Study Abroad Basics

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

London, England

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, the Centerfor International Studies 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)

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.  

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 departure, following university procedures.

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.

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.

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 the Center for International Studies (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.

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

 

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.

Yes, applicants must be currently-enrolled, degree-seeking students in good standing at TCU. All semester programs require a minimum 2.8 GPA and two prior semesters at TCU. Some programs have additional prerequisites, so check the program page to confirm your eligibility.

To begin advising, students should attend Study Abroad 101, prior to any individual appointment. Students can email studyabroad@tcu.edu for questions.

The application process typically starts the semester before you go abroad, but summer students should plan to apply as early as October or November. Review the application process on How to Apply.

On Call International is Global Assistance Service, including accident, illness and travel insurance, which TCU provides to all students, faculty and staff traveling abroad on TCU programs or business. TCU individuals traveling on TCU programs or business are automatically enrolled in the services at no cost to the individual. On Call can assist with critical medical or safety emergencies, as well as non-critical travel problems (i.e., lost luggage). For more information, review the On Call Resource Hub.

How to Contact On Call

• Phone: +1 603-952-2062 from anywhere in the world, or +1 888-637-0447 from the U.S. & Canada
• Email: mail@oncallinternational.com
• Text: +1 603-945-0103

 

U.S. citizens will need to review the Department of State website to apply for or renew passport. First time applicants will need to apply in person.

Passports are currently taking 12 weeks or longer for routine applications and 4 - 6 weeks for expedited applications.

If you already have a passport, check the expiration date. Passports must be valid for six months beyond your return date.

A visa is official documentation from the host country allowing you to enter and stay in that country for a specific purpose and specific period of time. Some countries require study abroad students to obtain a visa prior to travel. There may be different processes and requirements depending on your citizenship and the length of stay. Check with the embassy of your host country for more information.

For Consulates that ask TCU to apply for student visas as a group, we will apply on your behalf. But you must provide all the necessary paperwork, exactly as requested.

A visa is stamped in your current passport; therefore, your passport will be submitted with your visa application. Do not make plans to travel internationally for the duration of this process.

YES

• All TCU students, faculty and staff traveling abroad on TCU programs or business are automatically covered under the university’s accident and illness insurance plan through On Call at no cost to the individual.
• You are covered by On Call International’s insurance for the program dates only.
• You should also maintain your own U.S. (or home country) health insurance while abroad. Consider the On Call insurance as a supplement to your own personal policy.
• For more information, review the On Call Brochure.

Contact On Call at +1 603-952-2062 and also contact your local on-site staff. On Call provides emergency services, medical referrals, and insurance while abroad.

If you need minor medical care, be prepared to pay up front. After receiving care, you can submit a claim to On Call for reimbursement. If you prefer and have time to wait, you can contact On Call to schedule an appointment and prepay for your medical services.

If you have a CRITICAL emergency

Dial your country’s 911 equivalent, proceed to the closest ER. You can find this info in AlertTraveler app. Contact On Call +1 603-952-2062 as soon as possible, so they can pre-certify your medical expenses.