🎬University of Southern California

Los Angeles, CA, US

QS World 2026 · #121

A private university in Los Angeles known for film, business and a famously strong alumni network.

About USC

USC's School of Cinematic Arts is one of the oldest and most respected film schools in the world, with alumni across the Hollywood industry. Its Marshall School of Business and central Los Angeles location give students direct access to the entertainment and media industries USC is best known for feeding.

Why students choose it

  • School of Cinematic Arts — one of the world's oldest, most respected film schools
  • Strong Marshall Business School
  • Direct access to LA's entertainment and media industry

🎓 Free application support for USC

Submit a free enquiry and Tutopiya's admissions team will guide you through your application to USC — personal statement, interview prep and deadlines — at no cost, no obligation. Application fees are typically waived through our university partnerships.

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Typical entry grades

AAA (A Level)  ·  IB 37

High tier · indicative for the flagship courses below — always verify per-course requirements directly with the university.

Tuition (international, per year)

$60,000+/yr

premium tier for US — figures are typical ranges, not this specific university's published fee.

Language of instruction

English

Campus

city campus, Los Angeles, CA

🏆 Scholarships to look into

Informational only — scholarship amounts, deadlines and even which schemes are running change often (sometimes per intake), so treat this as a starting point, not a guarantee. Always confirm current details directly with the scholarship provider or USC's financial aid office.

Scholarship access for international students is more limited than for US citizens — most need-based financial aid programmes are domestic-only, and only a small number of universities are 'need-blind' or meet full demonstrated need for international applicants. Merit scholarships (not tied to financial need) are more widely available and are the main route for most applicants.

  • University merit scholarships: Named awards like 'Presidential' or 'Dean's' scholarships at many universities — automatically considered from your application, based on academic record and sometimes essays/interviews.
  • Need-blind / full-need-met universities: A small group of highly selective universities (e.g. Harvard, MIT, Princeton, Yale, Amherst) admit international students without considering ability to pay and meet full demonstrated financial need — extremely competitive to gain admission in the first place.
  • Fulbright Program: US government-funded, but for postgraduate/research study and exchange, not linked to undergraduate admission.

Most US universities in this tool are private and do not offer significant need-based aid to international students — check each university's own international financial aid policy before assuming support is available.

Want help figuring out which of these you'd actually qualify for? Talk to a free Tutopiya counsellor.

Popular courses

Film

⏱️ Typical duration: 4 years

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Business

⏱️ Typical duration: 4 years

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Typical entry: Mathematics helps but usually isn't required recommended

Engineering

⏱️ Typical duration: Often 4 years rather than the country's standard Bachelor's length, especially where the programme includes an integrated Master's (e.g. UK MEng) or an industry placement year

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Typical entry: Requires Mathematics + Physics

Communications

⏱️ Typical duration: 4 years

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International Relations

⏱️ Typical duration: 4 years

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Durations are typical for US — always confirm the exact length (including any placement or integrated Master's year) on the course's own page before applying.

Not sure which course fits your grades and interests? Run the full shortlist builder →

How to apply

Main intake(s)
September (Fall)
Typical deadline
Regular Decision around 1 January
Note
Early Action / Early Decision rounds close around 1 November for students applying to one top-choice school early.

English language requirements

IELTS: 6.5 overall

TOEFL: 80–100 iBT

Most universities waive this requirement if you've completed 2+ years of English-medium schooling (e.g. IGCSE / A Level / IB) — always confirm the specific university's waiver policy before booking a test. Many US universities also accept Duolingo English Test.

See where USC ranks on your personal shortlist

Enter your grades and budget in the free US University Shortlist Builder to see whether USC is a reach, target or safety for you — alongside every other US university that matches.

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More US universities

USC FAQ

Quick answers about grades, tuition, deadlines and applying to USC as an international IGCSE / A Level / IB student.

What grades do I need to get into USC?

As a typical benchmark for international entry, USC expects around AAA at A Level or 37 points on the IB Diploma. This is indicative for USC's flagship courses — competitive subjects like Medicine and Law usually sit above this baseline, and the exact requirement varies by course, so always confirm the specific figure on USC's own admissions page before applying.

How much does USC cost for international students?

International tuition at USC typically falls in the $60,000+/yr range (premium tier for US). This is a typical range for the university's tuition tier, not USC's specific published fee for every course — confirm the exact figure for your intended programme directly with the university.

When is the application deadline for USC?

USC follows US's typical intake calendar: September (Fall), with applications generally due regular decision around 1 january. Early Action / Early Decision rounds close around 1 November for students applying to one top-choice school early. Always verify the exact date on USC's own admissions page, since deadlines can shift year to year.

What IELTS score do I need for USC?

US universities, including USC, typically ask international applicants for 6.5 overall. Most universities waive this requirement if you've completed 2+ years of English-medium schooling (e.g. IGCSE / A Level / IB) — always confirm the specific university's waiver policy before booking a test. Many US universities also accept Duolingo English Test.

What is USC known for?

A private university in Los Angeles known for film, business and a famously strong alumni network. USC's School of Cinematic Arts is one of the oldest and most respected film schools in the world, with alumni across the Hollywood industry. Its Marshall School of Business and central Los Angeles location give students direct access to the entertainment and media industries USC is best known for feeding.

Can I apply to USC with IGCSE, A Level or IB qualifications?

Yes — USC accepts applicants from IGCSE-to-A-Level, IGCSE-to-IB-Diploma, and directly from the IB Diploma. Tutopiya's free US University Shortlist Builder matches your predicted or actual grades against USC and every other US university we track, tagging each as reach, target or safety.

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