ABOUT UC

The University of California, one of the largest and most acclaimed institutions of higher education in the world, is dedicated to excellence in teaching, research and public service.

The University of California was founded in 1868 as a public, State-supported land grant institution. It was written into the State Constitution as a public trust to be administered under the authority of an independent governing board, The Regents of the University of California.

Today, the university, headed by President Robert C. Dynes , has a $16-billion budget and encompasses ten campuses, five medical schools and teaching hospitals, four law schools (UC Davis, UC Los Angeles, UC Berkeley, Hastings) – and a statewide Division of Agriculture and Natural Resources. Approximately 150 University institutes, centers, bureaus, and research laboratories operate in all parts of the State. The University's Agricultural Field Stations, Cooperative Extension offices, and the Natural Reserve System benefit people in all areas of California. UC also manages three national laboratories for the federal government.

Currently, UC is addressing several critical initiatives: developing a new, unprecedented approach to academic preparation, as well as a math and science initiative that will result in 1,000 new math and science teachers by 2010; developing culturally sensitive health and medical education and training programs; accommodating record numbers of students expected in the next decade; opening UC Merced in the fall of 2005, which is to be the nation's first research university built in the 21st century; exciting new discoveries in Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s research; broadening university-industry partnerships; and expanding the use of technology in teaching and research.

Each year, more than 40,000 students graduate from UC's nine established campuses, including 7% percent of the nation's Ph.D.'s. UC has awarded more than one million degrees, and today has nearly 1.3 million living alumni. UC faculty and researchers have won 49 Nobel Prizes, 17 of them since 1995. Current faculty includes 23 Nobel Laureates and 335 members of the National Academy of Sciences, more than any other college or university in the United States.

UC research programs and its affiliated national laboratories produce more research leading to patented inventions than any other public or private research institution.

Map of UC locations in California

UC Systemwide Profile