UC Davis Design
Transfer Acceptance Rate, GPA and Classes

For fall 2025, 72% of transfer applicants to UC Davis Design were admitted (181 of 252). Admitted transfers' GPAs ranged 3.45–3.91.

The major preparation UC Davis lists for Design transfers starts with DES 001, DES 015 and DES 016; the full list is below.

114 California community colleges have a current transfer agreement with UC Davis for this major. Pick yours below to see which of its classes count.

72%

UC Davis Design transfer admit rate, fall 2025

3.45–3.91

GPA range of admitted transfers

252

Transfer applicants, 181 admitted

114

California community colleges with a transfer agreement for Design

Source: UC Information Center, Fall 2025 transfer admissions by major.

Your community college

Which classes count at your community college?

Pick your college to see its class for each UC Davis requirement.

Major Requirements

UC Davis Design Major Preparation

The courses UC Davis lists as Design major preparation for transfer applicants, for the 2025-26 academic year. Course numbers are UC Davis's own; pick your community college above to see the matching class there.

Design

Complete all of these

DES 001 Introduction to Design
DES 015 Form & Color
DES 016 Graphic Design & Computer Technology

Complete 1 of these

DES 014 Design Drawing
DES 021 Drafting & Perspective

Complete 1 of these

DES 040A Energy, Materials, & Design Over Time
DES 040B Ideologies of Design
DES 040C Design for Aesthetics & Experience
DES 040D Designed Geographies: Environment, Containment, Sanctuary

Complete 1 of these

ART 012 Beginning Video
DES 021 Drafting & Perspective
DES 040A Energy, Materials, & Design Over Time
DES 040B Ideologies of Design
DES 040C Design for Aesthetics & Experience
DES 040D Designed Geographies: Environment, Containment, Sanctuary
DES 050 Introduction to Three-Dimensional Design
DES 051 Computer-Assisted Drawing for Designers
DES 070 Introduction to Textile Design Structures
DES 077 Introduction to Structural Design for Fashion

Writing requirement

Complete 1 of these

UWP 011 Popular Science & Technology Writing
UWP 012 Writing & Visual Rhetoric
UWP 048 Style in the Essay
UWP 049 Writing Research Papers

FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the UC Davis Design transfer acceptance rate?

For fall 2025, 72% of transfer applicants to UC Davis Design were admitted (181 of 252). Admitted transfers' GPAs ranged 3.45–3.91.

Does UC Davis have a Design major for transfer students?

Yes. UC Davis offers Design (A.B.) and lists the major preparation it expects transfer applicants to complete.

What classes do I need to transfer to UC Davis for Design?

UC Davis's Design major preparation includes DES 001, DES 015, DES 016, DES 014, DES 021 and DES 040A, with more courses in the list on this page. Pick your community college on this page to see which of its classes match.