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California State University San Marcos

Study Abroad and Exchange

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study fee
6400
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About the University 🏫

Nestled in the heart of Southern California, California State University San Marcos (CSUSM) stands as a beacon of innovation, diversity, and academic excellence. With its picturesque campus, state-of-the-art facilities, and a commitment to hands-on learning, CSUSM offers an educational experience that goes beyond the classroom.

Dynamic Learning Environment

At CSUSM, learning is an adventure. The university prides itself on its small class sizes, ensuring personalized attention from professors who are not just teachers but mentors. Whether you're diving into cutting-edge research in the sciences, exploring creative boundaries in the arts, or engaging in thought-provoking discussions in the humanities, CSUSM provides an environment where your ideas can flourish.

A Community of Inclusivity and Diversity

Diversity isn't just a buzzword here; it's a way of life. CSUSM celebrates a vibrant mix of cultures, backgrounds, and perspectives, creating a rich atmosphere of student life. This diversity extends to a wide range of clubs, organizations, and events, ensuring that every student finds their niche and feels at home.

Innovative Programs and Research Opportunities

CSUSM is renowned for its innovative academic programs that are tailored to meet the evolving demands of the modern world. From Business and Biotechnology to Psychology and Environmental Studies, the university offers a a variety of majors and minors that prepare students for successful careers.

Beyond Academics: A World of Extracurriculars

Life at CSUSM is more than just textbooks and lectures. The university boasts a vibrant campus life with numerous extracurricular activities. Whether you're an athlete, an artist, or an activist, there's always something happening. The campus is buzzing with cultural events, sports competitions, and community service opportunities, providing a well-rounded college experience.

Gateway to California's Wonders

Located just a short drive from San Diego's beaches and the bustling city life, CSUSM serves as a gateway to all the adventures California has to offer. Whether you're surfing the Pacific waves, hiking through scenic trails, or exploring the cultural riches of nearby cities, the university is perfectly positioned for students to experience the best of the Golden State.

Preparing for a Bright Future

At CSUSM, the focus is on preparing students not just for a job, but for a fulfilling career. The university's strong connections with local businesses and communities provide great internship and job opportunities. Career services and alumni networks offer guidance and support, helping students navigate their path from college to career.

Join the CSUSM Family

Choosing CSUSM means more than just earning a degree; it's about becoming part of a community that supports your dreams and fosters your growth. Here, you're not just a number; you're an integral part of a thriving university committed to your success. Discover your potential, pursue your passions, and prepare for a future filled with possibilities at California State University San Marcos.

About the city 🌇

San Diego is often called America's Finest City for good reason! Its perfect weather, beautiful beaches, and laid-back vibe attract over 30 million visitors each year. The consistent 70-degree weather and minimal rainfall make it a favorite destination. The city's diverse neighborhoods, like Carlsbad, Coronado, and La Jolla, give it a small-town feel with big-city amenities. San Diego is perfect for students seeking endless adventures outside the classroom.

With its stunning landscapes, including Coronado Beach and Balboa Park, there's always something new to explore. And let's not forget the exciting activities like kayaking in Mission Bay or hiking up Cowles Mountain for breathtaking views of the skyline. If you're looking for a vibrant city with endless opportunities for exploration and fun experiences, San Diego is the place to be!

Don't miss out on the thrilling activities like kayaking in Mission Bay and hiking up Cowles Mountain for stunning views of the skyline. And let's not forget about the mouthwatering food options, from delicious tacos at Lucha Libre Gourmet Taco Shop to craft beer tastings at local breweries. With weekend trips to Mexico also within reach, San Diego is truly a dream student city that you should experience while you have the chance!

Housing Opportunities🏫

On Campus Housing

Student are very excited about the opportunity to join the CSUSM community and make the campus feel like home. The state-of-the-art student housing in CSUSM provides a modern, all-inclusive living experience in apartment and suite style accommodations. Here, you can fully immerse yourself in your academics while forming enduring connections with your fellow students.

Read more about on campus accommodation on the CSUSM housing website

Off Campus Housing

For off-campus housing, explore the sites listed below. These sites are not affiliated with or endorsed by CSUSM.

Rentable

Rentable is a map that plots all U.S. universities and colleges on an interactive map, so students can easily find housing near their campus. The map also shows nearby grocery stores, public transportation and other amenities.

Apartments.com

Apartments.com simplifies the process of finding a new apartment by offering renters the most comprehensive database including millions of detailed and accurate apartment listings across the United States.

Apartment Guide

Apartment Guide offers in-depth apartment listings with info on properties, neighborhoods & more.

ApartmentList

ApartmentList compiles rentals from over 100 different listing sources. There’s no need to view multiple websites to search for an apartment. Each city on the website shows local neighborhoods, pricing, noise level, nearby attractions, restaurants, shopping and more.

Diggz

Diggz is a roommate marketplace that covers all your basis. Find rooms for rent, roommates to fill your empty room, or partner up with someone to find a new place of your own. Diggz is a free service that connects you to like-minded prospective roommates with similar lifestyle attributes and preferences, leveraging a proprietary matching algorithm. Interactions between users work in a tinder-esque fashion where both have to like each other to chat directly on the platform. Behind the scenes, Diggz employs A.I. as well as human eyes to detect suspicious profiles and scammers, keeping the platform safe and sketch free.

LeaseLine

LeaseLine is a student-to-student platform specializing in subletting and reletting. LeaseLine helps students and their families navigate the off campus housing process by providing resources that streamline the leasing experience.

