Welcome to the vibrant university town of Berkeley, California! As part of the College Foundations Program (CFP) you'll join other international high school graduates preparing for university study.
Attend college-level courses where you'll build English skills and become familiar with typical U.S. university classroom discussions and assignments. Boost your TOEFL and SAT scores through test preparation and get personal college admissions advising.
Recent high school graduates are encouraged to apply for the fall term or a full academic year (spring and fall), sometimes called a "gap year." Either way, you'll receive support from our dedicated staff—from the application process and throughout your time with us.
Your Studies
You'll take classes near the UC Berkeley campus. Study alongside fellow students who are also preparing to attend university. You receive individualized attention and guidance from your instructors, who hold advanced degrees from UC Berkeley and other top-ranked universities. You also get personal college admissions advising to help you identify the best schools for you and to ensure success once you begin your university studies. You can also connect with current UC Berkeley students to get insight on the college application process, as well as navigating Berkeley and U.S. culture.
Making the investment to participate in CFP leads to positive results—CFP graduates have been accepted to numerous prestigious public and private universities.
Beyond the Classroom
When you first arrive in Berkeley, you'll take part in a new-student orientation where you'll meet program staff, your fellow students, and learn more about the area and what to expect. You'll live with or near your classmates, and when not in class you have the option to attend workshops on preparing for college life as well as take part in cultural activities and field trips. The city of Berkeley and the greater San Francisco Bay Area offer museums, cafes, parks, music and more to fill your weekends while introducing you to American culture. Did you know UC Berkeley has also been named one of the best colleges for food in America? Eat lunch with your classmates at the nation's first certified organic kitchen on campus that offers delicious options for everyone, including students with special dietary needs. Or meet with friends for dinner at one of Berkeley's many excellent restaurants. Finally, as the program comes to an end, celebrate your accomplishment with other CFP students, instructors and staff at a closing reception.
Why Choose Our College Foundations Program
TOEFL and SAT test preparation
Personal college admissions advising
Explore the UC Berkeley campus and surrounding cities
Refine your English-language skills
Program Overview
Duration of Study:
15 weeks each for fall and spring terms
Pace of study:
Full-time, Monday–Friday, 20 hours per week
Prerequisites:
Recent high school graduates with a minimum 3.0 grade point average.
If you have not yet completed high school, we encourage you to apply to the Summer Sessions Program
Scores must be from the past two years. In some cases, the English-proficiency exam can be waived. Contact us with questions.
Cost:
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Costs include:
- Immigration support
- Orientation to Berkeley
- U.S. medical insurance
- Housing advice and support
- Personal academic advising
- Review of college application essays
- Computer lab access
- UC Berkeley library access
- UC Berkeley Recreational Sports Facility access
- Social activities
Cost does not include visa fees, textbooks, housing costs or travel expenses.
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Applicants must submit official evidence of English-language proficiency. Sometimes exceptions to this requirement are made. Please note that the submission of language proficiency scores or other forms of verification does not guarantee acceptance into the program.
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English Proficiency Requirement Exceptions
University study in a country where English is the primary language spoken
If you have completed at least one year of university study in a country where English is the primary language, you can request a waiver.
To do so, when you apply online, upload a letter explaining that English is the primary and official language spoken in your country and include a website or other supporting documentation (e.g., publications or website for government department, ministry, bureau, secretariat or directorate-general) for our verification purposes.
To do so, when you apply online, upload a letter explaining that English is the primary and official language spoken in your country and include a website or other supporting documentation (e.g., publications or website for government department, ministry, bureau, secretariat or directorate-general) for our verification purposes.
One year of full-time, college-level English instruction
If you were taught in English for at least one year, full-time at the undergraduate or graduate level, you can request a waiver.
Your transcript should reflect the coursework that you completed in English. If this is not clearly indicated on your transcript, a supporting letter from your university will need to be submitted in addition to your complete transcripts.
