Freshmen Get an Edge

University of California, Berkeley

London

In 2015 Berkeley had a good problem — more students accepted offers of admission than could be enrolled right away. Instead of making some admitted freshmen wait until spring semester to begin, UC Berkeley offered them a London option.

Meeting First-Year Requirements
The pilot program was so successful it has become a regular offering called Berkeley Global Edge. Coursework is developed in collaboration with Berkeley academic departments and Accent London faculty, and carefully chosen to meet first-year curricular requirements while reflecting the unique cultural context and academic resources of the host-city.

Strong Cohorts
The program begins with a 6-week on-campus academic and orientation program before the Global Edge cohort departs together for London for the fall semester. While in London students complete a freshman writing course with prompts based on contemporary issues with a local context. The various courses include site visits and guest lectures. Accent and UC Berkeley provide orientations on-campus and in London. Students live together with local RAs and intensive on-site programming builds a strong cohort identity.