Study Abroad

Sources of information

University of California Education Abroad Program

Berkeley Programs for Study Abroad, 160 Stephens Hall, 642-1356

This office advises solely on the U.C. program. They have handouts describing the various U.C. Centers abroad and historical program literature (including descriptions of courses previously accepted, credit value, etc.) on the U.C. program. They keep on file brochures sent by other programs for student use. The E.A.P. office staff cannot advise on non-U.C. programs.

For more information refer to our handout on E.A.P.

Non-U.C. programs via American colleges and universities

Career Counseling Library , University Health Service, 2220 Bancroft Way, 642-2367

This collection's greatest strength is catalogs of American colleges; these can be useful for brief descriptions of study abroad programs and criteria for admission. The Career Counseling Library also has a number of directories of study abroad programs.

Foreign Language Departments on the Berkeley Campus

Most departments keep brochures related to the foreign language taught which are sent by other institutions and programs; these are generally available in the departmental office for student perusal. Faculty may have information or criticisms of specific programs, based on former students' experiences, which may be useful for those primarily seeking language training or fluency.

College of Letters and Science, Office of Undergraduate Advising, 113 Campbell Hall, 642-1483

Students planning study abroad through any program should consult a College adviser well in advance to review declaration of major, readmission after participation in a non-U.C. program, progress toward the degree, residency requirements (especially senior residence, whether E.A.P. or non-U.C. programs), unit ceiling, etc. The College advisers cannot advise on specific programs; you should select and furnish information on programs that a College adviser can help you fit into your academic work at U.C. Berkeley.

Faculty Advisers in the Major Departments

It is important to consult a major adviser to plan course programs abroad for progress towards requirements. Program forms must generally be approved in the departmental offices.

"Dean's Forms" are signed by College advisers; in the event of overlapping/double duty forms, a note from a major adviser regarding approval of the selected program will allow the College adviser to sign the form.

Independent admission to foreign universities

Write directly to the institution in which you are interested. Occasionally you will find through the departmental offices a professor or graduate student who studied in the university to which you are applying, whom it would be useful to consult; try the departmental faculty lists that often contain information on the faculty's degrees and institutions attended.

Main Library, Periodical Room: The Periodical Room has a microfiche collection of foreign university catalogs extending back to 1976. Reference Room: The Reference Room maintains an updated edition of World of Learning, which lists basic data on all colleges and universities, worldwide.

Transfer credit from study abroad programs

University of California Education Abroad Program

Credit is transferred via the University Office, Education Abroad Program on the Santa Barbara campus (U.O.E.A.P.). Courses and units are approved initially and recommended to U.O.E.A.P. by the resident U.C. faculty serving as Center Directors. After approval by U.C.S.B., transfer credit is automatic. The grades are part of your U.C. GPA (Passed/Not Passed regulations for U.C. Berkeley students apply to those courses taken on E.A.P.).

E.A.P. courses are listed in quarter units. The conversion to semester units is done by the Office of the Registrar before the units are posted to the Berkeley transcript (divide quarter units by 1.5 to calculate semester values).

All non-U.C. programs

All students who are planning study abroad in non-U.C. programs should review a flyer entitled "Information for UC Berkeley Students Planning to Study Overseas in Non-UC Sponsored Programs," which is published by the Office of Undergraduate Admission, 110 Sproul Hall. This flyer contains important information about transfer credit from study abroad programs.

Non-U.C. programs via American colleges and universities

Work done in non-U.C. programs is treated like all transfer work from an accredited U.S. institution; credit is transferred if there are comparable courses taught at U.C. Berkeley and is subject to University transfer credit policy. The credit amount will be determined by the host U.S. institution. The Office of Undergraduate Admission determines the credit granted upon receipt of the final transcript. You should consult with an admissions evaluator in this office in advance of the study abroad program for guidelines on what courses might or might not transfer.

As with all transfer work from outside the U.C. system, the grades will not be reflected in the U.C. GPA. For future applications to graduate or professional schools, the student will furnish transcripts from all schools attended. Final transcripts should be submitted (sealed) to the Office of Undergraduate Admission, ADD CREDIT, 110 Sproul Hall, University of California, Berkeley, CA 94720.

Independent admission to foreign universities

Credit earned at foreign universities cannot be determined in advance, as the final record or transcript must be reviewed. Bring back with you materials about the course (syllabi, book lists, papers written, etc.). You may need to have these materials reviewed by an admissions evaluator or a faculty member who teaches the subject to determine whether credit will be earned for the work. Unit value for credit granted is based on the length of the term and the number of contact hours, and will be determined by the Office of Undergraduate Admission upon submission of a final transcript. Rather than relying on foreign mail and foreign bureaucracies, you should hand-carry several copies of the transcript or record, separately sealed, for future use. You should consult with an admissions evaluator in the Office of Undergraduate Admission prior to your departure for guidelines on evaluation of credit.

Business organizations

Programs like A.I.F.S., C.I.E.E. and others cannot grant academic credit; you must submit a transcript directly from an accredited institution. The Office of Undergraduate Admission cannot award credit for course work that appears on a transcript issued by a study abroad business. It is very important for you to consult with an admissions evaluator in 110 Sproul Hall in advance of enrollment in any study abroad program sponsored by an organization to discuss the possibility of transfer credit.