Language of instruction
Limited places available. Unlikely to be available as a second or third preference.
The University of California is the foremost public research university in the state of California, made up of ten campuses. The UC system is located throughout California, encompassing the state’s cultural and geographic diversity.
Each campus offers attractive and distinct facilities, specialised schools, and creative and challenging learning opportunities. UC Berkley and UCLA are currently tied as the top public university in the US, and UC Berkley is ranked as the 4th best public university globally.
Semester dates
Semester system campuses:
Berkeley and Merced
| UQ Semester | Host Semester | Dates |
| Semester 1 | Spring Semester | February–May |
| Semester 2 | Fall Semester | August–December |
Quarter system campuses:
Davis, Irvine, Los Angeles, Riverside, San Diego, Santa Barbara and Santa Cruz
| UQ Semester | Host Quarter | Dates |
| Semester 1 | Winter & Spring Quarters | January–March & April–June |
| Semester 2 | Fall Quarter | September–December |
View UC's academic calendar.
Guides and additional information
UC has online resources available to help get the most out of your exchange:
Campuses
The University of California has 10 campuses across the state. UC exchange programs are available at:
- UC Berkeley
- UC Davis
- UC Irvine
- UC Los Angeles
- UC Merced
- UC Riverside
- UC San Diego
- UC Santa Barbara
- UC Santa Cruz
UC San Francisco is not available for exchange.
When applying to UC, students must be prepared to attend any of UC's campuses - even if it is not one of your four nominated choices.
Exchange deadlines
Application for Exchange in UQ Semester 1:
Open: 24 April (for Semester 1 of the following year)
Close: 31 May (for Semester 1 of the following year)
Application for Exchange in UQ Semester 2:
Open: 24 September (for Semester 2 of the following year)
Close: 31 October (for Semester 2 of the following year)
Full-time study load
Semester campuses:
- 15 units at UC is equivalent to 8 UQ units.
Quarter campuses:
- 15 units in UC's fall quarters is equivalent to 8 UQ units.
- 24 units across UC's winter and spring quarters is equivalent to 8 UQ units. (12 per quarter)
Host university requirements
GPA
You will need a minimum cumulative GPA of 5.2 to study at UC campuses.
Study Options
Not applicable to this university. However, you will be required to select a major at UC and usually be expected to take the majority of courses (60%) within this major.
Semester Restrictions
- All students who apply for exchange in UQ Semester 1 to a Quarter campus must complete both the winter and spring quarters.
- Students are typically only able to participate in a single semester of exchange at the University of California, due to the popularity of this university.
Other requirements
- Course Flexibility: You must have a full study load of UQ general electives if you wish to study at UC (and not plan to take disciplines related to your UQ program), as UC does not provide course profiles. See further details under Course Restrictions below.
However, EAIT students may be able to select UC with discipline electives. - Major course load: UC's major courses require a more intensive study load than most UQ majors. Most UC students enrol in 15–17 units per semester or fall quarter, through a combination of major and general education courses. It is advised, when planning your course schedule, to take no more than two courses within a UC major.
- Campus Preferences: You must be willing to attend any of the 9 UC campuses where courses in your area of study are available. Further details are outlined in the Additional Academic Information section below.
Note: Host university eligibility criteria are at the discretion of the host and may change without notice.
Find courses
If courses do not appear in the database, search UC's course catalogue by selecting your campus of interest and view Course enrollment.
Search the Credit Precedent Database to find courses offered by your host university that have been previously approved for credit at UQ. The database should be used as a general guide only.
You must still check the host university course catalogue to see if courses from the Credit Precedent Database are still on offer and in the correct semester of your exchange.
Study areas taught in English
Academic restrictions
Additional academic information
Exchange deadlines
Application for Exchange in UQ Semester 1:
Open: 24 April (for Semester 1 of the following year)
Close: 31 May (for Semester 1 of the following year)
Application for Exchange in UQ Semester 2:
Open: 24 September (for Semester 2 of the following year)
Close: 31 October (for Semester 2 of the following year)
Accommodation
UC cannot guarantee university-owned housing for exchange students. Due to the application process at UC, you will not be allocated a UC campus until May (for Semester 2 applicants) or November (for Semester 1 applicants). The allocation date will impact your ability to plan, apply for and secure accommodation. Please keep this in mind when selecting your first preference host university as the campus allocation date is beyond the control of the Global Experiences Team. Many campuses offer special housing for international students. Check your host campus housing website for details on the accommodation options available to you.
Housing information for available campuses:
Cost of living
The cost of living varies across UC campuses, with some located in big cities and others in smaller, more rural areas. If cost is a deciding factor, recommended campuses are ones located outside the large metropolitan areas of Los Angeles and San Francisco. Proximity to the ocean is a considerable factor impacting the cost of living. The University of California provides a general outline of the estimated costs of attending for exchange students (listed under Money Matters). The estimated living expenses at each UC campus are also provided.
Additional Mandatory Fees
Each UC campus also has additional mandatory fees which are outlined on the UC Before you Arrive page (per campus under Financial Information. These fees cannot not be waived.
Students are also responsible for the shipping cost of their DS-2019 visa certificate and any other fees associated with the issue of their US visa.
Financial support
A range of funding for student exchange including scholarships, grants and loans are available to UQ students.
Insurance
Students approved to participate in a Semester-based Exchange are automatically covered by UQ’s Travel Insurance for the country of their host university only.
For more information, read the Student Travel Insurance Policy Summary on UQ’s Travel Insurance web page (login required).
If you plan to travel outside of your host country, you should purchase additional insurance.
All UC students are required to have UC Student Health Insurance Plan (UCSHIP)and will be automatically enrolled in the host campus' insurance plan. Insurance coverage and costs vary by campus. The cost of insurance will be applied to your student billing account.
Exchange students may be eligible to waive the Health Insurance Plan, if the campus permits, and if they have additional cover that meets UC campus' minimum waiver requirements.
Before purchasing an additional policy, students should confirm that the policy meets the UC campus' minimum waiver requirements. Please note that the waiver of the Health Insurance Plan is not guaranteed and subject to approval from the UC campus.
A waiver is not automatic. Do not assume that a waiver will be approved or that you will receive a waiver based on the experience of a friend from UQ who studied at the same institution on exchange.
Exchange deadlines
Application for Exchange in UQ Semester 1:
Open: 24 April (for Semester 1 of the following year)
Close: 31 May (for Semester 1 of the following year)
Application for Exchange in UQ Semester 2:
Open: 24 September (for Semester 2 of the following year)
Close: 31 October (for Semester 2 of the following year)
Organise your visa
It is your responsibility to ensure you have the correct visa for the country where you will be studying. As the Global Experiences team is not a visa-issuing authority we cannot provide visa advice.
UC has visa and immigration information for exchange students.
Contact the US Embassy and Consulates for more visa information.
Travel risk levels
The University of Queensland cannot and does not allow students to travel to any country with a risk level of 3 (Reconsider your need to travel) or above, as assessed by the Australian Government.
If a country's risk level changes to 3 or above, experiences to that country are suspended until the risk level improves.
Find out the risk level and travel advice, and sign up to receive updates for your host country on the Smartraveller website.
Exchange deadlines
Application for Exchange in UQ Semester 1:
Open: 24 April (for Semester 1 of the following year)
Close: 31 May (for Semester 1 of the following year)
Application for Exchange in UQ Semester 2:
Open: 24 September (for Semester 2 of the following year)
Close: 31 October (for Semester 2 of the following year)