Caltech Scholars Exchange Programme

The exchange scheme between St John's College and The California Institute of Technology in Pasadena allows two undergraduates nominated by St John's College to take part in the Caltech Scholars Exchange during the Long Vacation. Students who participate in this exchange programme are expected to work for ten full weeks.

Students should have completed at least one year of their studies and have exam results for at least one year at the time of their application. Caltech cannot accept students after their graduation, so finalists are not eligible to apply for the Caltech exchange programme.

Students who are on Part III of their course cannot apply for the Caltech exchange. 

Caltech seal

Programme Details

  • All STEM subjects are accepted.

  • Caltech faculty recommend that students interested in highly theoretical areas such as astrophysics should now be in their third year to ensure that they have as much mathematical training as possible. For other areas, students now in their second or third year are fine (finalists will not be accepted).

  • Chemistry, geological and planetary sciences, biology and bioengineering, mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, computer science, etc. are all available research areas.

  • Students studying Pure Mathematics can be placed in Applied Mathematics, Engineering, Geosciences, Physics etc. 

  • Students cannot apply for placements at the LIGO lab or at JPL. 

  • Caltech do not accept students in Economics or other social sciences.

  • Student research projects are only limited by the research interests of the Caltech faculty and by faculty availability. Students do not have to have a project in mind, although it would be wise to check the faculty information and research fields of interest on the Caltech website. https://divisions.caltech.edu

  • Experimental, analytical, or observational projects are encouraged instead of theory projects.

  • There is not a medical school in Caltech and medics should be prepared to work in the Biological Sciences and Bioengineering Division. 

Costs Covered
  •  Caltech offers a stipend of at least US $7,950.
  •  Travel, visa and insurance expenses are covered for under the scheme by the College.

Requirements

Exchange students must work for 10 continuous weeks, and no extension or abbreviation of the research period may be made for any reason.

All exchange students are required to participate in the exchange activities organised by Caltech, unless it is clearly stated that participation is optional.

Application Procedure

Details of how to apply, including deadlines and further details are available on the 4th Court Senior Tutor page. Click on ''Exchange Programmes". 

You can also contact Student Services for further information.