Founded in 1919, the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) is one of the world's leading public research universities and consistently ranks among the top public universities globally. Located in the vibrant city of Los Angeles, California, UCLA is renowned for its academic excellence, groundbreaking research, diverse student community, and outstanding graduate employability. UCLA enrolls more than 46,000 students, including undergraduate, graduate, and professional students from over 100 countries. The university comprises 12 professional schools and colleges, including the Samueli School of Engineering, Anderson School of Management, David Geffen School of Medicine, School of Law, School of Public Health, and the College of Letters and Science. The university is particularly recognised for excellence in Computer Science, Engineering, Business, Artificial Intelligence, Film & Television, Medicine, Psychology, Economics, Data Science, Life Sciences, and Public Health. Its location in Los Angeles provides students with exceptional access to industries such as technology, entertainment, healthcare, finance, and entrepreneurship. Whether you're planning to pursue a bachelor's degree, master's programme, MBA, or PhD, this guide provides an overview of UCLA admissions, available courses, scholarships, admission requirements, and career opportunities for international students.
| Label | Value |
|---|---|
| Location | Los Angeles, California |
| Program Levels | UG · Master's · MBA · PhD |
Which Program Level Fits You?
UCLA offers undergraduate, postgraduate, professional, and research programmes across a broad range of academic disciplines.
| Program Level | Overview |
|---|---|
| Bachelor's (Undergraduate) | Undergraduate programmes in Engineering, Computer Science, Business Economics, Psychology, Biological Sciences, Film, Humanities, Social Sciences, and more. |
| Master's (Postgraduate Taught) | Advanced master's programmes in Engineering, Business, Data Science, Public Health, Education, Architecture, Law, and other specialised fields. |
| MBA | The UCLA Anderson MBA is globally recognised for leadership, entrepreneurship, technology, entertainment management, consulting, and finance. |
| PhD (Research) | Research-intensive doctoral programmes supported by world-renowned faculty and state-of-the-art research facilities. |
Admission Requirements
Admission requirements vary depending on the programme and level of study. Applicants are expected to demonstrate excellent academic performance and meet programme-specific requirements.
| Requirement | Typical Requirement |
|---|---|
| Academic Qualifications | Outstanding academic record |
| GPA | Highly competitive (programme-specific) |
| SAT / ACT | Considered according to current undergraduate admissions policies |
| GRE / GMAT | Required for selected graduate programmes |
| TOEFL iBT / IELTS | Accepted where proof of English proficiency is required |
| Supporting Documents | Academic transcripts, essays, recommendation letters, résumé/CV (graduate programmes), and programme-specific documents |
Cost of Attendance
The UCLA tuition fees vary depending on the programme and level of study. Students should also budget for accommodation, meals, health insurance, books, transportation, and personal living expenses while studying in Los Angeles, California. UCLA offers scholarships, fellowships, assistantships, and financial aid opportunities to support eligible students.
Scholarships & Financial Aid
UCLA offers a variety of scholarships and funding opportunities for undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral students. Popular scholarship opportunities include:
- UCLA Regents Scholarship
- UCLA Alumni Scholarships
- UCLA Achievement Scholarship
- UCLA Anderson MBA Fellowships
- Graduate Fellowships
- Research Assistantships (RA)
- Teaching Assistantships (TA)
- Departmental Scholarships and Fellowships
- External scholarships and government-funded awards
- Fully funded PhD programmes in many academic departments
While financial aid for international undergraduate students is limited, many graduate students receive funding through fellowships, assistantships, research grants, and departmental awards.
Campus Life & Student Experience
UCLA offers one of the most vibrant campus experiences in the United States, combining academic excellence with cultural diversity and extracurricular opportunities. Students benefit from:
- More than 1,200 student clubs and organisations
- State-of-the-art research laboratories and innovation centres
- Undergraduate research opportunities
- Entrepreneurship and startup programmes
- NCAA Division I athletics with nationally recognised sports teams
- Study abroad and global learning opportunities
- Career counselling and employer networking events
- Access to Los Angeles' thriving entertainment, technology, healthcare, and startup industries
Located in Westwood, Los Angeles, UCLA provides students with exceptional internship and employment opportunities through partnerships with companies such as Google, Disney, Netflix, Amazon, Apple, SpaceX, NVIDIA, Warner Bros., and leading healthcare organisations.
