FAQ

University of the People (UoPeople) is the world’s tuition-free, non-profit, online academic institution dedicated to opening access to higher education globally. Based on the principles of e-learning and peer-to-peer learning, coupled with open-source technology and Open Educational Resources, UoPeople is designed to provide access to undergraduate degree programs for qualified individuals, despite financial, geographic or societal constraints. UoPeople offers Associate and Bachelor degree programs in Business Administration and Computer Science. Founded in 2009 by educational entrepreneur Shai Reshef, UoPeople has partnered with Yale University for research, New York University to accept students and Hewlett-Packard for internships. To date, students from 130 countries have been accepted. The organization has gained the widespread support of leading academics, over 730,000 people on Facebook and media throughout the world.

University of the People offers a unique learning experience that combines peer-based and collaborative learning, with information technologies and internet. Within the online study communities, students will share resources, exchange ideas, discuss weekly topics, submit assignments, and take exams. The curriculum itself will be supported by respected scholars. A community of educators, comprised of active and retired professors, master level students and other professionals, will participate and oversee the assessment process. They will also develop ongoing procedures for curriculum evaluation and development.

With a convenient virtual address, www.uopeople.org, University of the People is accessible anywhere a computer and Internet connection exists. The students and Instructors represent a diverse group coming from both developing and developed countries.

Founder and President Shai Reshef established University of the People to marry the opportunities between unprecedented access to the Internet, dropping technology costs, and rising tuition fees worldwide. UoPeople is the world’s first tuition free, online academic institution dedicated to the global advancement and democratization of higher education. The high-quality, low-cost and global educational model embraces the worldwide presence of the Internet and dropping technology costs to bring collegiate level studies to even the most remote places on earth. With the support of respected academics, humanitarians and other visionaries, the UoPeople student body represents a new wave in global education.

Distance learning is a growing trend in the U.S. When applied to a tuition-free model distance learning has enormous potential to make education an equalizer by providing educational opportunities to those otherwise unable to pursue higher education for financial or other reasons. University of the People will be able to effectively function on a limited budget without sacrificing the quality of education. Embracing collaborative learning and utilizing open educational materials, University of the People makes the best use of a student body from around the world while limiting operating costs.

As mentioned there are no buildings, trees or grass to rest on between classes – all the programs, materials, and services can be found online. UoPeople consists mainly of the people who study in it, and the materials they use. Students are grouped in classes which reflect their progress. The student advances along with his or her peers as they are given the same lesson and assignments every week.

University of the People anticipates thousands of students to enroll within the first five years of operation. The power of online networking and word-of-mouth marketing will facilitate the growth of the University, while the open-source and peer-based and collaborative educational model will make it possible to handle such rapid expansion.

The learning model includes lessons, classes, discussions, readings, assignments and exams like any university. The students receive maximum freedom in choosing their location and hours of study. Still, in order to push the students for academic success, there are several tools that ensure their commitment, and promote their academic success. University of the People's goal is to allow students to live their lives, make a living at whatever means are available in their environment, while still being able to enjoy a supportive learning environment which will help to lead them to a better life.

University of the People offers the following four undergraduate degrees: Associate (A.S.) and Bachelor (B.S.) degrees in Computer Science and Associate (A.S.) and Bachelor (B.S.) degrees in Business Administration.

At present, University of the People is not an accredited institution. The University is in the process of applying for accreditation from an agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. At this time, no assurances can be given as to when, or if, accreditation might be granted. If the University is accredited at the time a degree is awarded to a student, that student would have the benefit of having graduated from an accredited institution. Prospective and current students of UoPeople should take into consideration the possibility that they will finish their studies with University of the People with no accredited degree.

At the present, University of the People is not an accredited institution. Consequently, at this stage we are unable to accept transfer students who are seeking credit for coursework at another institution. In the future, we hope to be able to consider credit earned at an accredited educational institution for purposes of transfer to UoPeople

Currently, University of the People offers four undergraduate degrees: Associate (A.S.) and Bachelor (B.S.) degrees in Computer Science and Associate (A.S.) and Bachelor (B.S.) degrees in Business Administration. The University will offer an MBA program only to its graduates.

