Study at UC Berkeley
Study at one of the world's top public universities, renowned for innovation, research excellence, entrepreneurship, and academic leadership in the heart of California.
The World's Leading Public University
The University of California, Berkeley (UC Berkeley), founded in 1868, is the flagship campus of the University of California system and one of the world's leading public research universities. Located in the San Francisco Bay Area, Berkeley is renowned for academic excellence, groundbreaking research, and its role as a global centre of innovation.
UC Berkeley has produced 110 Nobel laureates (including 32 alumni), 25 Turing Award winners, 14 Fields Medalists, and numerous Pulitzer Prize winners. The university is home to over 1,000 full-time faculty members, 130+ academic departments and programmes, and attracts the brightest minds from over 130 countries.
With its proximity to Silicon Valley, Berkeley has been instrumental in shaping modern technology, entrepreneurship, and scientific discovery. The university operates world-class research laboratories including Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory and leads globally in areas ranging from artificial intelligence and computer science to environmental sustainability and public health.
Academic Excellence
14 colleges and schools offering 350+ degree programmes
College of Letters & Science
College of Engineering
Haas School of Business
College of Chemistry
College of Environmental Design
College of Computing, Data Science, and Society
College of Natural Resources
Goldman School of Public Policy
School of Information
School of Law
School of Public Health
Graduate School of Education
School of Journalism
School of Optometry
School of Social Welfare
Investment in Your Future
World-class education at a public university
Undergraduate (Int'l)
- tuition california resident: USD $14,312/year (2024β2025)
- tuition nonresident international: USD $44,886/year (Nonresident Supplemental Tuition)
- total tuition international: USD $14,312 + $44,886 = $59,198/year (tuition + nonresident fee)
- student services fee: USD $1,128/year
- housing dining: USD $22,374/year (average on-campus)
- books supplies: USD $840/year
- transportation: USD $612/year
- personal: USD $1,998/year
- total cost international: Approximately USD $74,000β$78,000/year (total estimated cost of attendance for nonresident/international students)
- note: International students pay both California resident tuition and Nonresident Supplemental Tuition. UC Berkeley does not offer need-based financial aid for international undergraduate students but merit scholarships and external funding are available.
Graduate
- tuition resident: USD $14,312/year (2024β2025)
- nonresident supplemental: USD $15,102/year (reduced after first year for many programmes)
- professional school fees: Varies β MBA: ~$68,000/year | Law: ~$58,000/year | Public Health: ~$32,000/year
- phd funding: Most PhD students receive full funding (tuition, fees, stipend, health insurance) through fellowships, GSI/GSR appointments
- note: Graduate tuition varies by programme and residency status. Many PhD students are fully funded. Professional programme fees vary significantly. The Nonresident Supplemental Tuition may be reduced or eliminated after the first year for some graduate students who advance to candidacy.
Living in the Bay Area
- on campus housing: USD $16,000β$22,000/year (varies by residence hall and room type)
- off campus housing: USD $1,200β$2,500/month (Berkeley/Oakland area)
- health insurance: USD $3,286/year (UC Student Health Insurance Plan β UC SHIP)
- food: USD $6,000β$8,000/year
- transportation: USD $600β$1,200/year (AC Transit Class Pass included in fees)
- personal expenses: USD $2,000β$3,000/year
- total estimate: USD $28,000β$38,000/year for living expenses in the Bay Area
Tuition fees and cost of attendance are reviewed and updated annually by the University of California Regents. The figures above are estimates for the 2024β2025 academic year. Students should always verify the latest official figures on the UC Berkeley website before applying.
Funding Your Berkeley Education
Merit scholarships, fellowships, and assistantships for outstanding students
Berkeley Undergraduate Scholarships (Merit-Based)
Varies β typically $5,000β$30,000/year. The Regents' and Chancellor's Scholarship is Berkeley's most prestigious, covering full financial need plus additional benefits
Eligibility: Incoming freshmen and transfer students with exceptional academic records and leadership
UC Berkeley does not offer need-based aid to international undergraduates, but merit scholarships are available. The Regents' and Chancellor's Scholarship is the most competitive and prestigious.
Graduate Division Fellowships
Varies β can cover full tuition + fees + stipend for multiple years
Eligibility: Outstanding incoming and continuing graduate students nominated by their departments
Includes Berkeley Fellowships, Chancellor's Fellowships, and departmental block grant fellowships. Most PhD students receive full funding through a combination of fellowships and assistantships.
