University of California (UC)

Explore Your Future at the UC

The University of California (UC) system is one of the world’s leading public university systems, with nine undergraduate campuses across California: Berkeley, Davis, Irvine, Los Angeles, Merced, Riverside, San Diego, Santa Barbara, and Santa Cruz. Known for academic excellence, groundbreaking research, and diverse campus communities, the UC system offers transfer students the opportunity to complete bachelor’s degrees in nearly every field of study.

UC Map

 

Transfer to UC from SBCC

 

Transfer Admission Guarantee (TAG)

Santa Barbara City College students may be eligible for the UC Transfer Admission Guarantee (TAG) program. TAG offers guaranteed admission to six UC campuses—Davis, Irvine, Merced, Riverside, Santa Barbara, and Santa Cruz—if you complete required coursework and meet campus-specific GPA requirements.

By completing a TAG, you can:

  • Secure guaranteed admission to one UC campus while still applying broadly to others.

  • Create a clear transfer plan with requirements outlined in advance.

  • Use the UC Transfer Admission Planner (TAP) to track your progress.

Important to know:

  • UC Berkeley, UCLA, and UC San Diego do not participate in TAG.

  • Each participating campus has its own GPA and course requirements.

TAG filing for fall admission is September 1–30. Some campuses also offer spring TAG.

 

UC Transfer Pathways

The UC system has identified Transfer Pathways for the most popular majors. These pathways provide a single set of lower-division courses that prepare you for admission across multiple UC campuses. Following a pathway ensures you are completing the courses that UC campuses most often require.

 

UC Transfer Admission Requirements

1. Unit Completion

Minimum Units: Complete at least 60 semester (90 quarter) units of UC-transferable coursework.

Pass/No Pass Limit: No more than 14 semester (21 quarter) units of the 60 required units may be taken on a pass/no pass or credit/no credit basis. Each course must be worth at least 3 semester or 4 quarter units. 

2. Grade Point Average (GPA)

California Residents: Minimum 2.4 GPA in UC-transferable courses.

Non-Residents: Minimum 2.8 GPA.

Course Grades: Earn a grade of C or better in each course, or a Pass (P) grade if the pass is equivalent to a C (2.00). 

3. Course Pattern Requirements

English Composition: Two transferable college courses (3 semester or 4-5 quarter units each).

Mathematical Concepts and Quantitative Reasoning: One transferable college course (3 semester or 4-5 quarter units).

Arts and Humanities, Social and Behavioral Sciences, Physical and Biological Sciences: Four transferable college courses (3 semester or 4-5 quarter units each) chosen from at least two of these subject areas 

4. Major Preparation

Required Courses: Complete the required/recommended courses needed for your intended major with the minimum grades.

Resources:

ASSIST: Use ASSIST to view the major preparation coursework required by each campus.

UC Transfer Pathways: A single set of courses you can take to prepare for your major on any of the UC campuses. 

5. General Education Patterns & Transfer

SBCC students transferring to California State University (CSU) or University of California (UC) campuses should understand these GE options:

IGETC—The older pattern for students who started before Fall 2025. It satisfies lower-division GE requirements for both UC and CSU when each course meets specific subject and grade standards.

Cal-GETC—Starting Fall 2025, Cal-GETC becomes the single lower-division GE pathway for CCC students transferring to CSU or UC. It requires completing 34 semester units across defined subject areas (including Ethnic Studies) and replaces the older patterns for new students.

What SBCC students need to do:

If you began at SBCC before Fall 2025, check if you have catalog rights that let you choose between IGETC, CSU GE Breadth, or Cal-GETC.

If you begin at SBCC in Fall 2025 or later, you will follow Cal-GETC to transfer unless your major or transfer destination requires a different pathway.

Meet with a counselor to map your GE courses properly and ensure they align with your major and target university.

 

Utilize ASSIST.org for Course Articulation

ASSIST.org is the official course transfer and articulation system for California's public colleges and universities. Use it to:

1. Find transferable courses.

2. Understand how SBCC courses align with the requirements of CSU.

If you begin at SBCC in Fall 2025 or later, you will follow Cal-GETC, unless your major recommends otherwise.

Always check ASSIST.org for articulation agreements between SBCC and UC campuses.

Meet with a counselor to ensure your GE pattern and major prep align with your target UC.