What's New in University of California Berkeley
- Ranking: UC Berkeley stood #12 in the QS World University Rankings 2025. It is also a top 15 university in the world as per ranking agencies like THE (Times Higher Education), US News & World Report and others.
- Academic Reputation: University of California Berkeley is known for Computer Science, Mechanical Engineering, Business and other STEM courses. In Fall 2023 intake, 855 Indian students enrolled to this university.
- Intakes: University of California Berkeley admissions are offered in Fall, Spring and Winter intakes. The application deadline is November 30 for Fall 2025 admissions.
- Admission Requirements: To get into UC Berkeley, Indian students need a minimum 86% marks in their previous academics. A minimum IELTS score of 6.5 is also required for English language proficiency.
- Tuition and Fees: UC Berkeley annual tuition fees for undergraduate programs are 36.53 lakhs and 27.03 lakhs for graduate programs for Indian students. You need an additional 17.95 lakhs to cover the annual living expenses.
University of California Berkeley is a public research university, founded in 1868 and commonly known as UC Berkeley. In the latest QS ranking 2025, UC Berkeley is ranked at #12 in world university rankings. Located in Berkeley, California, this university offers over 300 degree programs through its academic departments. STEM courses, Social Science, Computer Science, and MBA are among the popular courses at this university. Talking about MBA, Berkeley’s Haas School of Business is ranked at #13 in QS Global MBA rankings, 2024. UC Berkeley campus is the oldest of all 10 campuses of University of Caifornia. The university experienced an increase in the number of applications of international students by 12%. A total of 946 Indian students secured admission to UC Berkeley. 436 of them secured admission in UG programs and 507 in PG programs. University of California, Berkeley tuition fees for international students are as follows:
- Indian undergraduate students: 36.53 lakhs per year
- Indian graduate students: 27.03 lakhs per year
The most enrolled programs at UC Berkeley are MBA and Master of Laws with an enrollment of 400 students and 329 students respectively. To get admission in UC Berkeley, Indian applicants will need an average high school GPA of 3.8 out of 4.0 (90%). International students are required to submit proof of English proficiency with a minimum TOEFL iBT score of 80 for UG and 90 for PG programs. The application deadline is November 30, 2024 for UC Berkeley admissions 2025.
The cost of accommodation at UCB ranges from 16,000 to 23,000 USD for the academic year 2024-25. Living on campus for Indian students can still be very expensive. Most Indian students seek off-campus accommodation at an average rate of 18,000 USD per annum.
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University of California Berkeley Rankings
The University of California Berkeley is one of the top 10 universities in the world. The university is often compared with ‘Ivy League institutes for its exceptional academic qualities. Some of the University of California Berkeley rankings are tabulated below:
| Ranking Agency | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | 2025 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| QS World University Rankings | #30 | #32 | #27 | #10 | #12 |
| THE World University Rankings | #7 | #8 | #8 | #9 | - |
| U.S. News and World Report Best Global Universities | #4 | #4 | #4 | - | - |
| ARWU (Shanghai Rankings) | #5 | #5 | - | - | - |
University of California Berkeley Rankings Comparison
University of California Berkeley Courses
Berkeley’s academic enterprise is organized into 14 schools and colleges offering over 350 degree programs. Graduate programs at the University of California- Berkeley are presented in 103 schools and departments. Following are some of the top University of California Berkeley courses:
Top 10 MS Programs at UC Berkeley
Business Administration and Law are the two of the most applied courses at UC Berkeley. Mentioned below are the percentage of international students enrolled in the top 10 master's programs at UC Berkeley
University of California Berkeley Campus
The University of California Berkeley campus is home to over 32,000 undergraduate students and 10,000 graduate students. The university is among the top universities for the best campus life. UC Berkeley campus is home to several museums and galleries, including the Berkeley Art Museum and Pacific Film Archive, the Lawrence Hall of Science, and the Phoebe A. Hearst Museum of Anthropology. Each UC campus, including UC Berkeley, has an International Admission Specialist who is familiar with the educational systems of other countries. You can refer to them if required and clear all of your confusion regarding this university.
