University of California, Los Angeles

Founded in 1919, the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) is the most applied-to university in the United States — and one of the world’s great public research universities. In the QS World University Rankings 2026, UCLA is ranked #46 globally, while the Times Higher Education 2026 places it at #=18 and U.S. News Best Global Universities at #13. International students choose UCLA for its unbeatable combination: top-20 global academics, a 419-acre campus in Westwood — one of Los Angeles’ most desirable neighborhoods — and a location at the center of the global entertainment, technology, and aerospace industries. With 45,000+ students, 123 NCAA championships, powerhouse programs in film, engineering, business, medicine, and the sciences, and a proudly diverse community, UCLA offers the quintessential American university experience at public-university prices.

University of California, Los Angeles Rankings 2026

UCLA’s global standing is exceptionally strong across every major ranking system. The QS World University Rankings 2026 places UCLA at #46 (from #42 in 2025 and #29 in 2024 — QS’s methodology shifts have moved several American publics in recent editions). The Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2026 ranks UCLA at #=18 — remarkably stable (also #=18 in 2025 and #18 in 2024) — and U.S. News Best Global Universities places it at #13. Domestically, U.S. News ranks UCLA #2 among public universities and #17 among national universities.

Subject-level excellence is broad: UCLA’s School of Theater, Film and Television is widely regarded as the top film school in the world, the Anderson School of Management is a top-20 global MBA program, and the university ranks in the global top 10 for anatomy and physiology (QS #6). Forbes ranked UCLA the #4 best value university in America in 2025. Figures in this section are reported from the ranking bodies and leading education publications.

Popular Programs at University of California, Los Angeles

UCLA is organized into the College of Letters and Science and twelve professional schools. Six schools offer undergraduate degrees; the rest are graduate-level. With 230+ undergraduate and graduate majors, choice is enormous — the most popular undergraduate majors include political science, business economics, biology, psychology, and economics. A distinctive UCLA feature: you apply to a school or the College, not directly to most majors — you declare your major in the second year after completing foundational coursework, which gives international students time to explore before committing.

Undergraduate Programs

• BS Computer Science (Samueli School of Engineering) — 4 years. Highly competitive; strong AI, systems, and theory groups with deep Silicon Beach industry ties.
• BA Business Economics — 4 years. One of UCLA’s largest and most sought-after majors; a pipeline to consulting, finance, and Anderson’s MBA.
• BS Biology / Physiological Science — 4 years. Premier pre-med preparation with access to the David Geffen School of Medicine’s research.
• BA Film, Television and Digital Media (TFT) — 4 years. The world’s most prestigious film school; requires a supplemental application.
• BS Electrical and Computer Engineering — 4 years. Strong in circuits, embedded systems, and signals.
• BA Psychology — 4 years. One of the top-ranked psychology programs globally, with extensive research labs open to undergraduates.

Postgraduate Programs

• Anderson Full-Time MBA — 22 months. Average GMAT ~710, class of ~307, 35–36% international, median salary ~$142,800 (indicative). Tuition ~$79,452–$82,733 per year.
• MS Computer Science — 2 years. Thesis and non-thesis options; strong in AI/ML.
• MS Financial Engineering (Anderson) — 15 months. Quant finance in the heart of the LA financial and tech scene.
• MPH (Fielding School of Public Health) — 2 years. Top-ranked public health program.
• MS Nursing / MSN — 2 years. The School of Nursing is among the nation’s best.
• JD (School of Law) — 3 years. Consistently a top-15 U.S. law school.

All tuition figures are indicative — confirm on the official UCLA program pages.

University of California, Los Angeles Admission Requirements 2026

UCLA is the most selective public university in America for freshmen: the Class of 2029 saw 145,086 applications with 13,659 admitted — a 9.41% acceptance rate. International applicants face an even more competitive ~6.1% admit rate (indicative, from Common Data Set reporting). Critically, the entire University of California system is test-blind — SAT and ACT scores are not reviewed even if submitted. Admission rests on GPA, course rigor, the Personal Insight Questions (essays), and extracurricular impact. Because there is no test score to compensate for weaker grades, the transcript is paramount — UCLA’s admitted students are overwhelmingly straight-A students in the most rigorous curricula their schools offer.

