UCLA requires two years of history or social sciences courses. One year must be in world history, geography and cultures. The second year can be a full year of U.S. history, or divided into a half-year of U.S. history and a half-year of civics or American government.
Four years of English courses at a college preparatory level are required. The courses must include frequent writing and reading of literature, poetry and drama --- both historical and modern.
Three years of mathematics are required, but four are strongly recommended. Again, these must be college preparatory courses and include elementary and advanced algebra, as well as two- and three-dimensional geometry.
Another course requirement is at least two years of coursework in lab sciences. Three areas are considered foundational: physics, biology and chemistry. Knowledge of at least two is required.
At least one year of a visual or performing art is required, whether in visual arts, music, dance or theater. You must complete the year in only one area of study.
You must have at least two years studying one foreign language besides English. UCLA does accept courses taken in seventh or eighth grade, if your high school accepts them as an equivalent.
At least one year of a college preparatory elective is required above and beyond the courses taken to satisfy other admission requirements. The course can come from the following areas of study: history, social science, visual and performing arts, English, advanced mathematics, language other than English and a laboratory science.
UCLA also requires common tests as an admissions requirement. You must take either the SAT Reasoning Test -- including critical reading, mathematics and writing -- or the ACT Assessment test along with the ACT Writing Test. Both sections of the ACT must be taken at the same time. Some majors may require two of the SAT Subject Tests along with the SAT Reasoning test.