Student Services
Our student services team is here to help you before and during your study-abroad experience.
Admission Requirements
Applications are open to university students (undergraduate and graduate level).
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{{ program.name }} English-Language Proficiency Requirement
If English is not your first language, you must submit official evidence of English-language proficiency.
Because English-language proficiency test centers are closed due to COVID-19, you can meet our English-language requirement in any of the following ways:
Test Scores
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- TEM-4 or TEM-8: Level {{ program.tem }}
iBT Special Home Edition and myBest scores are accepted. Scores must be from the past two years.
Interview
If you do not meet any of the above criteria, you can request an English-language interview through our department. If you are interested in this option, please select, "I would like to request an English interview" in your online application.
Note: Transcripts and credentials should reflect the program that you completed in English. Our Admissions department will assess all documentation and inform you if additional items are needed. Please note that our admissions process is holistic and meeting the English-language proficiency requirement does not guarantee acceptance. Email internationaladmissions@berkeley.edu with questions or to learn more.
Waiver
You may request a waiver if you meet one of the following requirements:
- You have completed one year of full-time college-level instruction entirely in the English language.
- You have successfully completed a university-level program in a country or region where English is the official language.
- You are from a country or region on the exempt list. Contact an adviserContact an adviser for more information.
Choosing a place to live depends on your interests, preferences and budget.
With options available in both Berkeley and San Francisco, you can live in the bustling atmosphere of a dormitory, enjoy the independence of a private or shared apartment, or get the personal attention of a homestay.
We encourage you to research options and confirm housing before arriving by directly contacting any of the housing providers below. We can help you contact these housing providers, but the housing agreement is between you and the housing provider, not the University of California. We do not endorse any of the following housing providers but offer them for informational purposes only. Make sure you read and analyze all details and contracts for your off-campus housing before making any legal commitments.
Housing Assistance
Want to learn more about housing in Berkeley and the Bay Area, average prices, tips for finding housing and more? Check out the UC Berkeley Graduate Assembly (GA) resource The GA's Housing Guide: Best Practices for Finding Housing.
For additional assistance or information, please download and complete the Housing Interest Form (PDF) and email any questions to extension-housing@berkeley.edu.
Once you are accepted into a UC Berkeley Extension program, you will also be granted access to a private Berkeley housing Facebook group. This group is a great resource as members often share new housing resources, tips and posts about housing or room openings.
Dormitories and Student Housing
Berkeley
The Berk
Location: 10-minute bus ride or 20-minute walk to class
Features: Furnished double, triple and quad rooms with mini-fridges and microwaves; roommate matching; library and study lounges; laundry facilities; and Wi-Fi
Pricing: Begins at $950 per month for an academic year contract (triple/quad); see website for details and to apply.
Casa Cedar
Location: 15-minute walk to class
Features: Small student residence with fully equipped kitchen, Wi-Fi, social events, professional housekeeping, on-site laundry, easy parking, popular neighborhood
Pricing: Begins at $1,500 per month (quad); see website for details and to apply.
Hillside Residence Hall
Location: Three blocks from campus
Features: Meal plans, social events, lounge area, basic furnishings, on-site laundry
International House
Location: 10-minute bus ride or 30-minute walk to class
Features: Meals, multicultural and international activities, Wi-Fi, indoor and outdoor dining, café, easy access to the UC Berkeley campus, and library and computing centers
Pricing: See website for rates and to apply.
Regent House
Location: 10-minute bus ride or 25-minute walk to class
Features: Small student residence (i.e., two houses and a cottage) with fully equipped kitchens, social events, professional housekeeping, on-site laundry, study areas, easy parking
Pricing: Begins at $1,400 per month (double); see website for details and to apply.
Telegraph Commons
Location: 10-minute bus ride or 20-minute walk to class
Features: Furnished single, double and triple rooms with mini-fridges; laundry facilities; Wi-Fi; and community kitchens to prepare meals
Pricing: Begins at $5,125 per term (triple); see website for details and to apply.
