The University of California, Los Angeles, commonly known as UCLA, is a public research university in Los Angeles, California. Established in 1919 as the Southern Branch of the University of California, it is one of the most applied-to universities in the United States.
UCLA was founded following the Organic Act, which established the University of California system in 1868. Initially, the Southern Branch was created in 1919 to provide an alternative to the northern campuses, like UC Berkeley. It officially became UCLA in 1927 after being recognized as a separate university within the UC system.
UCLA's campus spans over 419 acres, including the UCLA Campus and the UCLA Medical Center. The university boasts a vibrant student life with numerous clubs, organizations, and Greek life. The UCLA Bruins are known for their competitive sports teams in the Pacific-12 Conference.
UCLA consistently ranks among the top universities in the U.S. and globally. According to recent rankings:
Some of the notable figures associated with UCLA include: