University of California, San Diego - Extension International Programs English Language Institute & International Programs
Why choose University of California, San Diego (UC San Diego)?
UC San Diego is one of the top universities in the United States. It has six Nobel Prize winners on faculty and is ranked as the "hottest" university for science by Newsweek. Situated on over five square kilometers, overlooking the Pacific Ocean, UC San Diego is located in "America's Finest City", known for its superb weather, safety, natural beauty, tourist attractions, and excellent business and research environment. UC San Diego's English Language Institute and International Programs offer the finest English language, university credit, and professional certificate programs in the United States.
Why choose UC San Diego's English Language Institute & International Programs?
The English Language Institute (ELI) & International Programs (IP) are located right on campus. Its teachers are experts with master's degrees and many teaching specialties. ELI students have access to University and University Extension resources such as native-speaker Conversation Leaders, computer labs, a state-of-the-art language lab, 10 libraries, and a wide variety of core and elective courses for personal, academic, and professional development. Our highly experienced International Student Services staff will organize recreational activities, assist students with housing needs, advise students on their study and career objectives, and provide expert advice on immigration and visa issues. We have professional certificates, university credit programs, Optional Practical Training (OPT), and 10-week and 4-week programs to suit any student's study and career goals.
10-week and 4-week Programs:
- Conversation and Fluency
- Communication & Culture
- Intensive Communication and Culture
- Intensive Academic Preparation
- Intensive TOEFL Preparation
- Intensive Business English
- Intensive Legal English
- Intensive Pre-University
- Medical English
- University Preparation Academy
Professional Certificate Programs:
- Business Essentials (OPT eligibility)
- Intermediate Business Essentials (OPT eligibility)
- Business Management (OPT eligibility)
- Project Management (OPT eligibility)
- Teaching English as a Foreign Language (TEFL) (OPT eligibility)
- Summer Intensive TEFL
- Special Studies in TEFL
- Teaching English to the Young Learner (TEYL)
- Teaching English Grammar (TEG)
University Credit Programs:
- University and Professional Studies (UPS) (OPT eligibility)
- Summer Session (OPT eligibility)
- Academic Connections International (16-18 years old)
What is Optional Practical Training OPT?
After three consecutive quarters of full-time study in a non-language program in the USA, you can apply for permission to work for up to 12-months in your field of study. UCSD's International Student Services staff will assist you with your application.
San Diego
There are other reasons for studying at UC San Diego. San Diego enjoys a year-round mild climate, with temperatures averaging 22 degrees Celsius. UC San Diego is next to miles of clean sandy beaches where you can enjoy sailing, water skiing, swimming, scuba diving, surfing, or lying in the sun. Golf courses, tennis courts, two swimming pools, sand volleyball courts, shopping centers with restaurants, theaters, shops, and the Stephen Birch Aquarium/Museum are all on or near campus. The world famous San Diego Zoo, Wild Animal Park, Old Globe Theatre, Sea World, and Mexico are within one-half hour of the campus by car. If you like to bicycle, then San Diego is the place to be — it was recently voted one of "America's Best Rides" by Bicycling Magazine.