Mechanical Engineering transfer to UC
What every UC campus expects mechanical engineering transfers to finish before they apply, where TAG applies, and how selective UCLA is (12% for fall 2025).
Checked against official UC and campus sources in October 2026.
The shared course list
UC’s Mechanical engineering Transfer Pathway lists the community college courses that prepare you for this major at every campus. Finishing it doesn’t guarantee admission, and campuses add their own rules below.
| Course | Status |
|---|---|
| Single variable calculus for STEM majors (one-year sequence) | Required |
| Multivariable calculus | Required |
| Linear algebra | Required |
| Differential equations | Required |
| General chemistry (one-year sequence with labs) | Required |
| Calculus-based physics (one-year sequence with labs) | Required |
| Computer programming (one course) | Required |
| Engineering graphics and design | Required |
| Circuits with lab | Required |
| Statics | Required |
The two English composition courses must be finished by the spring term before transfer, and for Berkeley they must articulate to Berkeley's required courses.
Check your courses
Paste the course titles from your transcript or education plan and see which items on the list they cover.
Campus by campus
TAG lines come from UC’s TAG matrix for fall 2027. ASSIST shows which of your college’s courses count at each campus.
| Campus | TAG | Extra rule | Courses |
|---|---|---|---|
| UC Berkeley | No TAG | A 3.5 minimum GPA by the end of the fall you apply. IGETC won’t prepare you for the major. Berkeley Engineering | ASSIST |
| UCLA | No TAG | None listed | ASSIST |
| UC San Diego | No TAG | None listed | ASSIST |
| UC Irvine | 3.40 | None listed | ASSIST |
| UC Davis | 3.50 | Engineering is selective, its TAG needs a 3.5, and summer courses before transfer don’t count. | ASSIST |
| UC Santa Barbara | Not covered | None listed | ASSIST |
| UC Santa Cruz | 3.00 | None listed | ASSIST |
| UC Riverside | 3.10 | None listed | ASSIST |
| UC Merced | 3.00 | None listed | ASSIST |
UCLA’s numbers for this major
- Fall 2025 admit rate
- 12%
- Applicants
- 794
- Admitted GPA, middle half
- 3.92–4.00
UCLA reports these for Mechanical Engineering, against 26% for its community college applicants as a whole. UCLA reviews you for your first-choice major only, unless you’re a TAP student.
Your odds at every campus
Estimates for Mechanical Engineering at all nine campuses at the GPA you set.
Questions
What classes do I need to transfer to UC for mechanical engineering?
UC’s Mechanical engineering Transfer Pathway lists 10 items, including single variable calculus for stem majors (one-year sequence), multivariable calculus, linear algebra. Check each course on ASSIST for the campuses you apply to.
Can I get a TAG for mechanical engineering?
Yes at UC Davis, UC Irvine, UC Merced, UC Riverside, UC Santa Cruz. UC Santa Barbara doesn’t cover it with a TAG.
What GPA do you need to transfer to UCLA for mechanical engineering?
UCLA admitted 12% of 794 transfer applicants to Mechanical Engineering for fall 2025, and the middle half of admits had GPAs of 3.92–4.00.
Is mechanical engineering a selective major at UC?
Several campuses add rules: Berkeley Engineering, Davis. See the campus table above.