The University of California, Berkeley (UC Berkeley)
The University of California, Berkeley (UC Berkeley), located in Berkeley, in the San Francisco Bay Area, is a world-renowned public research university, highly regarded in academic circles, and one of the top public universities in the world.
At UC Berkeley, the architecture program is housed within the College of Environmental Design (CED), offering students a comprehensive and challenging education.
Related Programs List
UC Berkeley's architecture-related fields cover architectural design, urban design, urban planning, and landscape architecture, all offered under the College of Environmental Design.
Commonly applied-for programs by students include:
- Studio One (One-Year Post-Professional Program) - Duration: 1 year
- M.Arch Program with Advanced Standing (Two-Year Professional Program) - Duration: 2 years
- M.Arch Program (Three-Year Professional Program) - Duration: 3 years
- Master of Landscape Architecture (Three-Year M.L.A.) - Duration: 3 years
- Master of Landscape Architecture (Two-Year M.L.A.) - Duration: 2 years
- Environmental Planning - Duration: 2 years
- Master of City Planning - Duration: 2 years
- Master of Urban Design - Duration: 1 year
- Master of Science in Architecture - Duration: 3 semesters
- Master of Real Estate Development + Design - Duration: 11 months
Admission Requirements
1. Program-Specific Admission Requirements
Studio One (MAAD)
An accredited Bachelor of Architecture degree.
A minimum GPA of 3.0 (B) on a 4.0 scale.
Sufficient undergraduate training to undertake graduate-level work in the chosen field.
M.Arch Program (2-Year & 3-Year)
2-Year Program:
Open to students with a focused pre-professional degree, such as a B.A. or B.S. in architecture, with an exceptional undergraduate record.
Advanced standing is determined by the admissions committee based on studio work and academic performance.
Typically for candidates with a four-year non-professional degree in architecture.
3-Year Program:
Designed for applicants with a bachelor’s degree in a field other than architecture.
Requires 72 units of coursework over six semesters.
Core curriculum revolves around architectural design, with a design studio each semester.
M.L.A. (Master of Landscape Architecture)
3-Year Program:
Accredited by the American Society of Landscape Architects (ASLA).
Intended for students with non-design academic backgrounds.
2-Year Program:
For students with a prior degree in landscape architecture, architecture, or environmental design.
Environmental Planning (EP)
Two-year program designed for students with strong academic backgrounds in:
Environmental sciences or management,
Landscape architecture,
Urban studies,
Planning, or design.
Master of City Planning (MCP)
Requires a bachelor’s degree or its recognized equivalent from an accredited institution.
GRE scores are required.
Master of Urban Design (MUD)
Requires a prior professional degree in architecture (B.Arch. or M.Arch.), landscape architecture (B.L.A. or M.L.A.), or city and regional planning (M.C.P., M.U.P.) with a strong design focus.
Evidence of high-quality academic and professional work. GRE and minimum TOEFL/IELTS scores are required.
Two years of professional experience (recommended but not required).
Suggested coursework in the history/theory of urban form (City Planning 240 or equivalent).
2. GPA Requirements
A minimum GPA of 3.0 (on a 4.0 scale) is required for the last two years of undergraduate study.
If your undergraduate institution does not use a 4-point scale, enter “N/A” in the GPA section of the application.
3. Language Proficiency Requirements
Programs may require:
GRE
TOEFL/IELTS (if applicable).
Test scores must be submitted at least 2.5 weeks prior to the application deadline to ensure timely receipt and matching to your application.
GRE Requirements
Official Scores: Applicants must have their official GRE scores reported to the UC Berkeley Graduate Division by ETS.
Validity: Only GREs taken after June 2014 are valid.
Minimum Score: No minimum score requirement.
Substitutions: LSAT and GMAT scores cannot be used as substitutes.
Institution Code: 4833 (no department code is needed).
TOEFL / IELTS Requirements
Who Needs It: Applicants from countries where English is not the official language must provide evidence of English proficiency.
Validity: Only TOEFL and IELTS tests taken after June 2017 are valid.
Minimum Scores:
TOEFL: 570 (paper-based test) or 90 (internet-based test, iBT).
IELTS: Overall band score of 7.
Institution Code: 4833 (no department code is needed).
Accepted Tests: Only TOEFL tests administered by ETS and sent directly by the TOEFL office will be accepted.
Exemptions: Information about exemptions and further details on English proficiency requirements can be found on UC Berkeley's official admissions page.
Application Materials
1. Statement of Purpose (SOP)
Content:
Why you want to study your proposed field.
Why UC Berkeley is your choice.
How Berkeley's program aligns with your career goals.
Purpose: Academic-focused statement.
Reference: UC Berkeley SOP Guide.
2. Personal History Statement (PHS)
Content:
Life experiences, education, family, culture, and work experiences influencing your academic journey.
Challenges and opportunities encountered.
Purpose: Reflects your personal and academic background and context.
3. Three Letters of Recommendation
Must come from academic or professional references familiar with your qualifications.
4. Examinations:
GRE: Mandatory unless stated otherwise by your program.
TOEFL/IELTS: Required for non-native English speakers unless exempt (minimum TOEFL: 90 iBT, IELTS: 7).
5. Transcripts:
Format: Submit unofficial transcripts in PDF format, scanned and uploaded online.
Requirements: Include all post-secondary schools attended.
Properly rotate files; remove sensitive personal data (e.g., SSN, birth date).
Official Transcripts: Required only upon admission acceptance.
6. Resume/CV
Highlight academic, professional, and research experiences relevant to your field.
7. Portfolio/Exhibit of Creative Work (If Required)
Programs Requiring Portfolios:
Master of Architecture (M.Arch)
Master of Advanced Architectural Design (MAAD)
Master of City Planning (Urban Design Concentration only)
Master of Landscape Architecture (First and Second Professional Degrees)
Master of Urban Design
Specifications:
PDF format, maximum 12 pages, not exceeding 10 MB.
Title page and table of contents do not count toward the page limit.
Clearly identify any work not entirely your own.
For M.Arch and MAAD applicants: Two-page spread format allowed; design for varying monitor sizes.
8. Writing Samples or Publications (If Required)
Submit recent publications, reports, or other relevant writing samples if requested by your program.
9. Grade Point Average (GPA)
Minimum: 3.0 on a 4.0 scale in the last two years of undergraduate study.
Advanced GPA calculation required for US institutions; optional for non-US institutions.
10. Application Fee
Non-refundable fee to be paid online with a credit/debit card.