Transfer Admission

More and more students are discovering the transfer path to UC. In 2004-2005, more than 13,000 students transferred from California's community colleges to UC, and close to a third of all UC bachelor's degrees were awarded to students who started out at community colleges.

While UC gives California community college students first priority over other transfer applicants, the University also accepts those from four-year institutions. In addition, it's possible to transfer from one UC campus to another. A student who has graduated from high school and has enrolled in a regular session at another college or university is considered a transfer student.

Who Transfers to UC?

There is no typical UC transfer student. As a group, UC students reflect the cultural, racial, geographic, economic and social richness of the state. But they do share common characteristics. One is motivation; in the classroom and in their communities, they are driven to use their talents to the best of their abilities.

Many also hold part-time jobs, working 10-20 hours a week on or off campus. Most live off campus in the community and commute to campus. And although UC attracts transfer students of every age, most are 21 or younger.

Academically, our transfers can compete with any UC student. Studies show that transfer students are well prepared to succeed at UC. Community college students who enter the University as juniors perform just as well academically as students who entered UC as freshmen. Their graduation rates are comparable, too: Nearly two-thirds complete a bachelor’s degree within three years of entering UC.

The chart below shows the percentage of students on each campus that entered as transfers.

Applying to UC

Just as with freshman applicants, campuses evaluate prospective transfer students first to see if they have met the minimum eligibility requirements. Then, if a campus or program has more applicants than they can admit, they assess prospective students based on comprehensive review.

Keep in mind that most UC campuses admit a limited number of lower division transfer students. This means that, in most cases, you should plan on completing at least 60 semester (90 quarter) units before you transfer. In addition, most campuses don’t admit students with 90 semester (135 quarter) units or more.

To see how you can meet the minimum eligibility requirements and become a competitive applicant, use the links at left. There are also details specific to California community college students who are planning to transfer to UC.

Transfer From Semester to Quarter System

All UC campuses use the quarter system except Berkeley and Merced, which use the semester calendar. If you are enrolled in a college with a fall term that does not end prior to January 1, you cannot transfer to the University for the winter quarter.

If you are changing from a semester to a quarter system, you should try to complete series courses before you transfer – for example, Chemistry 1A-1B – to avoid duplicating coursework. If your school is on the semester calendar and you wish to enroll in the latter terms of a two- or three-quarter course sequence at UC, you may have to repeat material. With careful planning, however, you can minimize this problem.

All transferable units will be converted from semester to quarter units, except at UC Berkeley and UC Merced. To convert semester units to quarter units, multiply the semester units by 1.5. To convert quarter units to semester units, divide by 1.5.

Transfer From Another State or Four-Year Institution

If you are a student at a four-year institution or at a community college in a state other than California, your questions about eligibility and transferable coursework are best answered by the admissions office on the UC campus you are interested in attending.