About the Foreign Student Program
The Fulbright Foreign Student Program gives international graduate students scholarships to study and conduct research in the United States. The program’s goal to foster strong bilateral relationships through the exchange of students in the fields of education, culture, and science. The Fulbright Program is administered in 155 countries and awards 4,000 international student scholarships annually to help them attend U.S. universities. Every year, Fulbright students from all over the world come to UC San Diego to study in our top-ranked schools and degree programs.
Benefits of participating in the Fulbright Foreign Student Program include assistance in placement and admission to U.S. universities and local enrichment programs such as gateway orientations, seminars, and events. In addition to the services provided through Fulbright, UC San Diego Fulbright students are supported during their time at UC San Diego by the International Services and Engagement Office's Sponsored Student Service Unit. We are delighted to welcome new Fulbright students to the University.
For more information on attending UC San Diego, participating in the Fulbright Foreign Student Program, and the support services the University offers, please see below for more information.
Fulbright Foreign Student Program
For more information about the history of the Fulbright Foreign Student Program, application, and eligibility requirements, visit the Fulbright Foreign Student Program website.
Placement Service
The Institute of International Education (IIE) has a placement team that assists Fulbright candidates to identify the best U.S. universities for their professional research interests and fields of study In addition to assisting students with their applications to U.S. universities and their placements, the IIE placement team also assists with the admission process and promotion of the Fulbright Program.
Fulbright Enrichment Programs
There are numerous opportunities for students to participate in enrichment programs and activities during their Fulbright experience. In addition to the services that are offered through the enrichment programs, UC San Diego offers events and cultural activities for current Fulbright students and alumni. These activities include quarterly mixers, ArtPower cultural events, and other events and programs.
Fulbright Foreign Student Grantees are also invited to connect with the San Diego Fulbright Association. This is an active network of Fulbright U.S. and Foreign Program alumni that are based in the greater San Diego area. The Fulbright Association organizes events, networking activities and other opportunities to build community and create deeper connections during your award period in San Diego. For those interested in receiving updates on Fulbright Association, including upcoming events, sign up for the San Diego Fulbright Association Mailing List.
UC San Diego Application Process
UC San Diego's Division of Graduate Education and Postdoctoral Affairs (GEPA) offers graduate degree programs in a variety of different divisions from Arts and Humanities, Health Sciences, Engineering, Biological Sciences and more. For a complete list of all degree programs and the graduate application please view grad.ucsd.edu.
For information about Graduate Student Life at UC San Diego, as well as professional and social programs, please view the Grad Life page in the Graduate Division website.
Sponsored Student Service Unit
The Sponsored Student Service Unit (SSSU) is part of the International Services and Engagement Office at UC San Diego. The SSSU’s goal is to provide sponsored students (including Fulbright students) the necessary environment to achieve their academic, professional, and personal goals. SSSU liaises between the student, sponsoring institution, and all campus departments throughout the student's time at UC San Diego. SSSU provides one-on-one advising to Fulbright students on topics ranging from academics, immigration, and student life. In addition to providing advising, SSSU administers programs and events to enrich cultural exchange among international students.