Scholarships, USA

🎓 BHGAP Scholarship 2026 — Study at UC Berkeley as an International Student

Gradualin

May 16, 2026
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One of the world’s most innovative universities is offering international students a chance to study business, entrepreneurship, and leadership right in the heart of Silicon Valley — and scholarships of up to $5,000 are available to help make it happen. The Berkeley Haas Global Access Program (BHGAP) at UC Berkeley is a semester-long visiting student programme at the legendary Haas School of Business, and it is open to international students from virtually every country in the world.

This guide from Gradualin covers everything you need to know — what BHGAP is, how much the scholarship covers, who can apply, what essays you need, and how to submit a winning application for Fall 2026 or beyond. If you have ever dreamed of studying in California and building a network that spans Silicon Valley, keep reading.

📋 Quick Info Box

Detail	Information
Program	Berkeley Haas Global Access Program (BHGAP)
University	UC Berkeley — Haas School of Business
Country	United States 🇺🇸
City	Berkeley, California (Bay Area / Silicon Valley)
Program Type	Visiting Student Semester Programme
Degree Level	Undergraduate (3rd/4th year) & Graduate / Recent Graduates
Scholarship Amount	Up to $5,000 USD per semester
Program Cost	$21,900 USD per semester (Fall 2026: ~$22,094)
Duration	One or two semesters
Open To	International students of all nationalities
Deadline	Apply by program application deadline (verify on official website)
Official Website	extension.berkeley.edu/bhgap

🎓 About BHGAP — What Is This Program?

The Berkeley Haas Global Access Program (BHGAP) is one of the most exciting visiting-student programmes in the world. Run through UC Berkeley Extension in partnership with the Haas School of Business, it gives top-qualifying international students the chance to spend one or two semesters studying at UC Berkeley — one of the top three public universities in the world according to the QS World University Rankings 2026.

What makes this different from a regular exchange programme is the access it provides. Students take 12 units of coursework with their international cohort in the Haas School of Business, taught specifically for BHGAP students by Berkeley faculty. In addition to guaranteed courses, students receive graduate school admission workshops, one-on-one career counselling, cohort lunches, professional development workshops, company visits, and immersive California trips.

This is not a passive classroom experience. It is a full immersion in the UC Berkeley ecosystem — complete with networking events, investor pitching opportunities, and Silicon Valley company tours. For ambitious international students who want to understand business, technology, and innovation from the world’s most powerful startup hub, BHGAP is genuinely one of a kind.

🎓 The BHGAP Scholarship — How Much Can You Receive?

Here is where things get very exciting for Gradualin readers.

The Berkeley Haas Global Access Program is excited to announce four scholarships, up to $5,000 each, to be applied toward the program costs. The scholarship is applicable for this program only — not for any degree or other programmes.

Please note that the scholarship is only awarded once, so awardees who are studying for both semesters will receive the scholarship award once during their studies.

What does $5,000 cover in real terms?

The Berkeley Haas Global Access Program costs $21,900 USD per semester. This includes tuition (up to 15 units), program fees, health insurance, and campus fees. It also includes activities like career workshops, cultural excursions, guest speakers, investor pitching opportunities, cohort lunches, and more.

So the $5,000 scholarship covers approximately 23% of your total semester programme fee — a meaningful reduction. For Fall 2026, the total cost of the BHGAP program is approximately $22,094 per semester for an international student enrolled in a maximum of 15 units.

Additional costs to budget for:

The program cost does not include textbooks or living expenses such as housing, meals, or transportation. Budgeting an additional $11,250 USD per semester for such expenses is recommended.
Health insurance (Fall 2026–Spring 2027): $970 per semester (already included in the program fee)
Application fee: $100 USD (payable to UC Berkeley)

Total estimated cost of attendance per semester (including living costs): approximately $33,000–$34,000 USD — reduced to approximately $28,000–$29,000 USD with the scholarship applied.

