Introduction
For a semester or full academic year, you choose the courses that most interest you—and fit with your academic goals. Study alongside other college students while taking new and innovative classes that you wouldn't find at your home university.
Take advantage of this study-abroad opportunity to learn from UC Berkeley's renowned professors in a culturally diverse campus—without the complicated admissions process.
Outside of class, spend your free time exploring the San Francisco Bay Area and Silicon Valley, networking with your classmates and professors, participating in student groups, receiving guidance from your peer mentor, and immersing yourself in this vibrant, multicultural environment. You'll also receive academic advising and graduate school admissions support as part of your experience.
Why Choose BGA Discover?
Finish undergraduate or graduate requirements
Refine English language skills
Access to Berkeley, San Francisco, and Silicon Valley
Expert instructors, world-renowned Berkeley faculty
Duration of program
One semester (approximately 4 months) or a full academic year (approximately 8 months).
Courses
You'll take courses both on and just outside of campus; online courses are not available. Enroll in a minimum of 2 units of UC Berkeley Extension courses and a variety of UC Berkeley courses, for a minimum of 12 units and a maximum of 18 units total of credit-bearing, in-person courses. Suggested course structure: 1 or 2 UC Berkeley Extension courses plus 3 or 4 UC Berkeley courses.
UC Berkeley courses – To view available courses, select the academic term, then the subject you are interested in. If you are interested in a course that appears under the "professional" category, you'll be better suited to apply to one of our tracks: business, environmental design, English literature. Otherwise, explore courses from a variety of subjects (excluding courses from the School of Law) such as:
Arts and Humanities
Engineering
Languages
Mathematics and Sciences
Social Sciences
UC Berkeley Extension courses:
TOEFL preparation
GRE preparation
English as a Second Language
Courses related to your major
Graduate-level courses must be approved in advance by instructors and our program director. You must meet the listed prerequisite requirements to be eligible for any course.
Pace of study
Full-time, Monday–Friday, 12–18 units per semester
Cost
Application fee (non-refundable) $200
Program fee range $14,400–$19,700
Student fee (included in program fee) $4,900
Estimated living expenses $10,500 per semester
Estimated cost per semester $24,900–$30,200
Fee includes:
Courses
Visa support
Housing advice and support
Orientation to Berkeley
Welcome lunch
International student fee
Mandatory U.S. medical insurance
Personal academic advising
Graduate school admissions workshop
Undergraduate research and student learning center resources
Cost does not include visa fees, textbooks, supplies, travel and housing costs, meals or daily expenses. If you participate in BGA Discover for a full academic year, you'll receive a $500 continuing-student discount.
Prerequisites:
Recommended minimum grade point average (GPA): 3.0. Calculate my GPA. Exceptions are sometimes made on a case-by-case basis; you may contact us for details.
Completion of the BGA Discover online application.
Make sure that you meet specific prerequisites for any course you intend to take.
BGA Discover Program English Proficiency Requirements
Applicants must submit official evidence of English-language proficiency. Sometimes exceptions to this requirement are made. Please note that the submission of language proficiency scores or other forms of verification does not guarantee acceptance into the program.
Minimum English Proficiency Requirements
TOEFL
90
TOEIC
900
IELTS
7
DAAD
C2
ESL Level
113
English Proficiency Requirement Exceptions
University study in a country where English is the primary language spoken
One year of full-time, college-level English instruction
Interview
BGA Start English Proficiency Requirements
If you do not meet the requirements for BGA Discover, you may be eligible to apply for our BGA-Start program.
Questions? Email internationaladmissions@berkeley.edu.
If you have a lower English test score or do not have an English proficiency test score when you apply, please contact us to request a language proficiency interview. If you complete this interview satisfactorily, you may be admitted to the program or may be eligible to attend BGA-Start and then attend BGA Discover. BGA-Start students generally have language skills equivalent to a TOEFL score of 80-89.
If you have a TOEFL of 79 or below or do not demonstrate adequate language proficiency, you may attend one of our partner English-as-a-Second-Language (ESL) schools. We have agreements with several schools in the United States to accept institutional TOEFL scores.
Locations:
UC Berkeley Main Campus
UC BerkeleyBerkeley, CA 94704
Golden Bear Center
1995 University Ave., Suite 200Berkeley, CA 94704
Program Dates:
Start and End Dates
Application Deadline
Spring 2019
January 18, 2019–May 17, 2019
November 19, 2018
Summer 2019 Internship
June 3, 2019–August 9, 2019
Fall 2019
August 26, 2019–December 20, 2019
July 1, 2019
