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The University of California is a leading university system in the United States, comprising 10 campuses, 6 academic medical centers, and 3 national laboratories. The University of California (UC) system is not only a source of pride for the state of California but also a symbol of educational excellence in the U.S. With an outstanding academic environment and countless opportunities for growth, UC has become an ideal destination for those aspiring to study in the United States.
Join IDP to explore the study conditions, tuition fees, and scholarship opportunities at this prestigious public university system!
The University of California is a leading university system in the United States, comprising 10 campuses, 6 academic medical centers, and 3 national laboratories. The University of California (UC) system is not only a source of pride for the state of California but also a symbol of educational excellence in the U.S. With an outstanding academic environment and countless opportunities for growth, UC has become an ideal destination for those aspiring to study in the United States.
Join IDP to explore the study conditions, tuition fees, and scholarship opportunities at this prestigious public university system!
The University of California system has always affirmed its leading position in education quality, through high rankings in prestigious rankings in the US. According to US News, UC schools are always in the top group in terms of training quality, committed to providing the best learning environment for students. Below is the ranking and outstanding training disciplines of the university:
School rankings
Field | Public Universities | National University |
University of California – Los Angeles | 1 | 15 |
University of California – Berkeley | 2 | 17 |
University of California – San Diego | 6 | 29 |
University of California – Davis | 9 | 33 |
University of California – Irvine | 9 | 33 |
University of California – Santa Barbara | 13 | 39 |
University of California – Merced | 26 | 58 |
University of California – Riverside | 36 | 76 |
University of California – Santa Cruz | 42 | 84 |
*Rankings are based on U.S. News 2025 Best Colleges Rankings data
Outstanding Training Majors
The universities of the University of California (UC) system stand out for many high-quality academic programs. Here are some of the outstanding majors at schools in this system:
Field | Outstanding majors |
UC – Berkeley | Computer Science, Business (Haas Business School), Law, Environmental Science |
UC – LA | Medicine, Film and Television, Engineering, Psychology |
UC - San Diego | Oceanography, Biology, Engineering |
UC - Davis | Veterinary Medicine, Agriculture, Environmental Sciences |
UC - Irvine | Business, Computer Science, Biology |
UC - Santa Barbara | Physics, Environmental Science, Marine Biology |
UC - Santa Cruz | Computer Science, Biological Sciences, Arts |
UC - Riverside | Computer Science, Engineering, Biology |
UC - Merced | Engineering, Environmental Science |
Admission requirements for the University of California vary depending on the program you are applying for, as follows:
For undergraduate programs: Applicants must have a GPA of 2.5/4.0 or higher and an IELTS certificate with a minimum score of 5.5.
For master's programs: You need a GPA ranging from 2.5 to 3.25, depending on the major. The common IELTS requirement is between 6.0 and 6.5 for each skill, and GMAT or GRE scores may also be required. Specifically, if you are applying for an MBA program, a GMAT score of 500 or higher may be required. Additionally, your application should include letters of recommendation from professors or managers
Institution | Tuition (International students) |
UC - Berkeley | 51,032 USD/year |
UC - LA | 46,503 USD/year |
UC - San Diego | 51,015 USD/year |
UC - Irvine | 46,626 USD/year |
UC - Davis | 47,682 USD/year |
UC - Santa Barbara | 47,755 USD/year |
UC - Santa Cruz | 50,183 USD/year |
UC - Riverside | 48,516 USD/year |
UC Merced | 46,905 USD/year |
Below is a summary of scholarships of California State University schools:
Field | Scholarship Information |
UC - San Bernardino | Scholarship value: 396 USD/credit (the number of credits depends on the department and the quality of the application) |
UC - Long Beach | Scholarship value: Depends on the quality of the application and faculty |
UC - Sacramento | Scholarship value: 396 USD/credit (the number of credits depends on the department and the quality of the application) |
UC - Northridge | Scholarship value: Depends on the quality of the application and faculty |
UC - Bakersfield | Scholarship value: Depends on the quality of the application and faculty |
UC - San Marcos | Scholarship Value: Up to 50% of tuition fees |
These scholarships may vary from year to year and the specific requirements of each school. Because the number of scholarships is limited, schools require students to apply early.
Studying at the University of California provides students with not only a quality education but also numerous opportunities for professional and personal development.
Outstanding quality of education: The University of California stands out for its quality academic program, which helps students build a strong foundation for their future careers and well-rounded personal development.
Global Network: Studying in California, you will have the opportunity to connect with a diverse international community, expand your relationships, and collaborate with people from all over the world.
Practice skills and enrich experience: Living and studying in an international environment will help you develop soft skills such as communication, teamwork, and adapting to multiculturalism, opening up valuable experiences.
Potential Career Opportunities: With the presence of Silicon Valley and a host of leading technology companies, California is an ideal destination for students looking for great career opportunities after graduation.
With a long history and remarkable achievements, the University of California has established itself as one of the world's leading public university systems. Studying at the University of California not only gives you the opportunity to experience a high-quality education but also the opportunity to develop your skills holistically and build strong international relationships. These opportunities will open the way to success in the international market.
To make your dream of studying in the US come true, please contact the IDP 19006955 hotline for detailed advice. IDP is ready to support you wholeheartedly throughout your study abroad journey, from finding the right school, and major, and preparing your study abroad application to hunting for scholarships to study in the United States and registering for the IELTS test. In addition, you can participate in IDP's study abroad seminars to meet with university representatives face-to-face and review applications on the spot.
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