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University Requirements

Students must meet the following university requirements in addition to Sixth College GE Requirements and major requirements.

Students are permitted to overlap university requirements and major requirements with applicable Sixth College GE requirements. See the Sixth College GE and University Overlaps List for an overview of Sixth GEs that can overlap with DEI and or AHI.

University Required Courses

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.

Refer to the UC San Diego General Catalog for guidelines.

American History and Institutions (AHI)

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. Refer to the UC San Diego General Catalog for guidelines and the approved course list.

International Students on F-1 or J-1 Visas: AHI is not required for students on F-1 or J-1 visas at the time of graduation. 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)

A knowledge of diversity, equity, and inclusion is required of all candidates for a Bachelor's degree. Review info about this requirement and the DEI approved courselist on the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) info page.

Climate Change Education Requirement (CCER)

A knowledge of climate change is required of all candidates for a Bachelor’s degree who begin their studies at UC San Diego as a first year student in Fall 2024 or thereafter.

  • The requirement shall be satisfied by passing, with a grade not lower than C- or P, a one-quarter course expressly approved by the Undergraduate Council for that purpose. A list of approved courses will be provided soon in the UC San Diego General Catalog.
  • This requirement is required of all candidates for a Bachelor’s degree who begin their studies at UC San Diego as a first-year student. Transfer students are not required to satisfy this requirement.

Major Requirements

All majors require twelve or more 4.0-unit, upper-division courses in addition to lower-division prerequisites for the major. View the academic department's website or consult with a major advisor for more details.

Additional University Requirements

Minimum Number of Units Required for Graduation

Students must earn a minimum of 180 units. At least 60 units must be upper division.

GPA Requirement

Cumulative GPA of 2.0 or higher.

Quarter Limitation

  • 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.