University of California System
Notes of Guidance for Exchange Students
Please check information on host university website for accuracy
UC is the major public research university in the state of California, serving
undergraduate and graduate students. There are ten campus locations: Berkeley,
Davis, Irvine, Los Angeles, Merced, Riverside, San Diego, Santa Barbara, Santa
Cruz, and San Francisco (a graduate medical school) (San Francisco and Merced do
not participate in the exchange). The campuses of the UC system are located
throughout California and encompass the state’s cultural and geographic diversity.
The UC system is home to more than 220,000 students. UC campuses rank highly
among the top public universities in the U.S. Each campus offers attractive and
distinct facilities, specialized schools, and creative and challenging learning
opportunities.
The University of California exchange includes 8 campuses, each of which has
different policies and programmes. If selected to study at the University of
California, Edinburgh students have to nominate three of these eight campuses, and
identify the courses they wish to take at each. The information immediately below
is relevant to all campuses.
Website:
http://eap.ucop.edu/ReciprocalExchanges/Pages/Discover-UC.aspx
A comprehensive guide for exchange students is available at
http://eap.ucop.edu/guides/reciprocity/Pages/default.aspx
Study Dates
Study dates are different in all campuses. The detailed calendar for 2015-2016 by
campus is available at
http://eap.ucop.edu/Documents/ReciprocalExchanges/AcCalendar15-16.pdf
Orientation
Before the start of your first term, your host UC campus holds an orientation session
to provide you with information about enrolment, visa issues, safety and services
available on campus. Attendance is required. Your host college or department (or
the Graduate Division, in the case of graduate students) may also hold an
orientation. Visit the Pre-Arrival Instructions page for your host UC campus to find
about dates and times of orientation sessions.
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Academic Work
Normal
course/credit
load for an
28–34 units
academic
year
Course information:
14–17 units per term.
UC students typically
take two or three
Normal course/credit load for a
courses in their major
single semester/term
department each term
because the workload
can be intense.
http://eap.ucop.edu/ReciprocalExchanges/Pages/Majors.
aspx
Course listings in the campus catalogues give a broad
outline of availability, but many students find on arrival
in California that a number of their preferred courses are
not to be offered. Before leaving Edinburgh, students
should consult the latest course schedules on campus
web-sites; these give a definitive outline of the courses
which are to be offered during the quarters or semesters
to come.
When will
course lists
for
To be confirmed
2015/2016 be
published?
- All campuses offer internet or telephone registration over the
summer period – this is when students must pre-register for classes.
Students attending UC enrol in courses using the online enrolment
system. Each campus has different enrolment deadlines and
procedures. 'Add-drop' systems operate during the early weeks of each
semester, enabling students to try courses before finalising their study
How and
plans. Access to courses can be a problem at California; you must
when do
make personal contact with professors to get on courses.
students
enrol for
- UC students typically take two or three courses in their major
courses?
department each term because the workload can be intense.
Reciprocal exchange students may also enrol in general education
courses in other departments. Do not, however, expect to enrol in a
full schedule of courses only in your host department. Consider taking
some general courses of interest to you.
Are there any
subject areas
that are not
available or
where space
is limited?
- Certain subjects are highly competitive and students must be willing
to attend any host campus. Joint honour students who are specialised
in two of the following majors should be aware that UC cannot
guarantee access to more than one major and you must be prepared
to select coursework in only one of your majors. Restrictions apply to
the following subjects: Architecture, Arts, Drama, Dance, Music,
Business
/
Management,
Business
/
Economics,
Communication, Computer Science, Economics, Education,
Engineering, Film / Film Studies, Journalism / Writing, Legal
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Studies, Medicine, Nursing, Veterinary Science, Psychology. For
details please visit
http://eap.ucop.edu/ReciprocalExchanges/Pages/Majors.aspx?t=2
- Students of Biology, Business Administration, Economics,
Engineering and Psychology will need to be enrolled in the same
field at Edinburgh University, and will need to meet the prerequisite of
the course. For details please visit
http://eap.ucop.edu/Documents/ReciprocalExchanges/Prerequisites.pdf
Note: Courses are numbered according to their level, 1-99 being lower division,
100-199 upper division and 200-299 graduate courses. Upper division courses can
be considered equivalent to honours level at Edinburgh. Each course has a unit
weighting, which is indicated in brackets alongside its title in the General Catalogue.