University of California Berkeley Admissions
The University of California Berkeley houses over 40,000 students every year. The university has an acceptance rate of 11%, which makes it a very competitive university. Some admission tips are given below
- Be involved in extra-curricular activities and do some volunteer work. Doing so will enhance your CV.
- You have to be consistent with your marks from grades 9-12. Having a good CGPA in grades 9 and 10 and 80%+ in grades 11 and 12 will further increase your admission chances.
- Great scores in SAT or ACT (if submitting).
- Your SOP should clearly state what you are going to offer Berkeley
For admission to University of California Berkeley, all international applicants must complete the following process:
University of California Berkeley Undergraduate Admissions
| Category | Requirement |
|---|---|
| Application Portal | UC Application |
| Application Fee | 80 USD (~6,538 INR) |
| GPA Requirement | Min 3.4 GPA (~89-90%) |
| English proficiency test scores | TOEFL IBT: 80 | IELTS: 6.5 |
| Standardized Exam Scores | SAT: 660 - 750 | ACT- 29- 32 |
| Additional Requirement | Letters of Recommendation | Academic Resume | Statement of Purpose | Interview |
University of California Berkeley Graduate Admissions
| Category | Requirement |
|---|---|
| Application Portal | UC Application |
| Application Fee | 110 USD- 200 USD (~8,990 INR- 16,346 INR) |
| GPA Requirement | Min. of 3.0 GPA |
| English proficiency test scores | TOEFL iBT: 90 | IELTS: 7 |
| Standardized Exam Scores | GMAT: 700- 760 | GRE: Not Required |
| Additional Requirement | 2-3 Letters of Recommendation | Statement of Purpose | CV/Resume | Interview | Essay |
University of California Berkeley Cost of Attendance
The average tuition fee at University of California Berkeley is USD 47,768 for UG and USD 35,350 for UG programs. For an Indian student, it is 36.53 lakhs for a UG program and 27.03 lakhs for a PG program. The living expenses are on the higher side in Berkeley, California. Try to stay in on-campus accommodations to save money. On average, a single person's estimated monthly costs are 112,007 INR (1,340.9 USD) without rent in Berkeley area. It is around 217% more expensive than India.
The estimated average annual cost of living in USA for studying at UC Berkeley is given below:
University of California Berkeley Scholarships
Scholarships at UC Berkeley are available for international students. Most of the undergraduate scholarships are only available to US citizens and permanent residents, However, graduate students may have an easier time finding fellowships. Generally, master’s degree students are funded either as research assistants or teaching assistants only if there are funds available after all doctoral students are funded.
A regular student enrolled in a degree or a certificate program, with a valid Social Security Number is eligible for financial aid at the university. Applying for scholarships to study in USA can be overwhelming due to the extensive application filing process. Here’s a brief list of research scholarship opportunities from private organizations both within the U.S. and India.
- Stanford Reliance Dhirubhai Fellowships for Indian Students
- The Indian Trust Fellowship
- Fulbright-Nehru Research Fellowship
- Inlaks Scholarship
Some externally funded popular scholarships to study in USA are as follows:
Work While Study At UC Berkeley
Work-study opportunities like Cal Housing Assistant, Food Service Worker, and Library Student Employee are available at University of California- Berkeley to enhance valuable job skills and experiences among the students. Working part-time while studying will help students earn part of their college costs and reduce the debt they graduate with. UC Berkeley also offers Teaching Assistantships to eligible graduate and PhD students. You can apply to those positions directly from the Career Services office of the university. These are more like a part-time job and does not require a post study work visa in USA. The hourly rates of these assistantship programs are given below
- Undergraduate: 22.69 USD per hour
- Graduate: 23.62 USD per hour
University of California Berkeley Placements
Career Center at the University of California Berkeley helps students to find a job or internship. Besides, students can learn about internships and externships, how to write a resume or cover letter, improve interviewing skills, develop a career plan, learn about different careers, become career-ready, and go to graduate or professional school and career fairs. Students from STEM courses, especially from Engineering, get high-paying jobs in USA. After studying Mechanical Engineering at UC Berkeley, Indian students can earn around 50 lakhs per year. The average salary offered to graduates & alumni of UC Berkeley according to functions are mentioned below:
UC Berkeley Alumni
Founded by the original graduates of the University of California in 1872, The Cal Alumni Association (CAA) provides all Cal graduates with rewarding connections to the university. Its mission is to connect alumni with their alma mater to advance and promote the interests of the University of California Berkeley. Some of the notable alumni of University of California Berkeley are given below.
