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Find the official policies that govern our student and academic community.
Nonmatriculated study at Stanford is a limited, discretionary privilege that allows certain students to enroll without being admitted to a degree program, does not guarantee future admission, and does not include financial aid. It is generally restricted to specific groups, such as summer visitors, visiting research interns, or qualified high school students, with additional eligibility requirements and approvals.
Permission to enroll at Stanford as a non-matriculated student is limited to the categories below. Non-matriculated students authorized to enroll at Stanford University are not admitted to any Stanford degree program. Permission to enroll as a non-matriculated student does not imply subsequent admission as a matriculated student. Financial assistance from Stanford University is not available to a non-matriculated student.
Non-matriculated student status is a privilege and not a right. The University reserves the right, at its discretion, to withhold registration from, or require withdrawal for the program by, any student or applicant. In addition, non-matriculated student status may be revoked at the University's discretion.
Non-matriculated student status during Autumn, Winter, or Spring Quarter is not an option absent exceptional circumstances and only with permission of the relevant school or Vice Provost for Undergraduate Education, and the Office of the Provost.
Matriculated Stanford undergraduates are not eligible to enroll as non-matriculated students.
Students from other universities who have not yet obtained a bachelor’s degree (or its foreign equivalent) may be sponsored by a Stanford school or department to work under the supervision of a faculty member in a research lab or on a research project. Appointments are limited to Summer Quarter, beginning as early as June 1 and concluding no later than August 31.
To be eligible for an Undergraduate Visiting Research Intern appointment, a student must be matriculated and currently enrolled in a bachelor's-level degree program at an accredited U.S. college or university, or an international or college or university of recognized standing. Additionally, they must have completed at least two years of enrollment as detailed above. The student must be qualified to conduct research at a level comparable to that of Stanford undergraduates, and the research must be of benefit to Stanford as well as to the visitor. Participation is contingent upon the approval of Non-Degree Admissions.
Undergraduate Visiting Research Interns are charged a quarterly fee. They may waive the University’s student medical insurance plan only if they have comparable coverage with another carrier and submit proof of the comparable coverage prior to the appointment start date. Undergraduate Visiting Research Interns are not entitled to any financial support from Stanford University; funds intended for the support of matriculated Stanford students may not be used to support Undergraduate Visiting Research Interns. Stanford cannot certify Undergraduate Visiting Research Interns for deferment of U.S. educational loans.
Local high school students are eligible to be considered to attend Stanford as non-matriculated students on a limited basis when they have exhausted all of the courses in a given discipline offered by their high school. Non-matriculated high school students are permitted to enroll in one course per quarter and are required to pay the applicable tuition. Permission from the academic department and the University Registrar is required. Refer to the following restrictions:
The Language Center does not allow high school students to enroll in language courses during the academic year. High school students who are accepted to participate in High School Summer College may enroll in language courses as part of Summer Session, space permitting.
High school students are not permitted to enroll in Mathematics courses.
Students wishing to enroll as a non-matriculated student during Summer Quarter should visit the Summer Session website opens in a new tab for more information about the Summer Visitor Program. Admission to the Summer Visitor Program does not imply regular admission to Stanford for subsequent quarters or to one of Stanford's regular degree programs.
Individuals must be invited by a Stanford faculty member to do research on campus, or admitted to a Stanford summer research program opens in a new tab. Fees, responsibilities, restrictions, and privileges for approved Undergraduate Visiting Research Interns may be found on the Student Services website opens in a new tab.
Department administrators should refer to the Inside Student Services Intranet opens in a new tab (web-auth required) for details on the appointment process for this population.
Applicants should consult with their department of interest to determine whether they qualify.
Applicants should refer to the Summer Session website opens in a new tab for application procedures.
Undergraduate Visiting Research Interns and High School Non-Matriculated Students, please contact your department of interest.
Summer Session, please contact https://summer.stanford.edu/contact-us opens in a new tab
Stanford admits a diverse, highly qualified undergraduate class from around the world based on intellectual vitality, achievement, and potential, without quotas or preference for background, while maintaining need-blind admissions (for U.S.
Stanford’s non-matriculated enrollment is limited to specific groups, such as eligible Stanford alumni and individuals with a bachelor’s degree who are admitted by a department, and requires an application process and approval.
