The Berkeley Physics International Education (BPIE) Program

Photo of students chatting around a table with campanile in background

The Berkeley Physics International Education (BPIE) Program partners with universities around the world to provide undergraduate international students an opportunity to study abroad at UC Berkeley for one semester or one year. 

Through our University partnerships, selected students have the incredible opportunity to engage in academic and research settings to enhance their educational experience. 

Fall 2025 application opens on March 4th, 2024. Deadline to apply: June 6th, 2025.

Apply Here

Apply Here

Berkeley Physics International Education (BPIE) Program

BPIE offers unique and exclusive opportunities for physics students:

Academic Opportunities

  • Study physics with some of the world’s brightest students and most distinguished faculty
  • Course offerings include quantum mechanics, atomic physics, solid state physics, biophysics, string theory, cosmology, thermal and statistical physics, data science and more at the #1 public university in the US
  • Complete UC Berkeley courses that will count toward credit at students' home universities

Program Benefits

  • Major Program designated advising with professional advisors in the UC Berkeley Physics Department
  • Exclusive faculty-BPIE student lunches which allow visiting students an opportunity to meet and hear from our faculty about their academic experience and research while enjoying lunch in a small and informal setting
  • Participate in research lab tours
  • Learn about research at our Annual Undergraduate and Graduate Poster Sessions (Spring Semester)
  • Workshops on Applying to Graduate School as International Students
  • Career Exploration Panels

Extracurricular Activities 

  • Hiking trips near campus
  • Movie outings 
  • Opportunity to study in our incredible campus libraries
  • Access to the Recreational Sports Facility (RSF) and over 100 student groups on campus
  • Unique opportunity to have the UC Berkeley student experience!

Field Trips 

  • Tours to the Lawrence Hall of Science
  • Scenic tours to the Pacific coastline
  • Field trips to near-by cities including San Francisco, Napa, Half Moon Bay, Monterey

CLICK HERE for more details about the BPIE program.

Smiling undergraduate students in the campanile esplanade

How to Apply

Students from current partnerships at ShanghaiTech University, University of the Chinese Academy of Sciences and Xi'an Jiaotong University, and Westlake University please email: Claudia Trujillo.

Other prospective students: Please apply here

The application for Fall 2025 opens on March 4th, 2025.

Cost*

Program cost is $21,900 for one semester; $43,800 for a full year.

Additional fees:
$11,250 minimum needed for estimated housing expenses. Other living and miscellaneous expenses  (food, textbooks, travel, etc.) not included    
$900 estimated for health insurance
$250 Student Services
$125 Cal Central term access

*Based on current rates thru July 2025

Expected course workload

12 UC Berkeley semester units in one term in the Physics Department. This number of units is also needed for visa requirements. 

Eligibility Criteria

  • English Proficiency Requirements
  • TOEFL*: 90 (iBT)
  • IELTS*: 7
  • Duolinguo*: 125
  • Open to students who have completed at least 1 year of undergraduate studies and recent college graduates
  • Minimum 3.0 GPA in Physics
  • Must meet course prerequisites

*An interview, in person or online may be required

How to Apply

You will need to provide:

  • a statement of purpose
  • an official copy of your transcript
  • one letter of recommendation on letterhead
  • proof of English-Language Proficiency
  • a copy of your passport identification page
  • apply HERE

For additional program information and requirements, please contact: 

Claudia Trujillo
Director of Student Services and Director of BPIE Program 

Isabella Mariano
BPIE Program Advisor and Coordinator

Wick Haxton

"Physics is an international enterprise built on partnerships among nations and their citizens. Particle physicists from around the globe come to CERN in Geneva to investigate the high-energy frontier.  Japan has led the world in the construction of massive neutrino detectors while China created an underground laboratory of unprecedented depth. The radiation left over from the Big Bang is detected by telescopes mounted in the Chilean desert. International students bring to my classroom the face and flavor of modern physics research - the diversity and collective talent we need to move the field forward."  
- Professor Wick Haxton, Physics Department, UC Berkeley

Additional partner programs with the UC Berkeley Physics Department
Participation in these programs is limited to enrollment in physics courses (pending availability). Space may be limited. They do not include any of the exclusive BPIE Program features.
Berkeley International Study Program (BISP)
Berkeley Global Access (BGA)