Cal Poly is a comprehensive public university located in San Luis Obispo, halfway between San Francisco and Los Angeles on California's Central Coast. It is one of five comprehensive polytechnic universities in the US and has approx. 24,000 students. Cal Poly’s motto is ”Learning by Doing” as all student programs have a technical, professional, and arts component. In 2026, TIME named Cal Poly a top-10 public university nationwide.
Language of instruction: English Academic calendar: Mid- August through mid-December and late January- late May. Credit system: Undergraduate: 15 units (200-400 level). Graduate: 9 units (400-500 level). KTH students should take 300-400 level courses. Website:Exchange Programs - International Students and Scholars (calpoly.edu) Note: KTH nominates students to either Fall or Spring term. Mandatory pre-arrival online
orientation. The exchange is with the College of Engineering. 50% of courses must be within main area of study. College of Business is not available nor is computer science, computer engineering or electrical engineering. The insurance Student Out, Kammarkollegiet, has been ok'd during previous academic years; but there are no guarantees. Student must request and pay for their own transcripts.
Exchange opportunities
Number of spots: 4 semester spots Grade requirements: none Exchange availability: High competition for exchange places. Students often need a GPA of 4.3 or higher to have a chance of getting a semester place.
Information about exchange availability
Visa and vaccine in the USA
The processing time for a visa to study in the USA can take a long time; therefore, you should start the application as soon as you have been accepted for exchange studies at a university in the USA. The same goes for arranging the necessary vaccines you need to start your studies in the US.
For exchange studies in the US, a J-1 visa is required (DS-2019 form):
I-901 SEVIS Fee | ICE
. J-1 students may enter the USA up to 30 days prior to the start date on the DS2019.
Cost for visa: approximately $220 (as of 2025).
Keep the following documents with you in your hand luggage:
Passport
I-20 or DS-2019
I-901 SEVIS fee payment receipt
Proof of financial resources
Acceptance letter from Exchange University
When applying for a US visa, you are required to provide financial evidence to show that you can afford your stay in the US. You can, for example, use a bank statement in this matter.
You can find more information about the visa requirements on the US embassy website:
usembassy.gov/visas
.
Immunisation requirements are based on state law; you may need the following vaccines to start your studies in the USA.
Rubeola (Measles, MMR)
Rubella (MMR)
Mumps (MMR)
Tetanus Diphtheria (Td or Tdap)
Meningitis (Men Quad/Conjugate, MCV4)
Meningococcal B (Separate from Meningitis)
You may also need a Tuberculosis screening (most often done upon arrival in the US).
Programme specific information
If your programme or your school is not listed below, contact the international coordinator at your school.
This university is not suitable for master's students who have not taken their bachelor's degree at KTH. This is because KTH only nominates full-year students to Cal Poly due to the trimester system, and you are not supposed to take courses during the last semester of your master's programme (you have to write your degree project then).
School of Engineering Sciences in Chemistry, Biotechnology and Health (CBH)
California is a leader in USA in the MedTech and BioTech industry.
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This university is not suitable for master's students who have not taken their bachelor's degree at KTH. This is because KTH only nominates full-year students to Cal Poly due to the trimester system, and you are not supposed to take courses during the last semester of your master's programme (you have to write your degree project then).
