Transfer to University of California (UC)

Transfer Requirements

Students who plan to transfer to the University of California (UC) system must meet certain requirements.

A maximum of 70 UC-transferable units completed at California community colleges can be applied to a baccalaureate degree. Coursework completed that exceeds the 70-unit maximum may be given "subject credit" after transfer. Consult with a counselor.

Transfer Eligibility

Subject Requirement

If you met the scholarship requirement but not the subject requirement, then you must do all of the following to transfer to a UC:

1. Take transferable college courses in the missing subject areas
2. Earn a C or better in each required course
3. Have a 2.0 grade point average (GPA) in all transferable coursework

Examination Requirement

If you met the scholarship requirement but not the examination requirement, then you must complete a minimum of 12 semester units of transferable work and maintain a 2.0 grade point average in transferable coursework.

Scholarship Requirement

If you did not meet the scholarship requirement, then you must do the following:

1. Complete 60 units of UC-transferable college credit with a grade point average of at least 2.4 (for California residents) or 2.8 (for non-residents)
2. Complete the following course pattern, earning a grade of C or better in each course: ¹
   • Two transferable courses (three units each) in English composition
   • One transferable course (three units) in mathematical concepts and quantitative reasoning
   • Four transferable courses (three units each) chosen from at least two of the following subject areas: the arts and humanities, the social and behavioral sciences, or the physical and biological sciences

¹ Students who satisfy the California General Education Transfer Curriculum prior to transferring to UC will satisfy number 2 above.

California General Education Transfer Curriculum (Cal-GETC)

When you complete the California General Education Transfer Curriculum (Cal-GETC) pattern, you partially fulfill the 60-unit requirement for transfer to UC and complete the lower division general education breadth requirements. You should request your Cal-GETC certification from the community college you last attended when your final transcript is sent to the UC campus.

The Cal-GETC is best if you have not yet chosen a major or a campus. Once you have selected a major, it is important to begin fulfilling any required preparatory classes for that major. This is especially true for professional or "high-unit" majors. If you are preparing for an engineering or a high-unit science major at a UC campus, then it is not advisable to use the Cal-GETC. Instead you should concentrate on fulfilling the 60-unit admission requirement by completing lower division major preparation courses as well as the basic admission requirements listed above.

Helpful Hints

• Connect with a counselor regularly to monitor your transfer progress.
• Many courses other than the ones listed in the Cal-GETC will transfer to UC. The units from those other courses will count toward the 60 units required to transfer as a junior. Check the catalog for the transfer status of any course.
• Though transfers do not require an associate degree, it is easy to complete one while preparing to transfer. Learn about associate degree graduation requirements.
• Check with your counselor about other courses needed for your major. In many cases, it is to your advantage to complete all pre-major requirements as well as general education requirements before you transfer.