History & discoveries

For over 150 years, UC Berkeley has been reimagining the world by challenging convention and generating unparalleled intellectual, economic and social value. Take a look back at Berkeley’s milestones and discoveries and learn more about our 26 faculty Nobel Prize winners and 35 alumni winners.

  • 1870 - First female students

    Just one year after instruction begins on the Berkeley campus, the regents vote to admit women on equal terms with men. The first female students, 17 in total, enroll at the university.