Intercampus Exchange

Intercampus Exchange Program

A graduate student in good academic standing, who has completed at least one quarter in residence at UC Davis can apply to register on any campus of the University of California through the Intercampus Exchange Program, with the approval of:

  • The student’s Graduate Advisor
  • The Department Chair of the host UC campus department
  • The Deans of the Graduate Divisions from both the home and the host campus

This program is for graduate students in state-supported programs who are seeking opportunities to network with scholars and experience fields of study and facilities not available at UC Davis.  The Intercampus Exchange Program is intended to provide students the opportunity to occasionally enroll in courses unavailable on their home campus. It is not intended to permit students to take most or all of their coursework at other UC campuses. Students who wish to transfer to another UC campus and complete degree requirements there must submit an application for admission to that campus.  This program is for academic terms only, summer sessions courses across the UC system offer open enrollment. 

Students must be enrolled in coursework or research units at UC Davis while enrolled in units through Intercampus Exchange and the combined units should be equivalent to at least 12 quarter units.  Students will have library, health center, and other student privileges on both campuses.  ICEP students are considered graduate students in residence on the home campus and are not formally admitted to the host graduate school and department. They may not have the same privileges as students enrolled in the host campus’s program. Grades earned at the host campus will be transferred to UC Davis after the term and entered on the UC Davis official transcript.  A new application is required for each term in which the student plans to take courses at another UC.

Participation is limited to three ICEP courses per graduate student, and participating students must be in good academic standing. Students may elect to take all three in a same quarter, or spread courses out over several quarters. Participation in more than three Exchange courses may be permitted by exception, by adding a statement to the ICEP application form explaining the need for additional courses (i.e. by demonstrating that these courses are not available at UC Davis).

Because the Intercampus Exchange application process requires coordination of services from different units at both campuses, the deadline for applications is four weeks prior to the start of the effective term at the host campus (please see deadlines below). If a student receives notification from an instructor or host department, they should forward this documentation to their home campus Graduate Studies office. 

Intercampus Exchange Program Application Process - UC Davis students

  1. Enroll in courses at UC Davis.  To participate in Intercampus Exchange, you must be simultaneously enrolled at UC Davis while you take courses at another UC. 
    • Graduate Studies recommends students register for 12 units at UC Davis in case their intercampus exchange is not approved.  If it is approved, you may drop a course or reduce 299 units.  
    • Standard enrollment fees are charged through and must be paid at UC Davis.  You are not charged separately by the other UC.  
  2. Check the calendar below for the start date for the host campus term.  The Intercampus Exchange Program (ICEP) Application form must be received by Graduate Studies at least 4 weeks prior to the term start date of the other UC campus.  No exceptions will be made.
  3. Complete and sign the ICEP Application via Sphere.
    • It is important to ensure you list the correct number and name of the UC course in which you would like to register.  Graduate Studies recommends that you verify through the host campus' Course Catalog.
  4. Graduate Studies will review your application, and communicate with counterparts at the other UC to obtain host campus signatures. 
  5. If approved, the host campus UC Registrar will contact you to assist with enrollment, and the UC Davis Registrar will add placeholder units on your transcript for the quarter(s).
    • Units for Intercampus Exchange courses at semester system campuses will be split between two quarters. Semester units are calculated to be equivalent to 1.5 quarter units.
    • If you decide not to pursue intercampus exchange, please notify both the UC Davis the other UC Registrar's Offices.  
  6. Once you have completed the course, the other UC Registrar's Office will send an official transcript to the UC Davis Registrar's Office to update the grade on your transcript.
    • This process is completed for all intercampus exchange students, and the grade may not be reflected on your transcript for up to a full quarter after you were enrolled.  

Intercampus Exchange Program Application Process - students from other UC campuses

Students from other UC campuses should consult with their Graduate Studies/Graduate Division regarding their eligibility to participate. 

  1. Check the calendar below or the start date for your intended UC Davis quarter.  The Intercampus Exchange Program (ICEP) Application form must be received by your home campus Graduate Division/Studies at least 4 weeks prior to the UC Davis quarter start date.  No exceptions will be made.
  2. Obtain approval from your home campus department chair.
  3. Submit the application to your campus’s Graduate Division/Graduate Studies Office at least four weeks before the UC Davis quarter begins.
  4. Following the submission and approval, your campus’ Graduate Division/Graduate Studies office will submit your application to the Executive Director for Graduate Student and Postdoctoral Support at UC Davis, Nicole Rabaud, at nerabaud@ucdavis.edu
  5. If approved, the UC Davis Registrar's office will contact you to with a welcome letter to assist with enrollment.
    • If you decide not to pursue intercampus exchange, please notify both the UC Davis your home UC Registrar's Offices.  
  6. Once you have completed the course, the UC Davis Registrar's Office will send an official transcript to your home UC's Registrar's Office to update the grade on your transcript.

2024-25 Deadlines

CampusTerm Start DateIntercampus Application Deadline
Berkeley, Merced (Semesters)  
Fall8/21/20247/21/2024
Spring1/14/202512/14/2024
Davis, Irvine, Los Angeles, Riverside, San Francisco, Santa Barbara, Santa Cruz, San Diego (Quarters)  
Fall9/23/20248/23/2024
Winter1/3/202512/3/2024
Spring 3/27/20252/27/2025

2025-26 Deadlines

CampusTerm Start DateIntercampus Application Deadline
Berkeley, Merced (Semesters)  
Fall8/20/20257/20/2025
Spring1/13/202612/13/2025
Davis, Irvine, Los Angeles, Riverside, San Francisco, Santa Barbara, Santa Cruz, San Diego (Quarters)  
Fall9/22/20258/22/2025
Winter1/2/202612/2/2025
Spring 3/26/20262/26/2026