University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA)

History and development

UCLA began in the early 20th century as a training school for teachers and later expanded into a general campus. The campus adopted the name University of California, Los Angeles in the 1920s and matured into a full research university during the mid-20th century. Like many large campuses, it was a center of student activism in the 1960s and 1970s as national debates over civil rights and the Vietnam War were reflected on campus. The institution's evolution paralleled the growth of greater Los Angeles from its early suburban neighborhoods near Hollywood to its current Westwood location and its changing role within the UC system alongside campuses such as Berkeley.

Campus, architecture and collections

The UCLA campus combines academic buildings, residential life, public gardens and cultural facilities. Buildings on campus include work by a number of noted architects and designers; there are formal and informal gardens, fountains and public art scattered across the grounds. The university operates museums and galleries that host collections and rotating exhibitions, providing resources for teaching, research and public programs. These cultural assets contribute to UCLA's role as both an educational institution and a civic presence.

Academics, research and professional schools

UCLA offers a wide range of undergraduate majors and graduate degrees. It is especially known for its programs in film and media, the performing arts, engineering, the social sciences and health sciences. Medical education and clinical training are offered through its medical center and affiliated hospitals, and the campus houses numerous research centers and institutes. Faculty and alumni have received many of the field's highest honors in scholarship, the arts and science.

Athletics and student life

Athletically, the school fields teams nicknamed the Bruins that compete at the NCAA Division I level. UCLA has a long tradition of success in multiple sports, including a historically dominant men's basketball program that won 11 NCAA national championships and produced several nationally prominent players. Teams have played home events in venues such as Pauley Pavilion and the Rose Bowl; other strong programs include volleyball and water polo. UCLA has sent many athletes to the Olympic Games and maintains rivalries with regional and national opponents.

Significance and notable facts

UCLA is an important cultural and economic force in Los Angeles, contributing research, professional training and creative work to the region and beyond. Its graduates populate industries ranging from entertainment and technology to health care and public service. The campus balance of academic programs, public museums and athletic tradition makes UCLA a multifaceted institution with local and global influence.

Related links

• Los Angeles — city overview
• California — state context
• Hollywood and early campus locations
• University of California, Berkeley — system peer
• Campus architecture and designers
• Gardens and grounds
• Fountains and public art
• Museums and galleries on campus
• Athletic championships and records
• Basketball history at UCLA
• Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and notable alumni athletes
• Football and the Rose Bowl
• Volleyball program
• Water polo program
• Olympic athletes from the university
• UCLA at the Olympic Games
• USC — local rival
• Sports rivalries and traditions
• Stanford — athletic and academic rival
• Notre Dame and other notable opponents