University of California, Berkeley Admissions 2026: Requirements and Deadlines

University of California, Berkeley Admissions 2026: Requirements and Deadlines

Berkeley, CaliforniaLocation
UniversitySchool type
Estd1868established year
45882enrollment
Public
Berkeleycampus
6.9/10
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Shahid Mustaq Murshed

Study Abroad Content Specialist | Updated on - May 26, 2026

University of California, Berkeley admits Indian students in Fall (September) intake. UG applications use the UC Application (NOT Common Application) with October 1 application opening and December 2 deadline. Master's and PhD applications go through individual program portals. The UG application fee is $80 per UC campus (₹7,680); Graduate is $135 (₹12,960); Haas MBA is $200 (₹19,200). University of California, Berkeley’s overall acceptance rate is ~11.4% for undergraduates and 7.33% international.

Also Check: Application deadlines for US universities

(Exchange rate: $1 = ₹95.56 as of May 26, 2026)

ucb_admissions


UC Berkeley Application Deadlines for 2026/27

University of California, Berkeley admissions timelines vary by program. UG applications for Fall entry open October 1 and close December 2 via the UC Application portal, with decisions released in late March.

Most MS, MEng, and PhD programs usually close between December 1–15, while programs like MBA Haas and MFE follow round-based or rolling admissions. Since Berkeley’s top programs are highly competitive, international applicants should ideally apply as early as possible. See the programs offered by UC Berkeley

Program Intake Application Deadline Decision Timeline
UG (BS, BA) Fall 2027 Application opens October 1, 2026; deadline December 2, 2026 Late March 2027
MEng (1-year) Fall 2026 Tentative January 2026 (Closed) March 2026
MS Computer Science / EECS Fall 2026 Tentative December 15, 2025 (Closed) February-March 2026
MIMS (School of Information) Fall 2026 Tentative January 15, 2026 (Closed) March 2026
MFE (Financial Engineering) Spring 2027 entry Tentative October 6, 2026 Rolling
MBA Haas Round 1 Fall 2026 Tentative September 11, 2025 (Closed) December 2025
MBA Haas Round 2 Fall 2026 Tentative January 8, 2026 (Closed) March 2026
MBA Haas Round 3 Fall 2026 Tentative March 26, 2026 (Closed) May 2026
MEng / MS / MBA Fall 2027 Fall 2027 Tentative December 1-15, 2026 (most programs) February-March 2027
PhD (all programs) Fall 2027 Tentative December 1-15, 2026 February-March 2027

UC Berkeley UG application is unique because it is shared across all 9 UC undergraduate campuses. A single UC Application allows students to apply to multiple UCs (Berkeley, UCLA, UCSD, UCSB, UC Davis, UC Irvine, UC Riverside, UC Merced, UC Santa Cruz) for $80 (₹7,680) per campus.


UC Berkeley Eligibility for Indian Students

University of California, Berkeley maintains extremely competitive admission standards across undergraduate and graduate programs. For Indian applicants, successful UG candidates typically present Class 12 scores above 90%, while Engineering and EECS applicants often require near-perfect PCM scores.

At the graduate level, Berkeley prioritises academic rigor, research experience, quantitative ability, and professional achievements. Programs such as MS CS, EECS, MBA Haas, and MFE are especially selective, with strong GRE/GMAT scores and research or work experience often expected from competitive international applicants. Know more about requirements to study in USA

Program Academic Requirement Standardised Test
UG (BS, BA) Class 12 with 90%+ (avg admitted GPA 3.8-3.9) Test-blind (SAT/ACT NOT considered)
UG EECS (Engineering) Class 12 with 95%+ including PCM at 95%+ Test-blind
UG Computer Science (L&S) Class 12 with 90%+ (Math required) Test-blind
UG Haas Business Class 12 with 90%+; Haas direct-admit through UC App Test-blind
MEng (1-year) Bachelor's in Engineering with 3.5+ GPA (85%+) GRE varies (many programs optional)
MS Computer Science / EECS Bachelor's in CS/EE with 3.5+ GPA; research experience GRE typically required (Q 167+)
MBA Haas Bachelor's + 4-5 years work experience GMAT 730+ avg or GRE equivalent
MFE (Financial Engineering) Bachelor's with 3.5+ GPA in Math/Eng/CS GRE required (Q 167+)
PhD (Engineering/Sciences) Bachelor's or Master's with 3.7+ GPA; research experience GRE varies by department (many optional)