Graduate Student Instructor (GSI) Appointments
Full tuition + fees + monthly stipend (approximately $2,500β$3,500/month) + health insurance
Eligibility: Graduate students (typically PhD) who serve as teaching assistants
GSI positions provide full tuition remission, a salary, and fee remissions. Common funding mechanism for PhD students across most departments.
Graduate Student Researcher (GSR) Appointments
Full tuition + fees + monthly stipend + health insurance
Eligibility: Graduate students working on funded research projects with faculty
GSR positions are funded through faculty research grants and provide similar benefits to GSI positions. Especially common in STEM fields.
International Student Scholarships
Varies β partial tuition to full awards depending on the programme
Eligibility: International students admitted to specific programmes
Some programmes and departments offer targeted funding for international students. External scholarships (Fulbright, home government scholarships) are also supported. Graduate international students have more funding options than undergraduates.
External & Government Scholarships
Varies by programme
Eligibility: Varies β home country government scholarships, Fulbright, USAID, World Bank, etc.
UC Berkeley's Financial Aid & Scholarships Office assists students in identifying and applying for external funding sources. Many international students fund their studies through home government programmes.
How to Get In
Deadline: UC Application: November 1β30 (for fall admission the following year)
- UC Application (common to all UC campuses β submit November 1β30)
- Official high school transcripts (all years of secondary school)
- Completion of A-G subject requirements (15 college-preparatory courses)
- Minimum GPA of 3.0 (for California residents) β international applicants evaluated holistically
- Personal Insight Questions (4 essays of 350 words each from 8 prompts)
- English proficiency: TOEFL iBT (minimum 80, 90+ recommended), IELTS (minimum 6.5, 7+ recommended), or Duolingo English Test (minimum 115)
- SAT/ACT scores not required (UC system is test-free for admission decisions)
- International credential evaluation (official transcripts with English translations)
- No interviews or letters of recommendation required for freshman admission
UC Berkeley is one of the most selective public universities in the world, with an overall acceptance rate of approximately 11β14%. International applicants are evaluated holistically based on academic achievement, personal qualities, and context. The UC system does not use SAT/ACT scores in admission decisions. International students are not eligible for UC need-based financial aid but may receive merit scholarships.
Life at Berkeley
A vibrant campus in the heart of the San Francisco Bay Area
Residence Halls
On-campus housing for 9,500+ students across residence halls, apartments, and themed living-learning communities including Clark Kerr, Unit 1-3, Foothill, and Blackwell Hall.
Libraries
UC Berkeley's library system is one of the largest in North America with over 13 million volumes across 20+ libraries, anchored by Doe Memorial Library and Moffitt Library.
Student Organizations
Over 1,000 registered student organizations covering academics, arts, culture, community service, recreation, professional development, and social life.
Athletics & Recreation
30 varsity sports (NCAA Division I, Pac-12), the Recreational Sports Facility (RSF), intramural sports, and Cal spirit traditions including Oski and Big Game.
San Francisco Bay Area
Located across the bay from San Francisco, with easy access to Silicon Valley, world-class dining, cultural institutions, natural beauty, and a thriving tech ecosystem.
Memorial Glade
The iconic green heart of campus surrounded by historic buildings β a gathering place for studying, socializing, and events with views of Sather Tower.
Research Facilities
World-class laboratories including Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Space Sciences Laboratory, Berkeley Artificial Intelligence Research Lab (BAIR), and 130+ research centres.
International Community
Students from over 130 countries with comprehensive support from Berkeley International Office, cultural organizations, and international student programming.
Career Outcomes
Research Strengths
Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning
Berkeley AI Research Lab (BAIR) is a world leader in AI β pioneering work in deep learning, reinforcement learning, natural language processing, computer vision, and robotics.
Computer Science & Engineering
Consistently ranked #1 in the world for CS research. Home to breakthroughs in UNIX, RISC architecture, open-source software, cloud computing, and cybersecurity.
Climate & Environmental Science
Leading research on climate change, renewable energy, environmental policy, and sustainability through the Rausser College, Energy Biosciences Institute, and Lawrence Berkeley Lab.
Biotechnology & Genomics
Revolutionary research in CRISPR gene editing (co-invented at Berkeley), synthetic biology, bioengineering, and computational biology. Home to the Innovative Genomics Institute.
Quantum Science & Physics
World-leading physics department with 8 Nobel laureates. Research in quantum computing, particle physics, cosmology, and condensed matter at the forefront of scientific discovery.
Public Health & Epidemiology
School of Public Health research on global health, infectious diseases, health policy, environmental health, and population sciences β especially impactful during public health crises.
