UC Berkeley Engineering Admission 2026: Fees, Acceptance Rate & Review
- Haziq Shaikh
- 6 days ago
- 5 min read
Introduction
Are you an engineering aspirant dreaming of studying in the heart of Silicon Valley? The UC Berkeley Engineering Admission 2026 cycle is one of the most competitive in the world. As the #1 public university in the US, Berkeley offers unmatched exposure to top tech companies like Google, Apple, and Tesla.
This blog covers everything Indian students need to know for the Fall 2026 intake from the application process and fees to acceptance rates (cutoffs).
Highlights: UC Berkeley Engineering 2026
Point | Details |
University Type | Public Research University |
Location | Berkeley, California (near San Francisco) |
Global Ranking | #3 in Undergraduate Engineering (US News) |
Application Mode | Online (UC Application) |
Admission Intake | Fall 2026 (Starts August 2026) |
Standardized Tests | Test-Free (No SAT or ACT required) |
Acceptance Rate | ~9% (Engineering), highly competitive |
What is UC Berkeley Engineering?
The College of Engineering at the University of California, Berkeley, is consistently ranked among the top 3 engineering schools globally. It is famous for its rigorous curriculum and innovation.
Students applying for UC Berkeley Engineering Admission 2026 must know that unlike other US colleges, you apply directly to a specific major (like Civil or Mechanical) or as "Engineering Undeclared." Changing majors later is very difficult, so choose wisely!
Top Engineering Majors at Berkeley:
Electrical Engineering & Computer Sciences (EECS)
Mechanical Engineering
Civil & Environmental Engineering
Bioengineering
Industrial Engineering & Operations Research
Important Dates for Fall 2026 Intake
For students currently in Class 12th (or gap year), the application timeline is critical. The UC system has very strict deadlines.
Event | Date |
Application Opens | August 1, 2025 |
Submission Window | October 1 – November 30, 2025 |
Deadline | November 30, 2025 |
Decision Notification | Late March 2026 |
Accept Offer Deadline | May 1, 2026 |
The UC system has very strict deadlines. Unlike other universities that offer rolling admissions, you cannot apply late here. If you are confused about how US intake cycles work, read our detailed guide on Spring vs Fall Intake USA 2026 to plan your timeline better.
Eligibility for Indian Students
To qualify for UC Berkeley Engineering Admission 2026, Indian students must meet high academic standards.
1. Academic Requirements
Class 10th & 11th Marks: Very important. You must have a high GPA (typically 90% and above).
Class 12th (Predicted/Mid-term): Strong performance in Math, Physics, and Chemistry is mandatory.
Subject Requirement (A-G Courses): You must have completed history, English, math, and science courses equivalent to US high school standards.
2. English Proficiency Since the medium of instruction is English, you must submit one of the following:
TOEFL iBT: Minimum score of 80 (Target 100+ for Engineering).
IELTS: Minimum band score of 6.5 (Target 7.5+). If you are struggling to reach this score, check our IELTS Exam Strategy 2026 for tips to score Band 8+.
Duolingo English Test (DET): Minimum score of 115.
3. SAT / ACT Policy UC Berkeley is Test-Free. This means they will not look at your SAT or ACT scores, even if you submit them. Your admission depends entirely on your school grades and essays.
Admission Process
The process for UC Berkeley Engineering Admission 2026 is unique compared to other US universities.
Step 1: The UC Application You fill out one single application for all University of California campuses (UCLA, UCSD, Berkeley, etc.).
Step 2: Personal Insight Questions (PIQs) This is the most critical part. You must answer 4 out of 8 short essay questions (350 words each).
Tip: Do not write poetic stories. Be direct. Explain your leadership, your creativity, and how you solved a problem.
Step 3: Activities List You can list up to 20 activities (awards, extracurriculars, volunteering). Focus on quality and impact, not just participation.
Step 4: No Letters of Recommendation Berkeley does generally not ask for Letters of Recommendation (LORs) for undergraduate admission.
Fees & Cost of Attendance (2026 Estimates)
Studying at a top US public university is expensive for international students. Below is the estimated cost for one academic year.
Expense Category | Annual Cost (USD) | Annual Cost (INR Approx.) |
Tuition & Fees | ~$16,000 | ₹13.4 Lakhs |
Non-Resident Tuition | ~$37,600 | ₹31.5 Lakhs |
Housing & Food | ~$22,000 | ₹18.5 Lakhs |
Books & Personal | ~$4,000 | ₹3.3 Lakhs |
Total Estimated Cost | ~$79,600 | ₹66.7 Lakhs |
Acceptance Rate & Class Profile (Cutoff)
In India, we look for "cutoffs." In the US, this is measured by the Acceptance Rate. Engineering is the hardest college to get into at Berkeley.
Class Profile Statistics (Recent Trends):
Overall Acceptance Rate: ~11%
International Acceptance Rate: ~5–6%
Engineering Acceptance Rate: ~7–9%
Average Unweighted GPA: 3.9 – 4.0 (out of 4.0)
This means out of every 100 international engineering applicants, only about 5 to 7 are selected. You need near-perfect grades and strong extracurriculars to stand out.
Documents Required
Keep these ready before August 2025:
Academic Transcripts (9th to 11th grade marks).
List of extracurricular activities and awards.
Annual family income details (for application fee waivers, if eligible).
Credit card for application fee (~$95 per campus for international students).
Passport copy.
Tips for a Successful Strategy
Start PIQs Early: The essays are the only way to show your personality. Start drafting them in June 2025.
Focus on Math/Science: Ensure your grades in calculus and physics are consistently high.
Show "Spike": Don't be a "jack of all trades." Show deep interest in one area of engineering (e.g., building robots, coding apps, environmental research).
Apply broadly: Since Berkeley is very risky, apply to other UCs (like UC San Diego or UC Davis) and other US colleges as backups.
FAQs: UC Berkeley Engineering Admission 2026
1. Is the SAT required for UC Berkeley Engineering Admission 2026?
No, UC Berkeley is completely test-free. They will not review SAT or ACT scores for the 2026 intake.
2. What is the deadline for the Fall 2026 application?
The application deadline is November 30, 2025. There are no extensions.
3. Can I apply for financial aid as an international student?
Public universities like UC Berkeley offer limited to no scholarships for international students. You must be prepared to fund the full cost.
4. Which engineering major is the hardest to get into?
EECS (Electrical Engineering & Computer Sciences) is widely considered the most competitive major at Berkeley.
5. What is the minimum GPA required?
International students must have a GPA of at least 3.4 in 10th and 11th grade subjects, but realistically, admitted students usually have a GPA above 3.9 (uncapped).
6. Is there a separate application for Engineering?
No, you use the standard UC Application, but you must select your specific engineering major inside the portal.
7. Does UC Berkeley conduct interviews?
No, there are no interviews for undergraduate engineering admissions.
8. Can I transfer into Engineering later if I join as an Arts student?
It is extremely difficult (almost impossible) to transfer into the College of Engineering from another college within Berkeley. It is better to apply directly to Engineering.
Conclusion
UC Berkeley Engineering Admission 2026 is a gateway to a brilliant career in technology. While the competition is tough and the fees are high, the Return on Investment (ROI) is incredible, with graduates often landing starting salaries over $100,000.
Start working on your grades and essays today to maximize your chances!
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