Transfer to UC Irvine

UC Irvine considers the following as part of the Comprehensive Review process for transfer applicants:

• Completion of a specified pattern or number of courses that meet breadth or general education requirements
• Completion of a specified pattern or number of courses that provide continuity with upper division courses in your major, such as a UC Transfer Pathway, AA degree for transfer (offered at California Community Colleges only), or UC campus-specific major prerequisites
• Grade point average in all UC transferable courses - especially in a UC Transfer Pathway or in major prerequisites
• Participation in academically selective honors courses or programs
• Special talents, achievements, and awards in a particular field, such as visual and performing arts, communication or athletic endeavors; special skills, such as demonstrated written and oral proficiency in other languages; special interests, such as intensive study and exploration of other cultures; experiences that demonstrate unusual promise for leadership, such as significant community service or significant participation in student government; or other significant experiences or achievements that demonstrate your promise for contributing to the intellectual vitality of the campus
• Completion of special projects undertaken in the context of the college curriculum or in conjunction with special school events, projects, or programs
• Academic accomplishments in light of your life experiences and special circumstances, including but not limited to: disabilities, low family income, first generation to attend college, need to work, disadvantaged social or educational environment, difficult personal and family situations or circumstances, refugee status or veteran status
• Location of your college and residence
• Completion of a UC Transfer Pathway or an AA degree for transfer offered by a California Community College

The UC Irvine General Education Requirement consists of coursework in writing, science, social and behavioral sciences, arts and humanities, mathematics and symbolic systems, language other than English, multicultural studies, and international/global issues. It is fully described in the UC Irvine General Catalogue.

• The General Education (GE) Requirement, which must be completed prior to graduation from UC Irvine, may be satisfied by college-level courses appropriate to UC Irvine offerings. It may be completed at any time during the undergraduate years with one exception -- the lower-division writing component must be completed within the first three quarters of residency at UC Irvine. However, it is to your advantage to complete as much of the GE Requirement as possible prior to transferring to UC Irvine. In fulfilling the UC Irvine General Education Requirement, transfer students have options which are described in the General Catalogue.

UC Irvine accepts the Intersegmental General Education Transfer Curriculum (IGETC) as an alternative to the UC Irvine General Education Requirement. IGETC lists are available at community college transfer centers. Students should be aware that IGETC may not be recommended for students transferring to UC Irvine in engineering, mathematics, or science majors. Whether completing the UC Irvine General Education Requirement or IGETC, students are encouraged to select general education courses that may also be applied to admission and lower-division degree requirements.

Please note that while courses taken in fulfillment of IGETC may also be used to fulfill admission requirements, completion of IGETC is not required for admission to UC Irvine.

Your personal insight questions should be exactly that – personal. This is your opportunity to tell us about yourself, your hopes, ambitions, life experiences, and inspirations. Key points about the personal insight questions include:

• Transfer applicants answer one required question and choose three out of seven additional questions to answer
• Each response is limited to a maximum of 350 words

We encourage you to take your time. Be open, be reflective, and be honest. Your personal insight questions provide context for the rest of your application. 

You must provide evidence of English proficiency to be successful in university studies at UC Irvine.

Transfer applicants must complete two UC-E approved English composition courses with a grade of C or better. UC Irvine does not accept English composition courses from international universities where English is not the language of instruction.

Students who earn scores of 3, 4, or 5 on the College Board Advanced Placement (AP) examinations will receive credit toward graduation at UC Irvine. Successfully completing the International Baccalaureate (IB) Exam can also result in credit allowed toward a UC Irvine degree.

UC may award lower-division (freshman/sophomore level) units for military courses completed if the courses are consistent with University policy on awarding transfer credit when there is an equivalent course taught at a UC campus. UC will consult the ACE recommendations for information regarding course content and as a guide to the awarding of credit. Credit for military courses is determined after matriculation at UC.

Transfer students from four-year colleges/universities will be considered for admission on a space-available basis. However, the University of California gives priority consideration to students transferring from California community colleges. In general, admission requirements for both community college and other four-year transfer applicants are the same, with the exception that students from four-year colleges must have a 2.8 minimum GPA. Additionally, individual majors may have specific GPA requirements for admission that well exceed 2.80, as well as specific prerequisite requirements.

In general, UC Irvine admits transfer students at the junior level (junior = transfer students with a minimum of 60 UC transferable semester units).

UC Irvine maintains both Transfer Course Agreements and Articulation Agreements with California community colleges. These agreements identify courses that are UC transferable as well as those that satisfy specific requirements for individual majors and for UC Irvine's General Education Requirement. To determine which courses transfer and/or satisfy requirements for specific majors, visit the ASSIST Website at assist.org.

The completion of IGETC is not required for admission to UC Irvine, although courses you have taken in fulfillment of IGETC may also be used to fulfill UC admission requirements.

Yes, you must select an academic major. You may also specify an alternate major, for which you will be considered if you meet its requirements and if space permits. There are no changes of major within the admission process. When applying, applicants must select majors that they would be interested in completing their degree in.