Transfer students to UC campuses are invited to consider UCEAP for study abroad in their major. Each UC campus has its own guidelines for the participation of transfer students. Most UCEAP partner universities consider community college grades in their application. Consult with your campus EAP office for further information and specific deadlines.
Transfer GPAs may not be averaged into the student's overall GPA if the student has completed one academic year (i.e., 2 semesters or 3 quarters) or more at UC at the time of application. In addition, if the student has completed one academic year at UC by the time of departure, the student's UC GPA must meet the program requirement.
UCB
Did you know that 15% of UC Berkeley study abroad students are transfer students? Study abroad is an opportunity that transfer students can take advantage of during their time at Berkeley. It is strongly recommended that transfer students consult with their college and department about studying abroad and their degree.
- Study abroad as early as your second semester at UC Berkeley. Transfer students must spend their first semester in-residence, but can study abroad in any semester thereafter.
- Be aware of application deadlines. Applications can be due as early as one year prior to departure, so prepare your application as soon as possible. If you wish to study abroad your second semester, be aware of application deadlines that may require you to apply before you have officially enrolled at Berkeley.
- Complete study abroad program course prerequisites as early as possible. If you intend to participate in a program that has language or course prerequisites, you may have limited time to complete such requirements. Complete those prerequisites as early as possible or consider a program with no or few prerequisite courses.
- Pay attention to the senior residency requirement. Once you reach senior standing (90 units), you must complete 24 of your remaining 30 units in residence at UC Berkeley. Although study abroad does not count towards senior residency, most colleges will modify the senior residency requirement to allow students participating on the UC Education Abroad Program to allow 12 of the 24 required in-residence units be counted from junior year. Review the eligibility requirements for your college for more information.
- Determine whether you must complete degree requirements while abroad. As a transfer, you likely have a declared major and may need to satisfy major and minor requirements while abroad in order to maintain progress toward your degree. Verify which degree requirements you have left to complete, what is allowable by your college and department (by reviewing the Major Advising page and meeting with your departmental adviser), and whether your study abroad program offers coursework that may satisfy these requirements.
- Consider taking an additional term to study abroad. Many colleges (with the exception of the Haas School of Business) allow students an additional term for study abroad provided that they are making satisfactory degree progress and have not exceeded unit and semester ceilings. Check with your college whether a petition is required for approval of an additional term. If you receive financial aid, students remain aid-eligible for up to 10 semesters (6 semesters for transfer students).
UCD
Are you a transfer student interested in studying abroad, but worried that it’s just not feasible? Don’t worry! Studying abroad is definitely a possibility, no matter your age, major, marital status or financial situation. The most important thing to realize is that you must start planning now!
Think you can’t go abroad and graduate on time? Wrong! If you have not yet begun your first term at UC Davis and attending one of our workshops is not feasible, we highly recommend coming into the EAC to speak with one of our country-specific EAP advisors before beginning the application process. To set up an appointment, either stop in at the EAC, or email us at:
eacucd@ucdavis.edu. Remember, transfer students are encouraged to study abroad regardless of major, class standing, or foreign language experience. Transfer students must be particularly cognoscente of application deadlines, however, especially if they intend on spending their first term at UC Davis abroad.
UCM
- UC Merced will not permit UCEAP participation in the first term at UC Merced. Students may apply for their second term but are recommended to apply for a third or later term. This policy is petitionable for an outstanding student.
- UC Merced will continue not to average UC and transfer GPAs at any stage. When no UC GPA is available, an average of transfer GPAs will be used. Merced will reinforce messaging of the risk of UC GPAs (dropping) below program minimum requirements after the withdrawal deadline and prior to departure.
Merced will also compare transfer student academic performance abroad to non-transfer performance at a later date, likely in summer.
UCR
All UCR transfer students are encouraged to explore study abroad opportunities that will enhance their academic experience. Opportunities exist for students in all majors regardless of foreign language experience, and transfer students can participate in study abroad programs after completing just one quarter at UCR! The key is to start the planning process as soon as possible. Application deadlines typically occur several months prior to the program start date. The best way to learn about study abroad opportunities is to attend an information session hosted by the Highlanders Abroad Programs office (
http://highlandersabroad.ucr.edu). UCR’s study abroad advisors and students who have recently returned from abroad stand ready to assist in finding the program that is right for you. It is strongly recommended that you also speak with your academic advisor to determine how to best integrate study abroad into your major.
UCSB
As a transfer student to UCSB, you still can spend a year, a semester or a summer on EAP! Transfer students who are admitted to UCSB (with the exception of Biology majors) may, subject to approval by their department, spend their very first summer or quarter as a UCSB student living and studying in a place like Florence, Italy! Other students spend their last quarter abroad, effectively graduating while on EAP. Students can also go in between their first and last term at UCSB, whatever suits their academic and personal goals best. Note: Although transfer students may apply to EAP before being admitted to UCSB, enrollment in EAP is subject to their successful admission to and enrollment at UCSB.
Why study abroad?
The benefits of studying and living abroad are tremendous. You can:
- Learn a new language and culture.
- Advance your cross-cultural and problem-solving skills.
- Improve critical thinking skills.
- Arrange an internship in a local corporation, government, or non-profit
- Expand your world view by experiencing another culture firsthand.
- Prepare for a career in an internationally competitive world.
- Enhance your resume for job or graduate school applications.
As a transfer student, you may have already completed your General Education requirements. You should be beginning to focus on your intended major. EAP offers study abroad programs for every discipline through a wide range of programs.
What classes should I take?
All EAP students automatically earn UC credit for the work they complete abroad. However, the application of credit to major requirements or GE requirements is subject to the discretion of the department and your college. Plan ahead and consult with your advisors before leaving and while abroad. Save all syllabi, papers and other relevant course information for courses you may want to petition for G.E. or major requirements.
Keep in mind that at least 20 units of upper-division major coursework (or 12 upper-division minor units) must be completed in residence at UCSB along with other residence requirements. Consult a Letters & Science College advisor for more information.
How do I get started?
Begin by identifying your goals for study abroad and then consult the EAP Programs page (
http://eap.ucop.edu/OurPrograms/Pages/default.aspx) to identify appropriate EAP programs. Go to the Academics tab on the UCSB EAP web site (
http://eap.ucsb.edu/) to see the advice that your department gives its majors about study abroad. Stop by the EAP office at 2431 South Hall. Peer advisors who have recently returned from studying abroad as well as staff advisors are eager to answer your questions.
If you plan to take requirements for your major, contact the department Undergraduate Advisor to discuss this possibility. Make an appointment with a Letters & Science advisor to discuss general education, residence and other requirements.
UCSD
As a transfer student to UCSD, you can spend a year, a semester or a summer on EAP! Transfer students who are admitted to UCSD may, subject to approval by their College and academic department, spend their very first term as a UCSD student abroad. Transfer students can also go abroad between their first and last term at UCSD, whatever suits their academic and personal goals most appropriately. Note: Although transfer students may apply to EAP before being admitted to UCSD, enrollment in EAP is subject to their successful admission to and enrollment at UCSD. As a transfer student, you may have already completed your General Education requirements and are now ready to focus on your academic major and/or minor. EAP offers study abroad programs for every discipline through a wide range of options.