Lana Oconnell
UC Berkeley is a highly sought-after university with an annual acceptance rate of 16%. The application process for international students is need-blind, but they are ineligible for federal, state, and need-based university financial aid. International students must meet the same high academic standards and admissions requirements as domestic students. International applicants must also demonstrate English language proficiency and earn a certificate of completion, which allows admission to a university in their home country or country of graduation. The admissions committee may request applicants to fill in a supplementary questionnaire. If recommended for admission, students must submit official academic documents by the end of their first term. The status of an application can be checked using the Online Application Status Checker.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Application process | Applications must be submitted in November. |
| Application requirements | A completed educational history, proof of English proficiency, and financial support documentation. |
| English proficiency requirements | TOEFL score of 80 or above, IELTS score of 6.5 or above, Duolingo English Test score of 115 or above, or other approved tests. |
| Financial requirements | Proof of sufficient funds for the first year of study, typically $42,000. |
| Notification process | Not specified, but applicants can check their application status online. |
| Additional information | International students are ineligible for federal, state, and need-based financial aid but can apply for private scholarships. |
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What You'll Learn
English proficiency requirements
Proficiency in English is critical to academic success at UC Berkeley. International students can demonstrate their English language proficiency by taking one of the following exams and achieving the required scores:
- Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) with a minimum score of 80 (Berkeley prefers 100)
- International English Language Testing System (IELTS) with a minimum score of 6.5
- Duolingo English Test (DET) with a minimum score of 115
- Score 24 or higher on the ACT English Language Arts (ELA)
- Score 31 or higher on Writing and Language in the SAT
- Earn a grade of C or better in two UC-transferable college English composition courses (worth 3 semester or 4-5 quarter units)
Please note that UC Berkeley does not accept the IELTS One Skill Retake or MyBest TOEFL. Only the highest composite score from a single sitting is considered. Additionally, the digital SAT Reading and Writing section score has not been approved to meet English language proficiency requirements.
Some campuses may request an interview to determine English skills during the application review process. However, UC Berkeley does not offer alumni or admissions officer interviews as part of its application process. Instead, they may accept InitialView interview materials as part of a holistic review of an international applicant's application. It is important to note that InitialView interviews cannot replace the required English Language Proficiency Exam Score.
International applicants must submit official academic documents, including transcripts, degree conferral certificates, and translations, by the end of their first term if they are recommended for admission and choose to enrol. All submitted scores must be official copies and taken within the past two years. All documents submitted, including transcripts, bank statements, and test scores, must be in English or officially translated into English. Students who need student visa sponsorship must provide a copy of their passport, proof of their current immigration status, and proof of funding for tuition fees and living costs.
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Financial aid and scholarships
UC Berkeley offers financial aid and scholarships to its students. Around 65% of students qualify for financial aid. The priority deadline for financial aid applications was April 2, 2025.
At UC Berkeley, your admission application, along with your FAFSA or California Dream Act Application, is used to determine scholarship eligibility. The FAFSA or California Dream Act Application must be submitted by March 2. Students are encouraged to apply even if they do not think they will be eligible for grants or scholarships, as UC Berkeley will determine eligibility and record the student's information for future opportunities.
UC Berkeley also provides external financial aid, which includes scholarships, fellowships, need-based awards, merit-based awards, private grants, private loans, and some federally-funded government programs. Sources may include corporations, foundations, fraternal and religious organizations, or individual donors.
UC Berkeley also offers the Regents' and Chancellor's scholarships, which can provide full funding. However, these scholarships are rarely awarded to nonresident and international students.
International students are ineligible for federal, state, or institutional funding at UC Berkeley. They are encouraged to research scholarship opportunities from private organizations within the US and their home countries. Undergraduate international students can access UC Berkeley's Scholarship Connection Database and select Citizenship: Other Visa Status to find relevant scholarships. Graduate international students may have an easier time finding fellowships, as many undergraduate scholarships are only available to US citizens and permanent residents.
Additionally, graduate students can seek financial assistance from their departments, including Graduate Student Researcher and Graduate Student Instructorships. They can also contact the Graduate Fellowships Office for information about graduate fellowships or other sources of financial assistance.
Short-term emergency loans and the Shih Loan Program are also available for international students through the Financial Aid Office and the Berkeley International Office, respectively.
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Application process and deadlines
UC Berkeley's application process and deadlines can be daunting, but the university is not looking for perfection. The university wants to know about your passions, life experiences, and everything that makes you unique.
