Undergraduate Nonmatriculated Study
Policy Statement
Nonmatriculated Study
Permission to enroll at Stanford as a nonmatriculated student is limited to the categories below. Nonmatriculated students authorized to enroll at Stanford University are not admitted to any Stanford degree program. Permission to enroll as a nonmatriculated student does not imply subsequent admission as a matriculated student. Financial assistance from Stanford University is not available to a nonmatriculated student.
Nonmatriculated 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, nonmatriculated student status may be revoked at the University's discretion.
Nonmatriculated 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 nonmatriculated students.
Undergraduate Visiting Research Interns
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 the Non-Degree Admissions Office.
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 Visiting Research Interns. Stanford cannot certify Undergraduate Visiting Research Interns for deferment of U.S. educational loans.
Detailed information for interested students is available on the Stanford Student Services Non-Matriculated Student Researchers webpage. Information for department staff and faculty is available on the Inside Student Services website.
High School Nonmatriculated Students
Local high school students are eligible to be considered to attend Stanford as nonmatriculated students on a limited basis when they have exhausted all of the courses in a given discipline offered by their high school. Nonmatriculated 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. 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.
Summer Session
Students wishing to enroll as a nonmatriculated student during Summer Quarter should contact the Summer Session Office 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.
Contact Information
Nonmatriculated Study (Undergraduate) and High School Nonmatriculated Students, please contact the Non-Degree Admissions Office at non-degree-admissions@stanford.edu
Summer Session, please contact https://summer.stanford.edu/contact-us