In 1965, the University of California, Irvine was founded with a mission to enhance lives through rigorous academics, cutting-edge research and dedicated public service. Today, we draw on the unyielding spirit of the pioneering faculty, staff and students who arrived on campus with a dream to inspire change and generate new ideas.

It began with a dream. Our visionary founders looked out across the empty rolling hills of the Irvine Ranch and saw a great public research university, teaching California’s most promising students, driving economic growth and technical innovation, inspiring and leading the development of one of the most vibrant and thriving regions in the nation.

UCI Points of Pride: Top 10 Public University,  #1 University doing the most for the American Dream, Top 10 Cool School for 12 straight years, contributes $7 billion economic impact in Orange County, more than 170+ doctors named as Physicians of Excellence.
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Today, UCI has done all that and more. But we’re not finished. The same bold spirit that animated our founders inspires us today, and on the following pages you will read how we plan to expand opportunity, advance health and wellness, increase knowledge and insight, and make a better world.

There is no greater force for the advancement of human progress and enlightenment than the modern research university. We have a profound and positive impact when we educate undergraduates, prepare the next generation of scholars and professionals, explore the frontiers of science, address pressing social challenges, engage fundamental questions of morality and human value, devise new clinical practices , unleash new forms of creative expression and build partnerships with surrounding communities.

Working together, we can be an unstoppable force to improve and enrich people’s lives. We invite you to explore our vision and consider partnering with us so that, together, we can forge a brilliant future— for our region, for our nation, for our world.