International Summer Programmes (i-SP)

UC Berkeley Summer Sessions 2013 - California, USA

What is this programme about?

Experience the challenging and unique academic environment that is the University of California at Berkeley!

The UC Berkeley Summer Sessions has over 200 undergraduate courses across more than 60 disciplines, including fields of study not offered at NUS such as American Studies, Peace and Conflict Studies, Public Health, Spanish and Visual Studies. With an enrollment of about 15,000 students (2,400 of whom are international students), the Summer Sessions is a great opportunity to experience American culture in the beautiful Bay Area of California, and to make friends from the US and other countries.

When does the programme take place?

The Summer Sessions offers five sessions of varying lengths between mid-May to early-August:

	Session	Dates	Duration
	Session A	28 May to 3 July 2013	6 weeks
	Session B	10 June to 16 August 2013	10 weeks
	Session C	24 June to 16 August 2013	8 weeks
	Session D	8 July to 16 August 2013	6 weeks
	Session E	29 July to 16 August 2013	3 weeks

While NUS students would be welcome to participate in any of the Sessions (either individually or in-tandem), IRO would recommend Session A as the session of choice. This is because Session A fits in best with the NUS calendar and will not cross into the beginning of the new semester (which is usually in early-August).

Where does the programme take place?

University of California at Berkeley, California, USA.

What is the academic content?

The Summer Sessions follows a summer school concept, and offers over 200 undergraduate courses in more than 60 disciplines. Students will take between six to 12 Berkeley credit units worth of courses (equivalent to between two to four courses of three credit units each). A preview of the courses available in 2013 is available on this webpage.

UC Berkeley recommends that students take no more than 10 units per Session (equivalent to about three courses).

Academic credit MAY be available. Students interested in obtaining credit must work with their faculty for credit mapping. IRO does not apply for credit transfer on the students’ behalf.

What does it include?

With the Berkeley student pass (granted after arrival and registration at the Berkeley campus), the following facilities and services will be available to participants:

	Access to all university facilities and services (e.g. library, computer labs, sporting facilities, etc.) Free public transport on selected bus routes within the city of Berkeley Welcome Tea by Berkeley Summer Sessions Office

 

What is the student accommodation?

The Berkeley Summer Sessions does not handle accommodation arrangements. Participants are responsible for securing their own accommodation. The following UC Berkeley housing options are available during the Summer Sessions, and students can apply directly to the respective housing offices:

	University Residence Halls (single/double/triple rooms with compulsory meal plan) International House (single/double rooms with compulsory meal plan)

Other housing options are also available, including room/apartment sublets. Visit this webpage for more information about the available housing options mentioned above.

How much does it cost?

The Berkeley Summer Sessions is a fee-paying programme. Expenses will vary with the session of participation and the length of stay. The following cost estimate is provided based on the two most popular session lengths (six and eight weeks):

Item	Cost – Six Weeks	Cost – Eight Weeks
Tuition Fee (Two courses of three units each @ $430 per unit)	USD 2,580 (approx. SGD 3,200)
Registration Fee	USD 335 (approx. SGD 415 )
Document Management Fee	USD 50 (approx. SGD 62)
International Service Fee	USD 300 (approx. SGD 375)
Accommodation (International House, double-room with meal plan; includes application fee and linens)	USD 2,557 (approx. SGD 3,170)	USD 3,418 (approx. SGD 4,240)
Food	Meal plan included with room
Course Materials Fees, Books and Supplies	SGD 200
Airfare (SIN to San Francisco)	Approx. SGD 2,000
Airport Transfer (Pre-arranged shared private pick-up service, two-way)	Approx. SGD 50
Insurance	Approx. SGD 200	Approx. SGD 260
Visa	USD 320 (approx. SGD 400)
Miscellaneous Expenditure (e.g. entertainment, etc.)	SGD 800	SGD 1,000
Total Cost (tuition and fees, accommodation/food, supplies, airfare/transfers, insurance, visa and expenses)	Approx. SGD 10,872	Approx. SGD 11,802

Please note, these are estimated expenses and actual expenses may differ based on price shifts and personal spending habits!

Is financial assistance available?

Participants of this programme are eligible to apply for the NASA Enhancement Bursary or Scholarship. For more information, visit this webpage: http://www.nus.edu.sg/iro/financial/out/nasa/index.html

Number of placements available?

No limit.

What are the eligibility requirements?

	Undergraduate students from any faculty who have completed at least one year of study at NUS prior to participating in this programme. Students should not be in their graduating semester prior to participating in this programme.

 

Is a visa required?

Yes. UC Berkeley will assist in providing documentation needed to apply for a visa.

Students are to consult the Embassy of the United States in Singapore to determine the visa application procedures required for their participation in the programme. 

U. S. Embassy, Singapore
27 Napier Road
Singapore 258508

Students are responsible for ensuring that they have proper entry documents for all countries they plan to visit as part of this programme!

How do I apply?

The application deadline varies by Session. The Berkeley Summer Sessions courses are offered on a competitive first-come-first-served basis, and early application may help to secure a place in popular courses that are often over-subscribed.

	Session	Dates
	Session A	1 March 2013
	Session B	1 March 2013
	Session C	1 April 2013
	Session D	1 April 2013
	Session E	3 May 2013

 

All applications are to be submitted via OPAS.

IRO will notify students about their application status as soon as possible. Students approved by IRO to participate in the programme will need to complete the online UC Berkeley registration to certify their participation in the programme. IRO will provide approved applicants with a customised guide to help in the application procedures required by UC Berkeley.

 

Who to contact for more information?

For additional information or related queries, please click here.