University of California, Berkeley

The University of California, Berkeley, commonly known as UC Berkeley or Cal, is a public research university founded in 1868 and the founding campus of the University of California system. It sits in the city of Berkeley, across San Francisco Bay from San Francisco itself.

Why students choose UC Berkeley

• A leading public university with particular strength in engineering, computer science, and the natural sciences.
• Highly regarded programmes in public policy, economics, and law.
• A long tradition of student activism and a lively, independent campus culture.
• Proximity to the wider San Francisco Bay Area and its technology industry.
• A large and research-active faculty across nearly every academic discipline.

Campus and location

Berkeley’s campus sits at the base of the Berkeley Hills, a short transit ride from San Francisco and close to Oakland and Silicon Valley.

What students say

Students frequently mention that introductory and lower-division courses can be large, particularly in popular majors, though class sizes tend to shrink in upper-division and graduate work. A recurring theme is praise for the research opportunities available even to undergraduates, alongside Berkeley’s long-standing reputation for an engaged, independent-minded student culture. International students often note the Bay Area location as a major draw, both for internships and for the wider tech industry nearby.

Official website: https://www.berkeley.edu

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