for UC Berkeley Scholarships?
for Undergraduate Scholarships?
- Review the UC Berkeley international student requirements and confirm that your secondary-school qualification meets Berkeley’s admission requirements.
Do not convert your international grades into US grades yourself. Berkeley instructs international applicants to report their academic records using the original grading system shown by their school.
- Complete the University of California application.
The international application fee is currently US$95 per UC campus. International and non-immigrant applicants are generally not eligible for the standard UC application fee waiver available to qualifying US citizens, permanent residents, and AB540 students.
- Complete the Personal Insight Questions carefully.
Berkeley uses holistic review, considering academic and non-academic achievements in the context of the opportunities and challenges available to the applicant.
Your responses should provide specific evidence of
Intellectual curiosity
Leadership
Initiative
Community involvement
Creativity
Challenges overcome
Academic interests
Personal contribution
Avoid repeating information already obvious from your academic record.
- Submit the UC application with all required academic information.
Applicants normally self-report their academic results rather than sending transcripts with the initial application. Berkeley requests official documents later from students who are admitted.
- No separate application is required for Berkeley’s main international undergraduate scholarships.
All admitted international undergraduate applicants are automatically considered for scholarships for which they qualify, including the Regents’ & Chancellor’s Scholarship and relevant international scholarship programmes. Applicants selected for the Regents’ & Chancellor’s Scholarship may be invited to a faculty interview.
for the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program?
- Review the eligible Berkeley master’s programmes and choose a degree that matches your education, professional goals, and intended contribution to Africa.
Only eligible master’s programmes of two years or less can receive Mastercard Foundation funding.
- Apply for the selected master’s programme through the UC Berkeley Graduate Application.
The Mastercard Foundation does not replace Berkeley’s normal admission process. Applicants must first submit a competitive graduate application and be considered academically admissible by the relevant department.
- Prepare a strong graduate application.
Berkeley generally requires
Academic transcripts
Statement of Purpose
Personal History Statement
Recommendation letters
English-language evidence where required
Additional programme-specific materials
Use our guides to prepare your academic CV, statement of purpose, and scholarship recommendation letters.
- Clearly demonstrate your connection to the objectives of the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program.
Your application should provide evidence of
Academic excellence
Leadership
Barriers you have overcome
Community engagement
Commitment to Africa
How your Berkeley degree will help you create positive change after graduation
These criteria are central to scholarship selection.
- Wait for nomination by your Berkeley graduate programme.
There is no direct initial Mastercard Foundation scholarship application before the Berkeley degree application. Eligible applicants are reviewed by their graduate programmes, and selected candidates are nominated to the Scholars Program.
- Complete the supplementary scholarship application if invited.
Nominated candidates receive instructions from the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program and may subsequently be invited to an online interview. The final scholarship decision is separate from the underlying Berkeley admission decision.
for UC Berkeley PhD Funding?
- Search the UC Berkeley graduate programme directory and select a PhD programme closely aligned with your academic and research background.
Review
Faculty research areas
Laboratories and research groups
Programme requirements
Funding information
English requirements
GRE or other test requirements
Berkeley allows applicants to apply to only one graduate or concurrent degree programme in a single admission cycle.
- Identify potential supervisors where appropriate.
Read recent publications from relevant Berkeley faculty and determine whether their research aligns with your proposed work.
When appropriate for your department, send a concise email explaining
Your academic background
Previous thesis or research
Proposed research area
Relevant publications or technical experience
Why the faculty member’s work matches your interests
Attach a focused academic CV.
- Prepare your graduate application.
The standard Graduate Division application includes
Academic records
Statement of Purpose
Personal History Statement
Recommendation letters
English-language results where required
Programme-specific documents
The current application fee for applicants who are not US citizens or permanent residents is US$155. Standard Berkeley graduate fee waivers based on financial need are primarily available to eligible US citizens and permanent residents, although some programmes may offer their own assistance.
- Submit the application to your selected PhD programme.
A separate central funding application is normally unnecessary. The departmental admissions committee considers incoming doctoral applicants for fellowships and financial support.
- Review the funding offer carefully if admitted.
Berkeley sends a Financial Support and Employment Funding Letter explaining
Fellowship funding
Teaching appointments
Research appointments
Tuition and fee coverage
Nonresident tuition support
Funding duration
Academic progress requirements
Funding arrangements differ between programmes, so this letter is the authoritative source for your individual PhD package.
