University of California-Irvine
- Public
- Research university
University of California-Irvine: international tuition 57,300 USD per year, one-year total cost 90,100 USD, acceptance rate 28.6%. Merit scholarships are open to international students. Need-based aid is not. Published minimum English scores: IELTS 6.5, Duolingo 115.
UCI offers no need-based aid to international students, but F-1 students can receive merit scholarships, notably the Directors' Scholarship considered automatically via the UC application (Nov 30 deadline).
Getting in. The school admits 28.8% of applicants (35,317 of 122,706). The SAT range of admitted students is not published. The school does not look at SAT or ACT scores. For English, the school asks for IELTS 6.5+ or Duolingo 115+.
Cost for a year. One year comes to 90,100 USD, before any scholarship. 1 scholarship is confirmed for international students, but nothing is taken off yet because the amount of each one is not clear. According to the Common Data Set 2024-2025, 74 international students got financial aid.
Deadline and visa. The application deadline for fall is 1/10. You apply through UC Application. How long the visa takes is up to the consulate; see the country note.
Admissions checked 13/10/2026Cost checked 10/10/2026
What is the tuition at University of California-Irvine?
International tuition is 57,300 USD per year. The total cost for one year is 90,100 USD.
Does University of California-Irvine offer scholarships for international students?
Merit scholarships are open to international students. Need-based aid is not. UCI offers no need-based aid to international students, but F-1 students can receive merit scholarships, notably the Directors' Scholarship considered automatically via the UC application (Nov 30 deadline).
What English scores does University of California-Irvine require?
Published minimum English scores: IELTS 6.5, Duolingo 115.
What is the acceptance rate at University of California-Irvine?
The acceptance rate is 28.6%.
- Pay in fullYesPay in fullOnce admitted you can enrol straight away — no scholarship decision to wait for.Your family covers all tuition and living costs for every year of the degree.You will need: your application and proof that your family can pay — the school needs it to issue your visa documents.
- Aid with the offerUnclearAid with the offerThe school decides aid while reviewing your application, so any need-based or merit award arrives with the offer.The school has merit scholarships for international students, but does not say whether they are automatic or need their own application.
- Apply separately for scholarshipsUnclearApply separately for scholarshipsOn top of the admission application, you send a separate scholarship application or get nominated.The pages we read mention no scholarship with its own application. Not seeing one does not mean there is none — ask the school.
For Vietnamese students
Vietnamese community nearby
Students on campus lifeiPublic YouTube videos by students and the school, matched to this school's name; Vietnamese videos first. Each reflects its creator's own view.
- Ms. Alison2023Vlog
- 엔디쌤tv - 미국 대학 이야기2024Applying
Contact
Tuition and cost for a year
Compared with 375 public United States schools with published tuition in Duckling's data.
What a year costs
VND converted at Vietcombank's selling rate on 15/10/2026; indicative only — the real amount depends on the rate when you pay.
Scholarships and aid for international students
- Is merit considered automatically with the application?UnclearThe quote only covers Directors' Scholarship eligibility, not automatic merit review in general; Campuswide Scholarships require a separate application.
- Is admission need-blind for international applicants?UnclearThe pages say nothing about whether admission decisions ignore international applicants' ability to pay, so it is unclear.
- Is the CSS Profile or a school aid form required?UnclearThe page says international students should disregard FAFSA/CA Dream Act, and no CSS Profile or international aid form is mentioned; nothing explicit, so Unclear.
Scholarships at this school
Directors' ScholarshipMeritMeritAwarded on achievement (grades, awards, activities), regardless of family finances.Considered automatically with the admission applicationSchool page
The page explicitly lists international students with an F-1 visa as eligible for the Directors' Scholarship.
- Renewable in later years
Deadline: Apply for Fall admission by November 30
Chancellor's Excellence ScholarshipIntl eligibility unclearThe school does not say whether international students can get this scholarship, so “Cost for a year” at the top does not subtract it. Ask the school before counting on it.MeritMeritAwarded on achievement (grades, awards, activities), regardless of family finances.Considered automatically with the admission applicationSchool page
The passage lists only U.S. citizens and eligible non-citizens without directly naming international students, so it is not enough to conclude they are excluded.
