Global Studies

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 (2025)
• Zoom Recording
• Slides

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
• Foreign Language (level 3 is acceptable for application)*
• 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 study abroad program see our Travel Study Tab for more info.

* Language: Level 6 is required for graduation. Sophomore applicants 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 your options.

WHAT WE LOOK FOR

Factors considered for admission are:

• 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 2026 - 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, please 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

Global Studies applicants must do the following**:

• Enroll in all core courses offered in Fall and Winter Quarter (Glbl St 102, 103 and/or 104)
• By December 2nd, but no later than January 3rd, register for ONE from below:

1.  Global Studies Travel Study program for the following summer (recommended option). Registration opens on November, 18th.  Certain destinations fill up quickly so if you have a preferred program, 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 will have the option of dropping Global Studies Travel Study Program, but the deposit will not be refunded. These courses can be used towards two of the three electives for the Global Studies minor.
   
   **Students who are not able to meet the travel study requirement must meet with a Global Studies counselor to explore their options.

• UCEAP study abroad program for the following year (courses must be petitioned). UCEAP COURSES PETITIONING GUIDELINES
  
  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