University of California, San Diego campus
San Diego, United States
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University of California, San Diego

San Diego·university

#34

QS Rank

34%

Acceptance rate

56,914

Enrollment

About University of California, San Diego

UC San Diego is a premier public research university with exceptional strength in engineering, sciences, and computer science. Located in San Diego, California, with proximity to tech companies and research institutions, UCSD offers advanced facilities and highly ranked faculty. The university emphasizes research involvement and offers undergraduate research opportunities across disciplines. UCSD's location provides unparalleled internship opportunities in emerging tech sectors and biomedical research. The university's commitment to diversity and student success, combined with San Diego's beautiful environment and thriving economy, make it highly attractive for ambitious international students.

World University Rankings

QS World University Rankings (2026)#34
Times Higher Education (THE) (2025)#27
ARWU / Shanghai Rankings (2024)#17
US News Best Global Universities (2025)#30

Campus & Location

Province

CA

Campus setting

Suburban

Cost of living: Housing: USD 1,600–2,600/mo | Food: USD 440–680/mo | Biotech and defense research hub. Moderate California cost below LA/SF.

Optional Practical Training (OPT)

All graduates from CRICOS-registered programs qualify for 12-month Optional Practical Training (OPT). STEM-designated programs (CS, Engineering, Data Science, Mathematics, Sciences) qualify for a 24-month STEM OPT extension — 36 months total of US work authorisation.

Admission requirements — Nepali equivalents

A rough translation of the published minimums for Nepali applicants:

GPA 3.060%+ in NEB +2, B+ average in Cambridge A-levels, or Second Division in a TU bachelor's degree.
GPA 3.370%+ in NEB +2 or First Division in a TU bachelor's degree.
GPA 3.675%+ in NEB +2 or First Division with Distinction in a TU bachelor's degree.
IELTS 6.5The most common graduate minimum — achievable with 2–3 months of focused preparation. IELTS 7.0+ needed for the most competitive programs.

Use our GPA converter to translate your exact score to the 4.0 scale.

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Uses published minimum requirements. Final decisions are always at the university's discretion. Use our GPA converter to get your score on the 4.0 scale.

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Data last verified: 2026-04-29 · Source: https://ucsd.edu. Information may change — verify with University of California, San Diego’s official website before applying.