Transfer Student Guide
At UC Davis Engineering we welcome transfer students, who prove to be some of our best undergraduate scholars. If you are considering transferring to the College, congratulations! You could be finishing your undergraduate degree in a rigorous program, ranked among the top engineering schools in the nation, as part of a friendly forward-thinking academic community.
These pages are designed to provide the resources you'll need to make the seamless transition to the UC Davis College of Engineering and to succeed as a student.
Admission Requirements and Eligibility
Transfer admission requirements for the current academic year are listed to the right. You may use ASSIST to search for courses at your current college that are equivalent to UC Davis courses in engineering and other disciplines.
You must complete all required courses if they're offered at your current college. If they are not offered at your college, you must complete them after enrolling at UC Davis.
Transfer Credit Agreements
The College of Engineering maintains a list of specific courses at California community colleges that are equivalent to engineering major requirements.
Transfer Admission Priorities
- Highest Priority: California community college applicants who have completed two transferable English composition courses and all the required lower-division engineering coursework offered.
- Lower Priority: California community college applicants who are missing one or two required lower-division courses.
- Lowest Priority: Transfers from other UC campuses and other four-year institutions.
- At least ninety transferable quarter units (or sixty semester units).
- Minimum overall GPA of 3.10
Admission denied if applicant is missing three or more required lower-division courses.
Lower-Division Requirements
- Upon admission, you as a transfer student will be classified as having upper division status.
- However, you still must complete all lower-division course requirements in your specific engineering major as listed at ASSIST under "Courses Required for Admission."
- However, you may start your upper division coursework while you are completing your lower-division requirements, provided you meet all prerequisites for the upper division courses.
- For more specific advice on lower-division requirements for community college students, meet with the transfer counselor at your school or see ASSIST.
Change of Major
You will be admitted to the college in a specific major. You may not be able to change majors within the college once you're admitted.
Resources for Planning a Successful Transfer
The Transfer Opportunity Program (TOP) is a collaboration between UC Davis and 18 Northern California community colleges. TOP coordinators from UC Davis Undergraduate Admissions regularly visit participating colleges to provide counseling to students and parents on admission and selection to UC Davis, major preparation, general education, financial aid, housing, internships, study abroad and many other important student services.
The UC Davis Transfer Admission Guarantee (TAG) program offers transfer students a guarantee of admission to UC Davis, one year in advance, in their major of choice. The agreement, available at all California community colleges, is prepared online by the transfer student and submitted to his/her primary community college. The community college will submit authorized TAGs to UC Davis for approval. Approved TAGs outline the classes and grades required to guarantee admission to UC Davis.
International Students
International students applying for transfer to UC Davis from California community colleges or universities are considered for admission using the same eligibility criteria as domestic students. Applicants who have attended foreign and U.S. colleges and universities will be evaluated using courses and grades from both institutions. Priority is given to California community college transfer students prepared to begin their junior or third year of study.
- For more information, visit Undergraduate Admissions, International Students.
Second Baccalaureate
If you have a bachelor's degree substantially equivalent to one granted by the University of California, you may be allowed to enroll as an undergraduate seeking a second bachelor's degree.
Admission will depend upon a superior academic record and clear evidence of a change in objective.
The College of Engineering will consider applicants if their first degree is not in engineering and if they complete the lower-division engineering program at a California community college.