| Alumni Name | Designation | Achievement |
|---|---|---|
| Chris Pine | Actor | Known for roles in popular films such as Star Trek and Wonder Woman |
| Hannah Hart | YouTube Personality | Creator and host of the YouTube series "My Drunk Kitchen" |
| Frances H. Arnold | Chemical Engineer | Recipient of the 2018 Nobel Prize in Chemistry for directed evolution |
| David J. Wineland | Physicist | Recipient of the 2012 Nobel Prize in Physics for work on quantum mechanics |
| Nathan Adrian | Olympic Swimmer | Five-time Olympic gold medalist and former world record holder |
| Ryan Murphy | Television Producer | Creator of popular television shows such as Glee, American Horror Story |
UC Berkeley is one of the top universities offering a variety of programs to international students. With a humongous number of enrollments, the university creates an excellent opportunity for international students willing to study abroad. There is an abundance of scholarships for international students offered by the university which fulfils their financial needs. The most important feature of the university captivating international students from across the world is its high employment rate of graduates across their preferred fields with lucrative salaries offered.
FAQs
Ques. Is UC Berkeley an Ivy League school?
Ans. Although the university is a highly regarded university with numerous opportunities for students, it is not an Ivy League institution.
Ques. Is UC Berkeley expensive for Indian students?
Ans. The tuition fee at UC Berkeley for an Indian student is 36.53 lakhs for a UG program and 27.03 lakhs for PG programs. The cost of accommodation at UCB ranges from USD 16,000 to USD 23,000 for the academic year 2024-5. Living on campus for Indian students can still be very expensive. Most Indian students go for off-campus accommodation, as it is more affordable at USD 18,000 per annum.
Ques. Is UC Berkeley really hard to get into?
Ans. The University of California Berkeley houses over 40,000 students every year. The university has an acceptance rate of 15%, which makes it a very competitive university.
Ques. What GPA do you need to get into Berkeley?
Ans. To get admission to UC Berkeley, international applicants will need an average high school GPA of 3.8 which is equivalent to 90% for an Indian student.
Ques. What is UC Berkeley known for?
Ans. The university is well-known for the rigorous academic standards of its undergraduate programs. The five colleges and one school are home to more than 130 academic departments and 80 interdisciplinary research units.
Ques. What are admission requirements at UC Berkeley?
Ans. The general admission requirements for admission at UCB are mentioned below:
- Official Transcripts
- SOP
- Standardized Test Scores
- Certificate of Eligibility (Form I-20), issued by the campus
- Letter of Recommendation
- Proof of adequate financial support
- Additional Requirements – Resume; Proof of financial support
- English Proficiency Requirements
Ques. What is University of California Berkeley tuition deposit?
Ans. The USD 250 deposit is included in the first-semester registration fees; it is not an additional charge. The money is a deposit. We, like many other schools, require a nonrefundable "down payment" to ensure the student's commitment. The deposit will be reflected on your first billing statement as paid.
Ques. What is TOEFL requirement at UC Berkeley?
