UMass Boston

Advising for Study Away: Meet with Us

In-person or virtual advising appointments for study away: 

Schedule a time to Meet with us!

Open-Advising Hours Fall 2025: Tuesdays & Wednesdays 9:30-2:00PM, Campus Center 2100 (no appointment needed!)

Study Away Program Options:

International Exchange Programs

For Reciprocal Exchange Programs, UMass Boston exchange students pay their tuition and curriculum fee to UMass Boston, not to the host university. Mandatory and other student fees are paid to the host institution. The host institution will assist the student in locating housing and the cost is the student’s responsibility. If you are currently receiving the Chancellor's Scholarship or are studying under the GI Bill and want to receive that funding for your study abroad term, you must go on a semester/ year-long exchange program only. 

Exchange Programs (active)

Program Name

Country City

Australian Catholic University (ACU)** (direct enroll possible)

Australia  Brisbane, Melbourne, Sydney
University of Sunshine Coast (USC) ** (direct enroll possible) Australia  Queensland 
United International College China  Zhuhai
Aarhus University Denmark Aarhus 
Ecole de Management de Normandie France Caen, Le Havre, Paris
Sciences Po University Rennes France Rennes
Goethe-Universität Frankfurt am Main Germany Frankfurt
Hessen-Massachusetts Exchange Germany Darmstadt, Frankfurt, Fulda, Giessen, Kassel, & Marburg, Germany
Universität Mannheim Germany Mannheim
University College Dublin Ireland Dublin
University of Limerick (UL) Ireland Limerick
John Cabot University (JCU)** (direct enroll possible) Italy Rome
Hokkaido University Japan Sapporo
Sophia University** (direct enroll possible) Japan Tokyo 
Soka University* Japan Hachioji, Tokyo
Saitama University Japan Saitama

Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México (UNAM)*

Mexico Mexico City

Rabat Business School, Université Internationale de Rabat (UIR)

Morocco Rabat
Utrecht University Netherlands Utrecht
Nova School of Business and Economics Portugal Lisbon
Kyung Hee University South Korea Seoul
Korea University (KU)** (direct enroll possible) South Korea Seoul
Sungkyunkwan University (SKKU) South Korea Seoul
Universidad Autónoma de Madrid* ** (direct enroll possible) Spain Madrid
Universidad del País Vasco (UPV) Spain Basque Country (Vitoria-Gasteiz, Bilbao, San Sebastián)
Universidad de Navarra Spain Pamplona
Universidad Nebrija* ** (direct enroll possible) Spain Madrid
Universitat de Barcelona Spain Barcelona
Brunel University of London UK London (Uxbridge, West London)
Glasgow Caledonian University (GCU) United Kingdom (Scotland) Glasgow

* Language Requirement 

** Indicates limited exchange placements available each term. Exchange places are awarded to eligible students in the order in which they apply. Contact studyabroad@umb.edu before applying.

International Faculty-Led Programs

UMass Boston courses are taught by UMass Boston faculty in locations around the world. Our small group, faculty-taught study abroad programs will expose you to an array of diverse peoples, cultures and settings. The programs are custom-designed and taught by experienced UMass Boston faculty. Programs range from 10-days to one-semester in length in a variety of subject areas.

Faculty-Led Programs Currently Accepting Applications: 

Spring 2025 Course with Spring-Break Travel:

Summer 2025:

International Provider Programs

Specific third-party study abroad companies/organizations (providers) that UMass Boston partners with to offer alternatives to the Reciprocal Exchange Programs. 

All costs for alternate programs are paid directly to the programs themselves; often expenses such as housing, partial board, and additional on-the-ground support are a part of the costs associated with provider programs. Many provider programs offer scholarships to participants. You can transfer the financial aid you are receiving now to these programs. Additional financial aid for the program is assessed based on your individual FAFSA. 

As of Fall 2026, UMass Boston will no longer initiate or maintain formal affiliations with for-profit study abroad companies or organizations. UMass Boston students will not be approved to study on these programs from Fall 2026 onward. 