Documents Required for UC Berkeley Scholarships
Undergraduate Documents
International undergraduate applicants should prepare
UC Application
Complete secondary-school academic history
Secondary-school completion qualification
Personal Insight Question responses
English-language evidence where required
Passport and citizenship information
National or international examination results
Additional forms requested through the Berkeley applicant portal
Official academic records if requested after admission
Applicants should not initially mail transcripts, certificates, recommendation letters, photographs, awards, or other unsolicited materials unless Berkeley specifically requests them. Selected first-year applicants may later be invited to submit two recommendation letters. Berkeley does not accept unsolicited recommendations from applicants who have not received an invitation.
Mastercard Foundation Scholarship Documents
Applicants should prepare
UC Berkeley graduate application
Bachelor’s degree certificate
Complete academic transcripts
Statement of Purpose
Personal History Statement
Academic CV
Recommendation letters
TOEFL or IELTS result where required
Programme-specific documents
Additional Mastercard Foundation application responses if nominated
Evidence relevant to leadership and community contribution
Additional documentation requested by the Scholars Program
The graduate department first determines whether the applicant is competitive for admission before nomination to the Mastercard Foundation selection process.
PhD Application Documents
International PhD applicants generally need
Graduate online application
Bachelor’s degree certificate
Master’s degree certificate where applicable
Academic transcripts
Certified translations where required
Statement of Purpose
Personal History Statement
Academic CV
Recommendation letters
TOEFL or IELTS result where required
GRE, GMAT, MCAT or other test where required by the department
Research proposal or writing sample where required
Publications or other research evidence where relevant
Additional programme-specific materials
Applicants with academic records issued in a language other than English or Spanish must provide acceptable translations according to Berkeley Graduate Division requirements.
Applicants can use the following ScholarshipRoar guides
Academic CV for Scholarship
Statement of Purpose for Scholarship
Scholarship Recommendation Letter
Scholarship Interview Questions and Answers
Website
For more information about UC Berkeley Scholarships, visit
Scholarships for International Undergraduate Students
Regents’ & Chancellor’s Scholarship
Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program
UC Berkeley Doctoral Funding Packages
Frequently Asked Questions
Are UC Berkeley Scholarships fully funded?
Some are. The Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program is fully funded and covers tuition, Berkeley fees, housing, food, living expenses, travel, visa and SEVIS costs, and additional programme support. The Swaniker Scholars Program can provide undergraduate funding up to the full cost of attendance for selected eligible African students. Other international undergraduate awards vary according to financial need. PhD packages can provide comprehensive funding through fellowships and academic employment, but the exact amount and duration depend on the department.
Can international students receive the Regents’ & Chancellor’s Scholarship?
Yes. International first-year and transfer applicants are automatically considered for the Regents’ & Chancellor’s Scholarship. No separate scholarship application is required.
How much is the Regents’ & Chancellor’s Scholarship?
The minimum monetary award is US$2,500 per year. Scholars with assessed financial need can receive additional grant and scholarship support up to their full need. International recipients may also receive funding through Berkeley’s dedicated international scholarship programmes.
Does UC Berkeley provide need-based financial aid to all international students?
No. International students are generally ineligible for Berkeley’s ordinary federal, state, and institutional need-based financial aid. Instead, Berkeley provides specific institutional scholarship opportunities for selected international students.
Is the Mastercard Foundation Scholarship fully funded?
Yes. It provides comprehensive support for tuition, fees, housing, food, living costs, travel, visa and SEVIS expenses, as well as leadership and professional development activities.
Is the Mastercard Foundation Scholarship available for every international student?
No. Applicants must be citizens of African countries and meet the programme’s academic, leadership, financial-access, community contribution, and return-to-Africa criteria.
Can I apply for the Mastercard Foundation Scholarship for a bachelor’s degree?
No. Berkeley’s current Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program supports eligible master’s programmes only. Undergraduate and PhD programmes are not eligible.
Are UC Berkeley PhD programmes fully funded?
Berkeley departments provide doctoral funding packages that can combine fellowships, teaching or research employment, tuition and fee remission, and benefits. The precise funding package differs by programme and student, so applicants should rely on the Financial Support and Employment Funding Letter provided with their admission offer rather than assuming one university-wide stipend.
Do I need a separate application for PhD funding?
Normally no. The departmental admissions committee considers doctoral applicants for funding when reviewing their graduate application.
Is SAT or ACT required at UC Berkeley?
No. UC Berkeley is test-free and does not use SAT or ACT scores in admission or scholarship selection. Scores submitted voluntarily may only be used for purposes such as placement or subject credit after admission.
Is IELTS compulsory for UC Berkeley?
Not always. Undergraduate students can satisfy English proficiency through several accepted tests or academic qualifications. Graduate applic