Undergraduate (Freshman) Requirements

• Academics: the average admitted unweighted GPA is approximately 3.93–3.96, with 56% of enrolled students holding a 4.0+. For Indian applicants, ~89–90% in Class XII is the realistic benchmark. For Bangladeshi applicants, an HSC GPA of 5.00 is expected. IB applicants typically present 38–42 points; A-Level applicants A*AA or higher.
• UC A–G requirements: 15 year-long college-preparatory courses with grades of C or better.
• Essays: 4 of 8 Personal Insight Questions (350 words each) — these carry enormous weight in a test-blind system.
• Recommendations: not accepted unless UCLA specifically requests them in augmented review.
• Application: the single UC Application (apply to multiple UC campuses at once); $80 per campus application fee for international students (indicative).
• Supplemental applications: required for Music, Arts and Architecture, Nursing, and Theater/Film/TV (deadlines December–January, indicative).

Postgraduate Requirements

• Academics: bachelor’s degree with typically a 3.0+/4.0 GPA minimum (~83–86%); competitive programs expect 3.5+.
• GRE/GMAT: Anderson MBA accepts GMAT or GRE with test waivers available for strong quantitative backgrounds; many departments are test-optional.
• Documents: transcripts, statement of purpose, 2–3 letters of recommendation, CV, English proficiency scores.
• Anderson MBA: average 5 years of work experience; two essays; ~31% acceptance rate (indicative).

English Language Requirements

UCLA sets firm English minimums for international applicants, with component-level requirements for undergraduates.

Figures compiled from third-party reporting of university-published requirements — confirm on the official UCLA admissions pages for your program.

University of California, Los Angeles Tuition Fees for International Students (2026)

UCLA is a public university: international students pay standard university fees plus Nonresident Supplemental Tuition (NRST). For 2025–26, university fees are $16,706 plus NRST of $39,270 — a total tuition figure of roughly $55,976 per year. The full cost of attendance for nonresident undergraduates in residence halls is $84,623 per year (official UCLA figure, updated March 2026), including food and housing ($19,779), books ($1,554), transportation ($942), personal expenses ($2,685), and health insurance ($3,687). Note: nonresident status almost never changes — plan on four years of NRST.

All figures are indicative and subject to UC Regents’ approval — confirm on the official UCLA financial aid and admissions pages.

Cost of Living in Los Angeles (2026)

Los Angeles is one of America’s most expensive cities — but UCLA’s Westwood location is unusually livable for students, with the campus, housing, dining, and the surrounding neighborhood forming a walkable bubble. University apartments are popular after the first year.

Money-saving tips: live in university apartments after year one (below Westwood market rates); cook — LA has outstanding affordable international groceries; use the U-Pass instead of a car (parking near UCLA is extremely expensive); and take advantage of free campus events, beaches, and hiking — LA’s best entertainment is often free. Part-time work: F-1 students may work 20 hours per week on campus during term. UCLA employs thousands of students across dining, libraries, recreation, and research at roughly $17–20 per hour; the LA job market also offers exceptional CPT/OPT opportunities in tech, entertainment, and aerospace.

University of California, Los Angeles Scholarships for International Students

UCLA is candid: scholarship funding for international undergraduates is limited, and most need-based aid is reserved for U.S. citizens and California residents. International students should plan primarily around family funding, external scholarships, and — for graduate students — assistantships. Realistic options include:

• UCLA Regents Scholarship: the most prestigious merit award (~$2,000/year plus perks); a small number go to international freshmen.
• Departmental scholarships: some departments offer merit awards after enrollment based on UCLA GPA.
• Anderson MBA fellowships: merit-based fellowships for MBA students, awarded on leadership, professional impact, and academics — many international students benefit each year.
• Graduate assistantships: teaching and research assistantships (TA/RA) for master’s and PhD students typically cover tuition and pay a stipend — the most valuable funding route for graduate internationals.
• External scholarships: Fulbright, Inlaks, JN Tata Endowment, Aga Khan, and home-government scholarships; plus private awards like the AAUW International Fellowships for women graduate students.

Maximizing your chances: for undergraduates, the Regents Scholarship is decided from the admission application itself — there is no separate application, so the UC application must be outstanding. Graduate applicants should contact departments about TA/RA availability before accepting offers. And apply broadly to external awards 8–12 months ahead — UCLA’s global brand strengthens every application. One underused route: departmental and alumni-association scholarships after the first year — many are awarded on UCLA GPA and campus involvement rather than high-school records, so strong first-year performance opens doors that were closed at admission. International students should also check whether their home country offers government sponsorships for study at top-ranked U.S. public universities — several do, and UCLA’s ranking makes it an eligible destination.

Campus and Facilities

UCLA’s 419-acre Westwood campus is one of the most beautiful in American higher education — red-brick Romanesque architecture, the iconic Royce Hall and Powell Library, sculpture gardens, and the Franklin D. Murphy Sculpture Garden. The campus sits adjacent to Bel-Air, Beverly Hills, and Santa Monica, with the Pacific Ocean 20 minutes away.

