Study Abroad

General Study Abroad Information

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. Please note: meeting the minimum GPA does not guarantee nomination by Caltech or if nominated acceptance by the partner study abroad or away university. A stable or rising GPA and reference letters that speak to the applicant's ability to succeed academically and to that the applicant has the judgement, adaptability, and organizational qualities to handle the study abroad or away experience responsibly are necessary. Also note that all applicants must be at Caltech enrolled for a minimum of 36 units the term prior to and the term after study abroad or away. Additionally, each student who applies to study abroad or away will have an individual interview with the director or assistant director. If the applicant is asked to make changes in any aspect of their application materials, they will be given a deadline by which to resend the application. If the applicant does not send the corrections by the deadline, then the student will not move on to the committee placement phase of the process and will not get a study abroad or away placement.

Students receive a minimum of 36 units, provided that they pass their coursework and it is possible to get additional units. Students can receive general credit or option credit. Students can also get humanities or social science credit in most programs. Courses taken abroad can fulfill specific option requirements—actually replace a course taken here—as long as the instructor agrees to evaluate the course on the student's return.

Each fall we hold Study Abroad information meetings at which we explain the application process and program options, and have students who have participated in study abroad speak to share their experiences. Announcements for the meetings are sent via the Caltech email directory.

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

2023-24* APPLICATION OPEN/Deadline is January 25, 2023 for those seeking to study abroad Fall 2023 (all programs) or Winter 2024 (Cambridge only).

*All programs are intended to take place for 2023-24 unless partner universities or country entry restrictions prohibit the programs from moving forward. We ask applicants to be aware of and prepared for possible cancellations or required quarantine stays due to Covid. Please note, costs associated with quarantine requirements or cancellations such as airfare are not covered by Caltech.

• Study Abroad/Away Application Details 
• Choosing Classes Abroad 
• Choosing Classes for Cambridge
• Equivalent Course Guide
• Looking to apply? Go here for the Application Process and necessary materials including references

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 essential to understanding the different programs. In order to successfully apply to a Caltech Scholars Program, you must read the appropriate handout for specific information.

Study Abroad General Information

• Cambridge Scholars Program
• Copenhagen Scholars Program
• École Polytechnique Scholars Program
• Edinburgh Scholars Program
• Melbourne Scholars Program
• UCL Scholars Program

Student Comments

The following documents contain student comments on each program.

• Cambridge: Michaelmas Term & Lent Term
• Copenhagen
• École Polytechnique
• Edinburgh
• Melbourne
• UCL
• University of Chicago (Study Away Program)

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.