University of California System: Benefits for International Students, Tuition Fees and Admission Process
The USA is one of the highly popular study-abroad destinations for Indian students. This is due to the presence of world-class universities that provide exposure to high academic rigour, expert faculty, diverse networking opportunities, and attractive career scope.
USA houses several university systems such as Ivy League, Public Ivy, Little Ivy, University of California System, California State University System, etc, which were formed to serve students from diverse communities and interests.Â
In this blog, we have discussed the University of California System, including its member campuses, tuition fees, and admission process.
- What is the University of California System?
- Top Reasons to Study at the University of California System Institutes
- List of University of California System Campuses
- Popular Study Programs at Different University of California Campuses
- New Majors for Fall Intake 2025
- Eligibility Criteria for Indian Students to Study at the University of California System
- Required Documents for University of California System
- Application Process for the University of California System
- Key Takeaways by AdmitX
- FAQs
What is the University of California System?
- The University of California System (UC System) is a public research university system headquartered in the state of California.
- The UC system consists of 10 campuses of the University of California that are located at Berkeley, Davis, Irvine, Los Angeles, Merced, Riverside, San Diego, San Francisco, Santa Barbara, and Santa Cruz.
- It also comprises 10 medical centres and 3 national laboratories.
- The University of California network was founded in 1869 with nearly 10 faculty members and 40 students.Â
- Today, it includes over 2,80,000+ students, 2,27,000 faculty members, and more than 2 million alumni worldwide.
Top Reasons to Study at the University of California System Institutes
The University of California System is a widely recognised network of public research universities in the USA. Below, we have included the top reasons to study at the University of California.Â
High Academic Rigour
- The USA universities, including the University of California System, are globally renowned for providing high-quality education to international students.
- International students can expect challenging coursework and deep engagement to focus on their studies across all its campuses.Â
- This facilitates them to develop certain skillsets such as critical thinking, communication, problem solving, research abilities, time management, etc.
Focus on Research & Development
- University of California institutes such as UCLA and UC Berkeley are popular for offering research-oriented courses in the fields of STEM, business management, humanities, psychology, natural sciences, etc.
- Nine of the UCs grant degrees in bachelor’s, master’s and PhD programs, and only one offers master’s and doctoral courses.
- All UCs are mainly focused on solving real-world problems in the area of climate change, environmental sciences, artificial intelligence, space technology, etc., through innovation and creativity.
Renowned Faculty
- The University of California system boasts a distinguished faculty composed of renowned researchers, industry leaders, and subject matter experts.
- Many faculty members are actively engaged in groundbreaking research and innovation, with several holding prestigious accolades, including Nobel Prizes.
- They facilitate students understanding the lessons comprehensively by showcasing real-life examples, visual demonstrations, project work, and positive classroom discussions.
Diverse Range of Academic Programs
- 800+ academic programs are available across the 10 campuses of the University of California system.Â
- Each university is renowned for its expertise in specific subject areas and degree programs.
- It offers students a diverse range of academic specialisations.
- For example, UC Berkeley is popular for offering natural sciences courses such as earth sciences, astrophysics, physics, chemistry, etc., whereas UCLA offers programs in biomedical sciences, computer sciences, information technology, etc.
List of University of California System Campuses
Below is a tabular list of University of California campuses and their locations. The average tuition fee at the University of California (for undergraduate and postgraduate students) is around USD 40,000-60,000 or INR 34 Lakhs-52 Lakhs per year, depending on the campus and course.
| University of California Campuses | Location |
|---|---|
| UC Berkeley | Berkeley |
| UC Davis | Davis |
| UC Irvine | Irvine |
| UCLA | Los Angeles |
| UC Merced | Merced |
| UC Riverside | Riverside |
| UC San Diego | La Jolla |
| UC San Francisco | San Francisco |
| UC Santa Barbara | Santa Barabara |
| UC Santa Cruz | Santa Cruz |
Popular Study Programs at Different University of California Campuses
Some of the popular study programs at different universities of California campuses are tabulated below.
| University of California Campuses | Popular Study Program |
|---|---|
| UC Berkeley | Natural Sciences Electrical Engineering Business Management Political Sciences |
| UC Davis | Agriculture Environmental Sciences Veterinary Sciences Genetics |
| UC Irvine | Computer Sciences Business Management Psychology Nursing |
| UCLA | Biomedical Sciences Computer Sciences Film & Television Social Sciences |
| UC Merced | Environmental Engineering Neurosciences Artificial Intelligence Community Health |
| UC Riverside | Life Sciences Engineering Biological Sciences Creative Writing |
| UC San Diego | Life Sciences Oceanography Data Sciences Bioengineering |
| UC San Francisco | Pharmacy Engineering Natural Sciences Psychology |
| UC Santa Barbara | Engineering Environmental Sciences Physics Social Sciences |
| UC Santa Cruz | Marine Biology Oceanography Environmental Studies Molecular Biology |
New Majors for Fall Intake 2025
Starting from the fall intake (September 2025), the University of California will provide the following majors to incoming students.