UC Berkeley English Language Requirements

University of California, Berkeley requires international applicants to demonstrate strong proficiency in any of the English tests for USA, across undergraduate, master’s, MBA, and PhD programs. For Indian students, TOEFL iBT scores of 100+ and IELTS scores of 7.0+ are generally considered competitive for admission.

Program TOEFL iBT IELTS Duolingo
UG (BS, BA) 100+ 7.0+ 120+
Most master’s programs 90+ (preferred 100+) 7.0+ 120+
MBA Haas 100+ 7.0+ 120+
PhD 90+ (preferred 100+) 7.0+ 120+

TOEFL/IELTS may be waived if Indian Bachelor's was completed in English-medium instruction. UC Berkeley also accepts Duolingo English Test (DET) 120+ for most programs.


UC Berkeley Application Process Step-by-Step

  1. Step 1: Choose your campus and major. UC Application allows up to 9 UC campuses per submission. Pick your top UC choices.
  2. Step 2: Create UC Application account. Open October 1, 2026 at apply.universityofcalifornia.edu.
  3. Step 3: Fill academic history. Class 9-12 marksheets, school details, GPA conversion.
  4. Step 4: Complete Personal Insight Questions (PIQs). Choose 4 out of 8 prompts; 350 words each. These replace the Common App essay.
  5. Step 5: Activities and Awards. Up to 20 activities/awards/honours from Class 9 onward.
  6. Step 6: Submit financial documents (if applying for financial aid).
  7. Step 7: Pay application fee. $80 per UC campus selected; fee waivers available.
  8. Step 8: Submit by December 2, 2026 for UG; late January for most Graduate programs.
  9. Step 9: Receive decision. UG: Late March 2027. Master's/PhD: February-March 2027.
  10. Step 10: Accept offer and pay deposit. $250 UG enrolment deposit (or by program).
  11. Step 11: Apply for F-1 visa. Receive I-20 from UC Berkeley Berkeley International Office (BIO), schedule US embassy interview, pay SEVIS fee.

See Also: Study in USA Complete Guide for Indian Students


UC Berkeley Documents Required

Indian students need to submit the following documents to study at UC Berkeley. 

  • UC Application (UG) or UC Berkeley Graduate Division portal (Master's/PhD)
  • Personal Insight Questions (PIQs): 4 of 8 prompts, 350 words each (UG)
  • Academic transcripts: Class 9-12 marksheets and Bachelor's transcripts (for Graduate)
  • SAT/ACT scores: NOT accepted (test-blind UG)
  • GRE/GMAT scores: Where required for Graduate programs
  • TOEFL/IELTS/Duolingo scores
  • Three Academic References (Master's/PhD)
  • Statement of Purpose (Master's/PhD)
  • CV/Resume (Graduate)
  • Activities and Awards list (UG): Up to 20 entries
  • Financial documentation: Affidavit of Support, bank statements (after admission). See financial requirements to study in USA.
  • Passport copy

Know more: Documents required for UG and Graduate admissions in USA


UC Berkeley Acceptance Rate and Profile

University of California, Berkeley is among the most selective public universities in USA, particularly for international, STEM, and business-focused applicants. While the overall undergraduate acceptance rate is around 11.4%, programs such as EECS, Haas Business, MFE, and MS CS operate at near Ivy League-level selectivity.

