Apply

Non-UA students are welcome to participate on our faculty-led study abroad programs. To apply, follow the instructions below in the order given.

1. Submit a UA Study Abroad Application online at studyabroad.ua.edu as instructed above for first time applicants.  Once you submit your application, additional instructions will be emailed to you.  The instructions are as follows:

2. Print out the UA Transient Student Study Abroad Approval Form, complete, and mail to: UA Education Abroad Office, Transient Application, Box 870254, 135 B. B. Comer Hall, Tuscaloosa, AL  35487-0254.  This form is the only additional thing needed to complete your admissions application and must be signed by your Study Abroad Office or Registrar’s Office.

Once your study abroad application status changes to “UA Endorsed,” begin making payments towards your program (payment instructions are included in the application).  After you make a payment, you are officially in the program!

University of Alabama students traveling abroad for a UA-affiliated purpose (e.g. student organization, service opportunity, non-credit bearing internship, conference, research etc.), but NOT receiving academic credit, should complete our Student Travel Registration application. As part of the application, students may opt into receiving the UA international travel insurance (recommended). Note: Some groups are required to get the student travel insurance. For more information, call the Education Abroad office at 205-348-5256 or email studyabroad@ua.edu. If a student IS receiving academic credit for an international experience, they must do a regular study abroad application found at http://apply.studyabroad.ua.edu/.

Apply here: UA Student International Travel Registration

Incoming Exchange Students

The University of Alabama has partnerships with 29 universities in 14 countries worldwide. Through these partnerships, we send and receive students internationally for one or two semesters, giving them the opportunity to experience immersion into a different culture.

To participate in the exchange program at UA, students must first be nominated by their home university. Based on exchange balances and qualifications, not all nominations are necessarily accepted. After UA accepts the nomination, students will complete a two-part application process.

Application – Part I

When UA accepts the nomination, Part I of the exchange application will be sent directly to the home university coordinator to be completed by the student and returned to the UA Education Abroad office.

Part I of the exchange application will include forms or instructions for the following:

• UA Admissions Application
• Emergency Consent / Contacts
• Passport and General Information
• Student F-1 I-20 / J-1 DS 2019 Request Form
• Official Transcript
• Certification of Finances
• Language Proficiency

Application – Part II

Once UA Education Abroad receives initial notification of acceptance from the UA Admissions Office, Part II of the exchange application will be emailed directly to the home university coordinator to be completed by the student and returned to the UA Education Abroad office.

Part II of the exchange application will include forms or instructions for the following:

• Housing Application
• A myBama account (to manage bill payment, access to UA’s Crimson email, register for courses, and receive news and updates from UA)
• Course Registration
• Medical History and Immunization form
• Insurance (students can be enrolled in UA’s Student Health Insurance policy or submit a waiver showing proof of sufficient insurance coverage from their home country)

Arrival

Arrival information will be sent to the home university coordinator with Part I of the exchange application. Closer to arrival, an itinerary of orientation week events will be emailed directly to the students.

Outgoing Exchange Students

The University of Alabama has partnerships with 29 universities in 14 countries worldwide. Through these partnerships, we send and receive students internationally for one or two semesters, giving them the opportunity to be immersed into a different culture.

Placement into an exchange program may be competitive. Participants must be nominated by the UA Education Abroad Office and are advised to begin preparing six months to one year in advance of participation.

5 Steps to UA Exchange

The University of Alabama nominates students each semester/year to study at UA’s international exchange partner universities through the exchange program. The Education Abroad Office manages these programs and offers assistance to all outgoing exchange students.

There is a 5 Step process for students wanting to represent UA overseas on exchange. Each step is detailed below.

Step One: UA Application

Using the UA Study Abroad website, students will navigate through “Program Search” to find the brochure page of their chosen exchange program. Selecting the “Apply Now” button will begin the application and show the active application cycles for which Education Abroad is accepting applications.

The brochure page of each exchange program will also contain information specific to that exchange, including links to pertinent information at that university. Because placement in exchange programs can be competitive, it is highly recommended that applicants have a back-up program in mind.

Step Two: Nominations

After the application deadline, nominations are made to the partner universities. The partner university decides how many students they will accept each semester from UA. Based on exchange balances and qualifications, not all applicants are nominated and not all nominations are necessarily accepted. Applicants are notified as soon as a decision has been made about their nomination. Assistance is provided to those needing to change their application if their nomination is not accepted.

Step Three: Admissions and Housing Applications

After nominations have been accepted by the partner university, the applicant will receive instructions on how to begin the Admission Application to the exchange partner university. The Admission Application needs to be completed and all supporting documents submitted before the scheduled deadlines. If anything needs to be mailed to the exchange partner university, the Exchange Coordinator at UA can express mail it to the host university overseas.

Housing applications vary, as do housing options, and should be completed in a timely manner so as to secure housing. These options can range from traditional student dorms to off-campus apartments or living with a host family. It is important to read the host university website information regarding housing. The Exchange Coordinator can be contacted with any questions.

Step Four: Visas

After your Admissions Application is processed, you will receive an acceptance letter. Most countries require U.S. citizens staying in country for a period longer than 90 days to apply for a student visa. Find out more about visas here.

Step Five: UA Study Abroad Pre-Departure

One of the last steps on campus before going on an exchange program is to attend a mandatory UA Study Abroad Pre-Departure Orientation. Click here for a brief outline of some of the things you’ll learn during this important orientation.