LetterReady Work with a counselor

Electrical Engineering at UC Santa Barbara

What UC Santa Barbara expects electrical engineering transfers to finish before fall 2027. Below are Santa Barbara’s own preparation and selection rules, UC’s shared course list, the TAG terms and your odds.

Checked against official UC and campus sources in November 2026.

At a glance

Fall 2025 campus admit rate
59%
Screens applicants
Yes
TAG GPA line
Not covered
Admits transfers
Yes

UC Santa Barbara admitted 59% of all transfer applicants for fall 2025, and it doesn’t publish admit rates by major. The middle half of admitted transfers had GPAs from 3.48 to 3.91 for fall 2024. For fall 2025 the campus reported only an average, 3.66.

What Santa Barbara expects

  • Electrical Engineering, B.S.

    Courses to finish

    For Fall 2027 required courses, with no grade below C, are 2 semesters of calculus, linear algebra, differential equations, the physics for science and engineering majors series with labs (equivalent to UCSB Physics 7A-B-C-L) and programming in C, C++ or intermediate Python. Multivariable calculus, first-semester general chemistry with lab, digital logic, physics equivalent to UCSB Physics 7D and electrical circuits are strongly recommended. Source

    Selection

    All required courses must be completed by the spring term before transfer. No minimum GPA is stated, and UCSB says applicants should strive for strong grades in the required major preparation courses. Source

    Also note

    Applicants to a College of Engineering or College of Creative Studies major should select an alternate major in the College of Letters and Science. UCSB considers the second-choice major when space is available. Source

    Transfer students may not petition to change into or add a College of Engineering major after admission. The college calls admission highly selective and says most engineering transfers need three years to finish the degree. Source

    Every Santa Barbara major

    UCSB's Transfer Major Preparation Guide for Fall 2027 is an abbreviated list. California community college students should check ASSIST for exact course equivalents. Source

    Required major preparation courses must be finished by the end of the spring term before transfer. Full-year sequences should be completed at one institution when possible. Source

UC’s shared course list

UC’s Electrical engineering Transfer Pathway lists the courses that prepare you for this major at every campus, UC Santa Barbara included. Where Santa Barbara’s own list above asks for more, follow the campus.

CourseStatus
Single variable calculus for STEM majors (one-year sequence)Required
Multivariable/vector calculusRequired
Linear algebraRequired
Ordinary differential equationsRequired
Calculus-based physics (3 semesters / 5 quarters through modern physics, with labs)Required
General chemistry 1 (with lab)Required
Circuit analysis (with lab)Required
Computer programming (one course)Required
Logic designRecommended

Paste your course titles to see which items they cover.

Your results show here: every item on the list, and which of your courses covers it.

This reads course titles. Whether a course counts at a campus is set by ASSIST, so confirm each one there.

TAG for this major

UC Santa Barbara’s TAG doesn’t cover electrical engineering for fall 2027. You can still apply through regular review.

UC Santa Barbara TAG requirements and timing

Your odds

Move the GPA to see a regular-review range at UC Santa Barbara for electrical engineering.

3.40

Far reach

About 10–25% in regular review for applicants like you

UC Santa Barbara’s TAG doesn’t cover Electrical Engineering.

  • Major preparation is the factor UC readers weigh most for transfers — often ahead of GPA.

Regular-review estimate for a California resident on track for 60 units and the 7-course pattern, with major prep unconfirmed. The full calculator adds your prep, residency and TAG status.

The same major at other campuses

CampusScreens applicantsTAG
UC BerkeleyYesNo TAG
UCLAYesNo TAG
UC San DiegoYesNo TAG
UC IrvineYes3.40
UC DavisYes3.50
UC Santa CruzYes3.00
UC RiversideYes3.00
UC MercedYes3.00

All nine campuses side by side

Other majors at UC Santa Barbara

Questions

What GPA do you need to transfer to UC Santa Barbara for electrical engineering?

All required courses must be completed by the spring term before transfer. No minimum GPA is stated, and UCSB says applicants should strive for strong grades in the required major preparation courses.

What classes do I need to transfer to UC Santa Barbara for electrical engineering?

For Fall 2027 required courses, with no grade below C, are 2 semesters of calculus, linear algebra, differential equations, the physics for science and engineering majors series with labs (equivalent to UCSB Physics 7A-B-C-L) and programming in C, C++ or intermediate Python. Multivariable calculus, first-semester general chemistry with lab, digital logic, physics equivalent to UCSB Physics 7D and electrical circuits are strongly recommended. Check each course on ASSIST for your college.

Is electrical engineering selective or screened at UC Santa Barbara?

Yes. UC Santa Barbara screens transfer applicants for it. All required courses must be completed by the spring term before transfer. No minimum GPA is stated, and UCSB says applicants should strive for strong grades in the required major preparation courses.

Can I get a TAG for electrical engineering at UC Santa Barbara?

No. UC Santa Barbara’s fall 2027 TAG doesn’t cover it.

Sources

  1. UCOP fall 2025 admissions, Table 1a
  2. Santa Barbara: Electrical Engineering preparation
  3. Santa Barbara: Electrical Engineering selection criteria
  4. Santa Barbara: Electrical Engineering notes
  5. Santa Barbara: Electrical Engineering notes
  6. UC Transfer Pathways: Electrical engineering
  7. UC TAG Matrix, fall 2027
  8. ASSIST