Physics transfer to UC Berkeley
What UC Berkeley expects physics transfers to finish before fall 2027. Below are Berkeley’s own preparation and selection rules, UC’s shared course list, the programs that give priority and your odds.
Checked against official UC and campus sources in November 2026.
At a glance
- Fall 2025 campus admit rate
- 27.8%
- Screens applicants
- Not stated
- TAG at Berkeley
- No TAG
- Admits transfers
- Yes
UC Berkeley admitted 27.8% of community college applicants for fall 2025, and it doesn’t publish admit rates by major. The middle half of admitted transfers had GPAs from 3.65 to 4.00 for fall 2025.
What Berkeley expects
Physics B.A.
- Courses to finish
Transfers should complete Math 51, 52, 53, 54 and Physics 7A, 7B and 7C or equivalents before transfer. Without a Math 54 equivalent, Physics 89 must be taken at Berkeley. Source
- Also note
Transfers admitted directly into Physics are automatically declared, and any uncompleted declaration courses must still be finished to graduate. Physics 49 may be needed if the community college physics sequence left topics uncovered. Source
Starting Fall 2027, transfers offered admission to Letters and Science are admitted directly into the major selected on the UC application, with no separate declaration process. Source
Letters and Science requires the UC 7-course pattern and a minimum 3.0 UC-transferable GPA by the end of the fall term of application. IGETC, Cal-GETC and Essential Skills are not required for admission. Source
- Every Berkeley major
Every Berkeley college requires at least 60 semester (90 quarter) UC-transferable units by the end of the spring term before fall enrollment, and major preparation is listed on ASSIST and in the Berkeley Catalog. Source
UC’s shared course list
UC’s Physics Transfer Pathway lists the courses that prepare you for this major at every campus, UC Berkeley included. Where Berkeley’s own list above asks for more, follow the campus.
| Course | Status |
|---|---|
| Calculus-based physics for scientists and engineers (3 semesters / 5 quarters through modern physics, with labs) | Required |
| Single variable calculus (full sequence) | Required |
| Multivariable calculus (one semester) | Required |
| Linear algebra (one course) | Required |
| Differential equations (one course) | Required |
Paste your course titles to see which items they cover.
No TAG at UC Berkeley
UC Berkeley doesn’t offer TAG, and no program guarantees transfer admission there. Every applicant goes through regular review, and each college sets its own GPA floor.
Your odds
Move the GPA to see a regular-review range at UC Berkeley for physics.
The same major at other campuses
| Campus | Screens applicants | TAG |
|---|---|---|
| UCLA | No | No TAG |
| UC San Diego | Yes | No TAG |
| UC Irvine | Yes | 3.40 |
| UC Davis | Yes | 3.20 |
| UC Santa Barbara | Yes | 3.40 |
| UC Santa Cruz | Yes | 3.00 |
| UC Riverside | Yes | 2.80 |
| UC Merced | Yes | 2.90 |
Other majors at UC Berkeley
- Aerospace Engineering
- Anthropology
- Bioengineering
- Biological Sciences
- Business Administration
- Chemical Engineering
- Chemistry
- Civil Engineering
- Cognitive Science
- Communication
- Computer Engineering
- Computer Science
- Data Science
- Earth Science / Geology
- Economics
- Electrical Engineering
- English
- Environmental Engineering
- Environmental Science
- Film and Media Studies
- Global and International Studies
- History
- Linguistics
- Materials Science and Engineering
- Mathematics
- Mechanical Engineering
- Neuroscience
- Philosophy
- Political Science
- Psychology
- Public Health
- Sociology
- Statistics
Official links
- UC Berkeley transfer admissionsadmissions.berkeley.edu
- ASSIST: course agreements to UC Berkeleyassist.org
Questions
What GPA do you need to transfer to UC Berkeley for physics?
UC Berkeley doesn’t publish a GPA for this major. The middle half of admitted transfers had GPAs from 3.65 to 4.00 for fall 2025.
What classes do I need to transfer to UC Berkeley for physics?
Transfers should complete Math 51, 52, 53, 54 and Physics 7A, 7B and 7C or equivalents before transfer. Without a Math 54 equivalent, Physics 89 must be taken at Berkeley. Check each course on ASSIST for your college.
Can I get a TAG for physics at UC Berkeley?
UC Berkeley doesn’t offer TAG, and no program guarantees transfer admission there. Every applicant goes through regular review, and each college sets its own GPA floor.