
Berkeley International Study Program
Berkeley, USA
DURATION
1 up to 2 Semesters
LANGUAGES
English
PACE
Full time
APPLICATION DEADLINE
Request application deadline *
EARLIEST START DATE
Request earliest startdate
TUITION FEES
USD 23,875 / per semester **
STUDY FORMAT
On-Campus
* application period: February 15 – June 15
** $21,625 - $23,875 depending on number of units taken
Key Summary
Scholarships
Explore scholarship opportunities to help fund your studies
Introduction
The Berkeley International Study Program (BISP) is a unique study-abroad opportunity at the top-ranked University of California, Berkeley. BISP students come from a variety of academic backgrounds, spending one or two semesters taking excellent and innovative courses on a space-availability basis. We offer a wide range of classes, cross-cultural events and activities, and advising services for visiting international and domestic students in a vibrant multicultural learning environment.
Experience Brilliance
BISP students take the same high-quality courses as UC Berkeley students on a space availability basis. BISP works with participating departments and instructors to identify courses that have space; hundreds of courses do, and in turn BISP students provide a globally rich academic learning experience for all.
Between 350-450 visiting international students each semester enjoy the experience of participating in class discussions and engaging in unique ways of learning. BISP students return to their home universities happy with the courses they have taken, which in most cases count for credit towards their degree. Students also find that studying abroad at UC Berkeley, and succeeding in their academic courses, is an impressive experience to put on their resume.
Moreover, BISP students participate in a rich campus life. Whether you seek athletics, cultural performances or the outdoors, UC Berkeley has it. BISP staff and Cultural Peer Mentors ensure a warm and welcoming environment for all.
So come, Experience Brilliance with us!
- Earn UC Berkeley credit
- Take courses unavailable at your university
- Gain new perspectives on subjects studied at home
- Get support from a dedicated team of advisors and peers
- Make international and California friends
- Engage in campus life through sports, clubs and social events
- Explore the San Francisco Bay Area
- Contribute to the lively multinational culture of Berkeley
- Prepare for graduate study and future career growth
- Build intercultural competencies
Program Benefits
For those visiting students who will be taking courses at UC Berkeley as Concurrent Enrollment students, the Berkeley International Study Program provides an option to earn a BISP Certificate in a focused area of interest. Students who choose to participate in this program will be part of an active community of scholars and will take coursework, and complete a project, that fulfills the requirements for their selected BISP Certificate track. For students who have not yet been accepted to a Concurrent Enrollment program at UC Berkeley, go to BISP Program for additional information and how to apply.
BISP will recommend additional programs and lectures on campus that may be of interest to students in the BISP Certificate Program and provide opportunities for students in this area to come together during the semester to discuss topics of interest. There are many international students who will be participating in the BISP Certificate Program, so there is an opportunity to learn about many related issues from a global perspective.
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Ideal Students
BISP welcomes qualified students of all backgrounds, including:
- Current students at the undergraduate, graduate and community college level
- Post-baccalaureates and prospective graduate students
- High school graduates over 18 years of age, or other graduates taking a gap year or time off
- Working professionals changing careers
- International as well as U.S. students
Admissions
Program Tuition Fee
Scholarships and Funding
Curriculum
Your university/academic program may partner with a specific BISP program in one field (i.e. Sociology, Physical or Biological Sciences, or Arts & Humanities) or may have an agreement with a more general BISP program, called BISP in Letters and Science. The courses you can take will depend on the requirements of those program agreements. Check with your department or university’s international office to see which BISP program they have an agreement with and what you are eligible to participate in.
Students who come as independent students will participate in our BISP in Letters and Science program, which offers courses in over 75 academic departments at UC Berkeley in the Social Sciences, Arts and Humanities, and Biological and Physical Sciences.
The majority of BISP students take courses that count towards their degree at their home university. Please contact your home university coordinator regarding the number of UC Berkeley courses you need to take and how to transfer Berkeley course credit to your home degree program.
Participating in BISP does not count towards a degree at UC Berkeley.
BISP students often say the Berkeley courses are amazing and an incredible learning experience. Berkeley courses are created by our renowned faculty, who are the top scholars in their fields. Each course is unique and reflects the instructor’s approach to the topic, teaching style, and chosen methods to assess student learning. Class meetings often incorporate a combination of lectures by the instructor and guided discussion among the students.
U.S. courses operate on a system of continual assessment. That is, expect a schedule of ongoing class meetings, readings, assignments, exams, papers, and projects throughout the semester upon which your final grade is calculated.
English Language Requirements
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