Ibrahim Gardner
UCLA is a prestigious university located in one of the world's most international cities, attracting students from nearly 90 countries. The university has a rigorous admissions process for undergraduate applicants, requiring a strong academic record, including a minimum of three years of Mathematics with strong grades. UCLA also seeks well-rounded students who can demonstrate leadership, initiative, and dedication through extracurricular activities. While UCLA does not consider SAT and ACT scores for undergraduate admissions, international students must meet English proficiency requirements and provide academic records, financial support evidence, and a passport copy. UCLA does not offer scholarships or financial aid to international students, who must prove they can cover their educational and living expenses. UCLA is need-blind for all students but does not guarantee to meet the full financial need of international students.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Need-blind for international students | Yes, but UCLA does not award scholarships or financial aid to undergraduate students who are not citizens or permanent residents of the United States |
| English language proficiency | Required, unless all secondary school education was completed in English |
| English proficiency tests | TOEFL, IELTS, or Duolingo English Test |
| Minimum TOEFL score | 100 (with sub-scores above 24) |
| Minimum IELTS score | 7.5 |
| Minimum Duolingo English Test score | 130 |
| Other requirements | Academic records, financial support evidence, passport copy, other UCLA-specific requirements |
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What You'll Learn
- UCLA's need-blind admissions policy does not extend to international students
- International students must demonstrate English proficiency
- UCLA does not offer scholarships or financial aid to international students
- International students must prove they can cover tuition and living expenses
- UCLA takes a holistic admissions approach
UCLA's need-blind admissions policy does not extend to international students
UCLA has a need-blind admissions policy, but this does not extend to international students. The University of California, Los Angeles, only meets the full financial need of in-state students. International students must prove that they have sufficient funds to cover their educational and living expenses. They are required to submit bank statements or official financial letters to demonstrate their financial ability to cover tuition and living expenses for at least one academic year.
UCLA does not award scholarships or financial aid to undergraduate students who are not citizens or permanent residents of the United States. The university has a high acceptance rate of 9%, and applicants are expected to have a strong academic record, including a minimum of three years of Mathematics with strong grades. While UCLA does not consider SAT and ACT scores for undergraduate admissions, graduate applicants may need to submit GRE or GMAT scores, depending on their program.
UCLA's need-blind admissions policy for domestic students means that the university does not consider an applicant's financial status when deciding whether to accept them. This approach typically results in a higher percentage of accepted students requiring financial assistance. However, many colleges and universities cannot provide enough financial aid to cover all admitted students, which can lead to modifications in their need-blind policies.
Some institutions that once championed need-blind policies have changed their stance due to rising costs and subpar endowment returns. These institutions may refer to themselves as "need-aware" or "need-sensitive," indicating that they consider an applicant's financial need when reviewing their application. While this detracts from their ability to admit all qualified candidates, it allows them to meet the full financial need of admitted students who require assistance.
While UCLA's need-blind admissions policy does not extend to international students, the university welcomes students from diverse backgrounds and countries. International applicants must meet specific criteria and requirements, including English proficiency, to ensure they are well-prepared for academic success at UCLA.
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International students must demonstrate English proficiency
UCLA welcomes thousands of international students from nearly 90 countries every year. The university admits first-year applicants who have completed secondary school and have not enrolled in any college or university. Transfer applicants need to be at the junior level, meaning they have taken college-level coursework amounting to 90–130 quarter (60–90 semester) units of credit. UCLA does not admit undergraduate students who already hold Bachelor's degrees.
International students at UCLA must demonstrate English proficiency. If all of your high school/secondary school education was completed in English, you are considered proficient and do not need to satisfy this requirement. However, if you completed your high school education in a country where English was not the language of instruction, you will be required to demonstrate English proficiency if you have had less than three years of instruction in English.
To demonstrate English language proficiency, students are required to take one of the following exams:
- Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) – Competitive scores are above 100, with sub-scores above 24.
- International English Language Testing Service (IELTS) – A score of 7.5 or above is required.
- Duolingo English Test (DET) – A score of 130 or higher is required.
- AP examination in English Language and Composition – A score of 3, 4 or 5 is required.
- IB Standard Level examination in English (Language A only) – A score of 6 or 7 is required.
- IB Higher Level examination in English (Language A only) – A score of 5, 6 or 7 is required.
- ACT English Language Arts (ELA) – A score of 24 or higher is required.
- SAT Writing and Language – A score of 31 or higher is required.
Alternatively, students can demonstrate proficiency by completing two UC-transferable English composition courses required for transfer admission and receiving at least a “C” or “B” grade/mark, depending on the campus they’re applying to. If you receive a “C” grade or higher in English composition courses at Berkeley, Davis, Irvine, Merced, Riverside, or Santa Barbara, or a “B” grade or higher at UCLA, San Diego, or Santa Cruz, you are not required to submit IELTS/DET/TOEFL exam scores.
If you are admitted to UCLA and your native language is not English, you may also be required to take UCLA’s English-as-a-Second-Language Placement Examination (ESLPE) immediately before the term in which you enter. If your score indicates a weakness in English, several terms of your program may include special courses in English for international students. If your score shows that you are seriously deficient, you’ll be required to gain proficiency in English before you’re allowed to pursue your studies at UCLA.
