Study Abroad

General Study Abroad Information

The 2026-2027 application season is just starting. Please sign up here for one of our many info sessions today.

Checkout our Welcome to Study Abroad Presentation for more info on studying abroad next school year.

Caltech students are eligible to apply for study abroad programs during their sophomore or junior years, to study abroad during their junior or senior years, respectively.

Caltech students can only go abroad/away for one term. Most study abroad/away programs are in the Fall term.

Each program has its own GPA requirements. Please note: meeting the minimum GPA does not guarantee nomination by Caltech or acceptance by the partner study abroad or away university.

All applicants must be enrolled at Caltech for a minimum of 36 units the term prior to and the term directly after study the abroad or away term. This applies regardless of the term in which study abroad takes place.

Students will take a minimum of 36 units while abroad/away. Students can receive general credit, option credit or sometimes course equivalent credit. Students can also get humanities or social science credit in most programs. Courses taken abroad can fulfill specific option requirements—as long as the Caltech instructor agrees to evaluate the course upon the student's return.

Each fall we hold Study Abroad information meetings at which we explain the application process and program options. We also have students who have participated in study abroad speak to share their experiences. Additionally, each student who applies to study abroad or away will have an individual interview.

In the FASA library, you will find sample proposals, feedback completed by former participants on the academic and social experience at each program, and other resources pertaining to each program.

Interested in applying? Click here for the application process and necessary materials, including course choice guides.

Study Abroad Programs

Caltech currently offers six official undergraduate study abroad programs:

Cambridge Scholars Program
Cambridge University
Cambridge, England
Copenhagen Scholars Program
Copenhagen University & Danish Technical University
Copenhagen, Denmark
École Polytechnique Scholars Program
École Polytechnique
Paris, France
Edinburgh Scholars Program
University of Edinburgh
Edinburgh, Scotland
London Scholars Program
University College London
London, England
Melbourne Scholars Program
University of Melbourne
Melbourne, Victoria, Australia

(For information regarding our Study Away Scholar Program at the University of Chicago visit our Study Away page.)

Program Handouts

The following documents are a great resource to understanding the different programs. Documents will be posted after each info session.

Caltech Room Draw and Study Abroad

Students who are studying abroad during fall or winter term are eligible to participate in the fall housing lottery; they are enrolled students. If a study abroad student selects a single, that room will either (a) be occupied by a fall term-only exchange student or (b) be offered as temporary housing for other undergraduate students. If a study abroad student selects a double or triple, the remaining roommate(s) will be given the chance to select a fall term-only roommate or the space may be offered as temporary housing for other undergraduate students. Those studying abroad winter term will live in their fall pick room and then the above policy will apply for the term they are abroad.École Polytechnique Scholars Program Handout 10.2025