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 Zoom Recording and Slides

Application: Opens in Fall only. Courses may be in progress during Fall.

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  

Opens November 15th, 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

 APPLY HERE

 

NOTIFICATIONS: Applications will be reviewed after Fall Quarter grades are posted. Please refrain from inquiring about application status until week 2 and check your 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 the 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  

 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.

2. UCEAP study abroad program

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

 

 


Checklist to declare the Global Studies minor:

  • Be in good academic standing (minimum 2.00 GPA cumulative)
  • Have completed all preparatory courses for the minor with a minimum prep GPA of 2.00 (grades for all preps should be posted on the Degree Audit Report). Run a DAR under a different program and add Glbl St minor. Instructions can be found HERE
  • You do not need to complete any upper division coursework including GLBL ST 102, 103, and 104 prior to declaring.

 

Minor Requirements

For all minor requirements, please see 'Minor Requirements' under the 'Current Students' tab. 

Only students who have satisfied all the above requirements may request to be declared Global Studies Minor by submitting a petition no later than the quarter prior to your last quarter at UCLA.

Declare the Minor

   

NEWLY ADMITTED STUDENTS

  • UCLA admitted transfers declared under ANY major are eligible to apply to Global Studies, however, pre-Glbl St students will have priority to be admitted over students planning to switch or add Glbl St as a double major.
  • Incoming transfer students must apply Fall of their junior year (your first quarter at UCLA). Application information is available under the 'Applying to the Major' tab.
  • Sign up for summer orientation and attend the Glbl St Departmental counseling session. E-mail us if you can't attend.
  • Find resources for transfer students here: Transfer Student Handbook and connect with the Transfer Student Center.
  • Degree Planner HERE 

FUTURE UCLA APPLICANTS

In addition to reviewing Assist.org and UCLA's Admissions page, make sure to review our website for additional major information. Please remember:

  • You will have to submit a supplemental application to be admitted to the Global Studies major after you are admitted to UCLA.
  • You may complete the foreign language requirement (intermediate level) at UCLA via placement exam, appropriate coursework, or language immersion abroad. See Foreign Language tab for more info.

INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS

If you hold an F1 visa and attended high school where instruction was not in English, the Global Studies foreign language requirement may be waived. Please check with your Global Studies counselor.

 

 

When applying to the Global Studies major, completion of the elementary year of the foreign language is acceptable (i.e. Spanish 3). *Sophomore applicants may apply without Foreign Language.

Completion of the intermediate year (typically 6 quarters except for Spanish) is required by graduation to fulfill all major requirements.

  • Make sure that you check if the language you are taking offers intermediate level at UCLA.
  • Spanish Courses fill up quickly so students should consider other languages if possible.
  • Courses can be completed in the summer at UCLA or a Community college. Consult with our advising office.
  • If you have AP Spanish with a score of 4, please consult the Spanish and Portuguese department to determine the appropriate course for enrollment.


Other ways to complete this requirement

Please consult with our advising office for clarification

  • Language Placement Tests will give you a course recommendation. They are offered through a language's respective department. You must take the Placement Test, not the Exemption Test. *Note: Exemption Test is only for the College Foreign Language requirement. Common placement tests and deadline. Plan accordingly as some tests are only offered once a year.
  • AP Test credit may be accepted depending on the AP score.
  • Students with an F1 visa who attended a high school where the primary language of instruction was not English may be exempt. 
  • IGETC  FL may be accepted as 1 year equivalent. Students must take 2nd year to complete the requirement

Students minoring in Global Studies do not have to complete the language requirement.


 

International Institute Events

Attend numerous events on specific world regions and pressing global issues. For upcoming International Institute Events, visit the Event Calendar. 

 

 Event Calendar
 

International Institute Open House

International Institute Career Panel

Recommended Campus Groups

  • Global Development Lab - Equips students with skills and resources necessary to foster global development initiatives.
  • GlobeMed at UCLA  - Promoting global health equity through partnerships and sustainability.

       Find more UCLA student groups HERE

Major/Minor Academic Advising

We strive to provide students with holistic and comprehensive support through one-on-one advising, workshops, and events. Students are encouraged to work in partnership with their college advisor, major advisor, and other campus units to maximize their time at UCLA and make a positive impact both during and after their college careers as informed and responsible global citizens.

Global Studies & IDS Advisor Sandy Valdivieso

Sandy Valdivieso

Global Studies & IDS Advisor Liz Alvarez

Liz Alvarez

Advisors Can Assist You With

• Thoughtful academic and professional planning
• Exploration of research opportunities
• Guidance on internship opportunities and experiences abroad
• Helping you connect your major to your academic, career, and personal goals
• Clarifying the scope and requirements of the major or minor

College Counseling can assist with questions regarding major exploration, GE/IGETC requirements, Course Add/Drop Petitions, Degree Plan Contracts, college-specific requirements, holds, graduation checks, probation status, readmission, and more.

Registrar's Office questions may include registration, fees, enrollment, transcripts, and other student records services.

Student Email List

Email us to be added to our student mailing list and receive important announcements, updates, and opportunities.

Email Us

Contact us with questions regarding major or minor requirements, research, internships, study abroad, and more. Please include your full name and UID in all emails. Allow approximately 2 business days for a response.

idps@international.ucla.edu

Virtual/In-Person Appointments

Appointments are available for current UCLA students only. If you are not currently a UCLA student, please email us instead. Our offices are located in Bunche Hall. Students should come prepared with questions and review our website prior to their appointment.

Appointments will be canceled if a student does not arrive (online or in person) within 5 minutes of the scheduled appointment time.

MY.UCLA APPOINTMENT SCHEDULER

NOTE: Missing an appointment or canceling within two hours of the scheduled appointment time may impact a student’s ability to schedule future appointments.