San Francisco
Anyplace Housing
- Budget: $1,000/month for bunk shared room and bath, to $1,320 for single room with a shared bathroom, to $1,500 for a bigger single or $2,300 for a large private room
- 20% off first month rent, exclusive Extension discount (email extension-intl@berkeley.edu for discount code).
- Types of rentals: Furnished, short-term in multiple buildings.
- Recommended buildings: Columbus residences (North Beach/Jackson Square); Found Study (Market Street near Civic Center). Both have nice lounge areas, washer/dryer (coin-operated). Found Study even has free bicycles to rent!
- Suitable for: individuals, groups.
- Not suitable for: families.
FOUND Study
- Location: Downtown near Union Square and Theatre District (16 Turk St.)
- Features: Fully furnished private and shared bedrooms with private bathrooms, communal kitchens, study lounge and library, on-site laundry, controlled access entry with 24/7 security and front desk, Stockwell Automated Grocery Store, Notfii Package service, high-speed Wi-Fi, and more.
- Pricing: Please visit the property website for 2020/2021 seasonal and semester pricing. Rates start at $1,250/month.
SFO Housing
- 2 locations:
- Bartlett Hotel at 240 O'Farrell St.
- Herbert Hotel at 161 Powell St.
- Located 2 blocks from Union Square and a 20-minute walk from Extension, next to tons of stores and in front of the cable cars.
- Bartlett Hotel and Guesthouse has a nice restaurant with resident discounts, and is a more social building. Herbert Hotel is more quiet for studying.
- 30-day notice to extend or leave.
- Best for individual students or couples.
- Private room, private bath is $567/week. Private room, hallway bath is $430/week.
- Shared room, private bath is $357/week, and shared room with hallway bath is $277/week.
- There is a 5-week minimum that you pay in advance, followed by weekly payments.
- Pay a $250 deposit, due at time of booking.
USA Student Residences
- Near Union Square, with shared or private rooms with private or shared bathrooms
- Has community activities for residents
- $1,300 for shared room, private bathroom
- $1,075 for shared room, hall bathroom
- $2,000 for private room, private bathroom
- $1,725 for private room, hall bathroom
- Furnished, includes utilities
Vantaggio Suites
- 2 buildings, on Turk Street and O'Farrell Street
- Range from $720 for triple to $925 for double to $1,900 for private single at Turk Street
- Range from $800 (triple) to $1,045 (double) to $2,000 (private) at O'Farrell. This building comes with kitchenette for deluxe rooms
- Furnished, include utilities, weekly cleaning, linens and Wi-Fi
- Shared kitchen for building
- Comes with bed and desk
Pricing: See website for details and to apply.
Private or Shared Apartments

Berkeley
4Stay Housing
Aggregate search site that works with partners such as homestay.com and homeaway.com, as well as partners in San Francisco like Outpost and FOUND Study to help you find multiple options in one search.
Academic Housing Rentals
Location: In and around Berkeley
Features: Fully furnished, ready-to-live-in units
Pricing: See website for details and to apply.
Grant St. Apartments
Location: 10-minute walk to class
Features: Fully furnished two-bedroom apartments (private bedroom, sharing apartment with one other Extension student), short-term leases, Wi-Fi, cable TV, laundry facilities, on-site management, parking on premises, all utilities included
Pricing: Begins at $6,500 per term; see Facebook page for more details and to apply.
Hillside Village
Location: 10-minute walk to class
Features: Studios to 3-bedroom pet-friendly apartments (unfurnished) with fully equipped kitchens, garage parking, resident lounge with Wi-Fi and on-site laundry
Pricing: Begins at $2,100 per month, plus utilities; see website for more details and to apply.
K Street Flats
Location: 10-minute walk to class
Features: Furnished and unfurnished one- and two-bedroom apartments with kitchen, Wi-Fi, private terraces, on-site laundry, roommate matching, parking garage and City Car Share on premises
Pricing: Begins at $1,800 per month, including some utilities; see website for more details and to apply.
Kapi Residences
Location: 7-minute bus ride or 20-minute walk to class
Features: Fully furnished two bedroom and three bedroom apartments; in-unit laundry; fully equipped kitchen; Wi-Fi; Apple TV; short-term leases and roommate matching
Pricing: $900 per month per person in a shared bedroom, including utilities and monthly house cleaning. Private rooms can also be arranged. See website for details and to apply.
