Classes:

• Academic Skills (20 hours)

The discipline areas that will be covered in the academic skills homeroom class are reading, writing, grammar, discussion, and vocabulary development. Students will take part in different activities, including lectures, group work, pair work, and individual study

• Listening and Discussion (10 hours)

Students focus on listening, note-taking, discussion, and vocabulary building. Lessons revolve around using functional language in academic contexts. Emphasis is placed on comprehending lectures and presentations, in-person and remote voice communication, and critical thinking.

• Writing and Discussion (10 hours)

This class prepares students for writing and discussion tasks required in a university. The course focuses on the structure and rhetorical organization of particular types of writing, such as description. Special attention will be given to developing ideas through discussion and writing.

Curriculum:

Duration: 2 weeks

Levels: 4-8

Delivery Method: In-person
Visa: F-1 student visa (20 hours per week)
Program Schedule:

• Monday - Friday

• 20 hours per week

Sample Schedule:

Monday	Tuesday	Wednesday	Thursday	Friday
8:30-11:45 Academic Skills	8:30-10:50 Listening and Discussion	8:30-11:45 Academic Skills	8:30-10:50 Listening and Discussion	8:30-11:45 Academic Skills
	1:00-3:20 ​Writing and Discussion		1:00-3:20 ​Writing and Discussion

Schedules may vary by English language level.
 

 

Classes:

• Academic Skills (40 hours)

The discipline areas that will be covered in the academic skills homeroom class are reading, writing, grammar, discussion, and vocabulary development. Students will take part in different activities, including lectures, group work, pair work, and individual study.

• Listening and Discussion (20 hours)

Students focus on listening, note-taking, discussion, and vocabulary building. Lessons revolve around using functional language in academic contexts. Emphasis is placed on comprehending lectures and presentations, in-person and remote voice communication, and critical thinking.

• Writing and Discussion (20 hours)

This class prepares students for writing and discussion tasks required in a university. The course focuses on the structure and rhetorical organization of particular types of writing, such as description. Special attention will be given to developing ideas through discussion and writing.

Curriculum:
Reading, writing, grammar, discussion, and vocabulary development will be covered in the required Academic Skills homeroom class. Students will also take part in different activities, including lectures, group work, pair work and individual study. Homework is substantial.

 

Duration: 4 weeks

Levels: 4-8

Delivery Method: In-person
Visa: F-1 student visa (20 hours per week) or Tourist/ESTA (15* hours per week) 
Program Schedule:

• Monday - Friday

• 15* or 20 hours per week

Sample Schedule:

Monday	Tuesday	Wednesday	Thursday	Friday
8:30-11:45 Academic Skills	8:30-10:50 Listening and Discussion	8:30-11:45 Academic Skills	8:30-10:50 Listening and Discussion	8:30-11:45 Academic Skills
	1:00-3:20 Writing and Discussion		1:00-3:20 Writing and Discussion

Schedules may vary by English language level.
*This part-time program does not qualify for the form I-20.

 

Classes:

• Integrated Skills (72 hours)

These courses integrate listening, speaking, reading, and writing. Each unit provides opportunities to develop level-appropriate grammar and vocabulary knowledge.

• Academic Reading and Writing Levels 3-8 (48 hours)

These courses help students with intensive and extensive academic reading and academic writing structure and organization.

• Grammar Skills Levels 1-2 (48 hours)

These courses provide the foundation in grammar structures and patterns that will help students develop reading, writing, listening, and speaking skills in English.

• Elective Courses A and B (40 hours)

Elective offerings vary by level and change from session to session. Past elective offerings have included:
Listening and Discussion, Pronunciation and Fluency, Volunteering and Leadership, Conversational Skills, Idioms and Slang, IELTS preparation, Oral Presentations, American Culture and Music, Discussion through TV and Film

Curriculum:

Reading, writing, grammar, discussion, and vocabulary development will be covered in the required Academic Skills homeroom class. Students will also take part in different activities, including lectures, group work, pair work and individual study. Homework is substantial.

Duration: 8 weeks

Levels: 1-8

Delivery Method: In-person
Visa: F-1 student visa (25 hours per week) or Tourist/ESTA (15* hours per week) 
Program Schedule:

• Monday - Friday

• 15* or 25 hours per week

Sample Schedule:

Monday	Tuesday	Wednesday	Thursday	Friday
8:30-11:20 Integrated Skills (Required)	8:30-11:20 Reading/Writing or  Grammar Skills  (Required)	8:30-11:20 Integrated Skills (Required)	8:30-11:20 Reading/Writing or  Grammar Skills  (Required)	8:30-11:20 Integrated Skills (Required)
1:00-3:20 Elective A	1:00-3:20 ​Elective B	1:00-3:20 ​Elective A	1:00-3:20 ​Elective B	Afternoon free

Schedules may vary by English language level.
*This part-time program does not qualify for the form I-20.