University of California Program Fees & Deadlines
| Program | Important Dates | Fees | Exams Score | Action |
|---|---|---|---|---|
M.S Computer Science 2 years | Application Deadline For 2025 Intake (9th Dec 2024) | USD 12,762 /Yr |
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M.B.A 2 years | Application Deadline For 2025 Intake Round 1 (12th Sep 2024) Round 1 Application Decision Deadline For 2025 Intake (12th Dec 2024) Round 2 Application Deadline For 2025 Intake (9th Jan 2025) Round 2 Application Decision Deadline For 2025 Intake (27th Mar 2025) Round 3 Application Deadline For 2025 Intake (3rd Apr 2025) Round 3 Application Decision Deadline For 2025 Intake (8th May 2025) | USD 12,762 /Yr |
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Application Deadline For 2025 Intake (7th Jan 2025) | USD 12,762 /Yr |
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M.Arch 2 years | Application Deadline For 2025 Intake (3rd Jan 2025) | USD 12,762 /Yr |
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B.A Data Science 4 years | Application Deadline (30th Nov 2024) | USD 13,146 /Yr |
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L.L.M 2 years | Application Deadline For 2025 Intake (18th Dec 2024) | USD 12,762 /Yr |
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What students say about University of California
Likes
- As it is said, the University of California is one of the best universities in the world. It also provides education at a global level, and the faculty is very eco-friendly towards the students.
- Theres no option for payment, but the experience is good and looks great on a resume.
- Going to school in the Bay Area also gives people a great opportunity to get involved with startups.
- Campus life was not fun due to COVID; classes were held online without any interactions with students.
- You always have a roommate, sometimes two, and will most probably have a communal, all-gender bathroom.
- All of them have great labs and projects in robotics, along with a great PhD student group.
- I thought I would receive the best education here due to its ranking and faculty.
Dislike
- The only freshman usually lives in dorms, but even the apartments around campus are quite bad and overpriced
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University of California comparison
| University Name | University of California | Harvard University | Stanford University | Columbia University | University of Toronto | Georgia Institute of Technology | California State University | New York University | University of San Francisco | University of Southern California | Carnegie Mellon University | Johns Hopkins University | University of Arizona | Emory University | University of Virginia | Rice University | California Institute of Technology | University of Notre Dame | University of California |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Collegedunia Score | 8.4 Out of 10 | 10 Out of 10 | 9.3 Out of 10 | 8.4 Out of 10 | 7.4 Out of 10 | 6.1 Out of 10 | 4.1 Out of 10 | 6.9 Out of 10 | 4.1 Out of 10 | 5.9 Out of 10 | 6.4 Out of 10 | 7.8 Out of 10 | 5.3 Out of 10 | 6.3 Out of 10 | 5.5 Out of 10 | 5.7 Out of 10 | 8.3 Out of 10 | 5.6 Out of 10 | 7.8 Out of 10 |
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| Acceptance Rate | 16.4 % | 7.0 % | 3.9 % | 3.9 % | 43.0 % | 23.0 % | 46.0 % | 31.9 % | 71.4 % | 12.0 % | 21.7 % | 7.0 % | 78.6 % | 25.3 % | 30.0 % | 9.5 % | 3.0 % | 19.0 % | 11.0 % |
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University of California Student Profiles
University of California Reviews
Most Popular Tags
11 Reviews Found
Overview:
The University of California is one of the best universities in the world and also quite popular for its study programmes and the campus . The admission process is hard and can be confusing sometime but if you have good knowledge and have talked to any student of this college earler then you will not find any problem. Firstly you have to give the GMAT exam in which you have to score more than 720 marks out of 800 to get a seat there and then have to apply for admission online. You can apply for admission online yet you have any problem than instead of visiting any consultant you must go and talk to a alumni of the college.
Fees:
I have paid the fees online which was soo because i have to pay fees from india dur to COVID lockdown. The other acedemic expenses here are quite high, like student health insurance cost $5672 and BIO service fee id $112 And many more small expenses.
Overview:
Had a good course structure . Labs had good research going on , professor were great
Overview:
UC Berkeley is ranked extremely highly. They have a great engineering program as well as Nuclear Engineering. The location was amazing in terms of weather as well as prospective internships in silicon valley. It also had many great programs so that I could take more classes, and as such I am minoring in Environmental Policy and Economics. Academics can be challenging as you are surrounded by some of the brightest people. However, studying hard as well as rounding yourself off as a person can be very easy if you put your mind to it. The university offers every chance possible to do so
Overview:
I wanted to be close to the city. It was has a really good reputation academically.
