University of California Merced Admissions 2025: Application Deadline, Requirements & Costs

Yes it does, UC Merced welcomes international students from all over the world to study at their campus. The University has a diverse community of  international students who hail from  28 countries. Lastly, the University is an inclusive and welcoming institution which provides a safe environment for international students regardless of their nationality, colour and background.

University of California Merced and University of California Riverside are renowned institutions offering unique campus cultures and various academic programs. While they share a great reputation, there are subtle differences between the two universities. The below table compares the rankings, fees and acceptance rate of University of California Merced and University of California Riverside . Overall this information could be useful for students who are considering them.

Here is the comparison highlighting the differences between the Universities:

(The comparison of fees was between the B.Sc course for UG and the Ms course for PG)

To get admission to UC Merced, undergraduate students typically need a GPA of 3.4 or higher, while graduate students typically need a GPA of 3.0 or above. These requirements ensure a competitive pool and academic preparedness to get into the university. If the students don’t have the required GPA, they must submit additional proofs demonstrating their academic records.

The University of California, Merced application process may vary depending on the course and level of study you choose. However, here is the application process for UG and  PG courses.

The Undergraduate Application Process: 

Step 1: Applicants must create an account on the official website. 

Step 2: Complete the application; the applicant must fill in their details 

Step 3: Applicants must choose their interested course and be aware that each UC school they apply to requires an application fee of USD 95 (international application fee).

Want to waive off application fee at US University?   However, you can check out: Application fee waivers for US universities. 

Step 4: Ensure you meet the English language requirements for your chosen course.

Step 5: Applicants must upload their SAT/ACT scores for UG programs

Step 6: LORs, Personal insights and transcripts of the applicant's 12th marks are essential while applying to the University of California, Merced campus.

Step 7: If the applicant is selected, the university will notify the applicant through the mail they signed in. 

The Postgraduate Application Process: 

Applicants must create an account on the official website. 

Step 2: Complete the application; the applicant must fill in their details 

Step 3: Applicants must choose their interested course and be aware that each UC they apply to requires an application fee of USD 155 ( international students) for postgraduate programs.  

However, you can check out: Application fee waivers for US universities 

Step 4: Ensure you meet the English language requirements for your chosen course.

Step 5: Applicants must have completed their degrees and have their transcripts ready.

Step 6: LORs ( 3 LOR), GRE, Personal insights and work experience (Depending on the course) essential while applying to the University of California, Merced

Step 7: If the applicant is selected, the university will notify the applicant through the mail they signed in. 

The University of California Merced acceptance rate is around 86% for international students. This means that  86% of applicants are admitted annually out of the 100 application recieved. It is also important to note that meeting minimum requirement criteria doesn’t guarantee admission during selection. However, applicants should give their best to present a strong application highlighting their academic achievements, experience and extracurricular activities to increase their chances of acceptance.

(Due to unavailability of current acceptance rate, the above data has been taken from unofficial sources. Hence, it is subject to vary)

Below are the UC Merced admission requirements for international students:

Undergraduate requirements:

• You must complete both year X and XII state board or CBSE examinations.

• Applicants must have marks above 70 annd no marks below 60 is accepted.

• Applicants must Report their subjects and marks on the International Exams page of the application, under the Test Scores tab (step 4 of 5).

• Applicants must Graduate from secondary school and earn a certificate of completion that allows you to attend a university in your country.

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Graduate requirements:

• A statement of academic purpose (SOP)

• Applicants must have a list of all their prior colleges or universities, accompanied by unofficial transcripts from each school. However, unofficial transcripts should be uploaded with the applicant's application.

• Three letters of recommendation, the university also  reserve the right to verify the authenticity of any and all letters of recommendation

• Applicants must submit their Resumes and CV 

• A USD 155 application fee for PG applicants

• A standardised test, although the graduate school does not have tests minimum for admission, individual departments may have minimum requirements. However, they need to give IELTS or TOEFL if the applicant is from a non-English speaking native country. However, there are other standardised examinations, such as GRE and GMAT, which are compulsory, however, might vary depending on the course the applicant chooses

The cost of attending UC Merced for Indian students can vary depending on several factors. Tuition fees for international students at  UC Merced are typically higher than for US citizens. However, it is important that the tuition fee can change over time, and it is recommended to visit the official website to recheck the fees and accommodation. Indian students should also consider other costs such as housing, health insurance, meals and transportation attending UC Merced. Scholarships and financial aid options are also available to9 help students from financial barriers. Check out the below table for the cost of living for UG: 

Yes it does accept UC Merced for international students. International students must submit a proof of English Language proficiency to be considered for Columbia University admission ( especially non-english speaking countries). Students can demonstrate that they are proficient in English by submitting the English proficiency test scores.

Want to have a good score in IELTS? then check out : Free IELTS classes  

UC Merced and UC Davis  are renowned institutions offering unique campus cultures and various academic programs. While they share a great reputation, there are subtle differences between the two universities. The below table compares the rankings, fees and acceptance rate of UC Merced and UC Davis . Overall this information could be useful for students who are considering them.

Here is the comparison highlighting the differences between the Universities:

(The comparison of fees was between the B.Sc course for UG and the Ms course for PG)

To check your admission status at UC Merced, you will receive an email notification once the applicants application straus has been updated. Upon receiving this email, you’ll need to log in to connect platform at connect.ucmerced.edu/student. From there, simplu click on “My admissions” to view the decision regarding the application. Typically, the university reverts back within 2-3 weeks after sending out the email notification. Applicants must be sure to keep an eye on their inbox for updates, and if applicants have any further questions, they are suggested to call the admission office of the university to know the details. 

It totally depends on the convenience of the applicants. As UC Merced and San Diego State University for Masters in CS  are renowned institutions offering unique campus cultures and various academic programs. While they share a great reputation, there are subtle differences between the two universities. The below table compares the rankings, fees and acceptance rate of UC Merced and San Diego State University. Overall this information could be useful for students who are considering them.

(The comparison of fees was between the MSc courses of both the universities)

The application fee for the MSc programme at UC Merced is USD 155. However, the cost of the application might vary. It is suggested to double-check the current fee with the specific programme you are applying to.