Student Numbers and Frequently Asked Questions

International Diploma Program students bring vitality and enthusiasm to their studies, along with a wide range of interests and backgrounds. Students arrive with varied accomplishments and an array of educational and career goals.

Each year the IDP welcomes nearly 500 students from more than 35 different countries to our programs. What IDP students have in common is a desire to learn, to make personal and professional connections, and to excel in international business.

IDP students are typically:
 

	an average of 27 years old
	young professionals interested in quickly obtaining intensive, practical training in their field
	experienced managers who need to update their skills in a new field due to a job change or promotion
	recent university graduates preparing to attend an M.B.A. program in the U.S. or their home country
	employees in a family-owned business planning to take on additional management responsibilities.

In addition to the countries represented in the chart below, IDP students come from Argentina, Belgium, Canada, Germany, Hong Kong, India, the Philippines, the U.S., and many other nations.

What is UC Berkeley Extension?
UC Berkeley Extension is the continuing education division of the University of California, Berkeley. For more than 100 years, it has been dedicated to meeting the professional development and personal growth needs of adult learners who do not wish to enroll in a standard University degree-granting program. UC Berkeley Extension is one of the largest and most respected institutions of its kind in the world.

How long have the International Diploma Programs been in existence?
International Diploma Programs at UC Berkeley Extension are among the oldest such programs in the United States. Our first International Diploma Program was offered in 1991. Now these programs, known and respected throughout the world, enroll more than 200 students per term.

What will be my approximate class schedule?
While each program has a somewhat different schedule, most students take approximately 18 to 21 hours of classes per week. Class preparation may take about 2 hours for each hour of class. Most programs also provide additional seminars or workshops and one or more field trips that add value to your educational experience.

May I choose elective classes?
Most International Diploma Programs require a prescribed course of study. Individual classes have been carefully selected to comprise a well-rounded program. A benefit of this prescribed course of study is that you quickly become part of a cohort, or group of students, who work together and get to know each other well.

What official records of my diploma program participation and grades will I receive?
The UC Berkeley Extension Student Services Department maintains official records of student enrollments and grades. Shortly after the end of each of your classes, they send you a confidential, official report of your class grade. Upon completion of your International Diploma Program, you will receive an official transcript showing your grades in all the classes in which you were enrolled. In addition, when you successfully complete your International Diploma Program, you receive a UC Berkeley Extension certificate.