Study Abroad Guidance for Columbia Engineering (SEAS) Students

As a Columbia Engineering student, you should plan ahead in order to undertake a for-credit study abroad experience. Your CSA Advising Dean and UGE Adviser are always happy to help! But, to get you started, here is some guidance on how to organize your plans for study abroad:

Make a Four-Year Plan

As a Columbia Engineering student, your most likely plan will be to go abroad during the Spring of your 2nd Year or during the Summer. If you are a Computer Science major, you may also be able to study abroad during your 3rd Year.

We encourage you to make a four-year plan with your CSA Advising Dean and Departmental Advisers to understand what you may need to take while abroad. Here are some questions to ask to include a study abroad semester in your plan:

  • Which requirements should I try to fulfill while abroad?
  • Can any of the required classes normally taken in my planned term abroad be taken in a different semester?
  • Which courses CANNOT be taken in a different semester, as they are prerequisites for other classes?

Explore Your Program Options

With a four-year plan in mind, you should review our Find a Program page and make an appointment with a UGE Adviser to learn about the opportunities you have researched.

The following web pages will help you pick a program that is the right fit for you academically, professionally, and personally:

  • Academic Credit: Understand our Academic Credit Guidelines and how you will obtain credits depending on the program of your choice.
  • Financial Considerations: Learn more about how the cost of going abroad is comparable to staying at Columbia.
  • Global Learning Assistants (GLAs): Speak with Columbia students who have returned from a summer, semester, or year abroad!
  • Identity and Diversity: Discover how studying abroad is an opportunity to leave the familiarity of our New York campus and learn from a completely different part of the world.
  • Well-Being Abroad: Being abroad and away from regular support networks can also provide challenges, so learn more about the resources that will still be available to you.

POPULAR PROGRAMS FOR COLUMBIA ENGINEERING students

Below are popular programs for Columbia Engineering students. Students who have gone on these programs have successfully completed requirements for a variety of majors. Research these options and plan to talk with the UGE Adviser listed at the bottom of the program's brochure page for more information.

Semester:

Summer:

This list is not exhaustive, and if you find a program that fits your needs but is not on this list, please speak further with a UGE Adviser about completing a SEMESTER or SUMMER Petition | Columbia-Approved.

SUMMER STUDY ABROAD

Summer study abroad can be a flexible time period for undertaking global experiences of many kinds. Make sure you understand the policies of our Academic Credit Guidelines and Financial Considerations, as they can differ for semester and summer. It is possible to take many kinds of required and elective courses over the summer.

You can review our SUMMER Petition | Columbia-Approved brochure page for more information.

Obtain Approval Before Your Departure

Once you have identified a program or two of interest, you can open an application by clicking on the “Start an Application” button at the top of a program brochure page.

We encourage you to work closely with your CSA Advising Dean, Department's Director of Undergraduate Studies (DUS), and Departmental Advisors to complete the SEAS Academic Clearance and SEAS Course Equivalency Forms. After opening a UGE Clearance Application, all forms will be available in your UGE Portal under the "Materials" section.

  • All technical courses must be approved by an instructor of the equivalent Columbia course and the department. Generally, the broader the course, the easier it is to find an equivalent course abroad. Students should be aware that courses that are specific to Columbia’s curriculum are usually more challenging to locate abroad.
  • All non-technical courses must be approved by your CSA Advising Dean. More information about where Core non-technical courses can be taken abroad can be found on our The Core Abroad page.