Welcome Sciences Po Exchange Students!
Below you will find an abundance of information to help you prepare for your studies at UCLA. If at any time you have questions or concerns please contact the department’s Student Affairs Officer, Ervin Huang (ervin@luskin.ucla.edu or 310-825-5581).
Get Connected
Sciences Po Exchange at UCLA Urban Planning Facebook page. Don’t forget to join!
Costs and Policies
UCLA Fact Sheet — Includes health insurance estimate (page 3) and approximate cost of living (page 4)
Standards and Procedures for Graduate Study at UCLA
Calendar and Enrollment
Enrollment – Enrollment for Graduate students will begin mid-June but check your MyUCLA account for your exact enrollment period. Please note, enrollment happens in two passes. You will only be allowed to enroll in 10 units during the first pass. The second pass starts once all other enrollment periods are open. Exchange students should enroll in a minimum of 12 units. Additionally, exchange students are encouraged to email their course list to the department Graduate Advisor prior to enrolling.
Schedule of Classes – In the “Term” field, select Fall 2024 (the Fall 2024 Schedule of Classes will be available in early June.). Type Urban Planning into the search bar and click the “Go” button. This will generate a list of courses taught in the Fall. You can select a course and then click on the link under the Section column. This will give you some basic course information and provide links to explore the course more in depth. Students typically take three or four courses per quarter.
Restricted Enrollment Courses – Due to the popularity of some classes the Department of Urban Planning may restrict enrollment. You will notice these classes on MyUCLA, when you try to enroll they will ask you for a “Permission to Enroll” or PTE #. If you would like to join one of these courses please email the department Graduate Advisor to discuss.
Orientation
REQUIRED
iSTART@UCLA Online Orientation. This must be completed before you arrive in the US.
International Education Office (IEO) Orientation. This must be complete after you arrive in the US. Fall orientation dates will be updated over the summer.
Both orientations will provide you with useful information about your visa status, immigration policies and the many campus re-sources available to you at UCLA. You will also receive helpful tips that will be very beneficial to you as you get settled into your new environment.
Please note you will be on a J-1 Non-degree Student visa and therefore you can enter the country up to 30 days before the program start date and you can also stay in the U.S. up to 30 days after the end of the program.
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED
Department of Urban Planning orientation activities and events will be from Monday, September 23rd – Friday, September 27th. A full schedule will be emailed to you in August.
Housing
Exchange Students must find their own housing but below are a list of housing search resources!
UCLA Housing Office – There may be apartments available for single graduate students at Weyburn Terrace. Go to Explore Housing > Graduate Students, then explore the links. Please note that because some apartments are furnished and have all the amenities they are a bit more expensive than renting a room or getting an apartment off campus. Depending on the type of accommodations, the cost can range between $3,000 -$4,500 for the quarter. Rental rates can be found here: Housing Contract Rates & Rental Rates. Divide by 4 to get an approximate cost for one quarter. You will have to sign a one year contract, but you will be released from the contract via an official letter from the Luskin School indicating that you are here only for the duration of the exchange program.
Sciences Po Exchange at UCLA Urban Planning Facebook page – Exchange students can connect with current UCLA Exchange Students who are heading to Sciences Po for the quarter and Exchange Program alums for tips and recommendations.
Additional Resources
UCLA Luskin School of Public Affairs
UCLA Department of Urban Planning
UCLA International Education Office
Dashew Center for International Students and Scholars (DCISS)
Post UCLA Studies
Official transcripts can be requested through MyUCLA but should you need an official transcript once your access is suspended you can complete this form to order transcript copies.
We hope that all Sciences Po Exchange Students will stay connected to the Sciences Po Exchange at UCLA Urban Planning Facebook page to connect to exchange program alums and future exchange students!