UC Merced opened Sept. 5, 2005, as the newest campus in the University of California Opens a New Window. system and the first American research university of the 21st century. Situated near Yosemite National Park, the campus significantly expands access to the UC system for students throughout the state, with a special mission to increase college-going rates.
- #301 Ranking
- 14 Masters
- 395 Academic Staff
- 8,459 Students
- 946 Students (int'l)
- 4,399 Students (female)
- Public Institution Type
Master's Programmes
Natural Sciences & Mathematics (6)
- M.Sc. Applied Mathematics
- M.Sc. Bioengineering
- M.Sc. Physics
Engineering & Technology (5)
Business & Management (3)
Computer Science & IT (2)
Social Sciences (2)
- M.A. Sociology
Applied Sciences & Professions (1)
- M.A. Sociology
Environmental Studies & Earth Sciences (1)
- M.Sc. Environmental Systems
Humanities (1)
About
History
The history of UC Merced dates back to 1988, when the UC Regents Opens a New Window.first authorized planning for at least one additional campus based on projections of long-range enrollment demand. From an initial review of more than 80 sites in the San Joaquin Valley, 20 were initially advanced for additional study.
Education
UC Merced’s three schools - the School of Engineering Opens a New Window., School of Natural Sciences Opens a New Window., and School of Social Sciences, Humanities and Arts Opens a New Window. - offer undergraduate and graduate programs, resources and laboratories that enrich students’ educational experiences.
Research
Just like at other UC campuses, academic research is a critical part of UC Merced's mission. The process of discovery provides our students with a deeper understanding of the world and its cultural, social, natural and engineered systems, but more, it solves issues and challenges that are critical to the growth, health and overall well-being of the region, the state, nation and world.Our researchers are conducting groundbreaking work in diabetes, cancer, bacterial diseases, antibiotic resistance, solar energy, climate change, water quality and availability, ecology, engineering, archeology, cultures, history, political science, computer science and much, much more.
Career
Career - Explore career areas
- Trial and error jobs
- Take career assessments
- Attend career fairs
- Attend career planning workshops or meet with a career counselor individually.
Global Student Satisfaction Awards 2021
GSSA 2021
The Global Student Satisfaction Awards empower students across the globe to determine the best universities of 2021. Universities with a score above 4.0 (out of 5) in any of the 8 award categories, receive Badges of Excellence. Congratulations!
University Ranking
World University Rankings by Times Higher Education
2023
301
2022
301
2021
301
World University Rankings is a vital resource that provides the definitive list of the world's best universities. They look at how often they're producing new ideas, what their reputation is around the world, and how much they're contributing to science and academic fields. After calculating and comparing these criteria, THE ranks the universities accordingly.
Academic Ranking of World Universities by Shanghai Jiao Tong University
2022
401
2021
401
2020
401
ARWU World University rankings is the first world university ranking. It ranks the world's top 1000 colleges and universities based on objective indicator. They look at the number of award-winning (Fields Medals and Nobel Prize) scientists who are located there, how much of their research is cited and referenced around the world, and how much they've contributed to different academic fields. After calculating and comparing these criteria, ARWU ranks the universities accordingly.
Best Global Universities Rankings by U.S. News & World Report
2023
-
2022
-
2021
693
Best Global Universities Rankings by U.S. News & World Report presents all the top universities from the U.S. and 60 other countries around the world. They measure the rate of students going to their second year of studies, as well as the rate of students who graduate. It also asks university representatives on the performance of universities, and evaluates university resources, teacher salaries, graduation rates, student academic achievements and satisfaction. After calculating and comparing these criteria, U.S. News ranks the top international universities accordingly.
Services
Student services
The Office of Student Life is here to encourage involvement in campus life, support student initiatives and serve as a primary liaison for students. Education happens both inside and outside the classroom and a successful college career includes social as well as intellectual development. Invest in your own success by getting involved!
Housing services
- Valley Terraces
- The Summits Tenaya Hall
- The Summits Half Dome
- The Summits Cathedral Hall
- Tuolumne Hall
- Sierra Terraces Tuolumne Hall
- Mariposa Hall
- Sierra Terraces
- Mariposa Hall.
Library services
In keeping with the University’s mission of teaching, research and service, the mission of the UC Merced Library is to achieve excellence by meeting the diverse research, teaching and public service needs of UC Merced researchers (students, faculty and staff) with targeted, quality collections and relevant services.
ICT services
The primary mission of the Office of Information Technology (OIT) at UC Merced is to provide students, faculty, and staff high quality infrastructure, support, and innovation in the delivery of information technology products and services.
Medical services
The Health Care Facilitator Program can assist you with:
- Understanding your insurance plan evidence of coverage booklet
- Medicare questions and problems
- Navigating your health plan systems
- Quality of care issues
- Escalated billing problems which you have been unable to resolve yourself
- Appeals and grievances
- Denial of treatment issues not related to enrollment/eligibility.
Student Life
Campus life
UC Merced students have a once-in-a-lifetime chance to help create the student life experience for those who will follow. They are invited to add to campus traditions, create new student organizations and activities, and offer ideas on student services, planning priorities and university growth and development.
Sports facilities
UC Merced’s Athletics Opens a New Window. and Recreation Opens a New Window. program offers an abundant assortment of activities to develop the body, from group fitness classes and sports clubs to intramural sports and outdoor activities.
Student clubs
- Anthropology Society
- Club Chess
- Club Fraternity and Sorority Life
- Greek Life
- Go Cart Racing
- Radio Club.
Accreditation
UC Merced was granted Initial Accreditation in July 2011 for a seven year period, the maximum term possible for a newly accredited institution. This achievement confirms our educational effectiveness as demonstrated through a comprehensive, multi-year review process. Most importantly, it reflects the dedication of our faculty, students, and staff to pursuing excellence in our mission of teaching, research, and service.
Student Reviews
Brief Review of UCM
Anonymous rated 5 out of 5 stars
I loved this university from start to finish. It is a growing campus, so on the social life aspect there isn't much to do, but at least once every two weeks a club on campus or even the campus itself throws some form of event. I loved that there was always a quiet place somewhere on campus. The library is super easy to access, and the professors are easy to talk to as...
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