| UC Campus | Major |
|---|---|
| UC Berkeley | Neuroscience Israel Study |
| UC Davis | Business |
| UC Irvine | Applied Computational Mathematics |
| UC Merced | Aerospace Engineering Biochemical & Biomolecular Engineering Biochemistry Ecology Science, Technology & Ethics |
| UC Riverside | Black Studies Environmental Studies Global & Community Health Religious Studies |
| UC San Diego | Artificial Intelligence Cinematic Arts Literary Arts Media Studies & Communication |
Eligibility Criteria for Indian Students to Study at the University of California System
The general entry requirements for Indian students are as follows.
Academic Prerequisite
For getting admission into bachelor’s level programs, Indian applicants must have
- Completed 10+2 education from a government-recognised school of CBSE/ISC/state board with at least 70-90% grade, depending on the prospective university and course.
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For getting admission into master’s level programs, Indian applicants must have
- Completed 3-4 years of bachelor’s degree from a government-recognised college/university with at least 65-90% grade, depending on the prospective university and course.
Standardised Tests
Some UCs provide standardised test waiver options, but submitting these scores can enhance the application.
| Standardised Tests | Minimum Score |
|---|---|
| SAT | 1500-1580 |
| ACT | 34-36 |
| GMAT | 700-720 |
| GRE | 330 |
English Language Test Scores
Some UCs provide alternatives or waivers to English language proficiency tests. However, submitting these scores can enhance the strength of the application process.
| English Language Proficiency Test | Minimum Score |
|---|---|
| TOEFL | 100-110 |
| IELTS | 7.0-7.5 |
| PTE | 65-70 |
| Duolingo | 110-125 |
Extracurricular Activities
Beyond academics, University of California System institutes looks at extracurricular activities, internships, projects, volunteering, olympiads, etc., in which students have participated and demonstrated their skills such as leadership, communication, critical thinking, and problem-solving abilities.
Interview and Portfolio
Depending on the course and campus, applicants are required to appear in the interview conducted by the University of California.
Required Documents for University of California System
The following is a list of documents that need to be submitted while applying for the University of California.
- All previous academic transcripts
- 1 CV/Resume
- 1-2 Statements of Purpose
- 2-3 Letters of Recommendation
- Standardised Test Scorecards (depending on course/study level)
- Application Fee (depending on the university)
- WES Evaluation Report
- Work Experience Letter/Portfolio (if required)
- Certificate for Extracurricular Activities
- Passport
Application Process for the University of California System
- The preparation for the admission process should commence at least 9-12 months before the onset of the study intake.
- Arrange and gather all the relevant documents required for admission
- When the application cycle opens, apply for admission through the University of California system’s official admission website.Â
| Intake | Commencement of Application | Application Deadlines | Duration of Class |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fall Intake | August/September 2024 | December 2024-March 2025 | September 2025-June 2026 |
| Spring Intake | July/August 2024 | October-November 2024 | January-June 2025 |
| Summer Intake | September/October 2024 | February-March 2025 | May-August/September 2025 |
Key Takeaways by AdmitX
The University of California system is one of the most prestigious university networks, comprising 10 campuses. Studying in the USA is rewarding for every Indian student due to rigorous academic standards, exposure to networking opportunities, and vibrant college life.
UC campuses are at the forefront of providing these experiences to international students, shaping their skill sets and exposing them to new perspectives on real-world challenges.
FAQs
What is the cost of study at the University of California system?
The cost of study at the University of California system depends on the campus you are enrolled in, study level, and academic program. However, on average, it is around USD 40,000-60,000 or INR 34 Lakhs-52 Lakhs per year.
Which city is the University of California in?
The different campuses of the University of California are located in the different cities of Berkeley, Davis, Irvine, Los Angeles, Merced, Riverside, San Diego, San Francisco, Santa Barabara, and Santa Cruz.
What GPA do I need to get into the University of California system?
Indian applicants are required to have at least 70% or more in their previous academics (class XII) for undergraduate courses and 70%-85% (3-4 year bachelor’s degree) for master’s level programs.
Does UCLA accept academic marks obtained in the CBSE board exam?
Yes, UCLA accepts academic marks obtained in the CBSE board exam (class XII) for admitting students into undergraduate courses.
What are the popular courses at UC San Diego?
Some of the popular courses at UC San Diego are life sciences, oceanography, data sciences, bioengineering, and business management.