University of the People classes take place online, so students can learn wherever an Internet connection is available. Whether you have a fast connection or a slow one, students receive the same lesson, as all materials, including the lessons, are online texts. To allow even more people to participate, the lessons can be read in the span of a few days. They are not restricted to a specific time so that the students can study and participate in the course discussion forums whenever their lives allow it.

At the present, all exams are administered online. As a non-profit academic institution dedicated to opening access to higher education, UoPeople has succeeded in cutting down almost the entire cost of higher education. All we ask students to cover is the cost of processing applications and examinations. For all new applications commencing from September 2012, UoPeople will ask students to cover the cost of processing exams at $100 per end-of course exam. This fee is a non-refundable Exam Processing Fee for each exam taken. For students who are unable to pay this amount, UoPeople will soon refer students to a Micro-Scholarship Portal to enable donors to contribute directly to students in need of assistance. Additionally, students may apply for a UoPeople scholarship to cover up to the full cost of the Exam Processing Fees.

University of the People offers the following four undergraduate degrees: Associate (A.S.) and Bachelor (B.S.) degrees in Computer Science and Associate (A.S.) and Bachelor (B.S.) degrees in Business Administration.

To meet application requirements, the applicant needs to be over the age of 18, be able to demonstrate secondary school completion with the presentation of a certified diploma and a transcript, and be proficient in the English language. Please refer to the International Applicant section (found below) for further details on English proficiency requirements.

Yes. You will need to submit a new application, but make sure to check the box that indicates you are re-applying so we can identify you in our database and locate your academic transcripts and other information.

University of the People does not charge its students tuition. University of the People does charge a modest non-refundable Application Processing Fee in the range of $10 - $50, based on the applicant's place of residence and the University Grant provided. The University charges an Application Processing Fee in order to cover the cost of processing each application as well as remain sustainable. As a non-profit academic institution dedicated to opening access to higher education, UoPeople has succeeded in cutting down almost the entire cost of higher education. All we ask our students to cover, for all new applications commencing from August 27, 2012, is the cost of processing exams at $100 per end-of course exam. This fee is a non-refundable Exam Processing Fee for each exam taken. For students who are unable to pay this amount, UoPeople will soon refer students to a Micro-Scholarship Portal to enable donors to contribute directly to students in need of assistance. Additionally, students may apply for a UoPeople scholarship to cover up to the full cost of the Exam Processing Fees.

University of the People is a tuition-free, non-profit institution. The University does not charge students to take classes, does not charge for any reading and other study materials, and does not charge for annual enrollment. As a non-profit academic institution dedicated to opening access to higher education, UoPeople has succeeded in cutting down almost the entire cost of higher education. All we ask applicants to cover is an application processing fee of $10-$50, depending on the applicants country of residence. Additionally, for all new applications commencing from August 27, 2012, UoPeople will ask students to cover the cost of processing exams at $100 per end-of course exam. This fee is a non-refundable Exam Processing Fee for each exam taken. For students who are unable to pay this amount, UoPeople will soon refer students to a Micro-Scholarship Portal to enable donors to contribute directly to students in need of assistance. Additionally, students may apply for a UoPeople scholarship to cover up to the full cost of the Exam Processing Fees.

No, there is no fee for any learning materials. Everything is available via our website and online using free Internet resources.

UoPeople offers payment via PayPal, Western Union and Cashier's Check. PayPal: PayPal allows you to initiate payment through the Internet (and also provides the ability to pay using credit cards). To see the credit cards PayPal accepts from your country, please refer to the following link: https://www.paypal.com/us/cgi-bin/marketingweb?cmd=_display-country-functionality-outside Western Union: To locate a Western Union Agent within your region please refer to the following link: http://www.westernunion.com/info/agentLocator.asp?country=global. Cashier’s Check (a check issued directly by a bank): 1. Cashier’s Checks must be issued in US dollars. 2. Cashier’s Checks must be payable to University of the People. 3. Your Applicant ID must be written on the Cashier’s Check. 4. The Cashier’s Check should be mailed to the following address: University of the People 225 S. Lake Ave. Suite 300 Pasadena, CA 91101 USA Please make sure that all information on the check (including amount payable) is accurate before mailing it. A Cashier’s Check with missing or inaccurate information will be shredded for security purposes and will not be deposited. Once your Cashier’s Check is cashed, your payment status will be changed and you will be notified accordingly. C.WE DO NOT ACCEPT CASH OR PERSONAL CHECKS. Please do not send payments with any method other than those listed above. For additional options, please contact payments@uopeople.org

