UC Santa Barbara Mechanical Engineering Transfer Requirements, Fall 2027

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

Mechanical 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), a first general chemistry course with lab, statics and MATLAB. Dynamics, multivariable calculus, a second general chemistry course, electronic circuits, engineering graphics, strength of materials and physics equivalent to Physics 7D 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
If dynamics is not complete before the first fall quarter at UCSB, the Mechanical Engineering degree becomes a three-year degree. Source
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 Mechanical 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.

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

Paste your course titles to see which items they cover.

TAG for this major

UC Santa Barbara’s TAG doesn’t cover mechanical 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 mechanical engineering.

UC-transferable GPA3.40

Intended major

Far reach

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

UC Santa Barbara’s TAG doesn’t cover Mechanical 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

Campus	Screens applicants	TAG
UC Berkeley	Yes	No TAG
UCLA	Yes	No TAG
UC San Diego	Yes	No TAG
UC Irvine	Yes	3.40
UC Davis	Yes	3.50
UC Riverside	Yes	3.10
UC Merced	Yes	3.00

All nine campuses side by side

Other majors at UC Santa Barbara

Official links

UC Santa Barbara transfer admissionsadmissions.sa.ucsb.edu
ASSIST: course agreements to UC Santa Barbaraassist.org

Questions

What GPA do you need to transfer to UC Santa Barbara for mechanical 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 mechanical 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), a first general chemistry course with lab, statics and MATLAB. Dynamics, multivariable calculus, a second general chemistry course, electronic circuits, engineering graphics, strength of materials and physics equivalent to Physics 7D are strongly recommended. Check each course on ASSIST for your college.

Is mechanical 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 mechanical engineering at UC Santa Barbara?

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

Mechanical Engineering at UC Santa Barbara