The University of California recognizes the International Baccalaureate (IB) examinations for college credit. Higher Level (HL) examinations presented with official scores of 5, 6 or 7 receive 8 quarter units of college credit and, in specific instances, may be comparable to some lower-division courses. Students completing and submitting the IB diploma with a score of 30 or better will receive a maximum of 30 quarter units. College credit will apply toward the minimum 180 quarter units needed to receive a bachelor's degree.

Beginning with Fall 2020 applicants, UC Davis will award 4 semester/ 6 quarter units for International Baccalaureate (IB) diplomas with a score of 30 or more, in addition to awarding 8 quarter units for individual Higher Level (HL) exams with scores of 5, 6, or 7. The university does not grant credit for Standard Level (SL) exams.

College credit will apply toward the minimum 180 quarter units needed to receive a bachelor's degree.

To learn how many units can be received for an IB examination, see International Baccalaureate (IB) Higher Level Examination Credit under Credit Toward Degree. How units will be applied toward specific degree requirements in each college and to which UC Davis lower-division courses IB examinations are comparable is explained within each examination category.

In general, students may not earn university credit for college courses or Advanced Placement (AP) transfer credits that duplicate credit already earned through IB. There are, however, a few exceptions as indicated in the International Baccalaureate (IB) Higher Level Examination Credit chart. Since it is often difficult to know exactly which UC Davis course students should take when they have earned IB credit, they should speak with an academic advisor in their major department, dean's office or the Biology Academic Success Center (BASC) before selecting and enrolling in classes to determine any restrictions in the use of IB examinations toward breadth requirements and lower-division major course requirements. Courses for which IB credit has been granted may not substitute coursework required as part of the UC Davis General Education Requirement.