Visit the Kapi Residences site.
Email Kapi Residences at placement@kapiresidences.com
Rexidence Residential Services
Location: Central Berkeley. Rexidence units are just a few minutes' walking distance to campus and Rexidence North Berkeley units are only 1–2 blocks to UC Berkeley Extension.
Features: Fully furnished one- and two-bedroom apartments with in-building laundry facilities, fully equipped kitchens, parking options for some units, and utilities included, as well as Wi-Fi, Roku TV, short-term leases and roommate-matching.
Pricing: Starting at $995 per month per person in a shared bedroom and $1,890 for private room options, as well as entire units for a maximum occupancy of five people.
Visit the Rexidence Residential Services site, or check availability by calling (415) 484-6040 or emailing bayarea@rexidence.com.
Sterling Housing
Location: Upscale, modern apartment buildings in central Berkeley
Features: Studios to three-bedroom apartments (unfurnished), fully equipped kitchens, laundry facilities, garage parking available at most locations
Pricing: See website for more details and to apply.
Unique Housing
Location: Heart of the Elmwood neighborhood
Features: Furnished apartments and studios for short-term stays, 15-minute walk to Berkeley campus, one block from bus stop, Wi-Fi and expenses included
Pricing: See website for more details and to apply.
San Francisco
Outpost Club
- Co-living houses
- Shared rooms from $900–$1,100, private from $1,650
- Recommend the Nob Hill and Japantown houses
- Shared kitchen and living room, free laundry, free printer
- Opening a new house just 4 or 5 blocks from Extension, August 2020
- Pay a one-time membership fee, ranges from free if you move in the first of the month, to $29 for a flexible move-in date, to $690 and lower monthly rent, some other perks with gold membership
- Furnished, utilities paid, cleaning and maintenance covered, Nest security system
- Exclusive Extension discount: get $100 off your first months stay, or $250 off your last months stay (for stays of 2 months or longer): (email extension-intl@berkeley.edu for discount code)
- Suitable for: individuals, groups
Nestpick
- Aggregate search of furnished rooms—searches Anyplace, Blueground, Faros, Housing Anywhere, Roomster, Airbnb, Outpost Club, sublet.com, homestay.
- Works through partners such as those listed above, not individual landlords, so more reliable than Craigslist.
- Have furnished apartments, private rooms, shared rooms, in Financial District, Soma, North Beach, Union Square.
- Have shared rooms in the $800–$1,000 range.
- "Verified" option means the partner has met with the landlord or toured the apartment personally to verify it.
- Suitable for: individuals, groups, families.
Rexidence Residential Services
Location: Downtown and Lower Nob Hill locations.
Features: Private and double rooms in fully furnished units and student housing buildings, including utilities and short-term leases.
Pricing: Starts at $895 per month (double) and private room options available.
Visit the Rexidence Residential Services site, or check availability by calling (415) 484-6040 or emailing bayarea@rexidence.com.
Sublet.com
- Search site for sublets. Can search furnished, 6–12 month lease term or 1–6 months, neighborhood, and size, sort by price
- Ranges from $845/month for room in shared dormitory in SoMa to $4000–$5000/month for one bedrooms in SoMa, Nob Hill, the Mission, etc. $4300-$7000 for 2-bedrooms
- Paid and unpaid memberships. For unpaid membership can only view “free'' listings. Membership costs $10 for 90 days
- Has "trusted" landlords, verified phone number, office, and listing as valid
- Suitable for: Individuals, groups, families
Trinity Management Services
Location: Recommended properties: 845 Pine St. (between Nob Hill and Union Square) and Crystal Tower, 2140 Taylor St. (in North Beach/Russian Hill)
Features: One- and two-bedroom furnished apartments with fully equipped kitchens, short-term leases, on-site laundry and linens
Pricing: See website for rates and to apply.
Homestays

Andretto Solutions
Location: Locations by request
Features: Short-term or long-term housing available; personalized matching with host families; meals; internet
Pricing: See website for details and to apply.
