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Read about our transfer requirements, including those for international transfer students.

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Transfer Admission

Learn about UCI’s selection criteria for transfer admission.

Everything you need to know to be considered for admission to UCI.

UCI welcomes the distinctive experience transfer students contribute to our campus and gives priority to junior-level students transferring from California Community Colleges. In order to be eligible for admission to our university, you must meet the following requirements:

  • Complete 60 semester or 90 quarter UC transferable units by the end of the spring term prior to the desired fall term admission with a minimum 2.4 GPA required for California residents. All majors at UCI are selective and applicants are encouraged to earn the highest possible GPA.
  • Complete seven UC transferable college courses with a grade of C or better in each course — two courses in English composition, one course in mathematical concepts and quantitative reasoning, and four courses in at least two of the following subject areas: arts and humanities, social and behavioral sciences, or physical and biological sciences

If you are a non-California resident, you must have a minimum 2.8 GPA in order to be eligible for the UC System. All majors at UCI are selective and applicants are encouraged to earn the highest possible GPA. See the University of California Admissions for additional information.

You will be granted up to 70 semester/105 quarter units of credit for lower-division coursework completed at any institution or any combination of institutions. For units beyond the maximum, subject credit for appropriate coursework taken in excess of this unit limitation will be granted and may be used to satisfy requirements.

  • Units earned through AP, IB, and/or A-Level examinations are not included in the limitation and do not put applicants at risk of being denied admission
  • Units earned at any UC campus (extension/continuing education, summer, cross/concurrent, and regular academic year enrollment) are not included in the limitation but are added to the maximum transfer credit allowed and may put applicants at risk of being denied admission due to excessive units
  • No more than 14 semester (21 quarter) units may be taken for Pass/No Pass credit, and Pass/No Pass credit may not be used for major requirements

Grades earned in all UC transferable coursework are used in calculating the UC transferable GPA. For your desired major, please see Transfer Requirements by School.

COVID-19 Update: UCI will accept Pass or Credit grades in major preparatory coursework completed in winter, spring, and summer 2020 for all majors. Pass or Credit grades in major preparation are acceptable for admission purposes only; articulation of courses with Pass or Credit grades will be determined by the individual department after you enroll at UCI.

Other Considerations

UCI 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 UCI 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 UCI General Catalogue.

    The General Education (GE) Requirement, which must be completed prior to graduation from UCI, may be satisfied by college-level courses appropriate to UCI 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 UCI. However, it is to your advantage to complete as much of the GE Requirement as possible prior to transferring to UCI. In fulfilling the UCI General Education Requirement, transfer students have options which are described in the UCI General Catalogue.

  • UCI accepts the Intersegmental General Education Transfer Curriculum (IGETC) as an alternative to the UCI 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 UCI in engineering, mathematics, or science majors. Whether completing the UCI 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 UCI.

Personal Insight Questions

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.

Learn more about the personal insight questions.

Meet English proficiency requirements for UCI acceptance.

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

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

Get additional support to make your move to UCI.

  • ASSIST

    ASSIST

    ASSIST provides the most accurate and up-to-date information to help you transfer from a community college to a four-year university. It helps you find which courses satisfy lower division GE requirements, which courses transfer to UCI, and which requirements are needed for specific majors.

Transfer Admission FAQs

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

  • UCI 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 UCI'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 UCI, 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.

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