Program Acceptance Rate Typical Profile
UG overall ~11.4% ~127,000 apps; ~14,500 admitted
UG international ~7.33% Out-of-state and international applicants face higher selectivity
UG EECS (Electrical Engineering & CS) ~5% One of the most selective UG programs in the US
UG Computer Science (L&S) ~10-12% L&S CS less selective than EECS
UG Haas Business (direct admit) ~6-8% Haas direct-admit highly selective
MS CS / EECS Research-track ~5-10% Highly competitive; PhD-feeder
MBA Haas ~12-15% GMAT 730+ avg; 4-5 years work exp
MFE (Financial Engineering) ~5-8% Globally elite quant finance program
PhD (Engineering/Sciences) ~5-15% Funding match critical

Average admitted UG applicants show GPA of 3.8-4.0, top 5% of high school class. Strong Indian profiles often have 95%+ Class 12, multiple Olympiad medals (Math, Physics, Chemistry, Biology, Informatics), national-level research or innovation work, strong leadership.


UC Berkeley Application Fee and Tuition Deposit

Apart from the tuition fees, UC Berkeley applicants must budget for the following components:

Fee Component Amount (USD) Amount (INR) When Due
UC Application fee $80 per UC campus ₹7,680 per campus At submission (fee waivers available)
Master's application fee $135 ₹12,960 At submission
MBA Haas application fee $200 ₹19,200 At submission
UG enrolment deposit (SIR) $250 ₹24,000 By May 1, 2027 to confirm enrolment; adjusted against tuition
Master's enrolment deposit $500 ₹48,000 Varies by program
F-1 SEVIS fee $350 ₹33,600 Before US visa interview
US F-1 visa fee (MRV) $185 ₹17,760 At visa application

UC Berkeley Application Tips for Indian Students

  • Apply to multiple UCs on one UC App: $80 per campus; common practice to apply to 4-6 UC campuses (Berkeley, UCLA, UCSD, UCSB, UC Davis, UC Irvine).
  • Personal Insight Questions are critical: Choose 4 of 8 prompts; write authentic 350-word responses. Avoid generic Berkeley love letters; show specific intellectual or personal depth.
  • UC Berkeley is test-blind: Do NOT submit SAT/ACT scores; they will be ignored. Focus on Class 12 academic record (90%+).
  • Major-specific applications: EECS (Engineering) is separate from CS (L&S). Choose carefully; EECS is ~5% acceptance vs L&S CS ~10-12%.
  • Strong activities list: 20 activities/awards from Class 9 onward. Olympiad medals, research, leadership, community service matter.
  • Apply by November 15: Although the December 2 deadline is firm, submitting earlier shows commitment and avoids last-minute server crashes.
  • Show California connection (optional but helps): If you have ties to California (relatives, summer programs, research collaborations), mention naturally in PIQs.
  • Engineering applicants must show STEM rigour: Class 12 PCM 95%+, Olympiads, research papers, programming portfolios.
  • For Haas direct-admit: Show entrepreneurial track record, business plan competitions, internships.
  • External scholarships: Apply for Inlaks Shivdasani (up to $100,000) and JN Tata Endowment given UC Berkeley's limited international UG aid.

US F-1 Visa Process for UC Berkeley Indian Students

After accepting UC Berkeley's offer, Indian students receive the I-20 from the Berkeley International Office (BIO). The F-1 visa process at US Consulates in India:

Visa Step Cost Timeline
I-20 from UC Berkeley BIO (after deposit) Free 2 to 4 weeks after enrolment confirmation
SEVIS fee (I-901) $350 (₹33,600) Before US visa interview
DS-160 form + Visa fee (MRV) $185 (₹17,760) Online + visa interview booking
US Consulate F-1 interview (Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, Hyderabad, Kolkata) Included in MRV fee 2 to 8 weeks for slot; interview ~15 mins
Visa approval and stamping Free 5 to 14 days after interview

Show full year I funding ($84,000-$90,000 for UG) in family bank account, plus liquid funds and education loan sanction. The Berkeley International Office provides extensive pre-arrival F-1 visa guidance.


Frequently Asked Questions

Ques. When does UC Berkeley admission open for Fall 2027 intake?

