University of California Berkeley - International Study Program
About
The Berkeley International Study Program (BISP) invites qualified students to take coursework for one or two semesters from UC Berkeley’s outstanding faculty and to be fully engaged in the university community. BISP’s mission is to connect the brilliance of Berkeley to students around the world. We provide an immersive study abroad opportunity through collaborative partnerships and high-impact programming that enriches the academic and intercultural experience for all. This is a one-way, fee-based program, with students paying tuition based on the number of units enrolled.
Introduction
The Berkeley International Study Program (BISP) invites qualified students to take coursework for one or two semesters from UC Berkeley’s outstanding faculty and to be fully engaged in the university community. BISP’s mission is to connect the brilliance of Berkeley to students around the world. We provide an immersive study abroad opportunity through collaborative partnerships and high-impact programming that enriches the academic and intercultural experience for all. This is a one-way, fee-based program, with students paying tuition based on the number of units enrolled.
Berkeley’s professors are some of the best in their fields, engaged in groundbreaking research, innovative thinking, inspiring teaching, and service to society. Ten of the university’s current faculty hold the Nobel Prize, demonstrating the level of expertise offered at this premier university. In our globalized world, UC Berkeley famously continues to promote free speech and thoughtful debate as the world of work and social networking becomes increasingly diverse.
The campus is vibrant and alive with some of the best undergraduate and graduate students from California and all over the world, who actively engage in campus life and in the community. The campus and surrounding areas are rich in culture, with unlimited opportunities to experience life in California and the U.S.
Why Berkeley
The University of California, Berkeley is famous for its top scholars, social activism, innovation, and diverse student body. Our professors are some of the best in their fields, engaged in ground-breaking research, innovative thinking and service to society. The campus is vibrant and alive with students from California and all over the world who actively engage in campus life in many different ways. Study and learn from the best.
Campus Features
UC Berkeley is located in the city of Berkeley, California, a mid-sized city known for its progressive policies and viewpoints, and is a hub of creativity and counterculture. It is just 20 minutes from iconic San Francisco. UC Berkeley is in close proximity to many famous sites, such as the Pacifi c Coast, the Golden Gate Bridge, Silicon Valley, Yosemite National Park, and the Sonoma and Napa Wine Country.
Campus Life
Intramural Sports
Play your favorite sport on a competitive or recreational level. IM Sports connects you to your preferred level of play and like-minded teammates. Instant friends!
The Great Outdoors
The weather is famously California’s best feature, and Berkeley, too, enjoys a mild climate year-round. Fall in with the locals and walk, bike or take transit to class without the hassle of heavy winter wear or crushing summer humidity. Sunglasses are optional.
Get fit at the RSF
The Recreational Sports Facility, our very popular campus gym, has more than 100,000 square feet for individual exercise, group classes, and courts for team sports.
Run, row, swim or lift your way to fitness.
Student Performances
Watch a performance, or be a part of one! Student performances are fun and accessible, and you can often see one for free on Sproul Plaza at noon.
Student Voices
Berkeley is home to the Free Speech Movement, started by student activists in the 1960s. This legacy is alive and well today and students can often be seen making their voices heard on the steps of Sproul Hall.
Student Orgs
Involvement in student organizations and clubs has proven key to many BISP students' success and sense of belonging during their time at Berkeley. There are over 800, so you can find your niche.
Admissions
Enrollment Requirements
All visiting students on an F-1 student visa to study in the United States must take a minimum of 12 semester units or credits. Your home university may require additional units while you study abroad. For example, students from European universities must take the equivalent of 30 ECTS points, which corresponds to 15 semester units at UC Berkeley.
Scholarships and Funding
Student Testimonials
Jonas, Industrial Engineering (BA) / RWTH Aachen University
UC Berkeley and the BISP offer the optimal mix between a great school, interesting and fun students, and an amazing location in the heart of California. This perfect mix is unique in the world.
Fernanda, Business (BA) / Tecnológico de Monterrey (ITESM)
The culture is much more different due to the variety of people of different cities. Here people are very open-minded. Being at UC Berkeley made me have a broader perspective in life. On the other hand, I really like how it is a very diverse community. I chose Berkeley, because it is such a prestigious university and the bay area is beautiful, plus you get to have a city like San Francisco just 30 minutes away.
Eugenio, Industrial Engineering with minor in Systems Engineering (BA) / Tecnológico de Monterrey (ITESM)
Something that I know I will never forget is having the opportunity to represent the university in the most important national competition at the collegiate level. This is an experience I could have never had back in my home university because there is no triathlon team, so representing Cal and being a part of the team has been remarkable.
Carl, Economics and Management (BA) / Lund University
I liked best the opportunity to become enrolled in most courses and really get the true sense of how it is to study at Cal. Before coming to Berkeley I had a worry that exchange students might be treated differently, but that was not at all the case. Berkeley is so much more than purely the academics. Getting to know the people and the mindset is as much a takeaway as the courses themselves.
Aron, Sociology (BA) / Norwegian University of Science and Technology
The great cooperation between my home university and UC Berkeley through the study program BISP (Berkeley International Study Program) made it easy for me deciding to go. I have been exposed to a different culture, developed my English skills, and acquired academic knowledge through a different system than I am used to. I have also developed myself personally in ways I did not expect before departure. I have learned a lot about what really matters in life and gotten to know a whole bunch of new people and cultural traits and differences. I am extremely grateful that I have been given this opportunity. It’s been a unique experience, and I have made friends for life.
Alan, Industrial Engineering, Systems minor (BA) / Tecnológico de Monterrey (ITESM)
What I liked best about BISP is that you can actually get to live the UC Berkeley experience, just as any regular student. I didn’t feel like “the international students group”.
