San Francisco State University
29,000
Number of Students
2,000
International Students
74
Number of Programs

University Description:
Founded in 1899, San Francisco State University is a premier public university located in the heart of San Francisco. SF State is part of the 23-campus California State University system, the university offers 125 different bachelor's degrees, 105 master's degrees, and 5 doctoral degrees among six academic colleges. The University also features a stand-alone Intensive English program under the College of Extended Learning, which also offer many global programs from academic certificate, semester abroad, undergraduate and graduate pathway to summer/winter camp, etc. to international students around the world.
Located in one of the world’s most beautiful and culturally diverse cities, San Francisco State University is a public university with approximately 30,000 students in the bustling heart of California in the Bay Area.
Term system & start dates:
Bachelor / Master: Semester
2. Term: January 27, 2025 to March 23, 2025
Application Deadline: October 15, 2024
1. Term: August 25, 2025 to December 19, 2025
Application Deadline: May 1, 2025
More dates
2. Term: January, 2026 to May, 2026
1. Term: August, 2026 to December, 2026
Bachelor / Master: Semester
2. Term: January 27, 2025 to March 23, 2025
Application Deadline: October 15, 2024
1. Term: August 25, 2025 to December 19, 2025
Application Deadline: May 1, 2025
More dates
2. Term: January, 2026 to May, 2026
1. Term: August, 2026 to December, 2026
Study Area | Study Course | Bachelor | Master | Gap Year | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Term 1 | Term 2 | Full Degree | Term 1 | Term 2 | Full Degree | |||
Engineering | Electrical Engineering | |||||||
Mechanical Engineering | ||||||||
Civil Engineering | ||||||||
Languages, Cultures, Leisure | Cultural Studies | |||||||
English Studies | ||||||||
Cultural Anthropology | ||||||||
Linguistics | ||||||||
Sinology | ||||||||
Literary studies | ||||||||
Journalism | ||||||||
Languages and Cultures | ||||||||
Communication Science | ||||||||
Art History | ||||||||
American Studies | ||||||||
Natural Sciences | Statistics | |||||||
Geography | ||||||||
Chemistry | ||||||||
Biological Chemistry | ||||||||
Physics | ||||||||
Biology | ||||||||
Astronomy | ||||||||
Genetics | ||||||||
IT | ||||||||
Marine Science | ||||||||
Geology | ||||||||
Marine biologist | ||||||||
Software engineering | ||||||||
Bioinformatics | ||||||||
Digital Media Management | ||||||||
Nutritional Sciences | ||||||||
Computer Technology | ||||||||
Mathematics | ||||||||
Computer Sciences | ||||||||
Education | Teaching (Special Education) | |||||||
Physical Education | ||||||||
Teaching (Elementary Education) | ||||||||
Educational Sciences | ||||||||
Adult Education | ||||||||
Business | Business Administration | |||||||
International Business | ||||||||
Economics | ||||||||
Tourism | ||||||||
Hospitality | ||||||||
Marketing | ||||||||
Management | ||||||||
Public Administration | ||||||||
Accounting | ||||||||
Medicine & Health science | Nursing | |||||||
Clinical Sciences | ||||||||
Biomedicine | ||||||||
Social Sciences | Social Work | |||||||
International Relations | ||||||||
Sociology | ||||||||
Political Science | ||||||||
Social Services | ||||||||
Religious Studies | ||||||||
Psychology | ||||||||
Gender studies | ||||||||
Behavioural Studies | ||||||||
History | ||||||||
Arts | Philosophy | |||||||
Theatre | ||||||||
Music | ||||||||
Liberal Arts | ||||||||
Product Design | ||||||||
Media Design | ||||||||
Communications design | ||||||||
Film Studies | ||||||||
Industrial Design | ||||||||
Design | ||||||||
Fine Arts | ||||||||
Life Sciences | Environmental Planning | |||||||
Environmental Engineering | ||||||||
Humanities |
University Facts
University Description
Founded in 1899, San Francisco State University is a premier public university located in the heart of San Francisco. SF State is part of the 23-campus California State University system, the university offers 125 different bachelor's degrees, 105 master's degrees, and 5 doctoral degrees among six academic colleges. The University also features a stand-alone Intensive English program under the College of Extended Learning, which also offer many global programs from academic certificate, semester abroad, undergraduate and graduate pathway to summer/winter camp, etc. to international students around the world.Located in one of the world’s most beautiful and culturally diverse cities, San Francisco State University is a public university with approximately 30,000 students in the bustling heart of California in the Bay Area.
