University of California, Los Angeles

The University of California, Los Angeles, commonly known as UCLA, is a public research university and one of the largest campuses in the University of California system. It is located in the Westwood neighbourhood of Los Angeles, close to Beverly Hills and Santa Monica.

Why students choose UCLA

• Strong programmes across film and television, the sciences, engineering, and business.
• A prominent athletics tradition and a lively, spirited campus culture.
• Proximity to the entertainment and media industry centred in Los Angeles.
• A large, diverse student body with extensive research opportunities across disciplines.
• Access to Southern California’s climate, beaches, and year-round outdoor lifestyle.

Campus and location

UCLA’s campus is in Westwood, on the west side of Los Angeles, within easy reach of Santa Monica, Beverly Hills, and the wider LA metro area.

What students say

A recurring theme is that UCLA’s large size and school spirit go hand in hand, with students often mentioning the strong sense of community built around athletics and campus events. International students commonly note that the size of the university makes it easy to find peers with similar backgrounds, and many mention the Los Angeles location and climate as a genuine quality-of-life benefit. Some reviews point out that certain popular courses can be competitive to get into given the scale of the student body.

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

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