The California Institute of Technology (Caltech)

The California Institute of Technology (Caltech) is a world-renowned science and engineering research and education institution, where extraordinary faculty and students seek answers to complex questions, discover new knowledge, lead innovation, and transform the future. į 

The mission of the California Institute of Technology is to expand human knowledge and benefit society through research integrated with education. They investigate the most challenging, fundamental problems in science and technology in a singularly collegial, interdisciplinary atmosphere, while educating outstanding students to become creative members of society. 

Caltech is located in Pasadena, California. Pasadena is a residential community and its own city, lying in Los Angeles County. Pasadena is located just below the foothills of the San Gabriel Mountains, which are a great location for hiking and walks. The city is about a 30 to 45 minute drive from the beach.

  • Caltech is only open to students within the College of Science and Engineering     
  • UoE Direct Entry are not eligible for this exchange: Caltech will not accept direct entry students.
  • If selected for Caltech you will be required to prove your English proficiency via taking a TOEFL or Duolingo test. You will need to achieve a score of 110 (TOEFL) or 120 (Duolingo) for each component of the test, and overall. This is a strict requirement and should you fail the test you will not be eligible to proceed with the exchange. You will need to pay for the test yourself.  
  • Caltech is one of the most rigorous universities in the world. Students spend at least 40 hours a week on coursework and preparation. Students interested in Caltech must be very hardworking and willing to stretch themselves to their intellectual limits.

Available exchanges

Caltech hosts the University-wide exchange.

Academic restrictions

See the Key Considerations above. Caltech is not a suitable exchange destination for students who are:

  • Studying within CAHSS
  • UoE Direct entry

Your responsibilities

  • The information provided here serves as a guide.
  • It is your responsibility to research whether the partner provides appropriate courses for your degree programme.
  • Even if there are no restrictions on your degree subject, this does not mean that there are appropriate courses for you.

Please note that Caltech's Course Catalogue is updated every year. Not all classes are taught every year, but this should be noted in the course catalogue. The catalogue can be used as an indication of courses available.    

Classes marked 10 and under are only available to first-year Caltech students. Classes over 200 level are for postgraduates only. You cannot take these classes as an exchange student.    

Certain courses at Caltech have a restricted enrolment and this is noted in the Caltech Course Catalogue. If you wish to take a course for which enrolment is restricted, note that preference is given to Caltech students if the course is required in their academic subject. You must also note the course requirements for each course to ensure you fulfil any pre-requisites of courses you would wish to take while on exchange.    

Students should pay special attention to the Caltech core courses. Caltech students all have to take these Core Courses in their first two years. These include:    

  • Five terms of mathematics   
    • First year covers Calculus of One and Several Variables and Linear Algebra    
    • Second year covers Probability, Statistics and Differential Equations    
  • Five to six terms of physics:    
    • First year covers Classical Mechanics and Electromagnetism    
    • Second year covers Statistical Physics, Waves and Quantum Mechanics    
  • Three terms of Chemistry: 
    • 2 terms of General Chemistry    
    • 1 term of Chemistry lab    
  • One term of Introduction to Biological Sciences   

All third and fourth year classes are taught with the understanding that students have covered these topics and therefore have in-depth understanding of these areas. In cases where the Core is relevant to the class you wish to take, be certain you have the basic background in mathematics, physics, or chemistry as relevant to the course, in addition to the specified prerequisites.    

Students take at least 36 units each term. A maximum of 45 units can be taken in the first term. A maximum of 51 units can be taken in the 2nd term if your GPA (grade point average) is 3.3 or above (for reference: a 3.6 GPA is the median GPA at Caltech).    

Students cannot select subjects as their major subject that are minor options, nor can they choose graduate-only subjects such as Civil Engineering or Aerospace.  All options (major subject) must come from fields in the sciences, engineering, or mathematics.   


Guaranteed accommodation? 

Yes

University accommodation 

 

Exchange students will live in one of the . į

There is a mixture of single and double rooms available, with kitchen facilities, lounge or living areas and laundry facilities. į Rates will usually increase on an average of 4 to 7% yearly. į 

Students are also required to be on the Caltech board (meal) plan. į į 

Students attempting to change housing assignments or who attempt to move off-campus will be removed from exchange and required to exit the US immediately. 

Private accommodation  

Students are not permitted to live off-campus and therefore private accommodation is not an option.


How much will it cost to go on exchange to Caltech? 

To obtain a U.S. student visa, you will be required to submit bank statements showing you have access to a specific sum. This is calculated based on how much average costs for accommodation, meals, health insurance etc. will cost. This includes proving access to funds through personal funds, or family or sponsorship funds. 

For students going on exchange to Caltech, the amount to show is around USD $28,000 in total. This can be across multiple sources. You will need to provide sponsorship letters from personal funds/family members/sponsor funds/Sponsor organisations etc. 

Please bear this in mind. If you cannot prove this, you will not be able to get a visa and therefore not be able to go on exchange.  

Further cost breakdown

Please note you are not required to pay the listed tuition fee as an exchange student. 

Please note these are estimated costs and subject to change each academic year. Additional costs will depend on your housing and lifestyle choices. Please consider the cost of living in Pasadena, CA. 

Health insurance  

Exchange students to the United States are required to purchase their own private health insurance, and provide proof of the coverage provided to their host. į  

The insurance must cover emergency, urgent, and routine care while you are in the United States. You will receive more information and directions on this requirement in the summer. 

You can opt to purchase Caltech Health insurance if your own insurance does not meet waiver requirements. The cost per term is approximately USD $1,050 and all terms of an exchange student’s stay at Caltech must be paid in advance in full by the August deadline. į  

If you purchase your own policy, this must not just be emergency or traveller's insurance and will be vetted by the Caltech Benefits Office to see if the plan meets Caltech requirements. į 

Students are allowed to use the Caltech Wellness (Health) & Counselling Center. Office visits are free, but medications or injections usually have a small charge. įExchange students cannot enrol in Caltech dental or vision insurance. į  


  • Term 1 (Fall): September – December   

  • Term 2 (Winter): January – March   

  • Term 3 (Spring): April - June   


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