University of California, Berkeley (UCB)

Overview

University of California, Berkeley is a public institution that was founded in 1868. It has a total undergraduate enrollment of 32,831 (fall 2023), its setting is city, and the campus size is 1,232 acres. It utilizes a semester-based academic calendar. University of California, Berkeley's ranking in the 2024 edition of Best Colleges is National Universities, #15. Its in-state tuition and fees are $15,891; out-of-state tuition and fees are $48,465.

The University of California, Berkeley, often referred to as Cal, is situated overlooking the San Francisco Bay. Typically, 95% or more of incoming freshmen at Berkeley choose to live on campus. There are more than 1,000 student organizations, ranging from political groups to a hang gliding club and everything in between. Berkeley also has a thriving Greek life with dozens of fraternity and sorority chapters. The California Golden Bears, Berkeley’s athletic teams, compete in the Pac-12 Conference and are known for their traditional arch rivalry with Stanford University.

Berkeley has 14 schools and colleges, including a number of graduate and professional schools, such as the School of Optometry and the Graduate School of Journalism. Other graduate programs offered include those in the highly ranked Haas School of Business, Graduate School of Education, College of Engineering and School of Law.

Berkeley is well known as a hub of liberal student activism: The Free Speech Movement – a 1964 student protest at Berkeley in response to the administration’s ban on political activity – gained widespread attention. Notable alumni include former U.S. Supreme Court Chief Justice Earl Warren, Olympic gold medalist Jonny Moseley, and actor John Cho, known for his role in the "Harold and Kumar" films. Dr. J. Robert Oppenheimer, who worked on the development of the atomic bomb as scientific director of the Manhattan Project during World War II, was a professor at Berkeley.

Admissions

* These are the average scores of applications admitted to this school. Ranges represent admitted applicants who fell within the 25th and 75th percentile.

University of California, Berkeley has an acceptance rate of 11%. The application deadline at University of California, Berkeley is Nov. 30.

Admissions officials at University of California, Berkeley consider a student's GPA a very important academic factor. An applicant's high school class rank is not considered but letters of recommendation are considered by admissions officials at University of California, Berkeley. 

Cost

International Student’s Requirements

●        Application deadline - Fall – November 30

●        No separate application required - $70

●        No conditional admission offered

●        No early action and early decision allowed

●        Either TOEFL or IELTS required

●        Either SAT or ACT not applicable

What is life around UC Berkeley like?

Berkeley is also home to diverse cultures, food and traditions unique to California, but also from around the world. Living in Berkeley means getting to know the UC Berkeley campus, sampling local organic foods at a weekend farmer’s market, relaxing at a sidewalk café or enjoying a hike in the wooded Berkeley hills.

Campus Transit Services

Bear Transit (Campus Shuttles) is UC Berkeley’s shuttle system, servicing the residence halls, campus, and vicinity. Discover all the ways to get around campus with Mobility and Alternative Transportation. Find Night Safety Services like Bearwalk and the Night safety shuttle.

Where do Berkeley students eat?

In addition to the dining commons, Berkeley Dining operates four campus restaurants to give you additional variety, flexibility, and flavor.

●      Brown’s.

●      The Eateries at Student Union.

●      The Golden Bear Café

What is there to do around UC Berkeley?

Top Attractions in Berkeley

●      UC Botanical Garden at Berkeley.

●      Tilden Regional Park.

●      Tilden Park Little Farm.

●      Berkeley Marina.

●      Berkeley Repertory Theatre.

●      Greek Theater.

●      Monterey Market.

●      Farmers Markets.

Student Diversity

 

Academics