Physics transfer to UC San Diego
What UC San Diego expects physics transfers to finish before fall 2027. Below are San Diego’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
- 57.7%
- Screens applicants
- Yes
- TAG at San Diego
- No TAG
- Admits transfers
- Yes
UC San Diego admitted 57.7% 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 3.55 to 3.94 for fall 2025.
What San Diego expects
Physics B.S. · General Physics B.A. · Physics with Specialization in Astrophysics B.S.
- Courses to finish
Effective Fall 2025, Physics screens MATH 18 and MATH 20A-20C. MATH 20D, PHYS 2A-2C, 2CL, 2D, 2DL and one programming course are recommended. Source
- Selection
Screened major with a minimum 3.0 GPA in the screening courses (effective Fall 2025). Source
- Campus rule
Physics needs a 3.0 GPA in its screening courses. Source
- Also note
Transfer students must complete the Physics 4 series after enrolling at UC San Diego. Source
- Every San Diego major
UC San Diego admits transfers at the junior level only, and every transfer must be admitted to a major. Source
Applicants to screened majors are screened on the number of preparation courses completed, the grades in them and the cumulative GPA. Required preparation must be done by the end of the spring term before fall admission with a C (2.0) or better unless the major states otherwise. Source
Data Science, Engineering and Public Health are selective majors with limited enrollment due to capacity. UC San Diego strongly recommends listing an alternate non-selective major, and applicants not admitted to the first choice may be admitted to the alternate if space is available. Source
UC’s shared course list
UC’s Physics Transfer Pathway lists the courses that prepare you for this major at every campus, UC San Diego included. Where San Diego’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 San Diego
UC San Diego doesn’t offer TAG. Its UniversityLink program guarantees admission to the campus, though not to a selective major, for eligible students at nine San Diego-area colleges.
Your odds
Move the GPA to see a regular-review range at UC San Diego for physics.
The same major at other campuses
| Campus | Screens applicants | TAG |
|---|---|---|
| UC Berkeley | Not stated | No TAG |
| UCLA | No | 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 San Diego
- Aerospace Engineering
- Anthropology
- Bioengineering
- Biological Sciences
- Business Economics
- Chemical Engineering
- Chemistry
- Civil Engineering
- Cognitive Science
- Communication
- Computer Engineering
- Computer Science
- Data Science
- Earth Science / Geology
- Economics
- Electrical Engineering
- English
- 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 San Diego transfer admissionsadmissions.ucsd.edu
- ASSIST: course agreements to UC San Diegoassist.org
Questions
What GPA do you need to transfer to UC San Diego for physics?
Screened major with a minimum 3.0 GPA in the screening courses (effective Fall 2025).
What classes do I need to transfer to UC San Diego for physics?
Effective Fall 2025, Physics screens MATH 18 and MATH 20A-20C. MATH 20D, PHYS 2A-2C, 2CL, 2D, 2DL and one programming course are recommended. Check each course on ASSIST for your college.
Is physics selective or screened at UC San Diego?
Yes. UC San Diego screens transfer applicants for it. Screened major with a minimum 3.0 GPA in the screening courses (effective Fall 2025).
Can I get a TAG for physics at UC San Diego?
UC San Diego doesn’t offer TAG. Its UniversityLink program guarantees admission to the campus, though not to a selective major, for eligible students at nine San Diego-area colleges.