Pacific Admissions Group
How to transfer to UC Berkeley: requirements and deadlines
Requirements, deadlines, competitive majors and prerequisites for California community college students transferring to UC Berkeley.
20%
Transfer Admit Rate (F26)
3.8
Avg Admit GPA (F26)
93%
From CA Community Colleges (F26)
Nov 30
Application Deadline
Short answer
To transfer to UC Berkeley, complete at least 60 semester (90 quarter) transferable units, the UC seven-course pattern and your major's preparation courses, then apply on the UC application by November 30. Berkeley admitted about 20% of transfer applicants for fall 2026, admits averaged about a 3.8 GPA, and 93% came from California community colleges. Applicants with more than 80 semester (120 quarter) units are ineligible, and Berkeley does not offer TAG.
Berkeley transfer quick facts
Location
Berkeley, California
Admit terms
Fall Only
No spring or winter transfer admits
Minimum Units
60 semester / 90 quarter
Junior-level standing required
Minimum GPA
3.0 (CA residents)
Fall 2026 admits averaged 3.8
Berkeley transfer requirements
Academic Requirements
Minimum eligibility requirements for transfer consideration:
- 60 UC-transferable semester units (90 quarter)
- No more than 80 semester (120 quarter) units, or 89 semester for Engineering. Above that you're ineligible. AP/IB/A-Level units don't count toward the cap; UC units do.
- UC-transferable GPA of 3.0 or higher
- Complete the 7-course pattern: two English, one math, four from at least two areas
- Junior-level standing by end of spring before transfer
Major Preparation
Berkeley places heavy emphasis on completing prerequisites for your intended major:
- Check ASSIST.org for your CC-to-Berkeley articulation
- Complete all or most major prerequisites before applying
- Engineering requires a minimum 3.5 GPA and strong math/science prep
- Haas School of Business has a separate, highly competitive application (4.9% admit rate; see the Haas guide)
UC Application & PIQs
Same UC application as all UC campuses, with important nuances:
- One mandatory prompt about major preparation
- Choose 3 of 7 additional Personal Insight Questions (350 words each)
- No letters of recommendation required during application
- Transfer Academic Update (TAU) due January 31
IGETC & General Education
IGETC/Cal-GETC is not an admission requirement at Berkeley:
- Full IGETC satisfies L&S breadth and Essential Skills, but not every college's breadth (Haas has its own seven breadth courses)
- Letters & Science and Computing, Data Science & Society: only the UC 7-course pattern is required for admission; IGETC is optional but can clear breadth
- Engineering: IGETC is not recommended - focus on technical prerequisites
- Strategy depends on your target college within Berkeley
Competitive transfer majors at Berkeley
Haas School of Business
Business Administration
One of the most competitive transfer programs in the country. Separate supplemental application required. 96 transfers entered Haas in fall 2026, down from 114 in fall 2025. See the full Haas transfer guide.
4.9%
Admit Rate (2025-26)
3.92
Avg GPA, Fall 2026 Transfers
College of Computing & Data Science
Computer Science (BA)
Extremely popular major with intense competition. Strong math and CS prerequisites required.
Low
Accept Rate
3.8+
Competitive GPA (est.)
College of Engineering
EECS
The BS in Electrical Engineering & Computer Science is among the most selective transfer programs at any public university.
Very Low
Accept Rate
3.9+
Competitive GPA (est.)
College of Letters & Science
Economics
Popular among transfer students. Requires strong quantitative preparation.
Moderate
Accept Rate
3.6+
Competitive GPA (est.)
College of Letters & Science
Psychology
High demand relative to available spots. Research experience strengthens applications.
Moderate
Accept Rate
3.6+
Competitive GPA (est.)
College of Letters & Science
Political Science
Competitive humanities major. Strong writing and analytical skills are valued.
Moderate
Accept Rate
3.5+
Competitive GPA (est.)
Berkeley transfer timeline
August 1
UC Application Opens
Begin working on your UC application. Draft PIQs and gather course information.
October 1 – November 30
Application Submission Window
Submit your UC application. Aim for early-to-mid November to avoid last-minute issues.
January 31
Transfer Academic Update (TAU)
Report final fall grades and planned spring coursework. Critical for admissions decisions.
Late April
Admission Decisions Released
Berkeley typically releases transfer decisions in late April. SIR deadline follows in June.
How we help you get into Berkeley
College-Specific Strategy
Berkeley has multiple colleges (L&S, Engineering, Haas, Chemistry, etc.) each with different requirements. We ensure you're targeting the right one and meeting its specific criteria.
ASSIST Course Mapping
We build your semester-by-semester plan using ASSIST.org articulation agreements specific to your community college and Berkeley major.
Haas Supplemental Application
For Haas applicants, we provide dedicated support on the supplemental essays, resume, and leadership narrative that set this application apart.
PIQ Development
We guide you through multiple drafts to create Personal Insight Questions that demonstrate your readiness for Berkeley's rigorous academic environment.
7-Course Pattern Planning
We ensure your coursework satisfies Berkeley's required 7-course pattern while also completing major prerequisites efficiently.
Post-Submission Support
TAU preparation, spring coursework monitoring, and waitlist/appeal strategies if needed.
See how our transfer consulting works and our prices and packages, or read whether a consultant is worth it for you.
About the author
Manraj, Founder of Pacific Admissions Group
Manraj transferred from a California community college and was admitted to UC Berkeley Haas, UCLA Business Economics, USC Marshall and UC Irvine Merage. He enrolled at Haas. More about us
Official sources
Requirements and deadlines change every year. Confirm the details for your major on the official pages below. Last reviewed October 2026.
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Other school guides
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- UC Berkeley (this guide)
- Berkeley Haas
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