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Center for Education Abroad
Office for Global Engagement

Types of Education Abroad Programs

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University partner programs vs. non-partner programs

At a high level, there are two types of programs:

 Partner programs

  • Offered by the University
  • Easier for students to take advantage of
  • University financial aid can help

 Non-partner programs

  • Offered by other US universities or institutions
  • Require more work for students to coordinate
  • Costs cannot be offset by University financial aid

Partner programs

Overview

A partner program is one with an official connection to the University. Partner programs have been welcoming University of Rochester students for many years and the program staff are familiar with the academic interests, needs, and strengths of Rochester students.

Rochester offers more than 75 partner programs during the summer and the academic year.

Advantages
  • University of Rochester financial aid applies toward the cost of the program (semester or academic year).
  • Grades earned will not be shown on your transcript and are not calculated into the GPA.
  • Grades for courses taught by University of Rochester faculty appear on your Rochester transcript and are calculated into the GPA. This includes grades from faculty-led programs.
  • Applications are available at the Center for Education Abroad, and all materials are coordinated by that office.
  • Elective transfer credit is automatic upon completion of coursework with a C or better (following normal University transfer credit guidelines).
  • Special scholarships are available through some of our partners like IES and CIEE. There are also many outside scholarships available like the Gilman and NSEP/Boren.

Non-partner programs

Overview

University of Rochester students are permitted to go on accredited study abroad programs offered by other US universities or institutions, but they will require more time and effort on the student’s part to coordinate. There are more than 4,000 of these programs worldwide.

University of Rochester financial aid does not apply toward non-partner programs.

Advantages
  • GPA requirements and acceptance may be easier to obtain. Although the minimum overall GPA for applying to a University of Rochester partner program is 2.75, many University programs have more strict requirements.
  • Overall cost of the program may be lower for some students, particularly those who don’t receive any merit-based or need-based scholarships from Rochester.
  • A particular location, language or topic may be available that isn’t available through a University partner program.
  • May provide unique opportunities such as multi-country itineraries or rigorous, field-based research.
  • Can provide a way to study at an institution or university where there is not a current partner program.
Making arrangements and enrollment

When the University of Rochester has formal agreements with a program provider and university, students must use the University’s arrangements. Students are not permitted to make their own independent arrangements to go abroad with these same providers or universities.

Note that non-partner programs don’t apply toward the University’s Enrollment Policy. Discuss the Enrollment Policy with and Education Abroad Advisor and major advisor.

Types of programs

The type of program you choose will be impacted by your academic needs and interests. Explore program types below. If you’re looking for a specific area of study, our program search tool or full program list can help.

Exchange programs

Rochester students trade places with their abroad counterparts for a semester or year. This offers the chance for students in each country to meet past, current, and future participants.

  • Language of instruction: English or host country’s language
  • Academics: Regular university courses with host country and international students. STEM students often benefit from exchange programs
  • Housing: Residence hall, apartments, or homestay; varies by university
  • Costs: You will be billed by the University’s Bursar’s Office for Rochester tuition and standard housing; some exchanges will be billed for housing by the host university.
  • Locations: The University has exchanges with:
    • Australian National University
    • Birmingham City University (United Kingdom)
    • Chinese University of Hong Kong
    • Hong Kong University of Science and Technology
    • Jagiellonian University (Poland)
    • Meiji Gakuin University (Japan)
    • Nanyang Technological University (Singapore)
    • Pontifical Catholic University (Peru)
    • Seoul National University (South Korea)
    • University of Bristol (United Kingdom)
    • University of Cologne (Germany)
    • University of Leeds (United Kingdom)
    • University of Rennes 1- Economics (France)
    • University of Sussex (United Kingdom)
    • University of Western Australia
    • University of York (United Kingdom)
    • Waseda University (Japan)

Learn more about University exchange programs

Summer programs

A summer program is a great option if you are thinking about studying abroad, but aren’t quite sure if you would like to spend a full semester or can fit an academic year abroad into your plans.

