Study at Berkeley
At UC Berkeley, the world's premier public university, you can excel beyond, exchange ideas, and, ultimately, change the world.
Degree-Seeking Students
Undergraduate Applicants (link is external)
International students come to UC Berkeley because of what we offer - an exceptional learning environment that fulfills academic ambitions, intellectual passions and desire to experience cultural diversity at its richest. Visit the Undergraduate Admissions website for information on the application process & requirements, English language requirements, passports & visas, finances, living accommodations, health care and insurance.
Graduate Applicants(link is external)
Being a graduate student at Berkeley means being part of an energetic, dynamic group of people who are passionate, curious and committed to their areas of study. The Graduate Division website provides information on graduate programs, the application process & requirements, tuition costs & fees, and financial support.
Student Exchange and Short-Term Study Options
Undergraduate Student Exchange
The University of California system hosts Reciprocity students from over 100 insitutions in approximately 30 countries through its centralized University of California Education Abroad Program (UCEAP) Reciprocal programs. If you are a registered student at one of UC's host univeristies, you may be eligible to participate. Reciprocal exchange students attend the University of California for up to one academic year on a no-fee exchange, non-degree basis.
Non-degree seeking Applicants(link is external)
Students who wish to take UC Berkeley courses outside of a specialized program(link is external) and who do not wish to apply to a degree program must apply for Concurrent Enrollment through UC Berkeley Extension. Students who pursue this option must take a full course load and obtain a formal invitation letter from a UC Berkeley campus department.
Summer Sessions(link is external)
Summer Sessions invites international students to take summer courses with Berkeley students. Each year roughly 16,000 students take part in these courses and approximately 3,000 students are international students. These courses range from 3-12 weeks.
UC Berkeley Extension International Programs(link is external)
UC Berkeley Extension (Berkeley Global) offers short-term programs for international students, providing opportunities in-person and online to earn academic credit at UC Berkeley or a certificate demonstrating specialization in a variety of career-based fields. These specialized programs offer personalized student services and co-curricular activities. Programs run from a few months up to a full academic year and can also be customized for schools, universities and other groups.
International Programs at UC Berkeley Colleges and Schools
UC Berkeley Colleges and Schools offer a wide variety of international programs, including undergraduate and graduate study abroad programs for international students in specific disciplines, entrepreneurship programs, Executive Education, certificate programs, and more.
Visiting Student Researchers
A Visiting Student Researcher is person on leave from their student enrollment and is currently enrolled in a degree-granting program and working to obtain a degree at an insitution of higher learning other than the University of California, who wishes to conduct research in residence at UC Berkeley. Generally, visiting student researchers must hold a minimum of a Bachelor's Degree or its equivalent. The first step for a prospective visiting student researcher will be to seek out a faculty member willing to sponsor and collaborate with you on your research project. Students are responsible for identifying their own sponsors.
More information is available at the Visiting Scholars and Postdoc Affairs Office (VSPA).
UC Berkeley colleges, schools, and research institutes offer a variety of opportunities for visiting scholars. We also recommend exploring the list of departmental Visiting Scholars Programs.