A-G Requirements

General Requirements, by Subject Area

The following sequence of high school courses is required by the Academic Senate of the University of California as appropriate for fulfilling the minimum eligibility requirements for admission to the University of California. It also illustrates the minimum level of academic preparation students ought to achieve in high school to undertake university level work.

The "a-g" requirements can be summarized as follows:

(A) History/Social Science: Two years, including one year of world history, cultures, and historical geography and one year of us history or one-half year of us history and one-half year of civics or American government.

(B) English: Four years of college preparatory English that include frequent and regular writing, and reading of classic and modern literature.

(C) Mathematics: Three years of college preparatory mathematics that include the topics covered in elementary and advanced algebra and two- and three-dimensional geometry.

(D) Laboratory Science: Two years of laboratory science providing fundamental knowledge in at least two of these three disciplines: biology, chemistry, and physics.

(E) Language Other Than English: Two years of the same language other than English.

(F) Visual & Performing Arts: One year, including dance, drama/theater, music, or visual art.

(G) College Preparatory Elective: One year (two semesters), chosen from additional "a-f" courses beyond those used to satisfy the requirements above, or courses that have been approved solely for use as "g" electives.

For More Information

Visit the University of California website:

https://hs-articulation.ucop.edu/guide