Physics transfer to UC Santa Cruz
What UC Santa Cruz expects physics transfers to finish before fall 2027. Below are Santa Cruz’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
- 70.4%
- Screens applicants
- Yes
- TAG GPA line
- 3.00
- Admits transfers
- Yes
UC Santa Cruz admitted 70.4% of all transfer applicants for fall 2025, and it doesn’t publish admit rates by major. UC Santa Cruz reported an average GPA of 3.47 for admitted fall 2025 transfers and no range. The calculator’s range is an estimate around that average.
What Santa Cruz expects
Physics B.S. · Physics (Astrophysics) B.S. · Applied Physics B.S.
- Courses to finish
For the Physics B.S. (2026-27 catalog), transfers must complete PHYS 5A, 5B, 5C, MATH 19A, 19B and 23A or equivalents by the end of spring before fall entry. Source
PHYS 5D is recommended before transfer, and winter entrants must also complete PHYS 5D and MATH 23B. Source
- Selection
A minimum GPA of 2.7 is required in PHYS 5A, 5B and 5C, and courses for the major must be taken for a letter grade (2026-27 catalog). Source
- Also note
Transfers admitted in another major (other than applied physics or astrophysics) need department permission to change into physics. Source
- Every Santa Cruz major
For Fall 2026, UCSC screens transfer applicants for completion of major preparation courses in a published list of screening majors, with criteria given in each major's General Catalog entry. Source
Required major preparation must be completed by the end of the spring term before fall transfer, or by the end of the fall term before winter transfer. Source
UC’s shared course list
UC’s Physics Transfer Pathway lists the courses that prepare you for this major at every campus, UC Santa Cruz included. Where Santa Cruz’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.
TAG for this major
UC Santa Cruz’s TAG covers physics for fall 2027 at a 3.00 UC-transferable GPA. TAG filing runs September 1–30 of the year before you transfer.
Your odds
Move the GPA to see a regular-review range at UC Santa Cruz for physics.
The same major at other campuses
| Campus | Screens applicants | TAG |
|---|---|---|
| UC Berkeley | Not stated | No 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 Riverside | Yes | 2.80 |
| UC Merced | Yes | 2.90 |
Other majors at UC Santa Cruz
- Anthropology
- Bioengineering
- Biological Sciences
- Business Administration
- Business Economics
- Chemistry
- Cognitive Science
- Computer Engineering
- Computer Science
- Earth Science / Geology
- Economics
- Electrical Engineering
- English
- Environmental Science
- Film and Media Studies
- History
- Linguistics
- Mathematics
- Neuroscience
- Philosophy
- Political Science
- Psychology
- Public Health
- Sociology
Official links
- UC Santa Cruz transfer admissionsadmissions.ucsc.edu
- ASSIST: course agreements to UC Santa Cruzassist.org
Questions
What GPA do you need to transfer to UC Santa Cruz for physics?
A minimum GPA of 2.7 is required in PHYS 5A, 5B and 5C, and courses for the major must be taken for a letter grade (2026-27 catalog). A TAG needs at least a 3.00.
What classes do I need to transfer to UC Santa Cruz for physics?
For the Physics B.S. (2026-27 catalog), transfers must complete PHYS 5A, 5B, 5C, MATH 19A, 19B and 23A or equivalents by the end of spring before fall entry. Check each course on ASSIST for your college.
Is physics selective or screened at UC Santa Cruz?
Yes. UC Santa Cruz screens transfer applicants for it. A minimum GPA of 2.7 is required in PHYS 5A, 5B and 5C, and courses for the major must be taken for a letter grade (2026-27 catalog).
Can I get a TAG for physics at UC Santa Cruz?
Yes, for fall 2027, with at least a 3.00 GPA. TAG filing runs September 1–30 of the year before you transfer.