NEWLY ADMITTED UCLA STUDENTS
Students admitted to UCLA as Pre-Global Studies MUST apply for the major once at UCLA no later than Fall of their junior year. Transfer Students admitted under another major may also apply to switch to Global Studies. See our "Transfer Students" tab for more.
APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS
Global Studies Major Info Session (2026) VIDEO HERE
Application: Opens in Fall only.
Eligible students: Current Sophomores and Juniors (including transfers). Seniors are not eligible.
Minimum Requirements: (may be in progress in the Fall)
- Earn at least a 'B' in GLBL ST 1 and complete all preparation courses by end of Fall
- At least level 3 in a foreign language*
- Minimum UC Glbl St lower division GPA: 3.25
- Enroll in all core courses offered in the Fall and Winter (Glbl St 102, 103, or 104)
- Register for summer travel study program for the following summer. If petitioning UCEAP see our Travel Study Tab.**
* Language: Level 6 is required for graduation. Sophomores do not need level 3 to apply. Language placement exam results should be emailed to our office. More ways to fulfill foreign language here.
**Students not able to meet travel study requirement, meet with a Global Studies advisor to explore options.
DOUBLE MAJORS: If you wish to add Glbl St as a double major, you must first be admitted to Glbl St and then meet this
criteria. If you are seeking to double major with a program in a School outside of Letters & Science (e.g. Engineering), consult with the respective School about their policies.
WHAT WE LOOK FOR
- preparatory GPA (minimum 3.25)
- grade in GLBL ST 1
- Statement of Interest- 300 words ( see prompts on our FAQs)
Due to a limited number of spaces, meeting the minimum preparation requirements does not guarantee admission. The average prep GPA for the 2025-26 period was 3.8, and the admission rate was 80%. Students are asked to have a backup major. Possible options are International Development Studies, International and Area Studies, Asian American Studies, African American Studies, Chicano/a Studies to name a few.
2026-27 Application - Fall Only - (Nov 15th - Dec 2nd 2026)
IMPORTANT: Before you start the Application, model your DARS for Global Studies and check that all preps for Global Studies are showing up in the correct fields. If they are not, contact the Global Studies Advising Office. Prompt for Statement of Interest can be found under our FAQs
NOTIFICATIONS: Applications will be reviewed after Fall Quarter grades are posted. Students are asked to refrain from inquiring about their application status until then and should constantly check their inboxes and spam boxes during Weeks 1 and 2 of Winter for their decision email.
ADDITIONAL APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS
By December 2nd, but no later than January 3rd, register for ONE from below:
- Global Studies Travel Study program for the following summer (recommended option). Registration opens on November, 18th. Certain destinations fill up quickly so, enroll early. A non-refundable deposit is required to enroll Travel Study.** More information HERE
Students who are not admitted to the Global Studies major may drop Global Studies Travel Study Program, but the deposit will not be refunded. Program can be used towards two of the three electives for the Global Studies minor.
- UCEAP study abroad program for the following year (courses must be petitioned). Petition Deadline: December 2nd of the term you are applying to the major.
Two courses should focus on the region you are visiting (preferably the country) within a global context—topics such as cultural exchanges, immigration, colonization, war, conflict, international cooperation, trade, and international business/markets. Courses solely focused on domestic issues will not be approved. More information can be found on our Travel Study Tab
**Students who are not able to meet the travel study requirement must meet with a Global Studies counselor to explore their options.