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International Programs

Business English

Boost your English skills with our dynamic Business English program! This specially crafted course is designed to improve your ability to communicate effectively in various business settings. Our Business English Program will help you develop the skills to be successful in a variety of business-related situations such as giving presentations, managing meetings, and using negotiation skills for international communication. 

Who will Benefit

Our Business English program is perfect for professionals and students eager to improve their English using business-focused content. Whether your goal is to enhance your communication in presentations, excel in managing meetings, or sharpen your negotiation skills for international exchanges, this program is tailor-made for you. Join us and take a significant step towards success in the business arena.

Program Details

Classes: 

  • Required: American Business Studies (40 hours) 

Students will read and discuss several American business case studies in different  disciplines that may include entrepreneurship, technology, marketing, management, finance,  international trade, and human resources. Students conduct role plays and negotiations on  a wide range of topics, such as board meetings, salary increases, etc. 
 
 Students will also take two of the following classes: 
 

  • Professional Presentation Skills (20 hours) 

This course covers techniques used to create and give dynamic presentations for various  professional purposes. Course topics include organization, structure, audience rapport, vocal  techniques, and body language. 
 

  • Professional Writing Skills (20 hours) 

The focus of this course is to provide instruction and practice that you will need to produce  clear and correct professional documents. You will be working on memos, emails, reports, and everyday correspondence. You will work on elements of grammar and style such as sentence variety, word choice, and conciseness.  
 

  • Professional Discussions (20 hours) 

This course will cover different topics and situations that arise in a professional setting.  Course topics include managing and communicating within a meeting, understanding group dynamics, handling conflicts, and developing & planning projects. 
 

  • Pronunciation and Fluency Seminar (20 hours) 

This course is designed to help students speak English more clearly and fluently. It includes  instruction and practice on sounds, sound combinations, intonation, and other important  areas of pronunciation. The course will focus on tips and tools needed to refine your pronunciation in a professional setting. 

Curriculum: 
 
 Improve presentation skills, negotiating, meeting skills, vocabulary, and writing while surveying topics such as: 

  • American business and entrepreneurship 
  • Management and leadership 
  • Marketing 
  • Finance 
  • International Trade 
  • Human Resources 

This program includes guest speakers and visits to local businesses. Guest speaker dates and company visits vary according to availability and current campus guidelines. 

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* 20 hours per week


In the 15-hour* per week part-time Business English schedule, business writing and some projects will be omitted. Guest speakers and field trips will also vary according to availability during the schedule of this less intensive program. 
 
Sample Schedule:

Monday

Tuesday

Wednesday

Thursday

Friday

8:30-11:45
 American
 Business Studies 

8:30-10:50
 Professional
 Elective 1 

8:30-11:45
 American
 Business Studies 

8:30-10:50
 Professional
 Elective 1 

8:30-11:45
 American
 Business Studies 

 

1:00-3:20
 Professional
 Elective 2 

 

1:00-3:20
 Professional
 Elective 2

 



Schedules may vary by English language level.
 *The 15-hour-per-week program does not qualify for the Form I-20.

Admission Requirements

Age: 18+ 

Language Proficiency: High-Intermediate to Advanced (levels 4-8)
 
Placement Test: For the best learning experience, every student must take an online placement test to determine their English level before starting the Business 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 Business English program.

Dates & Prices

2024 Dates 

  • January 8 - February 2 
  • February 5 - March 1 
  • July 1 - 26 
  • August 5 - 30 
  • October 14 - November 8 
  • November 12 - December 6 

2024 Prices 

  • Application Fee: $175 (nonrefundable) 
  • Part-time Tuition: $2,050 (15 hours per week / 60 hours total), OR 
  • Full-time Tuition: $2,300 (20 hours per week / 100 hours total) 
  • International Student Service Fee:  $200 
  • UC San Diego Division of Extended Studies medical insurance: $220 
  • Books/Materials: Approximately $150-175 (Payment CANNOT be made in advance. Books and materials must be purchased upon arrival at UC San Diego.) 

2025 Dates 

  • January 6 - 31
  • February 3 - 28
  • July 7 - August 1 
  • August 4 - 29  

2025 Prices 

  • Application Fee: $225 (nonrefundable) 
  • Part-time Tuition: $2,490 (15 hours per week / 60 hours total), OR 
  • Full-time Tuition: $2,790 (20 hours per week / 100 hours total) 
  • International Student Service Fee:  $250 
  • UC San Diego Division of Extended Studies medical insurance: $240 
  • Books/Materials: Approximately $150-175 (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 program does not qualify for the Form I-20.

Testimonial

Studying at the UC San Diego English Language Institute was my best decision ever. The English Language Institute provided me instruction of the highest quality and dramatically improved my English skills.  Additionally, I learned about the similarities and differences between many cultures. UC San Diego helped me learn how to communicate with different people and understand the business practices in many countries. I am convinced that my academic experience at UC San Diego will create future opportunities for success. I want to thank my teachers at the English Language Institute for all their support, help, and advice that made me a better person as well as a better student.

- Adriana Agelris, Venezuela

Additional Information

Advisory About Language Proficiency Level
    
 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. 
 
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.

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2025 Dates and Prices

View programs, dates, prices, and financial verification requirements.

Contact Us

Call
+858-534-6784

Email
ipinfo@ucsd.edu

Regular Mail Address
University of California San Diego
Division of Extended Studies
International Student Services, 0176D
9500 Gilman Drive
La Jolla, CA 92093-0176
USA

Physical Location & Express Delivery
University of California San Diego
Division of Extended Studies
International Programs
8980 Villa La Jolla Drive - suite 380
La Jolla, CA 92037 USA
USA

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