Study Abroad

Berkeley Programs for Study Abroad

While study abroad programs are not research-specific, travel abroad could tie in to research or interests and certainly is good for broadening one's global awareness. See the Berkeley Study Abroad programs and UCEAP programs for the range of options available. If you are considering study abroad, be sure to speak with an undergraduate major advisor.

Before Going

Bring program information and course descriptions to an undergraduate major advisor in 101 Stephens Hall via an appointment. We will review them and advise you on your selections. However, you will not receive a guarantee in advance that the courses will count for your major. In addition, students going on an independent study abroad program (non-EAP) are strongly advised to check with the Office of the Registrar's Central Evaluation Unit to be sure courses will officially transfer to your UC Berkeley transcript.

A maximum of three courses taken abroad may count for requirements in a major. Upon your return, students must submit:

  1. a completed Study Abroad Course Evaluation Form
  2. a syllabus in English. If translated from another language, attach the original foreign language syllabus to the typed English version. The syllabus must include the following information:
    • a description and summary of the course
    • required texts and readings
    • course outline, week by week
    • how the course is graded
  3. For non-EAP programs students are also required to submit:
    • Information about the course level (e.g., proof that it’s upper-division)
    • A (unofficial or official) transcript showing your courses and grades as soon as a copy is available. You need not wait for transcripts to start the approval process.

Criteria for Course Approval

  1. Be upper-division (if counting for upper-division requirements in the major)
  2. Be taken at an accredited 4-year university or college
  3. Be taken for a letter grade
  4. Be comparable in instructional hours (at least 4.5 quarter units or 3 semester units)
  5. Not duplicate courses you have already taken at UCB