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University of California: America's Best Public School System | IDP Vietnam

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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!

1. Overview of the University of California

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!

2. Training quality of the University of California 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

3. Admission requirements of California Universities

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

4. Tuition fees of the University of California system

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

5. University of California System Scholarships

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.

6. Opportunities to study at a California school

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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