UCLA does not award scholarships or financial aid to undergraduate students who are not citizens or permanent residents of the United States. International students must prove that they have sufficient funds available to pay for their educational and living expenses.
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UCLA does not offer scholarships or financial aid to international students
UCLA does not offer scholarships or financial aid to undergraduate international students. The university requires international students to prove that they have sufficient funds available to pay for their educational and living expenses. For example, students admitted to the Fall Quarter of 2025 will need a minimum of about $80,739 (with an additional $5,000 recommended for additional personal expenses, contingencies, and summer expenses).
One source suggests that international students can become an RA for free housing and a meal plan, but the tuition itself (around $15,500 USD per quarter, or $50,000 USD per year) cannot be deducted. The same source suggests that international students can take out private loans, but every international student they know is funded by their parents or family. Another source suggests that international students can look for scholarships on scholarship search sites or contact their consulate, as there may be scholarships available through their home country.
While UCLA does not offer scholarships or financial aid to international students, it is a need-blind institution. This means that, while an international student's financial situation may not be considered when applying, they will likely not receive financial assistance from UCLA if they are accepted.
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International students must prove they can cover tuition and living expenses
UCLA admits students from nearly 90 countries. However, the university does not provide funding to international students at the undergraduate level. International students must prove that they have sufficient funds available to cover their educational and living expenses. For instance, students admitted to the Fall Quarter of 2025 will need a minimum of about $80,739, with an additional $5,000 recommended for personal expenses, contingencies, and summer expenses. This minimum amount tends to increase each year.
International students must also demonstrate English proficiency if they have had less than three years of instruction in English. This can be done by taking the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL), the International English Language Testing Service (IELTS), or the Duolingo English Test (DET). UCLA looks for a competitive score above 100 (with sub-scores above 24) on the TOEFL, 7.5 or higher on the IELTS, or a 130 or higher on the DET.
If an international student's native language is not English, they may be required to take UCLA's English-as-a-Second-Language Placement Examination (ESLPE) before starting their program. If their score indicates a weakness in English, several terms of their program may include special English courses for international students. If their score shows a serious deficiency, they will need to gain proficiency in English before being allowed to pursue their studies at UCLA.
While UCLA does not offer scholarships or financial aid to undergraduate international students, there may be other options for funding. For example, international students can explore scholarship search sites or contact their consulate to inquire about scholarships offered by their home country. Additionally, UCLA's Dashew Center for International Students and Scholars can provide more information on resources for international students.
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UCLA takes a holistic admissions approach
UCLA is a highly sought-after university, with a 9% acceptance rate and over 146,000 applicants. The university takes a holistic admissions approach, meaning that factors beyond academic performance are considered. UCLA seeks students with a strong academic record, typically including rigorous coursework across core subjects such as English, Mathematics, Science, Social Studies, Foreign Languages, and the Arts. A minimum of three years of Mathematics, including Algebra II, with strong grades, is expected.
However, UCLA's admissions process also values well-rounded individuals who demonstrate leadership, initiative, and dedication in extracurricular activities. Participation in clubs, sports, research, community service, internships, or personal projects can strengthen an application. Additionally, UCLA requires applicants to respond to four out of eight Personal Insight Questions, which allows the university to gain a more holistic understanding of the applicant beyond their academic achievements.
For international students, UCLA has specific requirements that must be met. These include demonstrating English language proficiency, typically through tests such as TOEFL, IELTS, or the Duolingo English Test, unless the student's high school education was completed in English. International applicants must also provide academic records, financial support evidence, and a passport copy for visa processing.
While UCLA does not explicitly mention need-blind admissions, it is implied that financial need is not a factor in their admissions decisions. UCLA does not offer scholarships or financial aid to international undergraduate students who are not US citizens or permanent residents. Therefore, international students must prove they have sufficient funds to cover their educational and living expenses. This suggests that UCLA's admissions process is need-blind for international students, as their financial status is not a determining factor in their acceptance. However, it is important to note that the availability of financial aid for international students once they are admitted may be limited and primarily offered to those who require financial aid or meet specific geographical demographics.
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Frequently asked questions
No, UCLA is not need-blind for international students. UCLA only meets the full need of in-state students. International students are required to prove that they have sufficient funds available to pay for their educational and living expenses.
Need-blind admission refers to a college admission policy that does not take into account an applicant's financial status when deciding whether to accept them. This approach usually results in a higher percentage of accepted students who require financial assistance.
UCLA does not admit students into any undergraduate program who already hold Bachelor’s degrees. Transfer applicants need to be at the junior level, with 90-130 quarter (60-90 semester) units of credit. International students are also required to submit academic records, standardised test scores, financial support evidence, and a passport copy.
UCLA is test-blind for undergraduate admissions, meaning SAT and ACT scores are not considered. However, graduate applicants may need GRE or GMAT scores, depending on their program. English language proficiency is critical to success at UCLA, so international students may be required to take the TOEFL, IELTS, or Duolingo English Test.
If all of your high school/secondary school education was completed in English, you are considered proficient. However, if English was not the language of instruction, you will be required to demonstrate English proficiency if you have had less than 3 years of instruction in English.