Ans. The UC Application opens October 1, 2026. UG deadline: December 2, 2026. Decisions released late March 2027. Master's and PhD deadlines vary by program: typically December 1-15, 2026 for most graduate programs. Haas MBA Round 1 typically September 2026.

Ques. What is the application fee for Indian students at UC Berkeley?

Ans. UG via UC Application: $80 per UC campus (₹7,680). Most applicants apply to 4-6 UC campuses for $320-$480 total. Master's application fee: $135 (₹12,960). MBA Haas application fee: $200 (₹19,200). UC Berkeley offers application fee waivers for low-income applicants.

Ques. How do Indian students apply to UC Berkeley?

Ans. UG: Apply via the UC Application (NOT Common Application), shared across all 9 UC undergraduate campuses. Master's/PhD: Apply directly through the UC Berkeley Graduate Division portal or specific program portal (EECS, Haas, School of Information). Submit Class 9-12 marksheets, Bachelor's transcripts (for Graduate), PIQs (UG), and financial documentation.

Ques. Does UC Berkeley require SAT/ACT for Indian applicants?

Ans. No. UC Berkeley is test-blind at the UG level. SAT/ACT scores are NOT considered in UG admissions decisions. UG admission relies on grades, Personal Insight Questions (PIQs), extracurriculars, and the UC application. Indian Class 12 students should focus on academic record (90%+) and authentic essays.

Ques. What is the TOEFL/IELTS requirement for UC Berkeley?

Ans. UG: TOEFL iBT 100+ or IELTS 7.0+. Master's: TOEFL iBT 90+ (preferred 100+) or IELTS 7.0+. Duolingo English Test (DET) 120+ is also accepted. TOEFL/IELTS may be waived if Indian Bachelor's was completed entirely in English-medium instruction (subject to program review).

Ques. Does UC Berkeley have Early Decision or Early Action?

Ans. No. UC Berkeley does NOT offer Early Decision or Early Action. All UG applications must be submitted by the December 2, 2026 deadline. UC Berkeley evaluates all applications together; submitting earlier within the window does not provide preferential treatment.

Ques. Does UC Berkeley give financial aid to Indian students?

Ans. Limited. UC Berkeley is not need-blind for international students. Indian UG applicants compete for limited scholarships ($5,000-$20,000/year). External scholarships like Inlaks Shivdasani (up to $100,000) and JN Tata Endowment are more commonly used. PhD students get full funding (tuition waived + $35,000-$42,000 stipend).

Ques. What is the GRE requirement for UC Berkeley Master's?

Ans. GRE is typically required for MS Computer Science/EECS (Q 167+) and MFE (Q 167+). Many MEng (1-year) programs have made GRE optional. MBA Haas requires GMAT 730+ avg or GRE equivalent. Check the specific UC Berkeley program for current GRE policy.

Ques. How many Indian students does UC Berkeley admit each year?

Ans. UC Berkeley has 779 Indian-origin enrolments (2025), the second-largest international student country after China. Indian-American UG students additionally make up 13.5% of UG body. UC Berkeley admits approximately 100-200 Indian international students per year across UG, Master's, and PhD programs.

Ques. What documents are needed for the US F-1 visa for UC Berkeley?

Ans. For F-1 visa: I-20 from Berkeley International Office, $350 SEVIS fee + $185 MRV fee, DS-160 form, passport, academic transcripts, financial proof ($84,000-$90,000 funding shown for UG), and TOEFL/IELTS scores. F-1 visa interview is conducted at US Consulates in Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, Hyderabad, or Kolkata.

