University Requirements

Students must meet the follow university requirements in addition to Sixth College GE Requirements.

Students are permitted to overlap AHI, DEI, and major requirements with applicable Sixth College GE requirements. See the Sixth College GE and University Overlaps List.

Entry Level Writing Requirement (ELWR)

The University of California requires all undergraduate students (including international students) to demonstrate a minimum proficiency in English composition within three quarters of entering the University.

American History and Institutions (AHI) Requirement

Knowledge of American history and of the principles of American institutions under the federal and state constitutions is required of all candidates for a bachelor's degree.

International Students on F-1 or J-1 Visas: AHI is not required for students on F-1 or J-1 visas. The college will waive AHI at the end of your final quarter when processing your Degree and Diploma Application (DDA).

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Requirement

A knowledge of diversity, equity, and inclusion is required of all candidates for a Bachelor's degree who begin their studies at UC San Diego in lower-division standing in Fall 2011 or thereafter, or in upper-division standing in Fall 2013 or thereafter.

Major Requirements

Requires twelve or more 4.0-unit, upper-division courses in addition to lower-division prerequisites for the major. Consult with a major advisor or view the department's website for more details.

Additional Requirements

Minimum Number of Units Required for Graduation

Minimum of 180 units.
At least 60 units must be upper division.

GPA Requirement

Cumulative GPA of 2.0 or higher.

Quarter Limit

Students who enter UCSD as first-year students in Fall 2019 or thereafter are allowed to enroll for twelve quarters to complete all requirements for a degree.
Students who enter UCSD as transfer students in Fall 2019 or thereafter are allowed to enroll for six quarters to complete all requirements for a degree.
If a student needs additional time beyond their quarter limit, they will be required to submit a completion plan and have it approved by their college.
Summer sessions, as well as quarters during which students are approved for part-time status or have withdrawn from all courses, will not count toward the allowable number of quarters.

Minimum Progress

To comply with the University Minimum Progress regulation, students must complete 36 units during each academic year (Fall to Summer).
If a student is on leave or approved for Part-Time Status in any quarter, they will be exempt for the entire period.

Pass/No Pass Limitation

No more than 25% of UCSD units can be taken for the pass/no pass grading option.

Senior Residency

35 of final 45 units must be completed at UCSD to satisfy the Senior Residency requirement.
Students who study abroad in their final quarter can petition to waive this requirement.