The application fee is $80 for UC Berkeley ($95 for international and non-immigrant applicants), although application fee waivers are available to students with financial need.
For first-year applicants, UC Berkeley requires you to take the GMAT exam, scoring more than 720 marks out of 800.
International students who have been admitted to UC Berkeley must complete a Non-Immigrant Information Form (NIF). The applicant's financial sponsor should guarantee sufficient funds for the first year of study. After receiving the completed NIF, the Berkeley International Office will issue the document required for the visa. All non-immigrant visitors should have a valid visa to study in the United States. Students must then pay a SEVIS fee and go for an interview at the US embassy or consulate, bringing the following documents:
- Passport (valid for at least six months)
- Certificate of Eligibility I-20 (F-1)/ DS-2019 (J-1)
- Proof of admission (new students) or proof of enrollment (currently enrolled students)
- UC Berkeley
UC Berkeley received more than 127,000 first-year applications for fall 2025. The exact decision dates are given to current applicants in confirmation emails and on the student application portal.
For graduate admissions, Berkeley hosts a virtual Graduate Admissions Fair and a Ph.D. Admissions Bootcamp, where prospective students can learn about the application process, funding opportunities, and meet departments in their area of interest.
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Visa requirements
Unfortunately, I could not find information on how soon UC Berkeley informs international students of their application status. However, I can provide a detailed response on the visa requirements for international students.
International students who require a visa to reside and study in the United States must meet specific requirements to be admitted to UC Berkeley. Here are the key visa requirements:
Financial Requirements
Before applying for a student visa, international students must demonstrate that they have sufficient funds to cover all their expenses during their studies at UC Berkeley. This includes providing evidence of financial resources for the entire duration of their degree program. Once the required funds for the first year of study are guaranteed, the Berkeley International Office (BIO) will issue the document needed for the student visa application.
Academic Requirements
International applicants must meet the academic standards for admission to UC Berkeley. This includes earning a certificate of completion that allows admission to a university in their home country or country of graduation. Additionally, international students must demonstrate proficiency in English by taking exams such as TOEFL, IELTS, or DuoLingo English Test (DET) and achieving the minimum required scores. The exam results must be submitted to the Office of Undergraduate Admissions by January prior to the fall semester of enrolment.
Country-Specific Requirements
Some countries have specific requirements that must be met before applying for a student visa. For example, students from countries requiring entry into military service upon completion of secondary education should fulfil this obligation before submitting their application to UC Berkeley. Additionally, if a country's government requires verification of enrollment before releasing funds, international students can request verification from the campus International Student Advisor after completing their UC registration.
Online Programs
UC Berkeley offers online master's programs, such as the Master of Information and Data Science (MIDS) and the Master of Information and Cybersecurity (MICS), that allow international students to obtain a degree from anywhere in the world. These programs have unique requirements, such as a mandatory in-person immersion at the UC Berkeley campus before completing the degree. While online programs provide flexibility, international students should still ensure they meet the academic and visa requirements necessary for their specific program.
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Online and in-person learning options
UC Berkeley offers a range of online and in-person learning options for its students. The university's online platform, Canvas, offers interactive video lectures, discussion forums, readings, and more. Students can message their instructor, review graded assignments, and get technical help 24 hours a day.
The university also offers short-term intensive options with daytime classes and longer-term study with nighttime classes. The I School Online at UC Berkeley School of Information offers immersive coursework that can be completed on the students' own time in between their weekly classes. The content includes dynamic videos, interactive case studies, self-paced recorded lectures, and collaborative activities that foster teamwork.
In addition to online learning, UC Berkeley also provides in-person learning options. The I School's in-person immersions are three-to-four-day experiences that bring together classmates, instructors, and industry leaders to discuss the future of the information field. Students can also attend in-person classes on campus or at other designated locations.
The Master of Information and Data Science (MIDS) program and the Master of Information and Cybersecurity (MICS) program are offered exclusively online. However, students enrolled in these programs are required to attend a three-to-four-day in-person immersion at the UC Berkeley campus or other relevant locations prior to completing their degrees.
UC Berkeley's online learning options provide flexibility and accessibility for students worldwide, while its in-person offerings enhance collaboration, networking, and community-building opportunities.
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Frequently asked questions
Universities in California only accept applications throughout the month of November.
You can check the status of your Berkeley Law School application using the Online Application Status Checker. This feature allows you to monitor the status of your file at your convenience.
You will need to submit official academic documents (transcripts, degree conferral certificates, translations, as applicable) by the end of your first term.
