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Guidelines for Reading and Composition Courses

In order to provide a solid foundation in reading, writing and critical thinking for work in the major, the College requires two semesters of lower division work in composition—Reading and Composition (R&C), Parts A and B, in sequential order.

  • All undergraduates must complete the Reading and Composition (R&C) requirement by the end of their fourth semester or their enrollment may be blocked for the following semester.

  • All courses used to satisfy Part A or B of Reading and Composition must be completed with a letter grade of C- or better.

  • Students who have been admitted to Berkeley and have not completed Entry Level Writing, must enroll in College Writing R1A (6 units) which satisfies both Entry Level Writing and the first half of R&C. Please note: A minimum grade of C is required in COLWRIT R1A in order to satisfy Entry Level Writing. 

  • AGRS (formerly CLASSIC) R44 (completed with a C- or higher) may be used to satisfy either Part A or Part B of R&C. This course may also be used to satisfy Arts and Literature, Historical Studies, or Social & Behavioral Sciences breadth.

  • With the exception of AGRS R44, courses fulfilling the Reading and Composition requirement may not be applied to Seven-Course Breadth.

Lists of courses that fulfill R&C can be found under "College Requirements" on each program page.

Satisfying Reading and Composition with an Exam

  • Advanced Placement (AP) English Literature and Composition - Minimum Score of 4 satisfies Part A

  • Advanced Placement (AP) English Literature and Composition - Minimum Score of 5 satisfies Parts A & B

  • Advanced Placement (AP) English Language and Composition - Score of 4 or 5 satisfies Part A

  • International Baccalaureate (IB) Higher Level (HL) English A: Literature* - Score of 5, 6, or 7 satisfies Parts A & B

  • Beginning with students admitted in fall 2018 - International Baccalaureate (IB) Higher Level (HL) English A: Language and Literature* - Score of 5, 6, or 7 satisfies Parts A & B

  • GCE A-Level English Literature exam - Not accepted for this requirement

* The IB Literature and Performance exam, as well as the Standard Level (SL) exams in English A: Literature and English A: Language and Literature are NOT eligible for satisfaction of Reading and Composition.

Satisfying Reading and Composition with Berkeley Courses

  • Successful completion with a C- grade or better of two designated Reading and Composition courses in sequence order. Review all approved below.

Satisfying Reading and Composition Requirement with Transfer Courses

  • Transfer courses must be taken on a letter-graded basis and be completed with a grade of C- or better. 

  • Students admitted with IGETC Certification from a California community college or UC Reciprocity have satisfied Reading and Composition. No additional coursework is required.

  • Transfer applicants from campuses outside of the California Community College System should review admissions.berkeley.edu/transfer_info for currently articulated courses from non-CCC institutions. If the institution is not listed on the website, once an admission application is filed, the admissions office will facilitate a review of prospective courses.  Courses that are at least 3 semester units or 4-5 quarter units in value, and focus on instruction on English composition are eligible for consideration.

  • Students can complete a pre-approved Reading and Composition course at a California Community College. Pre-approved courses can be found on ASSIST. Refer to the L&S Transfer Coursework page for instructions on how to take transfer credit as an L&S student before enrolling at a California Community College.