🎓 Eligibility Criteria

To be considered for the BHGAP scholarship, you must meet these requirements:

✅ Current third- or fourth-year undergraduate students, OR recent graduates, OR graduate-level students
✅ Minimum 3.0 GPA (on a 4.0 scale) in your current or most recent degree programme
✅ Must apply to the BHGAP programme and the scholarship simultaneously — no separate or late scholarship applications accepted
✅ Must submit the scholarship essay and letter of recommendation as part of the application
✅ Open to all nationalities — international students from any country may apply

❌ Who is NOT eligible:

Students who are financially sponsored by their university are not eligible to apply for a scholarship
Nominated and/or sponsored students from partner universities are not eligible for the BHGAP scholarship
Students applying after the final programme deadline

🗣️ Is IELTS Required? English language proficiency evidence is required for programme admission — but there is no mandatory IELTS score set in stone for the scholarship itself. Exceptions to the English proficiency requirement are made in some cases. If English is your first language or you have studied in an English-medium institution, you may be exempt. Always verify your specific situation on the official website.

🎓 Who Should Apply — And Who Should Not

✅ Apply if you:

Are a 3rd or 4th year undergraduate, recent graduate, or graduate student
Have a GPA of 3.0 or above
Are passionate about business, entrepreneurship, technology, or innovation
Want Silicon Valley connections, a US network, and a Berkeley certificate
Can self-fund the remaining program costs after the scholarship
Come from a non-business background but want a business education experience

❌ Don’t apply if you:

Are in your first or second year of undergraduate study
Are sponsored or fully funded by your home university (makes you ineligible for the scholarship)
Are looking for a fully funded, full-degree scholarship — BHGAP is a visiting semester programme, not a full degree
Cannot commit to submitting your scholarship application simultaneously with your programme application

🎓 Available Programmes & Tracks Within BHGAP

BHGAP is primarily focused on business, innovation, and entrepreneurship, but it welcomes students from all academic backgrounds. Here is what you can expect:

Core Academic Experience:

12 units of coursework per semester (up to 15 units maximum)
All courses taught by UC Berkeley Haas School of Business faculty
Courses designed specifically for the BHGAP international cohort
Both undergraduate-track and graduate-track options available

Programme Enhancements Included:

🏢 Silicon Valley company visits
🎤 Guest speakers from the Bay Area business and tech community
💼 One-on-one career counselling sessions
🎓 Graduate school admissions workshops
🤝 Investor pitching opportunities
🌉 Immersive California cultural trips
🍽️ Cohort lunches with fellow international students
📋 Academic and visa advising (one-on-one)

Optional Practical Training (OPT) Pathway: Students who complete two semesters of BHGAP become eligible to apply for Optional Practical Training (OPT) — a 12-month work authorisation in the United States. This is a massive bonus for international students who want to gain US work experience after completing the programme.

🎓 Required Documents for the Scholarship Application

To apply for the scholarship, you will need to submit the following as part of your online application:

Completed online BHGAP programme application (scholarship is applied for within the same form)
Essay 1 — Reason for Applying: In 250 words or less, briefly describe why you are applying for the scholarship
Essay 2 — Statement of Personal and Professional Goals: In 500 words or less, describe what the Haas Defining Principles mean to you and how incorporating these principles may help you attain your personal and/or professional goals
Professional or Academic Letter of Recommendation: From a professor, employer, or academic mentor who can speak to your abilities and goals
Most recent résumé or CV (uploaded as part of the application)
Official transcripts showing your current GPA
English language proficiency evidence (if applicable to your situation)

Important note on the recommendation letter: After you submit your recommender’s information, they will receive an email invitation to upload a recommendation letter on your behalf. You can track the status of their letter from the applicant portal. It is the student’s responsibility to ensure the letter has been sent by the recommender.

🎓 Step-by-Step Application Process

Step 1: Visit the official BHGAP page and carefully read all scholarship requirements: extension.berkeley.edu/bhgap/scholarships

Step 2: Create your account and begin the online application. The scholarship application is embedded within the programme application — you will indicate your intent to apply for the scholarship inside the form.

Step 3: Write your two scholarship essays. Start with Essay 2 (the 500-word Haas Defining Principles essay) as it requires more research and reflection. Research what the Haas Defining Principles are before writing.

Step 4: Identify your recommender early. Contact your professor or professional mentor and give them at least two to three weeks notice before the deadline. The recommendation must be received by the final application deadline.

Step 5: Upload your résumé/CV and transcripts. Ensure your GPA is clearly visible on your transcripts.

Step 6: Submit the complete application — programme application + scholarship materials — before the final deadline. You must apply to the program and the scholarship at the same time. No exceptions.