Universal Student Housing
Location: Locations by request
Features: Airport transfers, monthly stays available, meal plan options
Pricing: Begins at $1,015 per month; see website for details and to apply.
HomestayMatch LLC
Location: Locations by request
Features: HomestayMatch is a website for students who would like to choose their own homestay. Students can see room pictures, prices and host details before applying.
Pricing: Begins at $1,020 per month; see website for details and to apply.
If you are not a U.S. citizen or permanent resident of the United States, you must obtain an F-1 student visa in order to attend UC Berkeley Extension International Programs.
If you are already in the United States on a visa other an F-1 visa, please contact our international student services office to inquire about eligibility.
Our International Student Services (ISS) office is here to assist you with visa procedures. We've also provided the information below as a guide to important rules and regulations.
Non-U.S. citizens entering the country with a visitor visa (B-1, B-2) or under the Visa Waiver Program (VWP) are not permitted to engage in full-time study. If your status is other than F-1, please consult with International Student Services (ISS) about your eligibility to study or changing your visa status.
Note: A visa stamp in your passport cannot be obtained within the U.S.
Applying for Your Student Visa
What documents do I need to apply for an F-1 visa?
Once you have the documents below, you will need to schedule an appointment for your visa interview. Visit www.usembassy.gov to find the U.S. embassy or consulate that is most convenient for you.
- Passport valid for at least six months after your program completion date
- Form I-20 (Please review your I-20, sign and date)
- Form I-901, receipt for your SEVIS fee payment
- School admission letter (optional)
- Printed Form DS-160 application (completed online)
- Two-inch by two-inch photograph in the required format
- Evidence of financial ability to pay for school costs plus living expenses (the amount shown on Form I-20)
- Any information that proves that you will return to your home country after finishing your studies in the U.S. This may include proof of property, family or other ties to your community.
What is a Form I-20?
Form I-20 is the certificate of eligibility issued by a Designated School Official (DSO) at the school where you wish to enroll. It will be included in your acceptance packet and has three pages. Your Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS) identification number is printed on the first and second pages.
Note: Each dependent who accompanies you to the U.S. must have an individual F-2 Dependent Form I-20.
What is the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS)?
SEVIS is the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System. U.S. schools that have been approved by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to accept F-1 students are required to notify the DHS's U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (U.S. ICE) to report the following information through SEVIS:
- Your name*
- Date and place of birth*
- Country of citizenship*
- Foreign address
- U.S. address
- Email address
- Phone number
- Registration status
- Program start and end dates
- Program and length of study
- Termination date and reason
*Schools are required to report this information for all dependents in the U.S., as well.
U.S. schools are also required to notify SEVIS if:
- there is a change in your U.S. address
- there is a change in your present full-time status
- you drop out of school
- you fail to maintain full-time status
Who pays the SEVIS fee?
- Prospective students with "Initial Attendance" I-20
- Prospective students with "Initial Attendance" I-20 who are applying for a change to an F-1 status from another visa category
- F-1 students in the U.S. filing for reinstatement if they have been out of status for more than five months
Note: F-2 dependents do not have to pay the SEVIS fee.
When do I pay the SEVIS fee?
Regulation requires all prospective F-1 students to pay the I-901 SEVIS fee before the Department of State issues you a visa. To pay the fee with a credit card, log on to FMJfee.com and complete the form. Be sure to write your name exactly as it appears on your I-20. Be sure to print a copy of the online receipt and bring it to your visa interview.
If you are transferring schools, extending your program, applying for an F-2 dependent visa or have paid the SEVIS fee within the last 12 months, you do not need to pay the $350 SEVIS fee.
How do I prepare for the visa interview?
If you are returning to continue your studies, renewing your visa or seeking more details on how to apply for a student visa, refer to the U.S. Department of State's Bureau of Consular Affairs. During your interview, remain calm and answer all the visa officer's questions openly and honestly.
Consular officers do security checks for all visa applicants. They do special security clearances for some applicants as required by law. Students who study scientific and technical subjects are subject to additional background checks. These clearances may take several weeks or longer. Be sure to make your visa appointment well in advance of your intended travel.
