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UCLA Undergraduate Admissions and Relations with Schools

International Students

As an undergraduate, you may apply for admission as a freshman or as a transfer student. You are a freshman applicant if you completed secondary school and have not enrolled in a regular session at any college or university. UCLA does not admit students into any undergraduate program who already hold Bachelor’s degrees, nor do we admit students who have the equivalent of three years [130 quarter-units or more] of transferable university work. You may not disregard your college record and apply as a freshman.

Admission to UCLA is highly selective in all majors. Preference is given to California residents, then to other United States residents. We are only able to admit a small number of international applicants each year.

More information on when and how to apply

Academic Requirements

To be considered for admission to UCLA, international students must have completed secondary school with a superior average in academic subjects and have earned a certificate of completion which enables the student to be admitted to a university in the home country.

Students who have attended school under the British system must present five GCSE/Ordinary-Level examinations and at least three Advanced-Level examinations with superior grades. Results of Advanced-Supplementary or Higher-Level exams should also be submitted. Students enrolled in the India/Pakistan post-secondary system must apply as undergraduates unless they have earned a Bachelor’s degree in engineering or a Master’s degree in any other area, in which case they should apply for admission to a graduate program.

Transcripts and Official Records

UCLA requires records from all secondary schools attended, showing subjects taken and grades received as well as any national or government certificates earned. Documents of all college or university coursework must also be sent in the original language, along with English translations. Do not send these documents now. If you apply and are admitted to UCLA, your admission packet will contain instructions on how to send your original records to us.

Freshman Test Requirements

All freshman applicants are expected to take the following tests:

  • The ACT Assessment plus the ACT Writing Test.
    - or -
    The SAT Reasoning Test with critical reading, mathematics, and writing scores from the same sitting.
  • Two SAT Subject Tests in two different subject areas*:
    Note: Starting with Fall Quarter 2012 we will no longer require two SAT Subject exams. (We will still review these exam scores if applicants choose to send them to us, however, and certain SAT Subject exams may be recommended for some majors.)
    • English (literature)
    • history/social studies
    • mathematics (Level 2 only; Level 1 will no longer be accepted)
    • science
    • languages (other than English)

    * - Applicants to the Henry Samueli School of Engineering and Applied Science are strongly encouraged to take the following SAT Subject Tests: Math Level 2 and a science test (Biology E/M, Chemistry, or Physics) that is closely related to the applicant's intended major.

    more on the test requirements

In order for your test scores to be available in time for our review, all tests must be taken by December of the year before you plan to enroll. Arrangements to take the tests in your country may be made with the Educational Testing Service. You should request that your test scores be sent directly to the UCLA Undergraduate Admissions Office.

Language Requirements

A proficiency in English will be critical to your success. UCLA requires one of the following proficiency exams from all international students coming from non-English speaking countries:

When you take the test, have your scores forwarded by the testing service to the UCLA Undergraduate Admissions Office.

If you are admitted to UCLA and your native language is not English, we may also require you to take UCLA’s English-as-a-Second-Language Placement Examination (ESLPE) immediately before the term in which you enter. If your score indicates a weakness in English, several terms of your program may include special courses in English for international students. If your score shows that you are seriously deficient, you will be required to gain proficiency in English before you are allowed to pursue your studies at UCLA.

Information about Majors

UCLA offers over 100 majors at the undergraduate level. Please note that the number of qualified applicants to any of the majors in engineering (including Eomputer Science) or economics (including Business Economics) far exceed the number of spaces available in these programs. Competition in these areas is even more rigorous than in other programs.

UCLA does not offer undergraduate degrees in architecture, journalism or business administration. See section on Undergraduate Majors for a complete listing.

Financial Information

UCLA does not award scholarships or financial aid to undergraduate students who are not citizens or permanent residents of the United States. International students must prove that they have sufficient funds available to them to pay for their educational and living expenses. For example, students admitted to Fall Quarter 2009 will need a minimum of over $51,000 (with an additional $5,000 recommended for additional personal expenses, contingencies and summer expenses). This minimum amount usually grows each year.

UCLA also requires that all international students on non-immigrant visas have adequate medical insurance during all periods of enrollment. More information about these requirements will be sent to students when they are admitted.

Fees, Tuition, and Estimated Student Budget

Additional Information

Information about undergraduate and graduate courses, degree requirements, housing, and student services is included in the UCLA General Catalog.