BA Design at University of California, Davis

Programme overview

The Department of Design offers a creative, challenging, and flexible approach to the study of design with emphasis on socially responsible, human-centered, and sustainable practice. The Department of Design takes a comprehensive, liberal arts approach to design education. We help students make connections across different design disciplines while learning through both theory and practice.

Faculty: College of Letters & Science | Department: Design | Duration: 68 units (quarter system) | Study mode: full-time | Location: Davis, CA, United States

What you will study

The major requires a minimum of 68 units. Requirements are organised into preparatory subject matter, depth subject matter, capstone components. Required courses include DES 014 Design Drawing; DES 021 Drafting & Perspective; DES 016 Graphic Design & Computer Technology; UWP 011 Popular Science & Technology Writing; UWP 048 Style in the Essay.

Official programme page

Application information

Entry requirements

Admission is to UC Davis and the College of Letters & Science; the catalogue entry gives no major-specific admission requirement beyond the major requirements below.

Domestic applicants: USD 14,202 a year (2026-27). Systemwide UC undergraduate Tuition for California residents, cohort first enrolled in 2026-27 (annual, quarter system); rate is the same for all undergraduate majors. Excludes Student Services Fee, campus-based fees, and Nonresident Supplemental Tuition. Source

First-year and transfer students enter in the fall term (quarter system); the UC application opens Aug. 1 and the filing period is Oct. 1 to Nov. 30 for admission the following year.

The UC application filing period is Oct. 1 to Nov. 30 for admission the following year, and a single application covers all UC campuses.

The UC application filing fee is $80 per campus for domestic applicants and $95 per campus for international applicants, payable by credit card or mail; fee waivers are available for up to four campuses.

Transfer applicants submit the UC application by Nov. 30; Transfer Admission Guarantee (TAG) applications are due Sept. 1-30; the priority deadline for the Transfer Academic Update is Jan. 31.

Apply through the official page: https://www.ucdavis.edu/admissions

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