At upper division, one unit signifies 3 hours of work (class attendance and
preparation) per week.
The minimum requirement for the US Visa regulations is that students take 13
semester units per term at UCB and 12 quarter units per term elsewhere.
Impacted Majors by campus
If you are taking one of the following subjects, be prepared for more work with your
application form and study plans as these subjects are "impacted majors" (heavily
oversubscribed) at UC and competition for places on courses is intense. "Impacted
major" subjects are, Arts (all types), Communications, Engineering and Computer
Science, Legal Studies and Psychology.
Berkeley ( www.berkeley.edu )
 Catalogue:
Berkeley General Catalogue http://www.berkeley.edu/catalog/
 Schedule:
http://schedule.berkeley.edu/ (Select Schedule of Classes)
Davis ( www.ucdavis.edu )
 Davis General Catalogue http://registrar.ucdavis.edu/ (Select General
Catalogue)
 Schedule : https://registrar.ucdavis.edu/courses/search/index.cfm
Irvine ( www.uci.edu )
 Catalogue:
 Schedule:
Irvine General Catalogue http://www.editor.uci.edu/catalogue/
http://webster.reg.uci.edu/perl/websoc
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UCLA ( www.ucla.edu )
 General catalogue: http://www.registrar.ucla.edu/
 Schedule:
http://www.registrar.ucla.edu/schedule/
Riverside ( www.ucr.edu )
 Catalogue:
 Schedule:
Riverside General Catalogue http://www.catalog.ucr.edu/
http://www.classes.ucr.edu/
Santa Barbara ( www.ucsb.edu )
Enrolling in biology courses can be difficult as they require course syllabuses or a
detailed course description of the courses you present on your transcript. Because
of this, you may have to wait to enrol in major courses until the first week of school
when talking to the Professors can determine whether you have the prerequisites
for their individual courses. If you do, then they can unblock the registration
system in order for you to enrol.
 Catalogue: Santa Barbara General Catalogue
http://my.sa.ucsb.edu/Catalog/Current/Index.aspx
 Schedule: http://admissions.sa.ucsb.edu/importantdatesanddeadlines.asp
Santa Cruz ( www.ucsc.edu )
Santa Cruz has a different grading system to other California campuses; students
can be evaluated as 'pass' or 'no pass' supported by a narrative evaluation or can,
as at other campuses, be allocated a grade. When they register for courses,
Edinburgh students should indicate that they wish to be awarded a grade in addition
to narrative evaluations.
 Catalogue:
 Schedule:
http://reg.ucsc.edu/catalog/index.html
http://reg.ucsc.edu/soc.htm
San Diego ( www.ucsd.edu )
 General catalogue: San Diego General Catalogue
http://www.ucsd.edu/catalog/
 Schedule:
https://www-act.ucsd.edu/cgibin/tritonlink.pl/2/students/academic/classes/schedule_of_classes.pl
Your final course selection must be agreed with your Exchange
Coordinator and any course changes made whilst you are away must have
your Exchange Coordinator’s approval. Please ensure that you keep in
regular contact with your School (or Schools for joint Honours students)
during your year abroad and advise them of your email and mailing
addresses.
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Accommodation
Accommodation http://eap.ucop.edu/ReciprocalExchanges/pages/recommendations.aspx
website:
For specific housing options at each UC campus and application
instructions, see UC Host Campus Pre-Arrival Instructions:
http://eap.ucop.edu/ReciprocalExchanges/pages/beforeyouarrive.aspx
Is on-campus
accommodation
guaranteed?
