L&S: First-Year Pathways – University California, Berkeley

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Pathways is an exciting new program for first-year undergraduate students at UC Berkeley. It consists of three courses — linked by a common theme — that you take in your first semester at Berkeley.

Early Class Enrollment

Pathways provides priority enrollment into three courses for incoming first-year students

Small Class Experience

An exciting small-class experience with a professor renowned in their field

New Friendships

A chance to make friends with other new students through shared personal interests

Welcome to Berkeley!

With L&S First-Year Pathways, you can take a thematically-linked “cluster,” which consists of a central hub course and two “wing” courses linked by a common theme. The “hub” courses are small, seminar-like settings and the “wing” courses are large lecture courses, it’s important to note that you’ll experience all three courses with the same small group of 25 students in a discussion section. All three courses will fulfill separate L&S breadth requirements, so you can move forward with degree progress from your first semester.

In the video below, former Pathways students share their experiences and talk about the benefits of the Pathways program in greater detail.

Interested in learning more?

Check out our exciting clusters for Fall 2024 and be sure to submit an interest form so that you will be notified when enrollment is open. If you have questions, please email lspathways@berkeley.edu.

First-Year Pathways Provide

First-Year Pathways Fall 2024

Discover the Pathway Clusters for Fall 2024

Experience themes in democracy, public health, technology, art, neuroscience and more

Student Testimonials

As a first-semester student, it’s a very good introduction to Berkeley as a whole. It reminds you that keeping an open mind and learning from a multitude of perspectives is very important and part of the reason why you’re here.

Caitlyn L

Fall 23 First-Year Pathways Student

I applied to the Pathways Program so I would have an easier time meeting people and so that I wouldn’t have to stress about signing up for classes. Signing up for classes was made a breeze. It was definitely easier to make connections with classmates because we were in multiple smaller classes together.

First-Year Pathways Student

Fall 2023

I hoped to have a fun first semester with classes I was interested in, as well as smaller class sizes. This was fulfilled! I really love the program and am very appreciative that I got to be a part of it.

First-Year Pathways Student

Fall 2023