UC Santa Cruz Music
Transfer Acceptance Rate, GPA and Classes

For fall 2025, 77% of transfer applicants to UC Santa Cruz Music were admitted (53 of 69). Admitted transfers' GPAs ranged 3.20–3.82.

The major preparation UC Santa Cruz lists for Music transfers starts with MUSC 1C, MUSC 2 and MUSC 3; the full list is below.

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

77%

UCSC Music transfer admit rate, fall 2025

3.20–3.82

GPA range of admitted transfers

Transfer applicants, 53 admitted

115

California community colleges with a transfer agreement for Music

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 UCSC requirement.

Major Requirements

UC Santa Cruz Music Major Preparation

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

Complete 6 of these

MUSC 1C University Concert Choir
MUSC 2 University Orchestra
MUSC 3 Large Jazz Ensemble
MUSC 5A Beginning Sundanese Gamelan
MUSC 5B Intermediate Sundanese Gamelan
MUSC 5C Advanced Sundanese Gamelan
MUSC 8A Beginning Balinese Gamelan
MUSC 8B Advanced Balinese Gamelan
MUSC 9 Wind Ensemble
MUSC 10 Central Asian Ensemble
MUSC 12 Mariachi Ensemble

Language requirement

Complete all of these

FREN 1 First-Year French
GERM 1 First-Year German
ITAL 1 First-Year Italian

Also listed by UCSC

UCSC lists these under the headings shown, apart from the list above.

Recommended preparation

1 of these options

MUSC 14 Beginning Western Theory and Musicianship
MUSC 30A Theory, Literature, and Musicianship I · MUSC 31 Ear Training
MUSC 30B Theory, Literature, and Musicianship II · MUSC 31 Ear Training
MUSC 30C Theory, Literature, and Musicianship III · MUSC 31 Ear Training

Where a list says “courses listed”, or options are separated by a dot, UCSC's own Music requirements say exactly which of those courses you need.

FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the UC Santa Cruz Music transfer acceptance rate?

For fall 2025, 77% of transfer applicants to UC Santa Cruz Music were admitted (53 of 69). Admitted transfers' GPAs ranged 3.20–3.82.

Does UC Santa Cruz have a Music major for transfer students?

Yes. UC Santa Cruz offers Music and lists the major preparation it expects transfer applicants to complete.

What classes do I need to transfer to UC Santa Cruz for Music?

UC Santa Cruz's Music major preparation includes MUSC 1C, MUSC 2, MUSC 3, MUSC 5A, MUSC 5B and MUSC 5C, with more courses in the list on this page. Pick your community college on this page to see which of its classes match.