Berkeley Chemistry Visiting Student Program

Fall 2024 applications open Mar. 1, 2024.

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Join an elite cohort of students learning in a dynamic, experiential environment at UC Berkeley's College of Chemistry.

This semester- or academic year-long, visiting student opportunity gives you unique access to the #1 chemistry program in the world. Take courses in computational chemistry or chemical biology to enhance your graduate school application or start your chemistry or STEM-related career. You also have the opportunity to seek out research opportunities in our world-renowned laboratories, as well as gain an advantage in the application process to the Master of Molecular Science and Software Engineering program.

Study alongside UC Berkeley undergraduate students who are also passionate about studying chemistry. Experience student life in Berkeley, the San Francisco Bay Area and Silicon Valley.

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Chemistry Visiting Students Program Information Session

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Alumna Cristina Gardner on Her Experience in Chem VSP

"I think the biggest highlight is how many opportunities I've been given. I continue to be impressed every day by the professors. It was really easy to make sure that all the courses that I'm taking are able to be transferred back to my home university. The education here is something that you can't get at a lot of universities. Constantly you hear Nobel Prize, Berkeley and groundbreaking research."
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Admission Requirements

Applications are open to university students (undergraduate and graduate level) and working professionals.

Applications are open to university students (undergraduate and graduate level).

Minimum Academic Requirements
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Applicants must submit official evidence of English-language proficiency.  Exceptions to this requirement are made.

Minimum English Proficiency Requirements
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Cambridge C1 Advanced
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Read more about English Proficiency Requirements

Sibble (Qidi) Zhang on Her Chemistry Visiting Student Program Experience

A chemistry major at her home university of The University of Hong Kong, Sibble (Qidi) Zhang is a highly motivated student, enduring to excel in all of her academic pursuits. It's one of the many reasons why she chose to study in our Chemistry Visiting Student Program during the Fall 2023 semester. "I recommend the Chem VSP program because it gives you an intense training in chemistry," Sibble says, "which is very helpful in your future research."

World-Renowned Chemistry Education

Did you know?

  • Berkeley faculty and alumni have won a combined 31 Nobel Prizes in Chemistry including in 2020 and 2018.
  • Sixteen elements of the Chemistry Periodic Table were discovered at Berkeley.
  • Dozens of college faculty are members of the National Academy of Science and National Academy of Engineering.

Read more about our academic excellence.

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