Follow your local U.S. embassy or consulate instructions to schedule a visa interview. You may schedule your appointment as early as, but no more than, 120 days before your program start date.
If your F-1 visa application is denied, the SEVIS fee as well as the visa application fee will not be refunded. However, if you re-apply for a new F-1 visa within 12 months of denial, you will not have to pay the SEVIS fee again.
- Contact your local U.S. Consulate or Embassy to ask about how to get an F-1 international student visa. The U.S. Department of State has a list of Consulates and Embassies.
- Follow the U.S. Embassy/Consulate's instructions to schedule an interview for your F-1 student visa. It is important to apply for your student visa as far in advance as possible. Many consulates recommend that appointments be made no more than 90 days from the intended date of travel, but some can make earlier arrangements for interviews.
- Complete the following forms:
- DS-156 Non-immigrant Visa Application Form
- DS-158 Contact Information and Work History for Non-immigrant Visa Applicant
- Males age 16–45 years must complete the DS-157 Supplemental Non-immigrant Visa Application
- If your I-20 is marked for "initial" attendance (see No. 3 on your I-20), you will need to pay the $350 SEVIS fee.
Can I take UC Berkeley Extension courses on a B-1 or B-2 tourist visa?
Visitors admitted to the United States on a B-1 or B-2 tourist visa are strictly prohibited from enrolling in a full-time program of study at UC Berkeley Extension. To enroll in a full-time UC Berkeley Extension International Program, you must either obtain an F-1 non-immigrant visa from a consular officer abroad and seek readmission to the U.S. or apply to one of our international programs online and request a change of status. B-1 or B-2 visa holders may take some UC Berkeley Extension courses on a part-time basis.
Arriving and Maintaining Your Visa Status
We recommend that you wait until you have received your F-1 visa before you make and pay for travel arrangements.
When should I arrive in the U.S.?
The date you are expected to report to UC Berkeley Extension is the start of classes date printed on your I-20.
What documents do I need when I arrive in the U.S.?
- Signed Form I-20
- Passport and F-1 visa
- Paper receipt for the SEVIS fee payment (Form I-901)
Olga Paly
International Student Adviser (PDSO)
Maintain contact with your designated school official (DSO) throughout your stay.
Form I-94 (Arrival/Departure Record)
Customs and Border Protection (CBP) gathers travelers' arrival/departure information automatically from its electronic travel records.
If travelers need the information from their Form I-94 admission record to verify immigration status, the record number and other admission information, they are encouraged to get their I-94 Number.
Upon arrival, a CBP officer stamps the travel document of each arriving non-immigrant traveler with the admission date, the class of admission and the date that the traveler is admitted until.
Maintaining your status
The difference between F-1 visa and F-1 status
Once you have been admitted to the U.S., UC Berkeley Extension and the Immigration Services will consider you as having F-1 status (which is not the same as an F-1 visa). For the most part, you will have both an F-1 visa and an F-1 status.
There are times when you'll have an F-1 status and a different visa stamp in your passport. A common example is if you are admitted into the U.S. with an H-4 dependent visa and applied to the U.S. CIS to change your status to an F-1. Your visa stamp will remain H-4 but your status will be F-1. Please contact us for further information about the change of status in the U.S.
Maintaining your F-1 status
It is your responsibility to maintain F-1 non-immigrant status while you are in the U.S. The international student adviser is available to help you understand the various U.S. Immigration Services regulations that affect you as an international student in the U.S. If you have any questions about your visa or status, please make an appointment with the international student adviser.
Although you are not likely to have much direct contact with the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (U.S. DHS), you should be fully aware of the primary conditions imposed by the U.S. DHS for you to maintain your F-1 status. Violation of any of these conditions could lead to serious trouble in the form of arrest, investigations, hearings or even deportation:
- You are not permitted to accept employment off campus without prior authorization.
- You must be a full-time student.
- You must report any address change (permanent overseas and/or U.S.) to UC Berkeley Extension within 10 days.
