The University of California, Irvine (UCI) is a public research university located in Irvine, California, and is part of the University of California system. Established in 1965, UCI has quickly built an academic reputation despite its short history. From its inception, it has positioned itself as a research-focused university, conducting innovative research across various academic fields.


The name 'Irvine' is not derived from the city name but from the Irvine Company, a real estate company that donated the land for the university - the city of Irvine did not exist at the time the university was established. Subsequently, the California state government collaborated with the Irvine Company to develop the area around the university into a planned community. The city of Irvine was officially launched in 1971, six years after the university was founded. In simple terms, it can be seen as a privatization of the city.

UCI currently consists of 14 schools.
  • Henry Samueli School of Engineering
  • Donald Bren School of Information and Computer Sciences
  • School of Biological Science
  • School of Humanities
  • School of Physical Sciences
  • School of Social Ecology
  • School of Social Sciences
  • School of Law
  • Sue and Bill Gross School of Nursing
  • School of Medicine
  • Paul Merage School of Business
  • Claire Trevor School of the Arts
  • School of Education
  • School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences

UC Irvine (UCI) operates undergraduate programs across a wide range of academic fields, including humanities, social sciences, engineering, natural sciences, and medicine, achieving notable success particularly in computer science, biological sciences, engineering, business, and medicine. With numerous research centers and state-of-the-art laboratories, UCI provides an innovative research environment for faculty and students, encouraging interdisciplinary collaboration to foster creative research.

Spanning approximately 1,400 acres, the campus is the fifth largest among public universities in the United States, and the ample space allows for students to be seen riding bicycles around. The campus is well-equipped with learning facilities, libraries, sports facilities, and arts centers, enabling a balanced enjoyment of academics and leisure. The surrounding area offers a convenient living environment with restaurants, shops, and parks, providing students with a pleasant college experience.

UCI is highly regarded in national and international university rankings. According to the 2023 U.S. News & World Report, it ranks among the top public universities in the United States and is positioned around 35th among all universities. In the QS World University Rankings, it also ranks within the top 100 globally, particularly noted for its outstanding research and publications in engineering, computer science, and biological sciences. Graduation ceremonies are held at Angel Stadium of Anaheim, the home stadium of the Los Angeles Angels, showcasing the connection with the local community.

UCI has recorded the highest rank among universities established within the last 50 years, and the admission competition is becoming increasingly intense. As of 2020, the number of applicants approached 100,000, marking the third highest number of applicants among four-year universities in the United States. The acceptance rate is approximately 26.6%, steadily decreasing, with most enrolled students having ranked in the top 10% of their high school class. UCI is particularly popular among Korean students, being the UC campus with the highest number of Korean applicants for three consecutive years as of 2020.

In 2021, the number of applicants surpassed 100,000, and UCI was recognized as a university providing the best value for tuition. A survey published by Money Magazine in 2019 considered graduation rates, graduate income, loan burden, and faculty evaluations, ranking UCI as the university with the highest value for tuition among four-year universities nationwide, surpassing Princeton, UCLA, and Stanford. This reputation demonstrates that UCI is an excellent choice that offers both academic and practical value.