- Renewable in later years
Deadline: Apply for Fall admission by November 30
Regents' ScholarshipIntl eligibility unclearThe school does not say whether international students can get this scholarship, so “Cost for a year” at the top does not subtract it. Ask the school before counting on it.MeritMeritAwarded on achievement (grades, awards, activities), regardless of family finances.Considered automatically with the admission applicationSchool page
The passage lists only U.S. citizens and eligible non-citizens without directly naming international students, so it is not enough to conclude they are excluded.
- Renewable in later years
Deadline: Apply for Fall admission by November 30
UC Irvine Campuswide ScholarshipsIntl eligibility unclearThe school does not say whether international students can get this scholarship, so “Cost for a year” at the top does not subtract it. Ask the school before counting on it.MeritMeritAwarded on achievement (grades, awards, activities), regardless of family finances.Separate application requiredSchool page
The passage says international students may apply for UCI scholarships but not need-based ones; it does not confirm the Campuswide Scholarships specifically are open to them.
U.S. student figures2024–25Financial aid for all first-year studentsMostly U.S. students, who also get U.S. government aid that international students cannot apply for. A picture of the school's overall aid, not what you would receive.
Admission requirements
Compared with 349 United States schools that publish an application fee in Duckling's data.
English
Application requirements
- Teacher recommendationiLetters of recommendation are not accepted.Not required
- Counselor recommendationNot required
- EssaysiYou answer 4 of 8 Personal Insight Questions, each up to 350 words.Required
- English proficiencyiEnglish proficiency is required if you had under 3 years of English-medium secondary schooling, regardless of citizenship.Required
How to apply
Minimum English scores vs other schools
Compared with 42 United States schools admitting 15–40% that publish it in Duckling's data.
DeadlinesFall 2027
- UC application submission deadline (Fall 2027 admission)Applicationin46days
- Final official transcripts due if admittedDocuments+259 days
What the school weighs in admission
- Rigor of secondary school recordVery important
- GPAVery important
- Application essayVery important
- Extracurricular activitiesVery important
- Talent / abilityVery important
- Volunteer workVery important
- Work experienceVery important
- Character / personal qualitiesImportant
- First generationConsidered
- Geographical residenceConsidered
- State residencyConsidered
- Class rankNot considered
- SATACTNot considered
- RecommendationsNot considered
- InterviewNot considered
- Alumni relationNot considered
- Religious affiliationNot considered
- Level of applicant's interestNot considered
Admission odds in numbers
Early rounds & waitlist
Credit for exams
AP scores of 3 or higher earn credit toward graduation.
Scores that count12345IB Higher Level scores of 5 or higher earn credit.
Scores that count1234567A-Level grades A, B or C earn credit toward graduation.
Scores that countfrom C
AP credit by subject
Lowest score that earns credit or placement, as the college reported to College Board. This is not an admission requirement. One exam can have several rows: a higher score sometimes earns more credit. Policy page the college gave College Board
66 courses. Scroll inside the table to see all.
Programs
* U.S. median for this field — the school publishes no figure of its own.
Outcomes
Staying in United States after graduation
OPT: 12 months of work in your field after each degree level; degrees on the DHS STEM list can extend by 24 months (up to 36 months in total). Unemployment during OPT is capped at 90 days (150 days with the STEM extension). Note: on 8 October 2026 DHS published a PROPOSED rule charging USD 70,000 for initial OPT and USD 30,000 for later OPT; it is not in force, and comments close on 9 November 2026.
Climate
School & campus
Where the school is
Detailed map
Academics & housing
Classes by size
Housing
Why this school is listed: one of the 50 U.S. schools with the most international undergraduates (College Scorecard). Source
Updated 14/10/2026How Duckling sources data