Facilities are extraordinary in scale: the UCLA Library (12+ million volumes), the California NanoSystems Institute, the David Geffen School of Medicine and Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center (consistently a top-5 U.S. hospital), world-class engineering labs at Samueli, and Anderson’s renovated complex. Research funding has averaged $1 billion+ per year since 2009–10, supporting 350+ labs, centers, and institutes. Athletics are legendary — 123 NCAA team championships, more than any other university, and more Olympic medals than many countries. Student life pulses with 1,000+ organizations, and the Bruin identity is among the strongest in American higher education.

For international students, support infrastructure is extensive: the Dashew Center for International Students & Scholars handles immigration advising, orientation, and cultural programming; the Career Center runs dedicated international-student workshops on CPT, OPT, and the H-1B job search; and the English-as-a-second-language support through academic departments helps students polish academic writing. The campus’s diversity — students from 100+ countries — means international students find community fast, from South Asian cultural associations to country-specific student groups.

Accommodation Options

UCLA guarantees housing for freshmen; most first-years live in the iconic residence halls on “the Hill.” After the first year, university apartments become the popular choice.

Tips: accept the housing offer immediately — the Hill fills fast; apply for university apartments in winter for the following year; consider Palms or Culver City for cheaper off-campus shares with good transit to campus; and note that Westwood rents are among LA’s highest, so budgeting realistically matters.

Application Deadlines and Intakes 2026

The UC system has a single application window — there is no early action or early decision. One application covers all UC campuses you select.

Dates are indicative — confirm on the official UC admissions and UCLA program pages. Late applications are not accepted, period.

How to Apply: Step-by-Step

1. Start the UC Application on August 1: create your account at the UC application portal; you can apply to multiple UC campuses in one application.
2. Complete the A–G coursework section carefully — self-report every course and grade accurately.
3. Write your 4 Personal Insight Questions (350 words each): choose prompts that show different dimensions of who you are; be specific, reflective, and genuine.
4. List activities and awards: quality and sustained impact beat long lists.
5. Report English proficiency scores (TOEFL/IELTS) if required.
6. Submit November 1–30 and pay the fee ($80 per campus for internationals, indicative).
7. Complete supplemental applications if applying to Music, Arts, Nursing, or TFT (December–January).
8. Update fall grades by December 31, watch for the March decision, and submit your SIR by May 1.
9. After admission: accept housing, submit final transcripts by July 1, and begin the F-1 visa process with UCLA’s Dashew Center I-20.

USA Student Visa — Key Points

International students attend UCLA on the F-1 student visa. UCLA’s Dashew Center for International Students issues the Form I-20 after admission; you then pay the SEVIS fee (currently $350, indicative) and interview at a U.S. embassy or consulate. You must demonstrate funding for the full cost of attendance — roughly $84,623 per year for nonresident undergraduates — through bank statements, sponsor letters, or awards.

• Work rights: on-campus work up to 20 hours per week during term, full-time during breaks. Off-campus employment requires CPT (curricular internships) or OPT.
• OPT: 12 months post-completion; 36 months total for STEM degrees — UCLA’s engineering, CS, data, and science programs qualify, and LA’s tech and aerospace employers hire heavily from the STEM-OPT pipeline.
• LA advantage: few universities offer better CPT/OPT ecosystems — Silicon Beach startups, Hollywood studios, SpaceX and JPL-adjacent aerospace, and downtown finance are all within reach.

Research Excellence

UCLA’s research enterprise is among the largest in the world, with $1 billion+ in annual research funding and 350+ labs, centers, and institutes — nearly 300 dedicated to medical research. Signature strengths include film and media studies, artificial intelligence and computer science, medicine and public health (a top NIH-funded institution), climate and environmental science, and space science. Undergraduates access research through departmental programs and the Undergraduate Research Centers — presenting at research weeks and co-authoring papers are realistic goals. For international graduate applicants, the sheer breadth of funded labs makes UCLA one of the best-funded destinations in American public higher education.

Landmark contributions include pioneering work in the early internet (the first ARPANET transmission was sent from UCLA), breakthroughs in organ transplantation at the medical center, and leading climate modeling from the Institute of the Environment and Sustainability. The California NanoSystems Institute and the Brain Research Institute anchor interdisciplinary collaboration, and the Anderson School’s behavioral research shapes management practice globally. For students, the practical meaning is simple: whatever your field, there is a world-leading lab at UCLA working on it — and undergraduates are welcome to join.