Provider Partners as of Fall 2026:

  • Oxford Study Abroad Programme (OSAP): OSAP places strong students in colleges of Oxford University. Oxford is the oldest English-speaking university in the world, and is considered to be one of the two or three best universities and/or colleges in the world. The program is offered for UMass Boston students 4 times a year, including summers. The Oxford Study Abroad Program is multi-disciplinary & features tutorials (one-on-one instruction). 
  • American Institute of Foreign Study (AIFS): AIFS offers a wide range of study abroad programs in Asia, Australia, Europe, Africa and the Americas, plus multi-country traveling programs throughout western Europe. AIFS offers courses taught in English, and also language acquisition programs abroad. Programs are offered three times a year, including summer.
  • Council on International Educational Exchange (CIEE) - programs in Africa, Asia, Australia, Europe, Latin America, the Middle East, or Spain
  • University Studies Abroad Consortium (USAC) - Nonprofit, university-based study abroad organization which provides quality, accredited summer, semester & yearlong programs in 25 countries
  • ISEP Study Abroad -A nonprofit partner that offers summer, semester, academic year, and internship programs in popular cities and unique destinations in Europe, Asia, Latin America, Oceania, Africa, and the Middle East. 
  • SIT Study Abroad: We offer programs in Africa, Asia and the Pacific, Europe, Latin America, and the Middle East, as well as comparative programs in multiple locations. SIT programs are developed within a framework of Critical Global Issues—challenges that cross borders, languages, and cultures. SIT is a nonprofit university and was founded in 1964 as the School for International Training.
  • School for Field Studies: SFS creates transformative study abroad experiences through field-based learning and research. Our educational programs explore the social and ecological dimensions of the complex environmental problems faced by our local partners, contributing to sustainable solutions in the places where we live and work. The SFS community is part of a growing network of individuals and institutions committed to environmental stewardship.

 

International Direct Enrollment

Study overseas as an international/visiting student and transfer credits with the approval of UMass Boston. Tuition and program fees are paid to the university abroad. Check the university website for information on costs.

Affiliated and Popular Direct Enrollment Programs:

Know of a university we are not partnered with that offers a study abroad program for non-exchange students? Please see the study abroad office if you have an outside program you are interested in before applying.

National Student Exchange Programs (US & Canada)

The National Student Exchange Program offers semester or year-long programs at nearly 200 member universities in the US, Guam, Puerto Rico, US Virgin Islands, & Canada. For questions, email NSE Coordinator Michael Mahan.

Programs Open to Graduate Students

Reciprocal Exchange Programs: The exchange programs below offer graduate-level coursework. These are semester or year-long based programs in which your tuition/fees would continue to be paid to UMass Boston. Any additional fees/housing costs will be paid by you to the program abroad. Before proceeding in applying to any program, please discuss the program, courses, and any related financial awards with your Graduate Program Director. You must have permission from your program before we can accept your application.  

Please check the following, before applying: 

  • If you are receiving any sort of financial aid/scholarships/assistantships, check with your program and scholarship office on what can be applicable to a study abroad exchange program. Your tuition/fees continue to be paid to UMass Boston for the semester you are abroad on exchange programs.
  • Also ensure the courses offered on the program abroad are able to be transferred to your program. This will need to be confirmed by your graduate program director. You should provide syllabi for all courses you wish to take to your graduate program director on the Graduate Credit Request for Prior Approval Form

Programs with graduate-level coursework: 

Research Programs/Opportunities: 

Goethe Research Experience Program (GREP) at Goethe-Universität Frankfurt Am Main: Frankfurt, Germany: GREP offers top international undergraduate and master's students 2-6 month fellowships at Goethe University Frankfurt, where you'll gain hands-on experience in cutting-edge research projects under the guidance of expert faculty. Deadline in September for Spring-intake (April-July) and in December for Summer-intake (June-August).

 

Explore Study Abroad Programs & Apply

Hear from UMass Boston students on their experiences studying abroad on our blog site.

Choosing your study away program:

To search for the study abroad programs and course options you must go to the individual website of the program. You can search for programs here: https://viaumassboston.via-trm.com/ For the National Student Exchange Program, view options and apply here: https://nse.org/

Study Abroad Program Lengths

  • Semester or Year-long: Spend a full semester or academic year abroad. The minimum credits to be taken for a semester is 12 US credits to be considered full-time.
  • Summer Programs**: Earn credits over summer break. Typical programs are between 3-6 weeks and offer between 3-6 credits.
  • Winter (J-Term) Programs**: Earn credits over winter break. Typical programs are 2-3 weeks and offer 3-4 credits.
  • Short-Term UMass Boston Faculty-taught programs: UMass Boston courses taught abroad by UMass Boston Faculty. Summer, winter, and semester options available here.
  • National Student Exchange Programs: One Semester or one-year program options at a campus in the US or Canada.