Research & Global Reputation
UCLA is internationally recognised for its research excellence, innovation, and academic leadership. Highlights include:
- Consistently ranked among the Top 20 universities globally
- Ranked among the Top Public Universities in the World
- Home to 25+ Nobel Prize winners affiliated with the university
- Globally recognised Anderson School of Management, David Geffen School of Medicine, and Samueli School of Engineering
- Strong research in Artificial Intelligence, Computer Science, Engineering, Medicine, Biotechnology, Neuroscience, Environmental Science, Public Health, Economics, and Data Science
- More than 170 research centres and institutes
- Extensive collaborations with NASA, Google, Apple, Amazon, Meta, SpaceX, major film studios, healthcare institutions, and global research organisations
UCLA is also recognised as one of the world's leading universities for film, television, media, performing arts, and entertainment studies, benefiting from its close ties to Hollywood.
Visa & Post-Study Work
International students admitted to University of California, Los Angeles generally require an F-1 Student Visa to study in the United States. Eligible graduates may apply for Optional Practical Training (OPT) after completing their degree. Students enrolled in eligible STEM programmes may also qualify for the STEM OPT Extension, allowing them to gain additional work experience in the United States, subject to current U.S. immigration regulations.
| Category | Information |
|---|---|
| Student Visa | International students generally require an F-1 Student Visa to study in the United States. |
| Optional Practical Training (OPT) | Eligible graduates may apply for Optional Practical Training (OPT) after completing their degree. STEM graduates may qualify for an extended OPT period, subject to current U.S. immigration regulations. |
How to Apply
Every study level follows a similar application process, although deadlines, admission criteria, and required documents vary depending on the programme.
- Undergraduate — choose your programme — Choose your preferred programme and apply through the University of California (UC) Application Portal.
- Undergraduate — submit documents — Submit academic transcripts and required application materials, and meet English language and programme-specific requirements.
- Undergraduate — accept your offer — Receive and accept your admission offer.
- Postgraduate — apply online — Apply through the relevant UCLA graduate department or professional school's online application portal and upload academic transcripts and supporting documents.
- Postgraduate — meet requirements and accept — Meet programme-specific admission requirements, receive your admission decision, and accept your offer.
- Begin your U.S. student visa process — After accepting your offer, begin your U.S. student visa process.
FAQs About Studying Here
Is UCLA good for international students?
Yes. UCLA is one of the world's leading public universities, offering outstanding academics, world-class research, vibrant campus life, and excellent career opportunities for international students.
Does UCLA offer scholarships for international students?
Yes. UCLA offers Regents Scholarships, Alumni Scholarships, Anderson MBA Fellowships, graduate fellowships, research assistantships, teaching assistantships, and departmental funding opportunities. Scholarship availability for international students varies by programme.
What English language tests does UCLA accept?
UCLA accepts TOEFL iBT, IELTS, and the Duolingo English Test (for eligible programmes), along with other recognised English language qualifications where required.
How do I apply to UCLA?
Undergraduate applicants apply through the University of California Application Portal, while postgraduate applicants apply directly through the relevant UCLA graduate department or professional school.
Can international students work after graduating from UCLA?
Yes. Eligible graduates may apply for Optional Practical Training (OPT), while students in eligible STEM programmes may qualify for the STEM OPT Extension.
Does UCLA provide career support?
Yes. UCLA offers career counselling, internships, employer networking events, entrepreneurship support, alumni mentoring, and extensive career development services.
Get personalized study abroad advice
Chat with our AI advisor about this university guide — tailored to your profile.
Start conversation