RENTCafé

RENTCafé features thousands of apartment listings directly from property managers. RENTCafé makes it easy for you to find the perfect home. Search apartments for rent in the US, check prices, view property details with large photo displays, floor plans, amenities and more.

Rent College Pads

Rent College Pads is an apartment search engine that helps students find housing by working with trusted landlords in nearby neighborhoods. Specifically geared toward college students, Rent College Pads helps with more than just finding apartments by connecting students looking for subleases and roommates through their Facebook integrated platform.

RoomChazer

RoomChazer makes off-campus housing easy. Scroll through listings, read the reviews, check-out your potential roommate's profiles and complete your booking all online. Great Places. Great roommates. Semester contracts. All furnished and utilities included. Rent by the bed, we'll match you with roommates!

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Admission Requirements for Fulltime Degrees

Here is a description of the most important information for your study abroad. Rememeber, single semester study abroad (exchange) have often lower entry requirements and different course catalogues. Contact your advisor to hear about stipends, entry requirements, tuitions fees, course descriptions and more.
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What is the tuition and requirements for study abroad (exchange) students?

The study abroad (exchange student) programme will often have a different tuition fee and lower entry requirements. In addition, there might be a specific course catalog for study abroad exchange students. Book a call with a Uniclub advisor who will present you the requirements for single semester study abroad students, and how to navigate within the course catalog.

Additionally, you might be able to get exempt from taking a TOEFL or IELTS test as a study abroad (exchange) student. A Uniclub advisor will advise you on which universities have more flexbile English proficiency requirements.

What are the Semester Start Dates?

California State University San Marcos uses a semester system for both full-degree students and semester abroad students studying to receive credit towards their home degree system. The semester system is equivalent in course load and duration to a three-trimester system. Students can start their studies in January or August.

Academic Year (August - May)

Calendar Year (January - December)

Fall Semester- Graduate (August - December)

Twelve Credits- Spring (January - May)

Spring Semester- Graduate (January - May)

Summer (10 week session) (June - August)

Twelve Credits- Fall (August - December)

Academic Year- Graduate (August - May)

Fall Semester (August - December)

Six Credits (January - May)

Spring Semester (January - May)

Summer (5 week session - July) (July - August)

Summer (5 week session) (June - July)

Three Credits (January - May)

Nine Credits (January - May)


See more about California State University San Marcos important dates in the academic calendar.

What are the Entry Requirements?

To apply for courses and programmes at California State University San Marcos, you must meet the general and specific entry requirements.


Documents required from students to apply to California State University San Marcos are:

  • Official copies of secondary school transcripts showing courses taken throughout the year and grades received (English version of the document)
  • Passport
  • A CV and a motivational letter
  • Evidence of English proficiency if you are a non-native English-speaking student.


See more about the entry requirements at California State University San Marcos.

What are the English Requirements?

The English requirements to get admitted to California State University San Marcos can be sufficed in several ways. Below are the options for students to prove their English proficiency:


You will be able to provide evidence of your English language skills if you have:

  • completed an English language test such as IELTS, Pearson, TOEFL, Cambridge or ALI
  • completed some types of university (tertiary) or high-school (secondary) studies taught in English
  • Students from Scandanavia going for 1 semester at CSU San Marcos may be exempted from an English test by applying through Uniclub


See more about the English requirements at California State University San Marcos.

What are the Tuition Fees?

Tuition fees for international students at California State University San Marcos vary depending on the course you choose. The tuition fee at California State University San Marcos ranges from 15.000 USD to 18.000 USD per year for international students.


The tuition fee for a study abroad semester at California State University San Marcos for 15 credits which equals to 30 ECTS is approx. 6400 USD.


See more about California State University San Marcos tuition fees for international students.

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Take the stress out of Studying abroad

Let your favorite experienced advisor help you through your Study Abroad planning, whether it is a full degree or just a semester to enjoy abroad.
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How it works
1

First, choose a destination

That's probably the hardest part. Are you looking for something specific, within your budget or a prestigious university that suits your field of interest? It's your choice.
2

Next, apply and upload your documents

You'll find the apply button on each university page. Once you have applied, you will receive the link to your application portal by mail. In there, you will be able to manage your application and communicate with us.
3

and... accept the offer!

If you're lucky, there's an offer waiting for you at the University. We'll even make sure you have your insurances are in order and all the nitty gritty details.
4

Finally, share the ❤️

Your friends and family may also want to experience the thrill of studying abroad. We'll do our best to help them too. Ask us what the rewards are!

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I was looking for a freemover stay abroad through Uniclub and I got some of the best service I have experienced. They took care of all the practicalities, and removed almost all the hassle of work it can be to apply for an exchange stay.

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UNYP, Czech Republic
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Nebrija, Spain
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I am going to Australia for a semester, and before finding Uniclub the whole application seemed impossible. These guys are simply the best. They have the right answer for literally every question that you have. They are helpful, quick, with excellent service

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Deakin, Australia
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Uniclub and Deni Isic, get my absolute warmest recommendation! I had a dream of coming to Japan that seemed distant and unmanageable, but Deni and the rest of Uniclub have helped me through the whole process.

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iCLA, Japan
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I have just returned from my exchange stay in Ireland, which would not have been possible if it were not for Uniclub. If you are looking for an exchange as a freemover, then I can not recommend UniClub enough!

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TUS, Ireland
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