Available but not guaranteed. Only first-year students
are guaranteed housing. All university-owned housing
assignments are subject to available space and you
may not be assigned to university-owned housing.
When is the accommodation Apply for housing as soon as you receive instructions
deadline?
from EAP (usually by e-mail), even if you have not
yet received final confirmation of your acceptance to
the Program.
How do students apply for
Most UC campuses make their application forms
accommodation?
available on the Internet. Visit the UOEAP homepage
for direct links to the housing pages. If your host UC
campus does not have an on-line application form, an
application will be sent to you. The completed
application must be returned prior to the deadline.
Can students choose to stay Yes.
in private accommodation?
Do you provide advice to
It may be difficult for students who would prefer nonhelp students find private
UC housing in the community to finalize independent
accommodation? If so
living arrangements before arrival. You should arrive
please provide a link.
at your host campus as early as possible (no more
than 30 days prior to the Program start date on your
visa document) to look for housing.
Costs
What is the estimated cost
of living per academic
year?
Please refer to
http://eap.ucop.edu/Documents/ReciprocalExchanges/UCCo
stofLiving.pdf and “Money Matters” on the exchange
student guide:
http://eap.ucop.edu/guides/reciprocity/Pages/default.aspx
Do you have any
administrative fees for
incoming exchange
students?
Do you have a compulsory
or non-compulsory health
insurance scheme?
No.
If so please provide a link
to further information:
Compulsory. Students will automatically be enrolled in the
host UC campus insurance plan. The cost of insurance is
applied to your student billing account. Insurance coverage
and costs vary by campus.
Visit the UCEAP Reciprocal Exchanges Pre-Arrival
Instructions for direct links to individual UC campus
insurance information.
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What is
the cost
of the
insurance
per
semester
/ term?
Please check
the websites
of individual
campuses.
What is the cost of the
insurance per academic
year?
The rates vary from $558 $1,290 for the year
depending on the campus you
go to. Please check the
websites of individual
campuses. Precise Health
Insurance costs are not usually
made available until the
summer before departure
Banks
One of the first things you will need to do when you arrive in the U.S. is set up a
bank account. Before you open an account, be sure to do some preliminary research
to compare services and fees. Opening a checking or savings account with a U.S.
bank is not complicated and is most likely a necessity for students planning to be in
the U.S. for more than one term. An SSN is not required to open a bank account in
the U.S. If a bank representative informs you otherwise, ask to speak to a bank
manager about how to open your new account.
You may wish to obtain an international money order before departure in a dollar
amount equal to about two months of living expenses, and use that sum to
establish an account. Alternatively, you might use a bank draft, although the money
will not be immediately available when you open your account in the U.S. Bank
drafts from abroad may take two to three weeks to “clear” or be applied to your
account. Students report that they have difficulty opening bank accounts in the U.S.
with checks drawn in foreign currency. Delays of up to eight weeks have been
reported. As this can take some time, you should have sufficient funds in dollar
traveller’s cheques (American Express are the most widely recognised) for initial
costs (including the first housing payment which can be substantial).
Students find it convenient to use ATMs with a foreign debit card or credit card.
Most ATMs support multiple client banking systems (PLUS, STAR, etc.). Check with
your financial institution about debit card access to your account from the U.S. Ask
about any fees that may be associated with the use of ATM services and the
maximum amount that may be dispensed daily. Major credit cards (e.g., Visa,
MasterCard, etc.) are accepted all over California. Credit cards are preferred at
hotels, gas stations, and rental car agencies. Many hotels insist on payment in
advance and some hotels will not accept guests without a credit card. It may be
easier to apply for and obtain a credit card in your home country.
Visas
Your host UC campus will issue the Certificate of Eligibility for Exchange Visitor (J-1)
Status, known as the DS-2019, after your UC acceptance is confirmed and your
financial documentation is complete. You cannot apply for your visa until you
receive your certificate of eligibility.
