Exchange guide University of California, Los Angeles
Courses, housing, visa, campus life and exchange basics for studying at University of California, Los Angeles in Los Angeles, USA.
City
Los AngelesCountry
United StatesFull-degree tuition
EUR 42,000 / year
International
Visible international or exchange community; confirm the current figure before deciding.
Study abroad at University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA): overview
Study abroad at University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) makes sense when the academic fit is stronger than the destination name alone. The University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) is one of the United States' top public research universities and the most applied-to university in the country, with approximately 46,000 students. Useful proof points: Visible university community; confirm the current headcount on the official page.; Visible international or exchange community; confirm the current figure before deciding.; Film, Television and Digital Media (TFT), Political Science and International Relations, Computer Science and Engineering. Before choosing, confirm teaching language, faculty seats and housing near the campus.
Enrollment
Visible university community; confirm the current headcount on the official page.
International Mix
Visible international or exchange community; confirm the current figure before deciding.
Why students choose it
Best for students who want Film, Television and Digital Media (TFT), Political Science and International Relations, Computer Science and Engineering and are willing to check language, seats, campus rules and housing before choosing.
Language of instruction: English (primary)
Exchange & application at University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA)
Start with home-university nomination, then application, Learning Agreement, insurance and course approval. At University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), rules can sit at faculty level, so validate courses before promising yourself a timetable.
✅Requirements
Requires a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0/4.0 or equivalent. English proficiency proof is mandatory for non-native speakers: typically TOEFL iBT minimum score 80 (83+ for some departments) or IELTS minimum score 6.5 (7.0 for some departments).
📨Nomination Process
Home university coordinator nominates candidates via the UCEAP portal. Nominated students are then invited to complete the UCEAP and UCLA-specific applications and submit required visa materials.
🧭Orientation Week
Recommended arrival: One week before classes start (mid-September for Fall Quarter, early January for Winter Quarter).
Mandatory international student check-in and orientations are organized by the Dashew Center for International Students & Scholars at the start of each quarter.
Events hub: https://internationalcenter.ucla.edu/
🗓️Deadlines by intake
| Intake | Nomination deadline | Application deadline |
|---|---|---|
| 1st semester | January 15 | March 1 |
| 1st semester | June 15 | August 1 |
Arrival Checklist
- Obtain your J-1 Exchange Visitor Visa from the US embassy or consulate before arrival.
- Complete the online visa check-in with the Dashew Center immediately upon arrival in the US.
- Pick up your BruinCard student ID at Kerckhoff Hall.
- Verify your immunization records and enroll in UC SHIP healthcare plan.
Academics & courses at University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA)
Academics combine credits, calendar, seats and faculty-level rules. Check prerequisites, real teaching language and course-list changes before final enrolment.
📝Course Registration
Students register for classes online using the MyUCLA portal during their assigned enrollment windows. Enrollment occurs in two passes (Pass 1 and Pass 2). Classes can be highly competitive and impacted; students must ensure they meet prerequisites.
🎓Credit System
US Quarter Unit system. A full-time academic workload is a minimum of 12 units per quarter (usually 3 classes of 4 units each). Most standard lecture courses are worth 4 or 5 units. Conversion: 1 UCLA Quarter Unit ≈ 1 ECTS (or 1 UCLA Quarter Unit ≈ 0.67 semester credits).
💯Grading System
Standard US A-F letter grading scale: A (Excellent), B (Good), C (Fair), D (Poor), F (Fail), with plus/minus modifiers. GPA is calculated on a 4.0 scale (A = 4.0, A- = 3.7, B+ = 3.3, B = 3.0, etc.).
✍️Exam Culture
Regular attendance and active participation are highly valued and often count towards the final grade. Quarters move very quickly: mid-term exams occur in weeks 4-6, and final exams are held in week 11 (Finals Week).
📚Library Access
Library, digital resources and study spaces after activating the university account.
Tuition & fees at University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA)
Separate exchange, full-degree tuition, insurance, housing and living costs. Official fees vary by programme and student category, so use the university page as the final check.
