Transfer Admission Requirements

Transferability

We determine the transferability of coursework from other institutions for newly admitted students and continuing students only. Because of the number of applications received, we are unable to evaluate coursework for applicants prior to admission.

To be sure your courses are transferable:

• CCC students: Refer to the UC transferable course list on the ASSIST website.
• Other UC campus students: All courses completed at a UC campus during a regular or summer session (excluding UC Extension) are considered transferable. UC Extension courses numbering 1–199 are also transferable.
• All other transfer applicants: UC San Diego accepts transfer courses from accredited post-secondary institutions similar in content to those offered in the UC system.

Limits on transfer credits

Transfer credits are subject to the following limits:

• A maximum of 70 transferable semester units of community college credit will be applied toward the B.A. or B.S. degree. Any transferable units beyond 70 will be given subject credit.
• Students with credit from 4-year institutions may not exceed 90 transferable semester units prior to enrollment.
• Physical Education: A maximum of 4 semester (6 quarter) units of PE credit can be used toward the 60-unit requirement. Courses must be listed on your community college's Transferable Course Agreement.
• ESL: No more than 8 semester (12 quarter) units can be used toward transfer. The courses must appear on your community college's Transferable Course Agreement.

Transfer from semester to quarter system

• To avoid duplicating course work, complete series courses before transfer (i.e. Chemistry 1A-1B).
• All transferable units will be converted from semester to quarter units at UC San Diego.
• To convert semester units to quarter units, multiply semester units by 1.5.
• To convert quarter units to semester units, divide quarter units by 1.5.

Length of time to graduation/degree

Many students who complete 2 full years of transferable coursework at a community college can graduate 2 years after transferring to UC San Diego; the average is 2.6 years.

To graduate in 2 years, you should:

• Select community college courses carefully and plan your program to fulfill major and GE requirements.
• Earn graduation credit for all transferable courses, but keep in mind specific requirements must be met to earn your degree.
• See General Education (GE) requirements for each of UC San Diego's six undergraduate colleges.

For admission to UC San Diego, you must:

• Complete a minimum of 60 UC-transferable semester units (90 quarter units) by the end of spring term, prior to fall admission
• Have a competitive GPA in UC-transferable courses and be in good academic standing. The median GPA for fall-admitted transfer students is at least 3.5
• Meet UC eligibility by completing these UC-transferable college courses:
  • 2 English composition
  • 1 mathematical concepts and quantitative reasoning
  • 4 courses from at least 2 of the following:
    • Arts and humanities
    • Physical and biological sciences
    • Social and behavioral sciences

To be considered a California community college (CCC) student, you must meet all 4 of these conditions:

• Be enrolled at 1 or more CCCs for at least 2 terms, excluding summer sessions, and
• Attend a CCC as the last college before being admitted to UC San Diego, and
• Complete at least 30 semester UC-transferable units (45 quarter units), and
• Be in good standing during your last regular term.

We consider applicants from 4-year institutions across the United States based on available space and academic competitiveness. If you are an exceptional student, we encourage you to apply. Out-of-state applicants are evaluated in the same way as California residents.

To learn more about how UC San Diego evaluates transfer applicants, review our Evaluation Process for Transfer Applicants.

The financial independence requirement makes it extremely difficult for most undergraduate students whose parents are not California residents to qualify for classification as a resident at the University of California. This includes students from community colleges and other post-secondary institutions within California. Transfer students who were classified as residents of California at their previous school should not assume that they will be classified as residents at UC San Diego.

Apply online between November 1 and 30 for Fall quarter admission.

Our Application and Admission Timeline gives you more information about key dates in the application process.

Check out the Application Review Process for Transfer Students.

Apply online between November 1 and 30 for Fall quarter admission.

For more information about UC San Diego's undergraduate programs, call, write, email, or visit to talk with our Admissions Officers.