Apply for the J-1 exchange visitor visa. Applicants must contact the U.S. embassy or
consulate for application procedures and application fee information. In most
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countries, applicants are required to make an appointment for a face-to-face
interview.
U.S. Citizens & Canadian Citizens
U.S. citizens do not need a DS-2019 to enter the U.S.; a U.S. passport is sufficient.
Individuals born in the U.S. are automatically U.S. citizens, and must use their U.S.
passport while participating in the exchange program, even if they have dual
citizenship.
Canadian citizens who enter the U.S. directly from Canada must have a passport
and a DS-2019 to enter the U.S. but do not require a visa except in specific
categories. Contact the U.S. embassy or consulate for more information about
requirements.
All students should check the US Embassy/Consulate website for up to
date information: http://london.usembassy.gov/
On no account should students enter the USA on a tourist visa.
Financial Evidence
When submitting your UC application, you will have to provide evidence of sufficient
funds for the period of your stay in US. Suitable documentation includes:



An original (not a copy) letter notifying you of the award of a maintenance
grant and / or student loan.
An original and signed letter or statement from a bank stating your current
financial situation. Must be originals, internet printouts will not be
accepted.
An original and signed (copies not accepted) letter or statement from a parent
or sponsor’s bank stating their current financial situation, coupled with a signed
letter from the bank account holder confirming their willingness to provide a
stated level of financial support.
Employment
Reciprocal exchange students are not encouraged to work while on UCEAP and
must plan to have sufficient funds to cover living expenses for the full period of
study. J-1 visa holders are not eligible to work off campus. Part-time, on-campus
employment is, however, an option at all campuses.
Travel
Safety
You must check in with the International Office/International Centre (etc) of the UC
campus you are at, within 24 hours of your arrival.
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We hope your stay at your exchange destination will pass without any undue
incident with regard to your safety. However, as you will be staying in a different
environment and culture, you should be prepared to take necessary precautions if
appropriate. We would advise you to consult with the Study Abroad Office on your
arrival and also look at the following website which will give you up-to-date
government information on the country you will be visiting.
http://www.fco.gov.uk/en/
If you find yourself without any access to cash, without your passport, or in any
other serious kind of trouble, the British Consulate will try to help. In the unlikely
event of you being arrested for a serious offence, insist on the Consulate being
informed; a consular officer who can advise on local procedures etc will contact you
as soon as possible.
Please also inform the International Office and your Personal Tutor of any problems
relating to your health or safety whilst on your study abroad exchange.
Disability Statement
Students with disabilities must perform at the level that their academic and
professional programs expect of all students. This includes achieving the same
academic standards, attending classes, maintaining appropriate behavior, and
providing timely notification of individual needs.
Students who may not have been diagnosed with a disability in their home
countries, or have learned to downplay their disability due to cultural pressures, may
arrive at UC to find that they cannot succeed without disability services. If you have
a disability or require services, let UCEAP know by contacting your home university
and UC Liaison. If you do not feel comfortable discussing your disability or special
need with your home university, contact the UCEAP Systemwide Office directly. We
will put you in contact with the UC campus disabled students office as soon as
possible. UCEAP cannot refer you without your permission.
If you require any adjustments due to disability or specific learning difficulty and
you wish to study abroad please contact Thomas Ozers in the International Office
(Thomas.ozers@ed.ac.uk). We will work together with you to explore the help
available at your host institution. It might also be helpful if you discuss this with
your Personal Tutor and the Disability Office as well.
These notes are for guidance only. We have tried to keep them up to
date, but it is very difficult to do so without your input. So, if you can
keep notes of any inaccuracies in this information we should be glad to
hear of them on your return to Edinburgh. Any other observations and
impressions about your stay will also be useful and will help those
students who participate in the exchange in future years.
==============================================================
International Office, University of Edinburgh, 33 Buccleuch Place Edinburgh EH8 9JS
tel: 0131 651 1927
email: international.outgoing@ed.ac.uk
==============================================================
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