Yes. You may have someone else pay your Application Processing Fee on your behalf if he or she mails to the University a Cashier’s Check (a check from the bank), with your Applicant ID written on the Cashier’s Check. Please note the following: 1. It must be a Cashier’s Check. 2. Cashier’s Checks must be issued in US dollars. 3. Cashier’s Checks must be payable to University of the People. 4. Your Applicant ID must be written on the Cashier’s Check. 5. The Cashier’s Check should be mailed to the following address: University of the People 225 S. Lake Ave. Suite 300 Pasadena, CA 91101 USA Please make sure that you tell whomever is paying for your Application Processing Fee that all information on the Cashier’s Check (including amount payable – please look at the fees section if you are unsure of your Application Processing Fee) is accurate before mailing it. A Cashier’s Check with missing or inaccurate information will be shredded for security purposes and will not be deposited. Once the Cashier’s Check on your behalf is cashed, your payment status will be changed and you will be notified accordingly. Please make sure to inform whomever is paying your Application Processing Fee on your behalf that WE DO NOT ACCEPT CASH OR PERSONAL CHECKS.

UoPeople requires all payments be submitted in US Dollars.

The determination of grants and fees is at the sole discretion of University of the People. For specific information on applicable processing fees and grants by location, please refer to the UoPeople Enrollment Agreement: https://applicants.uopeople.org/pdf/enrollmentagreement.pdf

The Application Processing Fee is non-refundable. Please refer to the Payment Agreement for more details https://applicants.uopeople.org/steps/ApplicationFee.aspx

Scholarships are reviewed on a case by case basis. The Payments Office will work closely with each student to find the best option available in the shortest time possible. At this stage, students starting term may be delayed when applying for a scholarship. UoPeople strives very hard to ensure that no student is left out of higher education for financial reasons.

No, there is another option available. Applicants whose native language is not English, or who graduated from an institution where English was not the primary language of instruction, must have a minimum IELTS score of 6.0, or a TOEFL score of 500, to be considered for an undergraduate program. If you do not hold an IELTS or TOEFL certificate, you can be considered for admission for Accelerated English study. Students taking Accelerated English will be required to pass the course ENGL 0101 English Composition I with a grade of C or above in order to be admitted to their desired undergraduate program.

Your IELTS or TOEFL certificate must be submitted with your other documents to be considered for an undergraduate program. Please note that all documents submitted must be original documents OR notarized photocopies, bearing original stamps and signatures from a notary public or the issuing institution.

If you do not hold an IELTS or TOEFL qualification, or scored less than the minimum score required, and have met all other admissions requirements, you can be considered for admission for Accelerated English study.

Accelerated English provides international students who do not hold an IELTS or TOEFL certificate, or achieved less than the minimum score required, with the opportunity to demonstrate the level of English proficiency required for successful academic study. Students accepted onto Accelerated English will be required to take a course called English Composition I. Successful completion of the course will allow students to be admitted into their desired academic program as undergraduate students.

Students will be required to successfully pass the course with a grade of C or above. Students will have two attempts to take this course. If students are not able to successfully complete the course following two attempts, they will not be able to begin studies as degree seeking students at the university.

Diplomas and transcripts that are not in English should be submitted together with an official notarized translation. This means that UoPeople must receive both a certified/notarized copy of your diploma(s) and transcript(s) in their original language, and notarized translations for each document. Translations should be accurate, word-for-word translations drafted by your Ministry of Education or by a professional translator or translation company.

In order to be considered as a potential volunteer instructor and/or course developer, an online volunteer application form will need to be filled out by the prospective individual which must include a CV in English. The individual’s file is then reviewed by a member of the University of the People staff, and contact is established. For more information, please see: http://www.uopeople.org/groups/donate_time2

University of the People is constantly seeking out volunteers for its various departments. While we cannot guarantee that each and every potential volunteer will be able to find a suitable volunteer position with us, we try our best to match potential volunteers with their desired position.