Program Types

KU offers reciprocal exchange, direct enrollment, faculty-led, internship and research abroad programs through formal agreements with international and domestic university partners, contracts with approved service providers, and faculty professional and industry contacts. Some of the greatest advantages of KU-sponsored programs are quality assurance and being able to leverage institutional knowledge & relationships for the benefit of KU departments and students. A diversity of programs by academic discipline, credit hours, destination, cost, duration, and level of student support provides opportunities for the greatest number of KU students to have an experiential educational opportunity abroad.

KU Reciprocal Exchange Programs

KU has formal student exchange agreements with more than 50 institutions worldwide.  These programs allow KU students to enroll in regular university classes at the host institution for the semester or academic year.  Participants on exchange pay tuition and associated fees to KU and then study at the partner school.  Reciprocal student exchange programs can be the most economical option for KU students to study abroad for the semester or academic year.  Additionally, well-articulated exchange programs ensure students have access to courses required for degree completion.  While focused on student mobility, exchange programs may also foster strong academic collaborations between individual faculty or academic departments.

Terms:  Semester and Academic Year 

Enrollment & Credits:  Students register in courses offered by the overseas institution.  Equivalent KU credits are recorded on the student's KU academic record upon receipt of the foreign transcript. 

Involvement from KU Academic Unit:  Academic advising and support (for outbound & inbound students) and active program promotion to majors/minors. 

Learn more about the process for proposing a new Reciprocal Student Exchange Agreement or other institutional partnership.

KU Faculty-Led Programs

KU faculty and staff envision, develop, direct, and teach these programs. Programs are generally two to ten weeks in duration and offer a unique but limited set of KU courses. These programs provide an opportunity for students and faculty to travel together exploring common interests. This is also a typical introductory programming model with a high level of student support. 

Terms: Winter Break, Spring Break, Summer. 

Credits: In nearly all cases, these programs offer KU courses taught abroad by KU faculty.   

Faculty interested in exploring faculty-led program development can learn more about program proposal, development and implementation online or through conversation with Study Abroad & Global Engagement. 

KU Global Internships Programs

Group and individual internship programs are offered for 4-8 weeks during the summer in global cities around the world, or during the semester in collaboration with academic studies at a partner institution abroad.  Internships are individualized to each student's major/minor and industry preferences.  Students intern for 20-32 hours per week (dependent upon program) and may also complete coursework during their programs.  Internships are for academic credit and generally unpaid.  Students work directly with their academic departments to ensure credit for the internship experience.   

Terms:  Semester and Summer. 

Credits:  KU credit or credit through a domestic/foreign institution.  Students work directly with their academic departments to ensure credit for the internship experience.  

KU Direct Enrollment Programs

KU has formal agreements with a select set of overseas institutions which enable KU students to study as visiting students at the foreign university.  These programs allow KU students to enroll in regular university classes at the host institution.   Direct enrollment agreements provide opportunities to partner with an institution abroad when inbound student mobility may not be possible and without a fiscal commitment on the part of KU for the receipt of incoming students.  

Terms:  Summer, Semester, and  Academic Year 

Credits:  Students register directly in courses offered by the overseas institution.  Equivalent KU credits are recorded on the student's KU academic record upon receipt of the foreign transcript. 

Involvement from Sponsoring KU Academic Unit:  Academic advising and active program promotion.