Visiting Student
If you are taking courses for credit but do not intend to earn a degree or certificate from Bellevue College, you are considered a visiting student.
Overview
As a visiting student, you might:
- Transfer your Bellevue College credits to your home institution where you’ll complete your degree.
- Take courses as prerequisites for admission into a graduate program.
- Take courses for personal enrichment or enjoyment.
Admissions Process
As a visiting student, you will follow most of the same instructions as Bellevue College applicants, but some of the steps will be different:
- Since you are not pursuing a certificate or degree at Bellevue College, you will apply as “Non-Award Seeking.”
- You will not be required to establish your English/math placement unless required for the course you plan to enroll in.
- If the course(s) you want to take have prerequisites which you have taken at another institution, you will be required to complete the prerequisite clearance process or establish English/math placement.
- You will not need to complete the New Student Orientation.
Ready to apply? Here’s how:
- Set up an account.
First, set up your account using the Washington State online admission application. - Complete the application.
- A step-by-step guide makes the process easy.
- On your application choose “Transfer” if you have or are attending another college, or choose “First-year” if this is your first time attending college. Select “Non-Award Seeking” and “Non-Degree-Other”.
- View the next steps, once your application has been processed. (note that orientation is not required)
Tips for a Visiting Student’s Success
Set yourself up for success as a visiting student. We’ve developed the following recommendations that will help you enroll in the right classes, and explain what you’ll need to do after you’ve completed your coursework at Bellevue College.
Get clearance to take courses with prerequisites
You may need clearance from Bellevue College to enroll in courses that have prerequisites. We will evaluate the courses you’ve taken to ensure that they fulfill requirements.
Start the clearance process right away to prevent delays in course enrollment.
Review the steps to enroll
Our enrollment process may be different than that at another institution.
Find out how to search for, enroll in, and pay for courses.
Request transcripts
Once you’ve completed your courses at Bellevue College, request your official Bellevue College transcript.
It’s needed to transfer Bellevue College credits to another institution.
About Us
We are an open-access college where you can prepare for real-world opportunities. We believe in empowering people from all backgrounds to reach their full potential and achieve their goals. We strive to maintain a diverse and welcoming community, as well as a sustainable campus, for students, faculty and staff.
Learn more about what we do and how we’re dedicated to your success at Bellevue College and beyond.
Search for Classes
Find the classes you need, browse descriptions, and view scheduling options.
Search for ClassesFrequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Earlier is always better! The application form will ask you for the “Term.” If you do not see the quarter you plan to start listed as an option, it could be that the term has not yet opened up for applicants. Applications are typically available about 1-2 quarters in advance.
Note: Bellevue College’s academic calendar consists of four quarters, starting with Summer, Fall, Winter, then Spring.
Summer and Fall applications open mid-January.
Winter applications open mid-July.
Spring applications open in early October.
As a visiting or former returning student, you will be able to register from the first day of open enrollment as posted on the academic calendar under the “Enrollment/Registration & Grading” section. Some classes may fill up quickly, so it is recommended to start early with your application.
You should contact your home institution to see how the credits will transfer back. Some schools have credit transfer tools or course equivalency guides on their website to be able to easily see how your credits here at BC will count at your home institution. Ultimately, it is up to your home institution on how those credits will count towards your academic goals there.
Note: We recommend keeping a copy of your course syllabus for every class you take, just in case your home institution requests it to transfer the credit.
Contact your home institution to see what its credit transfer process is. Typically, an institution will require you to send an official transcript to them at the end of the quarter, after grades post to your transcript. You can order your Bellevue College transcript through our vendor, Parchment and see our website for instructions.
Yes. You will still need to apply to Bellevue College. The application takes approximately 15-30 minutes to fill out.
In your application, select the following options:
For the question, “I will be enrolling as a….” select the option “Transfer”
For the question, “Program” select the option “Non-Award Seeking”
Once your application is processed, you will receive a welcome email with your ctcLink ID (student) number and information on the next steps to sign up for classes.
A full list of steps after your application is processed can be found on the admitted student page.
It depends. You will still need to apply to Bellevue College. The application takes approximately 15-30 minutes to fill out. Once your application is processed, you will receive a welcome email with your ctcLink ID number and information on your next steps to sign up for classes. For students under the age of 18 years old, you may need to register with one of our many different High School Programs or provide extenuating educational circumstances that makes it necessary for you to attend Bellevue College. More information can be found on the High School Programs webpage or the Underage Admissions webpage.
For Summer Quarter things can be different. If you are participating in the Running Start program, then you will need to check with your high school counselor about your eligibility for Running Start in the Summer. For more details, please visit the Running Start website. If you are not participating in the Running Start program, then you will need to follow the steps for underage admission and submit all required documents. Applying as an underage student does not guarantee your approval for enrollment. For more details, please see the Underage Admissions webpage.
First, apply to Bellevue College (BC)
Next, set up your BC email. Your options for clearing prerequisites include submitting unofficial transcripts or taking a placement test. You can learn more about these options on the Placement and Testing webpage.
Note: if you are still enrolled in the prerequisite course at another college or university, and do not have a grade yet, you can provide a screenshot of your schedule as described on the Placement and Testing webpage.
Yes, in certain cases, through a consortium agreement between Bellevue College and your home institution. Contact your home institution’s financial aid office to begin the process.
It depends. Residency for tuition purposes is determined by responses in your application to Bellevue College. Your welcome email will include your residency status for tuition purposes. If you think that the determination is incorrect, you can contact the residency department. More information can be found on the Washington State Residency webpage on how your residency is determined.
No, but be sure to apply as a “non-award seeking” student. It is highly recommended but not required as a visiting student. The New Student Orientation (NSO) is only required if you are pursuing a degree or certificate.
Note: If you are visiting and then decide to continue on to get a degree or certificate at BC though, you may be required to complete it. If you have any questions about the NSO, you can find more information on the advising office webpage.
Conversion between Quarters and Semesters can be different for each institution and can often depend on the particular class. You should check with your home institution to inquire about how the credit at BC will transfer to your home institution.
Note: Your home institution may have a “Unit Converter Tool” or “Transfer Course Equivalencies Guide” available to students to help.