The University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) is the most applied-to university in the United States and one of the world's top public universities. Its Westwood campus sits in the heart of Los Angeles, and its strengths run across almost every field — film and media, engineering, computer science, life sciences, economics and the social sciences. For Pakistani students, the honest headline is this: UCLA is an outstanding university that charges international undergraduates the full cost, with no scholarships or financial aid for non-residents.
At a glance
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Location | Los Angeles, California, USA |
| Type | Public research university, University of California system |
| University fees 2026-27 | US$16,430 (UC tuition US$15,588 + UCLA campus fees US$842) |
| Nonresident supplemental tuition | US$39,270 |
| Total for nonresidents (residence hall) | US$84,770 for 2026-27 |
| Application | UC application, opens for fall 2027; deadline 30 November 2026 |
| Application fee | US$80 per campus (international) |
| Financial aid for internationals | None — UCLA does not award scholarships or aid to undergraduates who are not US citizens or permanent residents |
Popular programmes
Computer Science, Data Theory, Electrical and Computer Engineering, Economics, Psychology, Biology, Film and Television, and Business Economics are among the most competitive majors for international applicants. UCLA charges one nonresident rate for every undergraduate programme — the cost does not vary by major, except for small differences in supplies and course expenses. Graduate programmes are separate: base non-resident graduate tuition is about US$33,238 a year, plus programme-specific fees.
Fees and costs
For 2026-27, a nonresident undergraduate in a residence hall pays US$84,770 for the nine-month academic year: university fees US$16,430, nonresident supplemental tuition US$39,270, plus housing, food and health insurance. Living off campus the total is about US$87,056. California residents pay US$45,500 — the supplemental tuition is the whole difference. Under the UC Tuition Stability Plan, the tuition rate for an entering cohort stays flat for up to six years, so the 2027-28 rate for new students is expected to be about US$90,100 for the full on-campus budget. UCLA notes that the published 2026-27 fees may not be final.
Admission
UCLA admits through the single UC application — you apply to the University of California system, not to UCLA alone, and you can apply to several UC campuses on one form. The fall 2027 application deadline is 30 November 2026. First-year admission decisions come out in late March, transfer decisions in late April, and the deadline to submit the enrolment deposit is 1 May. UCLA is test-free: SAT and ACT scores are not considered at all. What matters is your school record, your essays (the UC Personal Insight Questions), your activities, and evidence of English proficiency — typically IELTS 7.0 or TOEFL iBT 100 for competitive applicants, though the published minimum is lower.
Life in Los Angeles
UCLA's campus is one of the most attractive in the USA, and Los Angeles offers internships in entertainment, technology, aerospace and biotech. The cost of living is high — budget for it honestly — and a car is useful, though the campus is served by public transport. Pakistani students should note the financial proof requirement: for students entering in fall 2026, UCLA asked international students to document at least US$80,739, with a further US$5,000 recommended for contingencies. The 2027 figure will be sent with the offer of admission.
FAQ
Does UCLA give scholarships to international students? No. UCLA states that it does not award scholarships or financial aid to undergraduates who are not US citizens or permanent residents. Plan to pay the full cost.
What is the total cost for an international student? US$84,770 for 2026-27 in a residence hall, including the US$39,270 nonresident supplemental tuition.
Do I need the SAT for UCLA? No. The University of California is test-free — SAT and ACT scores are not used in admission decisions.
Figures checked 2026-11-05: UCLA Financial Aid and Scholarships 2026-27 cost of attendance (nonresident total US$84,770; university fees US$16,430; nonresident supplemental tuition US$39,270); UCLA International Admission Guide 2026; UC application deadline 30 November. 2027-28 figures are not yet final — confirm on admission.ucla.edu.
Related guides on Pakunii
Digital SAT 2027 Guide · FAFSA 2027-28 Guide · IELTS Academic Guide · Fully Funded Scholarships 2027
Sources and verification: UCLA Financial Aid and Scholarships cost of attendance 2026-27; UCLA International Admission Guide 2026.