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.
Classes:
In fall, winter, and spring quarters, you can take a full-time program (12 units) consisting of UC San Diego undegraduate, 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.edu. Enrollment 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:
Class choice is dependent on the track you select or are eligible to participate in. See Admission Requirements for more details.
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Track 1
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Track 2
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Track 3
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Course
Descriptions
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Course
Descriptions
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Course
Descriptions
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Maximum of 4 main campus credits (including all subjects available for all tracks)
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3 units for-credit English language courses
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5 credits in Extended Studies courses (Business, Engineering, Computer Science, etc.)
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Maximum of 8 main campus credits (including all subjects available for all tracks)
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4 credits of Extended Studies courses (Business, Engineering, Computer Science, etc.)
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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:
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Track 1
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Track 2 |
Track 3 |
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English Proficiency
Level
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English Proficiency
Level
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English Proficiency
Level
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- 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
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- 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
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- 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
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For questions regarding alternative English proficiency exams, please email ipadmission@ucsd.edu.
Additional Admission Requirements for ALL tracks:
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A copy of transcripts in English for the most recent year and a half (3 semesters) of academic studies. Transcripts must clearly indicate excellent academic achievement.
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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 extension.ucsd.edu.
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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).
2024 Dates:
- January 3 - March 23
- March 27 - June 14
- June 26 - September 14
- September 19 - December 14
2024 Prices:
- Application Fee: $225 (nonrefundable)
- Tuition: $8,000
- International Student Service Fee: $400 per quarter
- UC San Diego Division of Extended Studies medical insurance: $715 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.)
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.
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Yannick Rosenlehner
Germany
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.
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.