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International Programs

University & Professional Studies

Are you a dedicated university student or a professional looking for an enriching academic experience? The University and Professional Studies (UPS) program at UC San Diego is designed just for you.

Who will Benefit

If you are a high-achieving university student or professional who would like to take a full-time schedule of credit-bearing classes at UC San Diego or UC San Diego Division of Extended Studies while studying alongside American university students, the University and Professional Studies (UPS) program might be right for you. With UPS, it is possible to study at the Bachelor’s and Master’s levels, in many of the departments at UC San Diego.

Program Details

Classes:

In fall, winter, and spring quarters, you can take a full-time program (12 units) consisting of UC San Diego undergraduate, graduate or extended studies division courses for university credit. The following are examples of some of the subjects that previous University and Professional Studies students have studied:

  • Academic Writing
  • Aerospace Engineering
  • Anthropology
  • Bioengineering
  • Biology
  • Business (graduate international business courses through the School of Global Policy and Strategy, and many other course options through the Division of Extended Studies)
  • Chemistry
  • Communications
  • Computer Science
  • Electrical Engineering
  • Geophysics
  • History
  • International Relations
  • Literature
  • Marine Biology
  • Mathematics
  • Mechanical Engineering
  • Molecular Biology
  • Music
  • Oceanography
  • Physics
  • Political Science
  • Psychology
  • Spanish 
  • Stem Cell Biology
  • Theatre/Dance
  • Visual Arts
  • and many more

For a complete list of all UC San Diego courses, please search tritonlink.ucsd.edu. For UC San Diego Division of Extended Studies course offerings, please see extendedstudies.ucsd.eduEnrollment in all classes is on a space-available basis and requires instructor and/or departmental approval.

Note: UC San Diego Division of Extended Studies courses in Master of Advanced Studies programs, business courses at the Rady School of Management, or any courses in the School of Medicine or Pharmacy are not permitted for enrollment through UPS.  Availability of graduate-level courses in other departments is strictly controlled for prerequisites. In 2024, undergraduate and graduate courses in the Department of Economics are minimally available.
 

Duration: 1 Quarter

Delivery Method: In-person

Visa: F-1 student visa

Program Schedule:

  • 12-13 weeks each quarter
  • Monday – Friday (occasional Saturday workshops)
  • Schedule varies depending on classes chosen


Class choice is dependent on the track you select or are eligible to participate in. See Admission Requirements for more details.

 

Track 1

Track 2

Track 3

Course
 Descriptions

Course
 Descriptions

Course
 Descriptions

  • Maximum of 4 main campus credits (including all subjects available for all tracks)

  • 3 units for-credit English language courses

  • 5 credits in Extended Studies courses (Business, Engineering, Computer Science, etc.)

  • Maximum of 8 main campus credits (including all subjects available for all tracks)

  • 4 credits of Extended Studies courses (Business, Engineering, Computer Science, etc.)

  • 12 units of main campus Extended Studies courses (including all subjects available for all tracks)

Admission Requirements

We carefully review the background and qualifications of each applicant to ensure that those admitted to the University and Professional Studies (UPS) program will have a successful experience. The minimum acceptance requirements are listed below. 

Age: 18+

Language Proficiency Requirement:
 

Track 1

Track 2Track 3

English Proficiency
 Level

English Proficiency
 Level

English Proficiency
 Level

  • TOEFL iBT: 79
  • IELTS: 6.5
  • B2 First (Cambridge English: First-FCE): B2/C1
  • C1 Advanced (Cambridge English Advanced-CAE): 180-C1 and C2 Proficiency (Cambridge English Proficiency-CPE): 180-C1
  • Duolingo English Test (DET): 110
  • Pearson Test of English (PTE): 58
  • TOEIC (all four subjects are required): Listening 445, Reading 420, Speaking 170, Writing 165
  • TOEFL iBT: 83
  • IELTS: 7.0
  • B2 First (Cambridge English: First-FCE): B2/C1
  • C1 Advanced (Cambridge English Advanced-CAE): 180-C1 and C2 Proficiency (Cambridge English Proficiency-CPE): 180-C1
  • Duolingo English Test (DET): 115
  • Pearson Test of English (PTE): 65
  • TOEIC (all four subjects are required): Listening 445, Reading 420, Speaking 170, Writing 165
  • TOEFL iBT: 95
  • IELTS: 7.0
  • B2 First (Cambridge English: First-FCE): C1
  • C1 Advanced (Cambridge English Advanced-CAE): 190-C1 and C2 Proficiency (Cambridge English Proficiency-CPE): 190-C1
  • Duolingo English Test (DET): 115
  • Pearson Test of English (PTE): 65
  • TOEIC (all four subjects are required): Listening 490, Reading 455, Speaking 180, Writing 180

For questions regarding alternative English proficiency exams, please email ipadmission@ucsd.edu.

Additional Admission Requirements for ALL tracks:

  • A copy of transcripts in English for the two most recent years of academic studies. Transcripts must clearly indicate excellent academic achievement.

  • UPS Course List Form of 12-15 courses per quarter, organized by quarter, that you would like to take at UC San Diego or UC San Diego Division of Extended Studies. Students must use the UPS Course List Form to submit their selections. UC San Diego courses are listed at tritonlink.ucsd.edu. For a list of all of UC San Diego Division of Extended Studies course offerings please see extendedstudies.ucsd.edu.

  • A one-page statement explaining your reasons for choosing UC San Diego for your study abroad experience.

All enrolled students are required to complete an online pre-arrival orientation before starting the University and Professional Studies program. 

Once admitted into the program, students must maintain above-average final grades in all coursework (“B” or better).

Dates & Prices

2025 Dates:

  • January 2 - March 22
  • March 24 - June 13
  • June 18 - September 13
  • September 17 - December 13

2025 Prices:

  • Application Fee: $225 (nonrefundable)
  • Tuition: $8,490
  • International Student Service Fee: $500 per quarter
  • UC San Diego Division of Extended Studies medical insurance: $780 per quarter
  • Books/Materials: Approximately $200-$800 per quarter (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.

Testimonial

Going to an American university is very different compared to universities in Europe. I really enjoyed the passion everyone brings to campus. Every professor and every advisor here gives their best to make your time at UC San Diego the most enjoyable you can have. Whenever you have a concern there is someone around to help you. You get a positive feeling from the first second you step on campus.

- Yannick Rosenlehner, Germany

Additional Information

Note: Participating in this educational program does not provide preference in admission to the University of California (UC) degree programs. Students interested in applying to UC degree programs should refer to the UC Admissions website or the websites of other UC campuses they wish to attend for details about their admissions processes

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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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