Step 1. Check Out Your Options at the EAC
Before signing up for a non-UC study abroad program, check out all of your options online or at the UC Davis Education Abroad Center at 3rd & A Streets. Attend a First Steps workshop if you are not sure of what your UC options are. If none of our own programs (the Education Abroad Program, Quarter Abroad, or Summer Abroad) can fill your needs, then look at non-UC providers. Should you decide to participate in a non-UC program, there are many critical issues – about financial aid, registration status, residence requirements, and transfer of course credit – which you must understand completely. The EAC does not specifically endorse or recommend any non-UC programs.

Step 2. Get a Passport
To travel abroad on any program, you will need to have a valid passport. If you don’t have a passport, visit http://travel.state.gov or get an application at the main post office. If you already have a passport, check the expiration date. It should be valid for 6 months after your projected return. If it expires before then, renew it now.

Step 3. Travel Warnings
The safety and security of UC Davis students abroad is of the utmost importance. While we encourage students to participate in educational opportunities throughout the world, when there are recognized regional dangers, instabilities, or severe health risks, we strongly recommend that UC Davis students not participate in study abroad programs in those specified areas. U.S. State Department Travel Warnings can be found online at: http://travel.state.gov/travel/warnings.html Please check this website for information on travel safety and travel warnings for the country/region of interest. If you choose to go to a country with a State Department Travel Warning, you will need to sign a form releasing the University of California of liability. You are advised not to enter countries or regions with an existing U.S. State Department Travel Warning and when a Travel Warning is issued while abroad we recommend that you withdraw from the program immediately, even if the program continues to operate in that country.

Step 4. Choose a Program
Use online search engines or the EAC NUCSA library to explore your options.

Step 5. Meet with an EAC Advisor
You must meet with an EAC advisor to discuss your decision to study on a NUCSA program and work with them to fill out the appropriate paperwork in order to ensure your coursework transfers to Davis.

Step 6. Grades and Credits
The courses that are accepted will appear as units on your UC Davis transcript without course titles or grades. Once a course is accepted, you can get approval from your departmental academic advisor to receive credit towards your major/minor degree. Note that all units taken abroad count towards your unit-cap.

Step 7. NUCSA Leave
There are several ways to participate on a Non-UC Study Abroad Program. The NUCSA Leave option is specifically designed to enable students to participate on a Non-UC program while still maintaining their student status. You may petition for this leave at the Education Abroad Center. The leave is valid for 1-3 quarters, may allow financial aid to transfer, includes pre-approval of transfer credit, and requires a $300 fee. Students may also choose to PELP(Planned Educational Leave Program) for one quarter. If a student plans on going abroad for more than one quarter without taking a NUCSA leave they must withdraw from UC Davis. You may obtain more information on how to PELP or withdraw at the Registrar’s Office.

Note: Students who choose not to take a NUCSA Leave will not have their coursework preapproved for transferability.

Want more details? Click here for a chart displaying your options.

Click here to view the NUCSA Deadlines!

Step 8. Senior Residence Requirement
You must comply with the Senior Residence Requirement that states that 35 of your last 45 units must be completed on the UC Davis campus. Your last 2 quarters before graduation cannot be spent studying on a non-UC program.

Step 9. Study Abroad!