University of California, Berkeley
Ranking, cost of attendance, the financial aid policy for international students, tests and deadlines, checked against UC Berkeley’s own pages.
Check my chances at UC BerkeleyLast updated 4 October 2026Figures checked against official sources, listed at the end
University of California, Berkeley: highlights
UC Berkeley is the highest-ranked public university in the United States in the QS World University Rankings 2027, at joint 20th. As a state university it charges international students a large supplement on top of standard tuition, and its application window is short and early.
- After HSC: US universities do not set an HSC cut-off. UC Berkeley reviews your whole school record, test scores, essays and recommendations together.
- Total cost: USD 93,944 for 2026-27, including tuition of USD 57,484 including the nonresident supplement, housing and food.
- Financial aid: Limited aid for international students.
- Tests: The University of California does not use SAT or ACT scores in admission decisions.
- Deadlines: Fall application window: 1 October to 30 November. Other terms: Limited; check available majors first.
Key facts
University of California, Berkeley is in Berkeley, California. International first-year applicants need 15 year-long academic courses with a 3.4 GPA.
UC Berkeley rankings
| Ranking | Position |
|---|---|
| QS World University Rankings 2027 | =20 in the world |
Cost of attendance
US universities publish one cost of attendance instead of a fee per course. These are UC Berkeley’s figures for 2026-27, and they are close to the amount your I-20 will show.
| Item | Amount a year |
|---|---|
| Tuition and fees | USD 18,214 |
| Nonresident supplemental tuition | USD 39,270 |
| Housing, campus residence hall | USD 16,640 |
| Meal plan | USD 7,000 |
| Books, materials and equipment | USD 1,342 |
| Personal expenses | USD 3,270 |
| Transport | USD 754 |
| Health insurance (SHIP) | USD 5,066 |
| Total | USD 93,944 |
The same tuition applies to every undergraduate major. Travel between Bangladesh and the US is extra.
Admission requirements for Bangladeshi students
| Your qualification or level | What UC Berkeley asks for |
|---|---|
| HSC or A levels | Completion of secondary school. There is no fixed minimum mark; admission is holistic and highly selective |
| Standardised tests | The University of California does not use SAT or ACT scores in admission decisions |
| School documents | Official transcripts sent by your school, with certified English translations where needed |
| Master’s and PhD Each graduate department runs its own admission, with its own tests, deadlines and funding. Check the department page |
Admission rates at this level are very low for every applicant, so apply to a range of universities.
English language scores
| Test or course | Minimum |
|---|---|
| English proficiency test | Required if your secondary schooling was not in English; minimum scores are on UC’s English proficiency page |
UC Berkeley: yearly intakes
UC Berkeley admits first-year students once a year, for the fall term that starts in August or September. You choose an early or a regular round.
| Intake | Classes start | Apply by | Open for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fall application window | August or September | 1 October to 30 November | Decision: Spring |
| Other terms | August or September | Limited; check available majors first | Decision: Varies |
International first-year applicants need 15 year-long academic courses with a 3.4 GPA.
How to apply
- Take the required tests
The University of California does not use SAT or ACT scores in admission decisions. Book early, because test dates in Bangladesh fill up.
- Submit the application
Application fee: USD 95 for each UC campus you apply to.
- Apply for financial aid at the same time
If you need aid, ask for it in the same application cycle. Limited aid for international students.
- Receive your I-20
After you accept an offer and show how the first-year cost will be covered, the university issues the I-20 you need for the visa.
- Apply for the F-1 visa
Pay the SEVIS fee, submit the DS-160 at least 7 days before your interview, and attend the interview at the US Embassy in Dhaka.
Scholarships for Bangladeshi students
Financial aid for international students
University of California, Berkeley
- Policy
- Limited aid for international students
- Based on
- Family finances
- Apply
- With your admission application
- US federal aid
- Not available
Berkeley is a public university and its need-based aid is designed mainly for California and US students. Read its Financial Aid and International Students page before you apply, and plan to cover the full cost of attendance yourself.
View on official site ↗International students do not qualify for US federal aid, so university funding matters most.
Living costs at UC Berkeley
Housing and food are already part of the cost of attendance above: USD 23,640 for housing and meals for 2026-27.
There is no single national figure for the US. You must show funds that cover the first-year cost on your I-20, with balances built up over 6 to 12 months. The F-1 visa costs USD 535 in total: a USD 185 application fee and a USD 350 SEVIS fee.
What one year costs in total
The full first-year cost is USD 93,944 for 2026-27, before any financial aid. Travel and, where needed, health insurance are extra.
Work and careers after UC Berkeley
Reputation
- =20 in the world in the QS World University Rankings 2027.
- Limited aid for international students.
Work while you study
- On-campus jobs for up to 20 hours a week during term on an F-1 visa.
- Off-campus work needs authorisation, such as Curricular Practical Training.
Stay after graduating
- Optional Practical Training gives 12 months of work.
- STEM graduates can extend it by 24 months.
UC Berkeley: FAQs
Can I get into UC Berkeley with HSC?
You can apply with the HSC. US universities do not publish an HSC cut-off: UC Berkeley looks at your full school record, test scores, essays and recommendations. International first-year applicants need 15 year-long academic courses with a 3.4 GPA.
How much does UC Berkeley cost for international students?
The full cost of attendance for 2026-27 is USD 93,944, which includes tuition of USD 57,484 including the nonresident supplement and USD 23,640 for housing and meals.
Does UC Berkeley give financial aid to Bangladeshi students?
Berkeley is a public university and its need-based aid is designed mainly for California and US students. Read its Financial Aid and International Students page before you apply, and plan to cover the full cost of attendance yourself.
Do I need the SAT or ACT for UC Berkeley?
The University of California does not use SAT or ACT scores in admission decisions.
When is the UC Berkeley deadline?
Fall application window: 1 October to 30 November. Other terms: Limited; check available majors first. Classes start in August or September.
How much money do I need to show for the F-1 visa?
Enough to cover the first-year cost on your I-20, which is close to USD 93,944 before any aid. A financial aid award reduces the amount you must show.
Plan the rest
Official sources
- UC Berkeley: cost of attendance ↗Checked 2026-10-04 · next review 2026-11-03
- University of California: international applicants ↗Checked 2026-10-04 · next review 2026-11-03
- UC Berkeley: international students ↗Checked 2026-10-04 · next review 2026-11-03
- QS World University Rankings 2027 ↗Checked 2026-10-04 · next review 2026-11-03
- U.S. Embassy Dhaka: nonimmigrant visas ↗Checked 2026-09-29 · next review 2026-10-29
These are dated editorial checks, not a live data feed. Recheck the original page before applying or paying.
About this guide. Researched by the Student Visa From Bangladesh editorial team from the official sources listed above and last checked on 4 October 2026. We are not a university or a government agency, and admission and visa outcomes are never guaranteed. Read our editorial policy.