a mid-term progress report are required before a final decision can be made; such records will be requested by the Office of Undergraduate Admissions. Note that these target dates apply only to those applicants who submitted their applications during the fall admission application filing period, November 1–30. Those students who apply after the admission application filing period will be notified as soon as possible after the other applicants.

Statement of Intent to Register

Students who are offered admission and wish to attend UCI must return a Statement of Intent to Register (SIR). The SIR serves to notify UCI of the student’s decision to accept or not accept its offer of admission. Before completing and returning their SIR, students who have applied to more than one campus are advised to take as much time as is appropriate in considering their response to each campus. However, it is essential that students allow enough time to meet the stipulated deadline. Once they have decided which UC campus to attend, students should submit their positive SIR and nonrefundable $250 deposit (if applicable) either electronically or by mail. (This deposit, known as the Undergraduate Acceptance of Admission Fee, is applied to the Student Services Fee when the student enrolls.) Low-income students may have the deposit postponed (deferred) until financial aid is disbursed to cover tuition and fees.

Students must submit their SIR by the following deadline:

Freshmen entering fall 2022: May 1, 2022

Transfers entering fall 2022: June 1, 2022

Electronic Filing: Students are encouraged to return their SIR electronically. Log in to the UCI Applicant Portal. Students submitting an SIR electronically are required to pay their $250 deposit (if requested) by credit card. 

Filing by Mail: Students who are unable to submit their SIR online may download and print an SIR from the UCI Applicant Portal. Students must return the printed SIR along with the $250 deposit (if requested), made payable to UC Regents and mailed to the following address:

Office of Undergraduate Admissions
University of California, Irvine
Irvine, CA 92697

Students who are not able to either submit their SIR electronically or download an SIR from the UCI Applicant Portal should contact the Office of Undergraduate Admissions at 949-824-6703.

Admission to UCI is not an assurance of receiving financial aid nor does it guarantee assignment to University housing. Separate applications are required of applicants desiring financial aid and/or University housing, and receipt of communications from the Office of Financial Aid and Scholarships, the Housing Office, or any office other than the Office of Undergraduate Admissions does not imply that eligibility for admission has been established.

Student Records Access and Disclosure

At UCI, an “applicant” becomes a “student” at the time of submission of a positive SIR. Information regarding access to student records and disclosure of student record information (both public and confidential) may be found in the Appendix.