UC Merced students can choose to study abroad with a variety of programs:
- UC Education Abroad Program: UCEAP is by far the most popular program among UC Merced students. Recent statistics show that 87 percent of UC Merced students who go abroad go with UCEAP.
- UC Summer Abroad: UCSA includes all the study abroad programs over the summer through sister campuses like UCLA and UC Davis. About 3.5 percent of students participate in UCSA.
- International Opportunities Program: IOP includes all external study abroad programs like the popular Semester at Sea program. About 9.5 percent of students participate in IOP.
Program Quick Comparison Chart
Have questions about the differences among UCEAP, UC Summer Abroad, and IOP opportunities? This chart may help answer your questions:
Feature comparisons
Feature | UCEAP | UCSA | IOP |
---|---|---|---|
Financial aid eligible | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Financial aid guaranteed for qualified terms | Yes | ||
Academic credit eligible | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Academic credit guaranteed | Yes | Yes | |
Pre-approved for "Global Awareness" badge | Yes |
Term comparisons
Available terms | UCEAP | UCSA | IOP |
---|---|---|---|
Summer | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Fall | Yes | Yes | |
Spring | Yes | Yes | |
Academic or calendar year | Yes | Yes | |
Winter or January terms | Yes | Yes |
General comparisons
Other comparisons | UCEAP | UCSA | IOP |
---|---|---|---|
Deadlines | Tend earlier | Average | Tend later |
Financial aid support (types of aid available) | Federal, state, UC (institutional) | Federal, state, UC (institutional) | Federal & state only |
Country options | 42+ | 35+ | 56+ |
Academic credit type | UC credit | UC credit | Transfer credit |
Top benefit(s) | Seemlessness | Calendar | Options, Independence |