UC-Berkeley Program Fees & Deadlines

ProgramImportant DatesFeesApplication FeesEligibilityFinancial Aid
Final Application Deadline For Fall 2026 Intake (7th Jan 2026)
USD 37,250 /Yr155TOEFL: 90, IELTS: 7.0
MBA
2 years

Course Offered by

Round 2 Application Deadline For 2026 Intake (8th Jan 2026)
Round 2 Application Decision Deadline For 2026 Intake (26th Mar 2026)
Round 3 Application Deadline For 2025 Intake (31st Mar 2026)
USD 89,033 /Yr250GPA: 3.0/4.0, TOEFL: 4.5, IELTS: 7.0, GMAT: 733,
MArch
3 years

Course Offered by

Application Deadline For 2026 Intake (5th Jan 2026)
USD 16,902 /Yr155GPA: 3.0, TOEFL: 90, IELTS: 7.0
Application Deadline For Fall 2026 Intake (14th Jan 2026)
USD 31,851 /Yr155IELTS- 7.0, TOEFL iBT- 90
MPH
2 years

Course Offered by

Secondary Application Deadline For 2027 Intake (2nd Mar 2026)
Secondary Application Deadline For 2026 Intake (2nd Mar 2026)
Application Deadline For 2027 Intake (1st Dec 2026)
USD 20,144 /Yr155IELTS- 7.0, TOEFL iBT- 90
Application Deadline For Fall 2026 Intake (7th Jan 2026)
USD 16,902 /Yr155IELTS: 7.0, TOEFL iBT: 90
Application Deadline for 2027 Intake (1st Dec 2026)
USD 17,478 /Yr95IELTS- 6.5, TOEFL iBT- 80, Duolingo- 115
Application Deadline For January 2026 Intake (6th Jan 2026)
USD 16,902 /Yr155IELTS: 7.0, TOEFL iBT: 90, Duolingo-125
BA Economics
4 years

Course Offered by

Application Deadline for 2027 Intake (1st Dec 2026)
USD 17,478 /Yr95IELTS- 6.5, TOEFL iBT- 80, Duolingo- 115
Application Deadline for 2027 Intake (1st Dec 2026)
USD 17,478 /Yr95IELTS- 6.5, TOEFL iBT- 80, Duolingo- 115

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Reviews


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Law (1)
Nuclear Engineering (1)
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11 Reviews Found

PR
7.3 /10

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.

academic: 8/10
faculty: 8/10
infrastructure: 8/10
accomodation: 7/10
placement: 6/10
extracurricular: 7/10

AN
7.3 /10

Overview

Had a good course structure . Labs had good research going on , professor were great

Scholarship

No

academic: 9/10
faculty: 9/10
infrastructure: 9/10
accomodation: 8/10
placement: 9/10

AM
7.3 /10

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

Scholarship

No

academic: 10/10
faculty: 9/10
infrastructure: 8/10
accomodation: 8/10
placement: 9/10

H
5.5 /10

Overview

I wanted to be close to the city. It was has a really good reputation academically.

Scholarship

No scholarship

academic: 9/10
faculty: 9/10
infrastructure: 6/10
accomodation: 3/10
placement: 6/10

RM
4.8 /10

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.

Scholarship

No

academic: 7/10
faculty: 7/10
infrastructure: 7/10
accomodation: 1/10
placement: 7/10

Jl
7.8 /10

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.

academic: 8/10
faculty: 7/10
infrastructure: 10/10
accomodation: 6/10
placement: 8/10
extracurricular: 8/10

OB
8.0 /10

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.

Scholarship

I am basically getting a full ride to attend the school, both from financial aid given by the school, and government help. I have a few outside scholarships of around $1000 each. And I also receive help from disability programs at my school.

academic: 10/10
faculty: 7/10
infrastructure: 7/10
accomodation: 6/10
placement: 10/10
extracurricular: 8/10

SS
8.3 /10

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.

academic: 8/10
faculty: 9/10
infrastructure: 9/10
accomodation: 8/10
placement: 7/10
extracurricular: 9/10

V
3.5 /10

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.

academic: 4/10
faculty: 6/10
infrastructure: 5/10
accomodation: 3/10
placement: 1/10
extracurricular: 2/10

Sylvia Longworth
8.2 /10

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.

Scholarship

I accepted the blue and gold opportunity plan (or something like that) which covered tuition and fees and gave a small housing stipend (think a month and a half). Sometime the financial aid will release late, but I did always get the money.

academic: 10/10
faculty: 10/10
infrastructure: 7/10
accomodation: 5/10
placement: 8/10
extracurricular: 9/10

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