National Student Exchange
National Student Exchange
Enhance your college experience
The National Student Exchange (NSE) offers students the chance to explore new courses, discover exciting places, and meet new friends while enrolling in academic programs that might not be available at your home campus.
UCLA Extension is a host institution for National Student Exchange. As a visiting student, you can enroll in in-person courses for one or more quarters.
With nearly 200 member colleges and universities across the United States, Guam, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands, NSE opens the door to study for a semester or even a full academic year. Since it started, NSE has provided exchange opportunities to over 120,000 students, helping them experience education in a whole new way.
Why Participate in NSE?
- Broaden your education perspectives
- Expand your personal growth and become more independent
- Experience a different geographic and cultural setting
- Make connections in a new job market
- Prepare to live and work in a cultural society
- Develop skills and gain experiences to enhance your employability
Eligibility requirements
- Full-time, undergraduate student at your home university
- Minimum cumulative GPA of 2.5 (on a 4.0 scale)
You will need to ensure UCLA Extension courses are available to fulfill your major, minor, or general education/core requirements. Work with your advisor at your home campus to determine course transferability.
Enrollment process
First steps
- Consult with your home campus to understand academic requirements and financial aid.
- Decide whether you will enroll for one quarter (3 months) or more. You may also choose to pursue an in-person certificate program. Many can be completed in 6, 9, or 12 months. Our Academic Calendar lists quarter start dates.
Selecting courses
You are required to take 16 units per quarter (each course is typically 4 units).
NSE students are intended to select in-person courses. Before enrolling in an online course, obtain approval from your NSE home campus coordinator.
You should select courses that are offered in person and have an “XL” indicator in the course number. If you want to pursue 400-level courses, they must be in person and approved in advance of registration by your “home” institution NSE Coordinator to ensure transferability.
Your home campus advisor should review and approve your coursework for transferability.
Helpful links:
Submit your application
Submit your application on the National Student Exchange (NSE) website.
- Priority deadline: February 25th for exchange during the following year.
UCLA Extension will continue to accept applications after this deadline.
Applications submitted by the priority deadline will be reviewed and placed in early March, and students will be notified of their placement by mid-March.
After placement
Once you are approved, our UCLA Extension NSE Coordinator will be in touch. Next, fill out the UCLA Extension National Student Exchange (NSE) Application.
During your exchange
You must enroll full-time (a minimum of 16 quarter units, or approximately four classes).
If any questions or concerns arise regarding your financial aid, please contact your home university coordinator to address those questions and concerns.
After your exchange
Request your transcript to be sent to your home institution.
Paying tuition
You will pay tuition directly to UCLA Extension. Your home campus financial aid advisor should work with you to understand how your financial aid applies to your study at UCLA Extension.
All financial aid questions should be directed to your home campus. UCLA and UCLA Extension do not oversee your financial aid packages.
The NSE program has a non-refundable application fee (currently $150 U.S.) payable through the NSE website.
| Tuition and mandatory fees* | $6,650 |
| Rooms & meals | $5,812 |
| Estimated travel | $398 |
| Estimated personal expenses | $640 |
| Other estimated costs | $279 |
*Tuition and mandatory fees include:
- Registration fee for four 4-unit courses
- UCLA Bruincard (student ID card)
- Library card
- UCLA Recreation membership
- Culturally rich and co-curricular student activities
- Immersive student orientation
- Receptions, networking activities, and a graduation celebration for certificate students (as applicable)
Earn a UCLA Extension Certificate
Consider if you would like to attend to earn a full certificate during your exchange.
We offer many in-person certificate programs that can be completed in 6, 9, or 12 months. A UCLA Extension certificate also grants you membership to the UCLA Alumni Association.
UCLA Extension NSE Contact
Kelly Smith
+1-424-259-5560