You can participate in a summer program as early as the summer after your first year. Students can participate in internships, experiential activities and short-term, faculty-led programs.

Browse our summer programs

Virtual programs

While virtual opportunities aren’t meant to take the place of a physical study abroad experience, they can be a great way to get academic and intercultural experience.

Browse our virtual programs

Integrated (“direct enrollment”) programs

Integrated (also called direct enrollment) programs are arranged by a sponsoring US college or consortium. They let you enroll directly in a foreign university alongside local students.

These programs provide American-style transcripts, academic advising, and orientation for US college students. Despite support, full immersion in the host culture is challenging and requires a high level of maturity, flexibility, and resourcefulness.

  • Language of instruction: Host country’s language (approximately four or five semesters of college-level language study or the equivalent) or English
  • Academics: Regular university courses with host country and international students. STEM students often benefit from direct enrollment programs
  • Housing: Residence hall, apartments, or homestay; varies by program
  • Financial aid: Rochester financial aid can be applied to Rochester program
  • Costs: For University-affiliated programs, Rochester tuition and standard housing is billed by the Bursar’s Office
  • Examples: The IES program at the University of Sydney in Australia, and the CIEE program at the University of Sharjah

Browse programs by country or region

“Island” programs

Island programs are great if you’d like to study in a place where you don’t have mastery in the host country’s language.

On an island program, you will take courses that have been specifically created for the program. They are arranged by a sponsoring college or consortium, and are taught either by faculty members of the home campus, or by host country faculty contracted for individual courses.

Summer study abroad programs are normally “island” programs because most universities abroad do not offer regular instruction during the summer.

  • Language of instruction: English, in the local language, or both
  • Academics: In class with other US college students only
  • Housing: Shared apartment with US students or locals, residential hotel, or private home with a family or landlord/landlady
  • Example: Florence Lisio Italian Studies

Combined programs

Combined programs, or “hybrids”, blend island programs with direct enrollment at foreign universities. On-site academic advising helps ease the transition into the foreign university setting.

Students seeking full integration may prefer combined programs due to the greater challenges of direct enrollment. Even if students are reasonably fluent in the local language, there are often significant differences in learning, teaching, and testing styles.

  • Language of instruction: English, host country’s language, or both
  • Academics: Courses arranged for the study abroad students, as well as local direct enrollment opportunities
  • Housing: Residence hall, apartments, or homestay; varies by program
  • Financial aid: University financial aid can be applied to Rochester programs
  • Costs: For University-affiliated programs, Rochester tuition and standard housing is billed by the Bursar’s Office
  • Examples: On the IES program in Madrid, which requires the equivalent of four or five semesters of college-level Spanish, you might choose to take some IES courses and some regular courses at the Universidad Complutense de Madrid.

Browse programs by country or region

Internship programs

Study abroad programs often blend traditional academics with hands-on experience through internships. These programs place you in an internship while you take courses. Internships are offered by many organizations and in various fields, including politics, medical research, museums, theaters, businesses, and media.

Internship programs provide academic credit and are not paid. Most countries don’t allow students to enter and then obtain paid employment.

You can search for internship, research, volunteer, and service learning opportunities on these websites:

Independent enrollment

Rochester has partnerships with many overseas schools where you can directly enroll. But if you have a specific school in mind that fits your academic and personal interests, you may be able to apply independently.

This independent option is not available for institutions where Rochester has an existing partnership. You must apply through the University of Rochester.

If you enroll independently at a university that does not issue an US-style transcript, you will be required have your transcript evaluated by a service such as World Education Service (WES). They can document your successful completion of the program of study.

To transfer credit, you will need to bring back syllabi and reading lists for each course, along with all your written work: notes, essays, research papers, examinations, and any available evaluations of your work by abroad faculty. We will review these documents with faculty before credit can be granted.

Browse programs by country or region