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Study Abroad Programs

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