Public university in San Diego, United States

University of California, San Diego Admission Requirements 2027

UC San Diego is a public research university on the California coast, known for its strength in science and engineering. It uses the shared UC application and UC filing period, and sets English proficiency minimums above the UC systemwide floor for its international first-year applicants.

Verified 7 Sep 2026 Sources Official site
Next deadline
30 Nov 2026
Fall 2027, Bachelor, regular, 84 days left
Tuition
$60,900
per year
English test
IELTS 7
TOEFL 83, DET 115, waiver possible
Acceptance rate
27.2%
2026 source
Application fee
$95

Requirements

Bachelor

International first-year applicants must be completing or have completed secondary school with a certificate that allows admission to a university in their home country. All applicants are evaluated through the same comprehensive review of the single UC application; UC San Diego does not consider SAT or ACT scores in its admission decision. English proficiency is required at UC San Diego's own minimum scores, which are higher than the UC systemwide floor, unless the applicant qualifies for an exemption.

Documents

  • One UC application, with coursework and grades self-reported rather than uploaded
  • Four personal insight question responses
  • English proficiency test score (TOEFL, IELTS or Duolingo English Test) at UC San Diego's own minimum, unless exempt
  • Proof of secondary school completion or an expected completion certificate
  • Official final academic records, requested only after an offer of admission

How to apply

  1. Create a UC application account and complete the application between 1 August and 30 November for fall entry.
  2. Self-report coursework and grades; pay the USD 95 application fee for each UC campus selected.
  3. Submit English proficiency scores directly from the testing agency so they arrive by the end of January.
  4. Wait for the admission decision, generally released by the end of March.
  5. If admitted, submit official final records and request the I-20 needed for an F-1 student visa application.

English test waiver

Transfer applicants who completed transferable English composition courses with a grade of B or higher may fulfill the requirement without a test. Freshman applicants must test unless they meet a UC systemwide exemption.

Sources, checked 7 September 2026
  1. https://admissions.ucsd.edu/international/
  2. https://students.ucsd.edu/finances/fees/registration/2026-27/index.html
  3. https://admission.universityofcalifornia.edu/how-to-apply/applying-as-a-freshman/
  4. https://admission.universityofcalifornia.edu/campuses-majors/san-diego/first-year-admit-data.html