Full-degree tuition
EUR 42,000
Exchange students usually pay tuition to their home university. Confirm your agreement.
| Student Type | Amount | Note |
|---|---|---|
| EXCHANGE | USD 0 tuition + ~USD 535 visa fees + USD 1,500–3,500 insurance/sem | Reciprocal exchange tuition fully waived. Mandatory fees: SEVIS I-901 fee USD 350 + J-1 or F-1 visa fee USD 185 = USD 535 total. Mandatory health insurance U… |
| Full degree (international) | USD 44,000–48,000/year tuition | UCLA international non-resident tuition ~$44,000 + fees ~$4,000 + housing ~$18,000 = ~$66,000/year total. California residents pay ~$14,300. Public universit… |
USD 0 tuition + ~USD 535 visa fees + USD 1,500–3,500 insurance/sem
Reciprocal exchange tuition fully waived. Mandatory fees: SEVIS I-901 fee USD 350 + J-1 or F-1 visa fee USD 185 = USD 535 total. Mandatory health insurance U…
USD 44,000–48,000/year tuition
UCLA international non-resident tuition ~$44,000 + fees ~$4,000 + housing ~$18,000 = ~$66,000/year total. California residents pay ~$14,300. Public universit…
Fees change annually — verify current rates on the official exchange office page
Student housing at University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA)
Housing near University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) should move in parallel with the application. Compare residence, private room, transport route and contract terms before arrival.
Full housing guide
Find housing in Los Angeles
Official contacts, student residences, private platforms, tips & red flags.
Insurance & campus support at University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA)
Use the international office, faculty coordinator, library, wellbeing services and student groups from week one. Asking early prevents small admin issues from becoming blockers.
🛡️Mandatory Insurance
Yes. Valid health coverage is required for the exchange period.
🏥Campus Clinic
Use university student health/wellbeing services first for local care routing, prevention, counselling, and referrals.
🧠Mental Health
Most universities route students through student health, wellbeing, or counselling services. Ask early, not only during exam stress.
UC Student Health Insurance Plan (UC SHIP)
Varies by status / nationality
Confirm exact plan eligibility with the host university International Office before arrival.
Campus services
Dashew Center for International Students and Scholars
Visa advising (J-1/F-1), social events, workshops, cultural integration programs, and tax workshops.
UCLA Library System
Access to Powell Library, Charles E. Young Research Library, and other specialized libraries containing millions of volumes, study spaces, and research help.
Student Services Directory (UCLA)
UCLA comprehensive student services directory: career center, health (Ashe Center), counseling (CAPS), disability services, library, athletics, and campus life.
Campus Resources (UCLA)
UCLA campus resources for graduate and undergraduate students: research support, career development, health, wellness, and student life programs.
Student life at University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA)
Student life depends on repeatable routines: associations, sport, exchange groups or faculty channels. Join repeated groups early instead of waiting for campus life to happen automatically.
Student Clubs
- UCLA International Student Association (ISA)
- Various cultural student clubs
- Bruin sports clubs and outdoor recreation clubs
- Student government associations (USAC)
Buddy Program
Dashew Center Global Siblings Program: pairs incoming international students with domestic students for cultural exchange.
Sports & Recreation
- John Wooden Center (main campus gym, rock climbing, group fitness)
- Sunset Canyon Recreation Center (outdoor pools, volleyball courts)
- Drake Stadium (running track)
Public Groups & Communities
UCLA Housing / Sublets / Roommates
Active Facebook community for finding rooms, sublets, and roommates in Westwood.
UCLA Free & For Sale
Facebook marketplace group for UCLA students to buy/sell furniture, books, and campus gear.
UCLA Dashew Center Community
Official Instagram feed of the Dashew Center for International Students & Scholars.
Your First 2 Weeks
- Fly into LAX and take a rideshare or the FlyAway bus to Westwood.
- Complete the mandatory visa check-in with the Dashew Center.
- Get your BruinCard (student ID) at Kerckhoff Hall.
- Buy UCLA gear at the UCLA Store in Ackerman Union and attend the Enormous Activities Fair.
Key exchange dates at University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA)
The critical dates are nomination, application, fee or registration steps, course selection, housing, arrival and exams. Keep resit periods or admin closures visible before booking return travel.
-
1
Fall Quarter admission cycle
January - March
Applications for September enrollment must be submitted by early March.
-
2
Winter/Spring Quarter admission cycle
June - August
Applications for Winter (January) enrollment must be submitted by August 1.
-
3
Application window (Fall Quarter)
February – April
Nominate via home uni + host portal. J-1 visa interview slots fill fast — book early.
-
4
Application window (Winter Quarter)
August – September
Mid-year intake for January arrival; not all programmes accept.
-
5
Application window (Spring Quarter)
November – December
Spring quarter starts late March / early April; check programme availability.