Notable Alumni

UCLA’s alumni roll is pure Hollywood and beyond: filmmakers Francis Ford Coppola and Alexander Payne; actors Jack Black, Mila Kunis, and James Franco; basketball legend Kareem Abdul-Jabbar; Nobel laureates including William Sharpe (Economics); and countless tech founders, astronauts, and public officials. The university counts 16 Nobel laureates and 17 MacArthur fellows among its affiliates (indicative figures from third-party reporting). The alumni network’s LA concentration is a career superpower — in entertainment, tech, and business alike, Bruins hire Bruins.

University of California, Los Angeles vs Peer Universities (Comparison)

UCLA’s differentiators among elite publics: the film school, the LA location premium, the most diverse and spirited campus culture, and top-20 standing across virtually every ranking system.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is UCLA’s QS ranking in 2026?

UCLA is ranked #46 in the QS World University Rankings 2026, #=18 in THE 2026, and #13 in U.S. News Best Global Universities.

What is the acceptance rate at UCLA?

Approximately 9.4% for freshmen (Class of 2029: 145,086 applications, 13,659 admitted); international applicants face roughly 6.1% (indicative).

Does UCLA require the SAT or ACT?

No — the entire UC system is test-blind. Scores are not reviewed even if submitted. Admission is based on GPA, course rigor, essays (PIQs), and activities.

How much does UCLA cost for international students?

Approximately $84,623 per year total cost of attendance for nonresident undergraduates in residence halls (official 2025–26 figure), including $55,976 in tuition and fees.

Does UCLA offer scholarships to international students?

Options are limited: the Regents Scholarship (small number, decided from the application), departmental merit awards, and — for graduate students — TA/RA assistantships. Most internationals rely on external scholarships.

When is the UCLA application deadline?

The UC application window is November 1–30 (hard deadline November 30, 11:59 PM PST). There is no early action or early decision.

What GPA do I need for UCLA?

The average admitted unweighted GPA is 3.93–3.96; Indian applicants should target ~89–90% in Class XII; Bangladeshi applicants HSC GPA 5.00.

Can international students work while studying at UCLA?

Yes — 20 hours per week on campus during term on an F-1 visa, plus CPT internships and 12–36 months of OPT (36 for STEM degrees).

Is UCLA good for film and entertainment careers?

Exceptional — the School of Theater, Film and Television is widely considered the world’s top film school, and the LA location puts students inside the global entertainment industry.

Do I need letters of recommendation for UCLA?

No — recommendations are not accepted for freshman applicants unless UCLA specifically requests them during augmented review. Don’t send unsolicited letters.

Can I change my major after enrolling at UCLA?

Yes — most students declare majors in the second year, and switching within the College of Letters and Science is straightforward. Switching into capped majors (engineering, nursing, TFT) is competitive and requires a separate application.

Is it true nonresidents never get in-state tuition?

Essentially yes — reclassification to California residency for tuition purposes is extremely rare for students who entered as nonresidents. Budget for four full years of Nonresident Supplemental Tuition.

Final Thoughts

UCLA is that rare university that is simultaneously an academic powerhouse, a cultural icon, and a launchpad into the industries shaping the 21st century. QS #46 in the world, top-20 across every ranking system, the most applied-to university in America — yet still a public university with public-university tuition. For international students, the proposition is clear: world-class programs from film to engineering to business, a proudly diverse community of 45,000+, and a city that offers internships and careers few places on earth can match. The 9% acceptance rate and test-blind review mean your GPA, essays, and story must be exceptional — there is no test score to hide behind. Start your UC application early, craft PIQs that only you could write, and apply to multiple UC campuses to keep options open. Verify all figures on admission.ucla.edu before applying — this guide’s numbers are indicative and compiled from official and reputable third-party sources.

Sources and Verification

This article was compiled from the following sources (accessed October 2026): UCLA Undergraduate Admission official tuition and cost pages (admission.ucla.edu); UCLA Financial Aid & Scholarships cost of attendance (financialaid.ucla.edu); QS World University Rankings 2026 (topuniversities.com); upgrad.com UCLA ranking pages; collegedunia.com UCLA profile and program pages; goodgoblin.ai and orieladmissions.com admissions statistics guides; mim-essay.com and fortunaadmissions.com Anderson MBA guides; admissionsight.com tuition guide. Disclaimer: tuition figures, deadlines, acceptance rates, and scholarship amounts change annually and vary by program. All figures marked “indicative” should be verified on the university’s official website before making application or financial decisions. StudyGraduate is an independent information portal and is not affiliated with the University of California, Los Angeles.