International Student Support
Over 12,000 international students and scholars from 130+ countries
- Berkeley International Office (BIO)
- Student visa (F-1/J-1) advising and documentation
- International student orientation (CalSO International)
- On-campus housing priority for new international students
- Academic advising and programme support
- UC Student Health Insurance Plan (UC SHIP)
- Counseling & Psychological Services
- International student organizations and cultural events
- Global engagement and exchange programmes (450+ partner institutions)
- English language support (ESL programmes)
- Career services for international students (OPT/CPT guidance)
- Tax workshops and financial advising for international students
Your Path to Berkeley
Expert guidance from enquiry to enrolment
Programme Selection
We help you navigate Berkeley's 14 colleges and schools, 350+ programmes, and unique admission pathways β from L&S undeclared to direct-admit engineering and Haas Business.
UC Application Strategy
Expert guidance on the UC Application, Personal Insight Questions, academic record presentation, and understanding Berkeley's holistic review process.
Scholarship Guidance
Identify merit scholarships, departmental awards, external funding sources, and graduate assistantship opportunities to make Berkeley financially accessible.
Graduate & Research Fit
For graduate applicants, we help identify faculty research alignment, craft compelling Statements of Purpose, and navigate Berkeley's decentralized admission process.
Visa & Housing Support
F-1 student visa guidance, on-campus housing applications, off-campus apartment search in Berkeley/Oakland, health insurance enrollment, and Bay Area orientation.
Pre-Departure & Arrival
Comprehensive pre-departure briefing for California, airport pickup coordination, CalSO orientation preparation, banking setup, and post-arrival support.
Apply to UC Berkeley
Free expert guidance β no hidden fees
Hear From Berkeley Students
βBerkeley's EECS department is the birthplace of modern computing. Working at BAIR alongside world-leading AI researchers while being minutes from Silicon Valley is an unparalleled experience.β
βHaas gave me access to the world's most dynamic innovation ecosystem. The combination of rigorous business education, Silicon Valley immersion, and Berkeley's diverse community transformed my career trajectory.β
βBerkeley's commitment to sustainability and environmental research is real β from classroom to lab to policy. The campus culture of activism and intellectual curiosity changed how I see the world.β
Frequently Asked Questions
UC Berkeley is one of the most selective public universities in the world, with an overall acceptance rate of approximately 11β14%. For international students, selectivity can be higher. Admission is holistic β considering academic achievement, personal insight essays, extracurricular activities, and context. The UC system is test-free (SAT/ACT not used in decisions).
UC Berkeley accepts TOEFL iBT (minimum 80 for undergraduate, 90+ for graduate β many programmes recommend or require 100+), IELTS (minimum 6.5 for undergraduate, 7.0 for graduate), and Duolingo English Test (minimum 115 for undergraduate, accepted by select graduate programmes). Requirements vary by programme.
International undergraduate students pay approximately $59,198/year in tuition and fees (California resident tuition + Nonresident Supplemental Tuition) for 2024β2025. Total cost of attendance including housing, food, and expenses is approximately $74,000β$78,000/year. Graduate tuition varies by programme.
UC Berkeley does not offer need-based financial aid to international undergraduates. However, merit-based scholarships (including the Regents' and Chancellor's Scholarship), departmental awards, and external funding are available. Graduate students have more options including fellowships, GSI/GSR positions (which cover full tuition + stipend), and department funding.
Computer Science (EECS and L&S CS), Data Science, Economics, Business Administration, Engineering, Biology, and Environmental Science are among the most popular and competitive programmes. Berkeley is particularly renowned globally for Computer Science, Engineering, and Business.
UC Berkeley guarantees on-campus housing for incoming freshmen (2 years) and transfer students (1 year) who apply by deadline. Housing options include traditional residence halls, suites, and apartments. Many upper-division and graduate students live off-campus in Berkeley, Oakland, or nearby areas.
Berkeley graduates are recruited by the world's leading companies β Google, Apple, Meta, Amazon, Goldman Sachs, McKinsey, and hundreds more. The proximity to Silicon Valley, strong alumni network (500,000+ worldwide), and Berkeley Career Center provide exceptional career support. UC Berkeley produces more entrepreneurs than almost any other university.
EducationalHub provides expert guidance on programme selection, UC Application strategy, Personal Insight Question writing, documentation preparation, English test preparation advice, scholarship identification, visa processing, housing assistance, and pre-departure support specifically for Berkeley applicants.