Step 7: Scholarship decisions will be announced after the final deadline via email. Check your inbox and spam folder regularly after submission.

🎓 Important Dates & Deadlines

Event	Date
Fall 2026 Fees Due	July 17, 2026
Spring 2026 Fees Due	December 12, 2025
Scholarship Application	Must be submitted with programme application (verify final deadline on official site)
Scholarship Decision	Announced after final application deadline via email

📌 Bookmark this page and check back for updates — semester deadlines are confirmed and updated on the official BHGAP website. Apply as early as possible, as scholarship spots are extremely limited.

Critical reminder: To qualify for consideration, all scholarship materials must be submitted before the final application deadline for that semester.

🎓 Why Study at Berkeley — Why California?

Let’s be honest: there is no place on earth quite like UC Berkeley in the Bay Area.

UC Berkeley consistently ranks among the top 3 public universities in the world and sits at the heart of one of the most innovative ecosystems ever assembled. The Bay Area — home to companies like Apple, Google, Meta, Salesforce, Airbnb, and thousands of startups — is not just a place. It is a mindset. And studying at the Haas School of Business places you right inside that mindset.

Here is what makes this opportunity uniquely powerful for international students:

🌉 Location: Berkeley is minutes from San Francisco and 30 minutes from Silicon Valley
🏆 Prestige: A Berkeley certificate carries global weight in business, tech, and entrepreneurship
🤝 Network: You will study alongside international peers and connect with Bay Area professionals, investors, and founders
🌍 OPT Pathway: Complete two semesters and you may qualify for 12 months of paid work in the USA
🎓 Faculty: Courses are taught by Haas faculty — the same professors who teach Berkeley’s full MBA students
🏙️ City life: Berkeley and San Francisco offer a stunning quality of life, world-class food, culture, and outdoor experiences

For ambitious international students who want a US credential, Silicon Valley exposure, and a world-class business education — all in one semester — BHGAP is a remarkable opportunity.

🎓 Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q: Is the BHGAP scholarship fully funded? A: No. Scholarships of up to $5,000 each are available for the Spring 2026 cohort. The program costs $21,900 per semester, so the scholarship is a partial award covering approximately 23% of the programme fee. Students are expected to self-fund the remaining costs and living expenses.

Q: Can I apply for the scholarship separately after submitting my programme application? A: No. You must apply to the program and the scholarship at the same time. No exceptions. Make sure you indicate your intent to apply for the scholarship within the programme application form itself.

Q: How many scholarships are awarded per semester? A: The BHGAP announces four scholarships, up to $5,000 each, per semester. Competition is high, so a strong essay and recommendation letter are essential.

Q: Can I receive the scholarship for both semesters if I study for two semesters? A: The scholarship is only awarded once, so awardees who are studying for both semesters will receive the scholarship award once during their studies.

Q: Do I need IELTS to apply? A: English proficiency evidence is required for programme admission, but exceptions to the English proficiency requirement are made in some cases. Verify your situation directly with the BHGAP admissions office.

Q: Is this programme eligible for US Government financial aid? A: The Berkeley Haas Global Access Program is not eligible for Financial Aid from the US Government. However, students may explore scholarships or funding from their home university or government.

🎓 Official Sources & Application Links

Official BHGAP Homepage: https://extension.berkeley.edu/international/academic/bhgap/
BHGAP Scholarship Page: https://extension.berkeley.edu/international/academic/bhgap/scholarships/
BHGAP Costs Page: https://extension.berkeley.edu/international/academic/bhgap/costs/
Contact / Advising Appointment: Available via the official BHGAP website
Email (International Student Services): visiting-intl@berkeley.edu

🎓 Complete Summary Table

Detail	Information
Program	Berkeley Haas Global Access Program (BHGAP)
University	UC Berkeley — Haas School of Business
Country	USA 🇺🇸
Scholarship	Up to $5,000 USD (partial)
Program Cost	$21,900–$22,094 USD per semester
Number of Awards	4 scholarships per semester
Eligibility	3rd/4th year undergrad, recent grads, or grad students with 3.0+ GPA
Open To	All nationalities (international students)
IELTS Required	Generally yes, but exceptions made (verify on official website)
OPT Pathway	Available after 2 semesters
Scholarship Application	Simultaneous with programme application — no separate application
Official Link	extension.berkeley.edu/bhgap