 

Age: 18+ 

Language Proficiency:
2- and 4-week Academic English - High Intermediate to Advanced (levels 4-8)
8-week Academic English - High Beginner to Advanced (levels 1-8)

Placement Test: For the best learning experience, every student must take an online placement test to determine their English level before starting the Academic English program. This test helps us understand your current English level, ensuring you start the program at just the right spot for your study abroad journey. Additionally, all enrolled students are required to complete an online pre-arrival orientation before the beginning of the program. This orientation, which includes the online placement test, is a crucial step in preparing for the Academic English program.

4-Week Academic English
2024 Dates:

• January 8 - February 2
• February 5 - March 1
• March 11 - April 5
• April 8 - May 3
• May 28 - June 21
• July 1 - 26
• August  5 - 30
• September 3 - 27
• October 14 - November 8
• November 12 - December 6
   

2025 Dates:

• January 6 - 31
• February 3 - 28
• March 3 - 27
• April 7 - May 2
• May 27 - June 20
• July 7 - August 1
• August  4 - 29
• September 2 - 26
• October 13 - November 7
• November 10 - December 5

8-Week Academic English
2024 Dates:

• January 3 - March 1
• March 11 - May 10
• May 20 - July 19 
• July 29 - September 27
• October 7 - December 6

2025 Dates:

• January 2 - February 28
• March 3 - May 2
• May 19 - July 18
• July 28 - September 26
• October 6 - December 5

4-, and 8-week Academic English
2024 Prices:

• Application Fee: $175 (nonrefundable)
• 4-week Part-time Tuition: $1,800 (15 hours per week / 60 hours total)*, OR
• 4-week Full-time Tuition: $2,000 (20 hours per week / 80 hours total)
• 8-week Part-time Tuition: $3,200 (15 hours per week / 120 hours total)*, OR
• 8-week Full-time Tuition: $3,900 (25 hours per week / 200 hours total)
• 2- and 4-week International Student Service Fee:  $200
• 8-week International Student Service Fee: $400
• 2-week UC San Diego Division of Extended Studies medical insurance: $110
• 4-week UC San Diego Division of Extended Studies medical insurance: $220
• 8-week UC San Diego Division of Extended Studies medical insurance: $550
• 2- and 4-week Books/Materials: Approximately $150-175 (Payment CANNOT be made in advance. Books and materials must be purchased upon arrival at UC San Diego.)
• 8-week Books/Materials: Approximately $250 – $400 (Payment CANNOT be made in advance. Books and materials must be purchased upon arrival at UC San Diego.)

2025 Prices:

• Application Fee: $225 (nonrefundable)
• 4-week Part-time Tuition: $2,190 (15 hours per week / 60 hours total)*, OR
• 4-week Full-time Tuition: $2,490 (20 hours per week / 80 hours total)
• 8-week Part-time Tuition: $3,490 (15 hours per week / 120 hours total)*, OR
• 8-week Full-time Tuition: $3,990 (20 hours per week / 160 hours total)*, OR
• 8-week Full-time Tuition: $4,490 (25 hours per week / 200 hours total)
• 4-week International Student Service Fee:  $250
• 8-week International Student Service Fee: $500
• 4-week UC San Diego Division of Extended Studies medical insurance: $240
• 8-week UC San Diego Division of Extended Studies medical insurance: $600
• 4-week Books/Materials: Approximately $150-175 (Payment CANNOT be made in advance. Books and materials must be purchased upon arrival at UC San Diego.)
• 8-week Books/Materials: Approximately $250 – $400 (Payment CANNOT be made in advance. Books and materials must be purchased upon arrival at UC San Diego.)

For all 2025 program dates and prices, visit the Dates and Prices page or download the 2025 Dates & Prices document. This document also lists the financial verification required for your program application if you need the Form I-20 for a student visa.

* The 15-hour per week programs do not qualify for the Form I-20.

Zhanar Izbassarova 
Kazakhstan 

 

I was so happy to be a student here. UC San Diego has a large, wonderful, well-equipped campus, highly qualified teachers, and top research institutions. The university is located in a beautiful area and has a stunning view of the Pacific Ocean. Improving my Academic English will give me more job opportunities at globally recognized companies. 

Advisory About Variable Enrollments 

Enrollment numbers in our 4-week English language programs vary from month-to-month. Therefore, if we have low enrollments in the original 4-week program, we will notify you within 30-days of your program start date, so that you may cancel your enrollment or enroll into another 4-week program.
  
If our online pre-arrival placement tests indicate that your English proficiency level does not permit placement in the original 4-week program class, we will place you in 4 weeks of study in a corresponding 4-week or 8-week program or provide a combination of classes and individual tutoring to ensure a program of 15 or 20 hours per week for 4 weeks. Alternatively, we may decide to place all 4-week program students in level-appropriate classes in a corresponding 4-week or 8-week program in order to provide a program of 15 or 20 hours per week for 4 weeks. When this happens, the students’ 4-week program will have the features described for the new 4- or 8-week program, not the features described for the original program. The tuition and fees for the students’ 4-week program enrollment will remain the same.