Global Cultures

University of California, Irvine

United States of America, Irvine

University Rank:#293

Go to Official Website

Duration4 year(s)

Tuition Fee

USD 72,776 / Year

Next IntakeSeptember 25, 2026

Global Cultures

About

Global Cultures is an innovative undergraduate major in the School of Humanities with an exciting mission: to explore the problems and processes of globalization from a humanistic perspective. The major provides students with 21st century analytical skills and knowledge that is critical to understanding the complexities of the diverse world in which we live. In the process, Global Cultures equips students with the knowledge and tools that lead to successful careers in a wide range of professions and fields.

Global Cultures faculty offer high-quality lectures and, in advanced courses, interactive small group seminars. The major favors a multidisciplinary approach that draws on multiple departments and programs, housed in both the Humanities (including Art History, English, Film and Media Studies, History, Philosophy, Religious Studies, Spanish and Portuguese, and many more) and the Social Sciences (Anthropology, Chicano/Latino Studies, Political Science, Sociology, among others).

Up-to-date examples of the highly diverse courses taught in the major may be found at the Global Cultures website. The curricular offerings of Global Cultures are extraordinarily broad. With this intellectually stimulating learning environment, the major attracts students from a wide range of backgrounds. Global Cultures faculty provide these students with a critical understanding and a strong foundation for practice in a variety of occupations, both domestic and international.

Students majoring in Global Cultures must choose a primary emphasis and a secondary emphasis from the list that can be found by clicking the major tab. Each emphasis essentially consists of a geographic focus. Students may also design their own emphasis in consultation with a program advisor and with the approval of the Global Cultures Committee. All emphases are chosen in consultation with a faculty advisor and/or the approval of the Global Cultures Committee. Examples of how current students are combining their primary and secondary emphases are available at the Global Cultures website.

Requirements

Entry Requirements

To be considered for first-year admission, international applicants must meet the same subject requirements as all other applicants.

You must have completed secondary school with excellent grades/marks in academic subjects and have earned a certificate of completion that enables you to be admitted to a university in your home country and is equivalent to a U.S. high school diploma. You also must have never been enrolled as a university student after graduating high school.

The following academic subject requirements must be completed with a minimum average GPA of 3.4:

Two years of history (in place of U.S. History, history of your country)
Four years of the language of instruction at your school
Three years (four years recommended) of college-preparatory mathematics*
*Math courses taken in the seventh and eighth grades/intermediate school may be used to fulfill part of this requirement. Integrated math courses (e.g. Math I, Math II, etc.) with geometry content may be equated with a standard course in geometry.
Two years (three years recommended) of college-preparatory science, including or integrating topics that provide fundamental knowledge in two of these three subjects: biology, chemistry, or physics.
Two years (three years recommended) of a language other than the language of instruction at your school
One year long course (or 2 semesters) of visual and performing arts (dance, drama/theater, music, visual art, or interdisciplinary arts, etc.)
One year additional course from any subject areas above
Additional information on meeting academic subject (A-G) requirements for international and/or mixed records can be found on page 13-14 in the Quick Reference Guide to UC Admissions

English Requirements

IELTSMin 6.5
TOEFLMin 80

Fee Information

Application Fee 70

How to Apply

Everything you need to apply

Transcripts. Don't submit your transcripts to UCI at this point, but refer to them as you fill out the application to ensure the information you enter is accurate.*

Test scores. UCI will not consider SAT or ACT scores for admission or scholarship purposes. After enrollment, exams may be used for class placement or some graduation requirements.

Annual income for last year and the current year (your parents' if you're a dependent; your income if you're independent). This is optional unless you're applying for an application fee waiver or for the Educational Opportunity Program.

Social Security number, if you have one. We use this to match your application to things like test score reports, final transcript(s) and, if you're applying for financial aid, your Free Application for Federal Student Aid.

Citizenship status. You must enter your country of citizenship (or "No Selection"). If your country of citizenship is outside the United States, you'll need to provide your immigration status and your visa type.

California Statewide Student ID (optional). Each K-12 student in California public schools is assigned an ID number. If it's not printed on your transcript, ask your counselor or registrar.

Credit card. If you prefer to pay by check, you can mail your payment.

* Veterans or active-duty military personnel: If you completed courses offered by a branch of the U.S. military, you may indicate your intention to submit your military transcript by checking the box in the "About You" section of the application. If you are admitted and accept an offer of admission, you can then submit official military transcripts (e.g., ACE, SMAART) to the UC campus.

Global Cultures

University of California, Irvine

United States of America, Irvine

Go to Official Website