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International Opportunities

for Graduate Students

Introduction

Study abroad programs for undergraduate students are familiar features of many universities and colleges in the US. CU-Boulder is no exception, offering over 200 different opportunities in more than 70 countries around the world. A few of these programs offer graduate credit as do occasional programs offered by other US institutions. However, earning graduate credit on study abroad programs is the exception rather than the rule.

Graduate students work under considerably different regulations than undergraduates, and these regulations change the conditions for overseas study. Financial considerations are also different, as are possibilities for fellowships or scholarships. In this section we will outline the limitations as well as the opportunities for international study and research, and assist graduate students looking for an educational experience overseas.

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The basic premises of CU-Boulder graduate work and how that affects study abroad opportunities

 

  • Undergraduates have more latitude in the course work that might apply to their degrees than do graduate students.  They even have requirements that a certain number of credits must be taken outside of their major departments.  This makes it easier for undergraduates to apply study abroad credit towards their degrees.  Graduate degrees are generally much more focused on a single discipline and on scholarship in the particular departments granting the degrees 

  • Graduate degrees awarded by CU-Boulder and courses which will be given credit toward the degrees are closely controlled by the Graduate School and individual departments. There are limits to the number of credit hours that can be transferred to CU-Boulder to apply toward a graduate degree.  All transfers of credit must be approved by the department and the Graduate School.

  • Students must consult with their departments and their advisors far in advance about overseas study if they hope to transfer course work to CU-Boulder which would apply to an advanced degree.

  • Rather than participating in formal study abroad programs, most graduate students who 'study abroad' do so to to conduct research for their theses or dissertations.  They may take courses only as incidental or supplemental education; not for actual credit toward a degree.

  • Teachers or other professionals who must recertify their credentials periodically can often do this on US college sponsored programs abroad, but should first consult with their departments, advisors, and accrediting organizations or agencies.

  • Ph.D. candidates, once they have completed comprehensive examinations, must be continuously enrolled at CU-Boulder during the academic year through their dissertation defense.

Finding a suitable study abroad program

  • Study abroad advisors in the Office of International Education (OIE) can advise students about which CU-Boulder study abroad programs offer credit at the graduate level.  Some programs are exchanges where you pay tuition and fees here and trade places with a student from your host institution abroad.  Other programs are one-way study abroad programs (where no one comes here in your place). 

  • Graduate students can also search the CU-Boulder study abroad web site (http://studyabroad.colorado.edu) on their own.  (Use the advanced program search feature and select the “Graduate Program/Graduate Credit Available” value under Type of Program to find programs that potentially offer graduate credit.)

  • Students interested in exploring non-CU-Boulder programs can find information at this <link>.

  • Departmental advisors and faculty may know of specialized programs in their own disciplines and can be an excellent resource.

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Direct enrollment in a foreign institution as an occasional student

Applying independently to do research or to study at a foreign institution can also be an attractive option for graduate students, but it can also be complicated. Those pursuing this option, should allow at least a year's lead time in order to work out the details. Here are some considerations:

  • Students must be competent in the language of instruction at the host university.  Some institutions may have proficiency exams.
  • Application procedures can be complicated, time-consuming, and confusing.
  • Tuition ranges from nearly none at some universities to very high at private universities or those that charge a higher rate for students who are not residents of the country.
  • Some universities do not allow international students into their institutions for formal study on an occasional basis (i.e. for short-term study not as part of a degree program at that university). Others have very limited space available or strict entrance requirements.
  • Library facilities may be limited or restricted in comparison to US facilities.  It is important for the individual to research the available resources to see if they meet their needs.
  • For some countries, visa requirements and applications provide an additional difficulty. 
  • Students who apply directly to foreign institutions for study or research privileges should be prepared to handle the many details of a year abroad on their own. International institutions may or may not provide special services for international students.  The individual student needs to be responsible for handling  transportation, housing, finances, and a program of study.
  • It is also the student's responsibility to figure out how to manage the foreign bureaucracy in order to obtain a transcript or other official documents showing courses taken and successfully completed.

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Attempting a graduate degree at a foreign institution

As a general rule, a degree is most useful and effective in the country in which it has been earned. This is especially true of terminal degrees, with a few exceptions such as degrees in languages. An intermediate degree (i.e. master's level) from Great Britain can be very valuable in the US in certain disciplines.

American students planning to live and work in the US should carefully consider the advisability of earning a foreign degree before committing to a period of study. Some educational systems, do not have a degree corresponding to the US bachelor's degree. This fact makes it extremely difficult for an American-educated student to enter at the graduate level. Other countries have very high standards or difficult qualifying examinations for admission to graduate programs; often they favor their own nationals over international students. Seek the opinions of faculty in your field as to the value of a foreign degree before committing to a long period of overseas study.

Here are some resources about higher education and research overseas:

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Funding

The best news about graduate study abroad is the availability of support from fellowships and scholarships to qualified students. Some of the better known programs are listed here:

  1. CU-Boulder Financial Aid: Federal and state financial aid grants and loans awarded by CU-Boulder's Office of Financial Aid can be used only by students enrolled as full-time degree seekers or on CU-Boulder's study abroad programs.


  2. Federal Financial Aid: Some Federal Financial Aid, can be obtained by students going to some foreign institutions; a list of these approved institutions is available by calling the State Department of Education in Denver at (303) 844-3676 or by searching the Federal Financial Aid web site. (When you get to the screen asking which state the school is in, choose "Foreign Country" to see the list of approved international institutions.)

  3. International Scholarship, Grant and Fellowship Information:  There are many scholarships, fellowships, and grants awarded by private foundations, companies, professional associations, government agencies, foreign countries and other institutions are many. These grants may have special limitations or requirements, and are often limited in number. Check with your academic department or the graduate school for suggestions about relevant funding for your goals.  Here are some good possibilities that we know about:

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Work and travel abroad

The CU-Boulder Study Abroad web site has a wealth of information about Work Abroad and Travel Abroad.  The Career Services office also has many resources about international work opportunities. 

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Additional information

The Office of International Education is located in the basement of the Environmental Design Building on the Boulder campus and is open year round.  Advisors may be reached at the following address:

University of Colorado at Boulder
Office of International Education
123 UCB, Environmental Design Building 1B45
Boulder, CO 80309-0123
(303) 492-7741
fax: (303) 492-5185
     
University of Colorado at Boulder

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