Exploring Options

Many places! TCU offers over 50 study abroad programs across Africa, Asia-Pacific, Europe and Latin America.

The most popular location varies from semester to semester!

The most popular term to go abroad is junior year, but every degree plan is different! Talk to your academic advisor to see when the best time to go abroad is for you.

Not necessarily. Even within the same city, there are often multiple programs: some for students with intermediate or advanced language skills, and some for students with beginner skills or no language background. Just check the eligibility requirements to find the program that’s right for you.

TCU does not support programs outside of the approved offerings. Students who apply to such programs will not receive TCU residency credit for the program, nor maintain their TCU status during the program. Students may elect to leave TCU for a term and request transfer credit upon return.

Yes! Many international students study abroad. Please work with International Student Services to ensure your eligibility to leave and return to the U.S. It is your responsibility to research the entry requirements for traveling to your study abroad country(ies). If you need a visa, you will need to gather the requisite materials and submit the visa application yourself. Upon request, TCU Global can provide a letter on behalf of TCU documenting the following:

  • Your acceptance into the program
  • Your dates abroad
  • Your health insurance coverage
  • Information related to financial obligation and coverage (typically a statement that all fees for tuition and lodging have been pre-paid to TCU)

Credits & Classes

In addition to the general information here, see your program’s “Course Info” tab for more specific information.

The credit earned and how it works in your degree plan depends on which type of program you choose:

  1. Programs / courses taught by TCU faculty(TCU Summer / Short-Term Programs): you will enroll in a TCU course and get direct credit. All major, minor, and core attribute will be identified by the course catalog.
  2. Programs / courses taught at another university / institution for which TCU gives you credit(TCU-In Programs and Global Portfolio Programs): Your coursework may be eligible to count for major, minor, core, or upper level elective credits. You will work through the credit approval process with your academic advisors and dean to determine how the coursework abroad will apply to your degree plan (major, minor, core, or upper level elective requirements).

All coursework, regardless of program type, counts for grades and will be included in your TCU GPA. Your program will provide a grade conversion indicating how the grades from abroad will be converted to the TCU scale.

All coursework from abroad is recorded as XXXX (academic unit) 30990. If this form specifies an equivalency, the Dean¿s Office will note the international course in the student’s degree requirements as a substitute for the noted equivalent. Students may not get credit for both the international course and its specified equivalent at TCU. However, equivalency does not imply exact replacement. Students are not eligible to take the equivalent course here and replace the grade from the abroad course, unless granted approval from their dean.

Yes! Plan early and talk to your academic advisor to see if a semester fits with your degree plan. If it doesn’t, you can still go abroad during the summer!

Most of our programs are general not major-specific, and they offer a wide range of courses. Summer programs can be more specific since students only take 1 or 2 classes, but most summer programs are open to all majors too.

You should expect the classes to be different. The pace, the grading, the approach of professors, and the structure will all be different. Students who take the academics seriously, attend class diligently, and ask for help tend to do very well. But be aware that absences, negative attitudes, comparisons to U.S. academics, and a “vacation” mindset will make it much harder to be successful.

Yes. If you are taking coursework at a TCU-in program or a TCU Global Portfolio program, your program will provide a grade conversion indicating how the grades from abroad will be converted to the TCU scale.

If you wish to request academic accommodations while studying abroad, contact the Student Acces & Accomodation Center staff. They can be reached by email or by calling 817-257-6567. They are located in the Harrison, Suite 1200.  Requests for accommodations should be made at least 3 months before departurefollowing university procedures.

Audits are not allowed for Study Abroad classes.

You may elect a Pass/No-Credit (P/NC) grading option per TCU’s P/NC policies. To select P/NC, you must contact TCU Global (studyabroad@tcu.edu) before the P/NC deadline communicated on the program calendar (for courses offered at a partner institution) or select it in your my.tcu.edu portal (TCU courses).

For courses offered at a partner university, you will still receive a grade from the university, but it will not be recorded on your TCU record or calcuated into your TCU GPA.

Please carefully read TCU’s P/NC policy to verify course eligibility for P/NC.

No. As a study abroad student, you are subject to the rules, regulations, and academic policies of the host university / program. TCU cannot intervene, change, or provide exceptions to their academic policies. This may include:

  • Add / drop processes and policies
  • Attendance / absence policies
  • Grading structure
  • Grade disputes
  • Dates, times, and locations of exams

Information on academic policies is covered in on-site orientation, but may not be exhaustive. Students should not assume the host program has the same academic policies as TCU and should ask questions as needed.

TCU cannot override host university policies and regulations. You are considered a student of the host program / university, and you are subject to their academic policies and regulations. This includes but is not limited to policies on:

  • Attendance / Absence policies
  • Add / Drop process
  • Grade Appeals
  • Final Exam schedule

 

Costs & Scholarships

Study abroad can be affordable. TCU students pay the same TCU tuition rate and program fees are similar to the cost of TCU housing. TCU financial aid also applies, and there are additional scholarships for study abroad students.

During the academic year, most TCU financial aid applies to study abroad, and students can apply for additional scholarships.

For summer students, TCU offers merit and need-based scholarships. Visit our Scholarship & Aid page.

No, study abroad scholarships and financial aid look at a host of factors, including but not limited to need. ANY student concerned about cost should apply for scholarships.