Why Choose UC Irvine School of Medicine UC Irvine School of Medicine nurtures the development of medical students, resident and fellow physicians, and scholars in the clinical and basic sciences. By driving pioneering discoveries, we empower our community to collaborate on novel research that elevates patient care and benefits global society. Home About Why Choose UC Irvine School of Medicine Help Shape the Future of Medicine Driven by our mission to Discover. Teach. Heal., we are dedicated to conducting novel, high-impact medical research, training the next generation of clinicians and researchers, and delivering evidence-based, patient-centered clinical care. Discover Your Place at the UC Irvine School of Medicine What We Offer The UC Irvine School of Medicine pairs 24 academic departments with a dynamic network of specialized centers and institutes, bridging pioneering scientific discovery with advanced clinical care. This collaborative ecosystem powers our medical, graduate medical education, master’s and PhD programs, providing a comprehensive foundation designed to launch successful careers in clinical practice, academia or biotech innovation. Explore Our Departments BASIC SCIENCE CLINICAL Find the Program that Best Suits Your Future Medical Degree Residency & Fellowships PhD & MD/PhD Degrees Master's Degrees What Sets Us Apart Premier Clinical Training As the only academic health system in Orange County, our clinical enterprise, UCI Health, encompasses seven hospitals alongside a network of primary and specialty care clinics. Setting a New Standard Our clinical training grounds include UCI Health — Irvine, the nation’s first all-electric acute care hospital, marking a sustainable and innovative milestone in healthcare. Partner Institutions In addition to our UCI Health locations, the School of Medicine maintains strong partnerships with the region’s leading healthcare institutions, allowing students to gain exposure to a wide range of service lines and patient populations. Children’s Hospital of Orange County Children’s Hospital Los Angeles Long Beach Memorial Hospital VA Long Beach Healthcare System Miller Children’s & Women’s Hospital, Long Beach Transformative Research UC Irvine is one of the largest research hubs in the area, housing state-of-the-art facilities for basic, translational and clinical research. Our culture of interdisciplinary collaboration connects the School of Medicine with a wide network of research centers, institutes and programs across campus, accelerating the journey from laboratory breakthroughs to bedside clinical trials. Research Funding $300M–$400M in annual research funding provides our principal investigators with access to cutting-edge tools and technologies to support discovery in the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of human disease. Learn more about our research Driven by Innovation, Inspired by Southern California Positioned in coastal Orange County between Los Angeles and San Diego, UC Irvine sits at the epicenter of a booming biomedical hub, placing us in close proximity to numerous healthcare startups, research labs and medical device companies. Orange County offers a vibrant culture, beautiful landscapes and a warm climate, with an average of 280 days of sunshine per year. From chasing the waves at one of the local beaches and exploring nearby hiking trails, to visiting world-famous theme parks and experiencing the region’s diverse, highly rated culinary scene, there is no shortage of things to do. A Legacy of Recognized Excellence The UC Irvine School of Medicine shines on the global stage as an enterprising champion of innovation and medical education. Top-Tier Research Recognized among the nation's premier research-intensive medical schools by the Blue Ridge Institute. Tech-Forward Education Named an Apple Distinguished School designation for consecutive years — celebrating our leadership in educational technology innovation. National Distinction Consistently ranked among the best U.S. Medical Schools by College Consensus. Institutional Excellence Reaccredited for a full eight years by the Liaison Committee on Medical Education (LCME) in 2025.