Interview
You can request a language proficiency interview if you meet one of these minimum score requirements: TOEFL 85, IELTS 6.5 or TOEIC 700. If you are not admitted to {{ program.midName || program.name }}, you may be admitted to the BGA-Start Program.
If you would like to request an interview, please state your request in the online application and in your personal statement.
BGA Start English Proficiency Requirements
If you do not meet the requirements for {{ program.midName || program.name }}, you may be eligible to apply for our BGA-Start program.
Questions? Email internationaladmissions@berkeley.edu.
Locations:
Golden Bear Center
1995 University Ave., Suite 200
Berkeley, CA 94704
Program Dates:
| Start and End Dates | Application Deadline * | |
|---|---|---|
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* There are no CFP spring-only admissions but you may start in the fall and continue your study in the spring.
Where You'll Live
CFP students live with local English-speaking families in homestays located in Berkeley, San Francisco, and nearby areas. Homestays provide a full cultural immersion experience as well as the structure of a family unit. Amenities include meal options, Wi-Fi, laundry, use of common areas and daily opportunities to practice English language skills. Host families are screened regularly.
In addition to receiving dedicated program and housing support, CFP students also participate in regular group social activities.
What You'll Study
Some courses include opportunities to participate in community service activities and may also include guest lectures and visits to Bay Area companies. Below is a sample of course listings, actual course schedule and availability may vary.
Fall Term: September–December (15 Weeks)
Academic English Writing and University Application Essays
Improve your writing by focusing on skills needed to write clearly and with purpose. Learn about different kinds of essay forms while practicing skills relating to strong writing. By the end of the course, you will write more confidently at a university level, you will produce more accurate work, and you will be able to explain why you approach writing the way you do.
You will learn:
- The elements of clear, persuasive writing
- The structure of academic essays
- Essential properties of the university application essay
- How to edit written assignments
- How to critique other students' work
- Strategies to write under different kinds of exam conditions
Exam Preparation for TOEFL and SAT
Gain an understanding of the format of TOEFL and SAT examinations by taking practice tests. By the end of the course, you will be able to identify question types and appropriate response choices. Additionally, you will have an individualized plan to achieve your target examination scores.
You will learn:
- The range of vocabulary expected of you as a university student
- Basic grammar for effective academic communication
- How to develop ideas quickly in writing
- Reading strategies for a variety of purposes
- The basic forms of academic discourse (compare and contrast, cause and effect, etc.)
- The importance of focus and study discipline
Listening and Speaking
For intermediate and advanced speakers of English as a second language, this participatory course builds your confidence in spoken English and overall listening skills. You will develop effective techniques to make oral presentations in a variety of academic and professional contexts, such as
- group discussions and debates
- classroom explanations and interactions
- presentations and negotiations
Most topics will be introduced with a lecture followed by group work that puts ideas and concepts into action.
Precalculus or Calculus
Get the calculus skills you need to enter top U.S. universities if you want to major in mathematics, engineering, economics, or subjects in the physical or life sciences.
You will learn:
- Polynomial and rational functions
- Exponential and logarithmic functions
- Trigonometry and trigonometric functions
- Complex numbers
- Fundamental theorem of algebra
- Mathematical induction
- Binomial theorem
- Series and sequences
Service Learning
Complete a research project while taking part in community service at a local nonprofit organization and developing professional connections. Become familiar with the structure and requirements necessary for a university-level research paper and take part in the peer-review editing process.
Study Skills
Although you may be academically prepared in terms of your knowledge and logical/rational reasoning, it is important to build skills in effectively presenting your ideas. Build these skills to excel in a university classroom.
You will learn:
- The range of persuasive expression useful in the classroom
- Idiomatic English and the role it plays
- The power of descriptive language
- What fluency in English actually means
U.S. Culture
Learn to speak in front of a group of people while also talking in a structured way about American culture. In addition to skills needed to speak clearly and with culturally appropriate style, you learn techniques to give prepared speeches and develop skills for more effective impromptu speaking. By the end of the course, you will be able to identify and use the elements that make a strong university-level presentation.
