BISP large brochure-2025-flipbook - Catalog - Page 5
How to Apply
BISP has agreements with over 75 universities, in nearly 20 countries. Most students who participate in BISP are nominated by these partner institutions and
screened for qualifications which may include academic achievement,
proficiency in English, and appropriate study fit. Those from a non-English
speaking university must have a TOEFL (90 or higher) or IELTS (7.0 or higher) test
score. Please go to https://bisp.berkeley.edu/about-us/our-partners to see a
complete list of our partners.*
Students who attend a partner university should inquire at their universityʼs
International Office for procedures and deadlines to apply locally for a nomination
to attend BISP. We recommend doing this as soon as possible as their deadlines
will be earlier than the dates listed below.
Students who do not attend one of our partner universities may apply directly
to BISP as an independent student, also called “freemover.” Information about this
process can be found at https://bisp.berkeley.edu/apply. Prospective students
will be interviewed to ensure that they are well prepared and a good match for the
course offerings of BISP and UC Berkeley.
The general period of time in which BISP accepts independent inquiries for each
semester is listed here:
Semester Dates
Application Period
Fall Semester:
Mid-August to Mid-December
February 15 – June 15
Spring Semester:
Mid-January to Mid-May
July 15 - October 15
*Universities and scholarship organizations who are interested in a BISP partnership may
inquire about this possibility by sending an email to bisp@berkeley.edu
Estimated costs per semester
Tuition Cost (minimum of 12 units required)
$750 per unit
International Student Application Fee
$100
CalCentral Term Access Fee
$125
Student Services Fee
$250
Estimated Living Costs (housing + food)
Health Insurance (unless waived)
Total (depending on number of units taken)
~ $10,500
~ $850
~ $20,825-$23,075
All fees listed above are in US Dollars, and are based on the 2022-23 academic year.
These fees do not include the SEVIS fee, which is paid directly to the U.S. government.
BISP Certificate Program
For visiting students who will be taking courses at UC Berkeley as Concurrent Enrollment
students, the Berkeley International Study Program provides an option to earn a BISP
Certificate in a focused area of interest. Students who choose to participate in this program
will be part of an active community of scholars who take coursework and complete a project
that fulfills the requirements for their selected BISP Certificate track. Additional details about
the program, including the thematically-focused tracks, are available on the BISP website.