- If you are transferring from another school, you must complete the transfer procedure within 15 days of the program start date noted on your Form I-20.
Duration of Status (D/S)
An F-1 student is admitted to the U.S. for a period known as "Duration of Status," which is recorded on your entry documents I-94 and I-20 with the notation "D/S." Duration of Status refers to the period a student is pursuing a full course of study, plus any authorized practical training following completion.
Can I stay in the U.S. past the 60-day grace period?
If you want to travel in the U.S. after your 60-day grace period, you will need to apply to the U.S. CIS for a change of status from F-1 (student) to B-2 (tourist). See your international student adviser for information about applying to the U.S. CIS for a change of status.
Transferring schools
Transferring to UC Berkeley Extension from another U.S. school
To transfer to another school, college or university, F-1 students must have maintained their F-1 status. (If your visa status is not F-1, please contact us at extension-intl@berkeley.edu about your eligibility.)
F-1 students who are transferring from another U.S. school, college or university to UC Berkeley Extension will need to:
- Contact the international student adviser at your school and fill out the Transfer Verification Form. Email the form to UC Berkeley Extension International Programs.
- Instruct the DSO at the student's last school to release and transfer out the student's SEVIS record to UC Berkeley Extension after confirming the student's full-time F-1 status.
- UC Berkeley Extension International Student Services (ISS) will then transfer in the student's SEVIS record and issue an I-20 to the student.
Transferring from UC Berkeley Extension to another U.S. school
In order to transfer from UC Berkeley Extension to another U.S. school, please notify International Student Services (ISS) at UC Berkeley Extension of your intent to transfer. Indicate the name of the school to which you want to transfer, the date you wish your SEVIS record to be released to the new school and proof of your acceptance to the new school.
Note: Although you may be applying to multiple new schools, UC Berkeley Extension can only transfer your SEVIS record to one school. Once your SEVIS record is transferred out, UC Berkeley Extension will no longer have access to your record. If you change your mind and wish to attend a different school, you must work with the school that receives your SEVIS record.
Work Authorization Rules for F-1 Students
On-campus employment
If you are a student with an F-1 status and hold an I-20 from UC Berkeley Extension, you are eligible to work on the UC Berkeley Extension campus up to 20 hours per week when school is session and full-time during school breaks.
Learn more about on-campus employment rules.
Economic hardship
If you are suffering a severe economic hardship due to unforeseen changes in your financial circumstances, you may apply to the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (U.S. CIS) for authorization to work off-campus. You
- Must be able to demonstrate unforeseen severe financial problems.
- Must be recommended by DSO to apply for part-time work authorization. Employment Authorization Card issued by U.S. CIS is required.
- Must have been in F-1 status for one academic year.
Please talk to your international student adviser before applying for this status.
For general information, visit F-1 Off Campus Employment and International Organization Internship.
What is Optional Practical Training (OPT)?
OPT is work that is directly related to an F-1 student's major area of study. It is intended to provide students with practical experience in their field of study upon completion of a program.
An F-1 student must meet these basic requirements:
- Lawful enrollment on a full-time basis for one full academic year
- Completion of the course of study
A student may be authorized for a maximum of 12 months of practical training and may become eligible for another 12 months of practical training when he/she changes to a higher educational level. Learn more about OPT and speak to UC Berkeley Extension staff with further questions.
Note that only post-completion OPT is available to international students enrolled at UC Berkeley Extension.
Can I extend my OPT?
No. Only students
- who receive science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) degrees in the United States;
- whose employers are enrolled in E-Verify; and
- who have received an initial grant of post-completion OPT related to such a degree
may apply for a two-year STEM OPT extension.
Reduced Course Load (RCL)
Students may request a Reduced Course Load (RCL) for a specific semester due to either medical or academic reasons. Students must obtain an approval from the international student adviser for an RCL before dropping below full-time academic status.
Extending your UC Berkeley Extension program
An F-1 student who is unable to meet the program completion date on the Form I-20 may be granted an extension by the DSO, if the DSO certifies that the student has continually maintained status and the delays are caused by compelling academic or medical reasons.