Bachelor / Master: Semester
2. Term: January 27, 2025 to March 23, 2025
Application Deadline: October 15, 2024
1. Term: August 25, 2025 to December 19, 2025
Application Deadline: May 1, 2025
More dates
2. Term: January, 2026 to May, 2026
1. Term: August, 2026 to December, 2026
Visa Information:
International Students are required to apply for a student visa (either F1 or J1)Why should you come and study with us?
Students in the program are able to experience all of San Francisco State University's unique amenities with a quick and simple admission process. You'll be able to travel the beautiful city of San Francisco using an included transit pass, experience the diversity of the University's campus and hear from our guest speakers during campus events.Study opportunities:
The University's motto is Experientia Docet — Experience Teaches. Professors come to the classroom with a wealth of industry knowledge. They leverage that experience to give students the real-world examples of what they can expect when their getting started in industry.University faculties from which students can choose classes include:
College of Liberal & Creative Arts
Lam Family College of Business
College of Education
College of Ethnic Studies
College of Health and Social Sciences
College of Science and Engineering
Scholarship possibilities for international students:
Scholarships for international students are only available for degree students who study over 1 year. Short-term study programs do not qualify for scholarships.Please check out our World of Students webpage for different scholarship opportunities. You will find the information in the upper section "Tipps & Tricks".
Internships:
One semester study abroad students cannot participate in internships. Paid/unpaid internships and volunteering available based on eligibility. (minimum 1 year study)Application Deadline:
SFSU is operating on rolling admission. That means that there is no clear deadline for neither fall nor spring. However, we recommend students to turn in their application:for Fall - until the 1st of June
for Spring - until the 1st of October
Please contact the World of Students team in case of late applications.
Application requirements:
• Language certificate: for example TOEFL iBT 70, DAAD certificate (B2), IELTS 6.0 (of course other tests are accepted as well)• Transcript in English
• Master students: English bachelor's certificate in English including all courses taken. Students applying for graduate courses must demonstrate a grade point average of 3.0 or higher.
• Copy of passport (valid for at least 6 months after your stay in the USA)
• Consent Release Form
• Immunization Requirement Form
(However, this document must be submitted later in the application process.)
• Course wish list (This document must be submitted later in the application process.)
• Financial Statement*
*This is to show that you have the financial means to afford a semester abroad in the USA. For this, SFSU requires an official confirmation from the bank in ENGLISH (e.g. “we hereby confirm that person xy has an amout of ... USD on their bank account.). This document can also be issued for your parents.
Orientation:
Orientation is mandatory for all international students and takes place at beginning of the semester.Examperiod:
Throughout the term students will have to turn in several assignments (such as presentations, essays, etc.). But the main exam period is in the last week of the semester.Accessibility:
YesWorking while studying:
F-1 students are not allowed to work while studying in the USA, with the only exception of on-campus jobs. These jobs are, however, very limited.


Fees
Bachelor Semester Abroad:
6,720 USD
Master Semester Abroad:
5,040 USD
Gap Year (per Term):
6,327 USD to 7,512 USD
Application Fee:
0 USD
Additional Costs:
Students will have to purchase the health insurance of SFSU. The cost for one semester is about 950 USD.