You will learn:
- The elements of effective oral communication
- How to structure a strong presentation
- Essential techniques for discussing data
- Ways to approach writing speeches
- What to do when faced with impromptu speaking
- How to critique and respond to other students' presentations
- Methods to make the most of an open-debate forum
- Persuasion techniques
Spring Term: January–May (15 Weeks)
Introduction to C++ and Excel
Learn about algorithm development and problem solving with an introduction to object-oriented programming and design. You will also understand Excel at an intermediate level, which includes simple programming.
You will learn:
- Careful and methodical development of C++ programs from specifications
- Documentation and style
- Appropriate use of control structures, data types and
- Subprograms
- Data abstraction and verification
- Numeric and nonnumeric applications
Advanced Writing and Technical Report Writing
Practice writing tasks that are an integral part of thriving at university (and beyond) in the United States. Consider your choices when structuring an argument, and learn how to present data in a consistent manner and organize your thoughts before writing. You also learn how to cite sources, write emails requesting information and advice, identify the essential parts of a purpose statement and craft a résumé tailored to a specific purpose. By the end of the course, you will know what makes a strong research abstract.
You will learn:
- Writing research paper abstracts
- Citing and paraphrasing sources
- Outlining and organizing your ideas
- The relative strengths of different essay formats
- What to include in a résumé
- How to be persuasive in a purpose statement
- How to write with a polite, clear tone
Calculus or Multivariable Calculus
Study the topics of calculus of one variable, mainly with derivatives; applications such as graphing and optimization; the idea of integration; and applications such as volumes of revolution. You are expected to understand some theorems and their proofs. This rigorous course emphasizes conceptual understanding and is intended for students in engineering and physical sciences.
You will learn:
- Intuitive and precise limit definitions
- Continuity
- Definition of the derivative
- Shortcut rules for finding derivatives
- Product rule
- Quotient rule
- Chain rule
- Implicit differentiation
- Related rates
- Linear approximations and differentials
- Mean value theorem
- L'Hôpital's rule
- Curve sketching
- Optimization
- Newton's method
- Definition of Riemann integral
- Fundamental theorem of calculus
- Natural logarithm defined as an integral
- Area between two curves
- Volumes of solids of revolution
How to Thrive at an American University
Prepare to study at U.S. universities by reading about the American Dream and notions of leadership, and then identifying and defining what you wish to achieve by pursuing education in the United States. You also learn about the key skills required to thrive in a largely self-motivated learning environment. By the end of the course, you will be able to articulate specific educational goals and match those goals to your career ambitions.
You will learn:
- Freedom of speech
- How to offer constructive criticism
- In-class discussion participation
- The importance of managing resources, including time
- Ways to avoid plagiarism
Service Learning
Complete a research project while taking part in community service at a local nonprofit organization and developing professional connections. Become familiar with the structure and requirements necessary for a university-level research paper and take part in the peer-review editing process.
Electives
These courses complement core areas of study. If you have an English-language test score of at least TOEFL 90 or IELTS 7.0, you can choose one elective course on the UC Berkeley main campus or at UC Berkeley Extension; all other students choose one UC Berkeley Extension course. Popular elective course topics include:
- Biology
- Business English
- Chemistry
- Idiomatic English and Oral Communication Skills
- Philosophy
- Physics
- Pronunciation Improvement for Effective Communication
- World History
Sample Daily Schedule
| Time | Course or Activity |
|---|---|
| 8–8:50 am | Breakfast |
| 9 am–12 pm | Core or elective courses |
| 12–12:50 pm | Lunch |
| 1–5:30 pm | Core or elective courses |
| 5:30–6 pm | Free time |
| 6–7 pm | Dinner |
| 7–9 pm | Studying and homework |