University of California, Berkeley

Key facts

Checked against the sources listed at the bottom of this page on 9 November 2026.

About UC Berkeley

UC Berkeley was founded in 1868 as the state’s first land-grant institution, made possible by the Morrill Act of 1862. It inherited the land and facilities of the private College of California. It opened in Oakland in 1869 and moved to its Berkeley site in 1873; the campus was named after the philosopher George Berkeley.^[6]

In fall 2025 the campus counted 33,122 undergraduates and 13,029 graduate students.^[1] Its academic enterprise is organised into 15 schools and colleges and offers over 300 degree programmes.^[7] Berkeley Lab (Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory) grew out of the Radiation Laboratory founded on campus by Ernest Lawrence.^[6]

How is UC Berkeley ranked?

In the QS World University Rankings 2027, published on 18 June 2026, UC Berkeley is joint 20th. A press report says it fell three places into a tie at twentieth; it was 17th in the 2026 edition.^[2] A second source, the Chinese-language aggregator xuanxiao.org, also gives 20th in the 2027 edition (score 89.7).^[9]

Rankings differ by publisher and year, so treat one position as one view. How we compile rankings. See also the best universities in the USA.

What can you study at UC Berkeley?

Berkeley says its academic enterprise is organised into 15 schools and colleges and that it offers over 300 degree programmes through its academic departments.^[7] The pages we read do not name the individual colleges.

This profile does not list individual majors; use the university’s programme and major list to see what is open to you.

How much does UC Berkeley cost in 2026–27?

These are the totals on the Registrar’s 2026–27 fee schedule, which the page calls estimates subject to change.^[8] Graduate academic programmes are listed there too: per semester new master’s students pay $13,036.75 (residents) or $20,587.75 (nonresidents), and new doctoral students $13,067.75 or $20,618.75.^[8]

The Financial Aid Office budget uses different groupings. For new students it lists tuition and fees of $18,214, a student health insurance plan of $5,066, and, in a residence hall, housing of $16,640 and a meal plan of $7,000, for total direct costs of $46,920 and a total cost of attendance of $54,674. It states that new out-of-state students pay an additional nonresident supplemental tuition of $39,270. The page does not split the budget by residency, so the amounts are not directly comparable with the fee schedule above.^[3]

In-state versus out-of-state

International students in the US on a visa cannot be classified as California residents for tuition purposes, so they pay the nonresident rate.^[4] We found no single 2026–27 all-in budget for international students, so add living costs to the nonresident figures yourself using the budget above.

Aid and scholarships for international students

Berkeley states that international students are ineligible for federal, state and need-based university financial aid; only US citizens, eligible non-citizens and AB 540 eligible students can be awarded it.^[5] The Financial Aid Office lists scholarships that admitted international undergraduates can receive: the Regents’ & Chancellor’s Scholarship (all students who apply are automatically considered), the Robinson International Scholars Program and the International Leaders Scholarship (need-based, no amounts given) and the Swaniker Scholars Program (by nomination only).^[10]

How do you apply to UC Berkeley as an international student?

• Undergraduates: updated exam scores are submitted through ApplyUC; official TOEFL and SAT scores can be sent through ETS with code 4833. Enter grades exactly as on your school records and do not convert them. Applicants must finish secondary school and earn a certificate that allows university admission in their home country.^[4]
• After admission: admitted students complete a Non-immigrant Information Form, and the Berkeley International Office issues the visa document. Applicants must show sufficient funds, and a financial sponsor must guarantee funds for the first year.^[4]
• Graduate students: you apply through the Graduate Division’s application, where you can apply to only one programme per cycle (currently 2027–2028, with Summer/Fall and Spring 2028 terms counting as one cycle).^[11]

We give no deadlines here because they change every year. Check the current dates on admissions.berkeley.edu.

Which English test scores does UC Berkeley want?

Undergraduate

English proficiency can be shown in several ways:^[4]

• TOEFL 90 (the page also lists 4.5), IELTS 6.5 or Duolingo English Test 115
• AP English Language and Composition or English Literature and Composition with a 3, 4 or 5
• IB English Language A at Standard Level with 6 or 7, or at Higher Level with 5, 6 or 7
• ACT English Language Arts 24 or higher, or SAT Writing and Language 31 or higher
• Three or more years of English-language instruction (mixed languages of instruction do not count)

The requirement must be satisfied by 31 January, and exam scores must be valid for two years from the enrolment date. Transfer applicants do not need international English exams, because English proficiency is assumed when completing the 7-Course Pattern.^[4]

Graduate

Applicants whose bachelor’s degree comes from a country or region where English is not the main language of daily life and instruction must submit official proof. For Fall 2027 the minimum is TOEFL iBT 90 (tests from 1 June 2025 to 20 January 2026) or 5 with at least 4.5 in Speaking and Writing (tests from 21 January 2026), or IELTS 7 overall (with at least 6.5 in Speaking and Writing for tests from 21 January 2026). Duolingo is not accepted, and departments may require higher scores. Exemptions apply to degrees from English-speaking countries, US institutions and one year of full-time US coursework with grades of B or better.^[12]

More about studying in United States (USA)

• United States (USA): best universities
• Study in United States (USA): complete guide
• Cost of Studying Abroad
• International Student Scholarships
• University Ranking Methodology

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