Fees:
65,000 dollars annually
Overview:
I got into Cornell as well but I chose Berkeley because I wanted to be near a city and in warmer weather and a school which is more fun. I chose to major in Econ because Berkeley has very highly acclaimed economics professors. I have also taken many legal studies classes because Berkeley has a culture and history of activism and I really liked all the professors.
Fees:
60,000 Usd per year
Overview:
The reason I chose this particular college is that the location of this university is Ideal and ideal programs were provided for my major, ideally, I also admired the chill atmosphere of UC Berkley and indeed am proud of my decision.
Fees:
The fees are very open and a lot of aid is provided, they also price match the books so if at any campus the price is lower they match it.
Overview:
I chose UC Berkeley because of its location and ideal temperature. It is one of the more distinguished schools and more students are accepted into Medical school when applying with UC Berkeley as your alma mater.
Fees:
Usually, Labs have like a $10-30 fee for any broken glassware during the class. Obviously Tuition. And you are required to spend a week in advance at the school before classes in order to attend something known as GBO (Golden Bear Orientation) which I honestly a bit drew out.
Overview:
I chose this particular college for many reasons. I would say that I mainly chose because I liked the weather in California and because and I felt it would be in a good state and city where I could further develop my dreams and goals.
Fees:
I would have to say that they were always upfront about the fees. I don't really remember what my fees were, but they were lower than other colleges.
Overview:
I thought I would get the best education here because of its ranking and faculty. I also liked the variety of classes offered and the social climate. There was a good selection of different organizations I would be able to join.
Fees:
There are tuition and fees for late charges like dropping or adding classes after the deadline. The gym membership is included in the tuition. There are not really any other fees.
Overview:
The English program is ranked very high and I was accepted. I received higher financial aid here than my other top choice, and the school has a great reputation. The housing is expensive, but if you look hard it won't break the bank. Professors have great reputations as well, great for letters of recommendation.
Fees:
While there are a lot of different fees, I had a full tuition/fees scholarship so I'm not too familiar with them. If your money doesn't release when everyone else's is, you need to wait in the huge financial aid line to get the process started for them to trigger it manually. I had that experience. The line is managed well though, they set you up with text alerts so you can leave and come back in time.
University of California Scholarships
| Name | Scholarship Per Student | Level of Study | Type | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Joint Japan/World Bank Graduate Scholarship Program | Scholarship per studentVariable Amount | Level Of StudyMaster | TypeMerit-Based | |
| Support Scholarships for Young Women | Scholarship per student$15,000 | Level Of StudyBachelor | TypeCollege-Specific | |
| Microsoft Scholarships | Scholarship per studentVariable Amount | Level Of StudyBachelor | TypeMerit-Based | |
| KC Mahindra Scholarship | Scholarship per student$1,000,000 | Level Of StudyMaster | TypeMerit-Based | |
| Axol Science Scholarship | Scholarship per student$2,000 | Level Of StudyBachelor | TypeCompany-Sponsored | |
| Bill Gates Scholarship | Scholarship per studentVariable Amount | Level Of StudyBachelor | TypeCompany-Sponsored |
University of California Admissions
Regular Decision Deadlines
Important Date: November30 (Application deadline)Financial aid Deadlines
Important Date: March10 (Application deadline)
University of California Exam Scores
Attendance Cost
The table shows average yearly cost of attendance for international students. Amount may vary with the course opted, nature of accommodation, and personal spending habits of a candidate.Check Program wise Fees
University of California Campuses, Schools & Faculties
School
Haas School of Business
University of California Accreditations
Faculty
| Total Faculty | Full Time | Part Time | Graduate Assistants |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2951 | 1971 | 980 | - |
University of California Campus Location
Nearby This Campus
- Bus Station
- Book Store
- Restaurant
- Hospital
- Pharmacy
- Airport
- Shopping Mall
- Train Station
Bus Station
Restaurant
Pharmacy
Shopping Mall
Book Store
Hospital
Airport
Train Station
● All distance are measured radially. Actual distance may vary
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Comments
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You can refer to this page for more information regarding top universities accepting a TOEFL score of 65