Valid: 2021-04-12 to 2021-12-31
City & Living
City features:
Architecture, Bay Area, close to Silicon Valley and Tech Industry.Address in San Francisco, California, USA:
San Francisco State University1600 Holloway Ave
San Francisco, California, USA
Population:
800,000Closest Airport:
(SFO) San Francisco AirportSightseeing:
Fisherman's Wharf, Golden Gate Bridge, Alcatraz etc.Shopping:
There are lots of great shopping opportunities in the area - whether it is a farmer's market or other special shopping sites e.g. in famous China Town.How to get to university:
Public Transport, bike, car.Housing On-Campus:
1200 USD - 2200 USD (monthly) - On-campus housing at San Francisco State University is limited and in high demand. While living on campus is not required, it is also not guaranteed and offered on a first-come, first-served basis. Note: Applying for housing on campus is a separate process from the University admission process.There are single rooms available, but typically students live in double and triple rooms.
Housing Off-Campus:
800 USD - 2000 USD (monthly) Some students that find themselves on the wait list may be interested in a short term accommodation when the Academic Year begins. Since some landlords and apartment complexes may not offer month-to-month leases we have compiled some alternative options.


SFSU raises money for the new Science & Engineering Innovation Center
San Francisco State University (SFSU) raised more than $10 million for its new Science & Engineering Innovation Center (SEIC) in May 2022. The donations will fully fund construction of the facility and state-of-the-art research equipment for SFSU students. The new building will provide hands-on chemistry instruction with new facilities for more experimental opportunities, such as three integrated studio-style chemistry labs with modern technologies and laboratories for research. Furthermore, the School of Engineering will also be part of the new building, providing engineering students with a creative and innovative space for their project work.
Most Popular News:
Arriving in Canada
Before classes start, make sure to explore the vibrant city of Vancouver! Apart from the well-known tourist spots, try some of the delicious food, enjoy a bike tour through Stanley Park or watch a Majour League Soccer game of the Vancouver Whitecaps before taking the ferry or plane over to Vancouver Island to start your classes at VIU.
The best time of your life - Gap Year at UNCW!
You have finished high school and don't know exactly what you want to study? The UNCW offers you a wide range of courses from over 120 fields of study - ideal for orientation after school without having to decide directly on a specific course of study. After successfully completing your gap year, you will receive your official transcript and can ideally transfer the credits you earned during your gap year to your future university in Europe - or you can decide to continue your studies in the U.S. and directly enter the second bachelor year at UNCW. So what are you waiting for? Get a taste of university life in the USA and take one step closer to your dream course of study!
Start your semester abroad in Seattle
Are you looking for the perfect spot for your study abroad semester? City University of Seattle is offering you great programs on a quarterly basis! For those of you seeking to combine studying with international experiences and company visits (e.g. Amazon, Starbucks, Microsoft, Expedia.com) we suggest to apply for our summer programs. You can join one of our two sessions and add a quarter in order to receive more than 30 ECTS in just 4,5 months! Reach out to World of Students for further information or join one of our virtual presentations.
Fairfax Lookout in Manly
Our students love the Fairfax Lookout on the North Head!
Only a couple of minutes from the ICMS campus in Manly you can watch stunning sunsets over Sydney. At the Fairfex lookout students spend a great time together with their international friends, eating pizza and listening to music while watching the Sydney harbour. You may even see one of the whales passing by the coast.
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(4.0)Das Auslandssemester in San Francisco war die beste Zeit meines Lebens!
Ich durfte in den vier Monaten viele Momente erleben, die ich nie wieder vergessen werde - ich würde jedem empfehlen ein Auslandssemester zu machen. Trotz der kurzen Zeit haben sich viele tiefe Freundschaften entwickelt.
Falls ihr euch für San Francisco entscheiden solltet ihr auf jeden Fall in Santa Cruz surfen gehen und euch im Spring Break Hawaii anschauen, die Insel ist wirklich wunderschön 🙂Arne U. (XU Exponential University)
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