Delays caused by academic probation or suspension are not acceptable reasons for program extensions. A DSO may not grant an extension if the student did not apply for an extension before the program end date noted on the Form I-20.
An F-1 student who is unable to complete the educational program within the time listed on Form I-20 and who is ineligible for program extension is considered out of status.
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Program Cost
$19,900 USD per semester (convert this to my currency)
What's Included?
Academics
- All {{program.midName}} coursework
- Visits from Bay Area and national private law firms and public-interest law organizations
- Undergrad research and student learning center resources
- Certificate of completion
Arriving to Berkeley
- New student orientation
- Welcome lunch/cohort lunches
- Help understanding your health insurance plan
- Student visa advising
- Housing advising and support
Graduate School and Career Preparation
- Career counseling and resources
- Graduate school admissions advising, workshops and panel presentations
What's Not Included?
- Travel to/from the United States
- Textbooks
- Visa fees
- Meals or living expenses (estimated at $10,500 per semester)
Additional Funding Ideas
Talk to staff at your home university's international programs or study-abroad office, as well as the financial aid office. Often additional scholarships or loans may be available that can cover costs such as travel or partial tuition.
Contact the educational and cultural department of your city or state government to inquire about funding for your international education experience.
We know you're traveling far from home to participate in a unique study-abroad experience.
You'll be studying at a top university known for its rigorous academic standards. This means that while you're here, it's more important than ever to focus on your health and well-being.
Here are some resources we offer to ensure that you are happy, stress-free, healthy and successful during your time in Berkeley.
Staying Healthy
Maintaining your health and well-being is an important part of your learning and program experience, so it's good news that Berkeley is ranked one of the Top 10 healthiest cities in the United States.
You'll have access to a variety of support and student services. You begin your program with a mandatory new student orientation where you will go over important information about your student health insurance, among other topics. You will be enrolled in our health insurance coverage for the duration of your program. You can find the details for the school-sponsored insurance plan, currently provided by Anthem Blue Cross Life and Health Insurance Company (PDF). You'll receive an insurance identification card that you can use to fill prescriptions, visit the doctor and more. The insurance company also provides translations of health plan summaries that you can download online—in case you prefer to read details about your coverage in your native language.
In addition to basic health insurance, you are also eligible for mental health services. Find out about International Student Counseling and Psychology Services available to you at the Tang Center, part of University Health Services.
Urgent Care is immediate medical attention for non-life-threatening medical conditions that need to be immediately addressed.

Staying Safe
Safety is every student's responsibility and we provide numerous resources—both on- and off-campus—to help you stay safe. Safety is another topic discussed in your student orientation: We'll go over things like the 100 emergency telephones located on and around campus and the numerous safety services available to you 24 hours a day, every day of the week.
Police
Emergency Services 911: You may dial 9-1-1 from any phone to reach emergency services. If dialed from a cell phone, 9-1-1 reaches the California Highway Patrol, a state agency that principally patrols the freeways. If dialed from a landline, 9-1-1 reaches an emergency center that automatically identifies your precise location, and can dispatch police, fire or ambulance.
We suggest adding the following phone numbers into your phone for quick access.
- University of California Berkeley Police Department phone number: (510) 642-3333
- Berkeley City Police Department phone number: (510) 981-5911
Hospital
The Sutter Alta Bates Medical Center: Herrick Campus is located just outside of the main UC Berkeley Campus. This facility will accept your insurance if you are enrolled in our student health insurance plan.
Fire Department
Berkeley Fire Department
2100 Martin Luther King Jr. Way
Berkeley, CA 94704
Prepare for an Emergency
- Get familiar with simple emergency procedures by visiting the website of the UCB Emergency Management Office.
- Download the app for real-time updates on your phone or mobile device.
- If you have difficulty speaking English during times of stress, write down in advance the information you will need to give doctors, police officers, or other emergency workers.
- Get to know some of your neighbors. People are more likely to help someone they know than a stranger. People are also more likely to "watch over" your home in your absence if they know you.
- California experiences earthquakes but most are very small. Still, you should be prepared by having food and water, plus a flashlight on hand.