Inbound Exchange
Welcome to the University of Arizona's exchange page! The exchange program is available to students studying at a partner university with an exchange agreement and who have been formally nominated. We look forward to receiving your nomination!
Undergraduate students can take between 12 and 18 credits a semester. The University of Arizona does not participate in graduate-level exchange.
Students can search the course catalog for classes they wish to take on their exchange - be sure to search for courses on the Main campus. Course availability will vary from year to year, but the official course schedule for each Spring is released in October, and in March for the following Fall. Students are able to request courses that have prerequisite coursework, but will need to prove that they have taken courses comparable to the prerequisite courses.
Undergraduate restrictions:
Undergraduate exchange students cannot take 300 and 400 level classes in any business department, including Accounting, Business Administration, Economics, Entrepreneurship, Finance, Marketing, Management, and Management Information Systems. There are two exceptions to the business classes policy: 1) Students may register for Global Business courses - BNAD 449 (offered in fall), BNAD 450 (offered in spring), and BNAD 201 (offered in fall); 2) Students can take BNAD 301, 302, and 303; however, these courses are almost always at capacity and priority goes to graduating seniors.
Students applying for exchange in Computer Science should be aware that course availability is limited and UA Computer Science Majors and Minors have priority. Further, Computer Science will allow enrollment in a maximum of three CS classes; students should plan to take at least one class outside of the department to meet the required 12-credit minimum for exchange.
Starting in Spring 2023, upper-division (300- and 400-level major classes) Film & Television courses are no longer available to exchange students. A brief list of Film & Television general education classes will remain open to students on a space available basis.
Students are also not allowed to take courses in Retail & Consumer Science or visual communications (graphic design/illustration/typography).
Exchange students are not able to take Nursing courses.
Some programs may require a portfolio or an audition before advanced coursework can be taken (e.g. Fine Arts, Performing Arts, Media Arts, Music, Dance, and Architecture). Undergraduate students who wish to take Architecture and Engineering courses will need to be approved by the department after nomination in order to be invited to apply to the U of A.
All exchange applicants must be nominated by an institution with a current exchange agreement with the UA. Additionally, the following requirements must be met:
- Exchange students must meet the UA’s minimum TOEFL, IELTS, or PTE Academic requirements, as identified below. Institutional TOEFL scores are not accepted. Scores must be reported directly to the UA, and we no longer accept hard copy scores.
|
Level of Study |
Internet Based TOEFL |
IELTS |
PTE Academic |
|
Undergraduate |
70 (79 for Engineering) |
6 (6.5 for Engineering) |
53 |
**individual academic departments at the U of A may require a higher TOEFL or IETLS score.
- There is a minimum GPA eligibility requirement for undergraduate exchange students. Applicants must demonstrate a GPA equivalent of 2.5 or above. Individual academic departments may require a higher GPA . To convert your students' cumulative GPA to a UA GPA use our GPA Calculator.
- Students must be in good academic and disciplinary standing with their home university. Students who will have received their degree by the time they come to the UA are not eligible for exchange as undergraduate students. Nominated students must be enrolled at their home institution as continuing degree-seeking students
Students are automatically enrolled in the U of A Student Health Insurance plan, and must pay the health insurance fee by the 1st day of classes. Exemptions are reviewed on a case-by-case basis and are rarely approved by campus health. In order to qualify for an exemption the student health insurance policy must meet the “Health Coverage Guidelines” AND the student must be provided a group health insurance policy through their home-university or organization coordinating the exchange (insurance must be purchased by the student’s university on behalf of the student). For more information on the exemption criteria please visit Exemptions for International Students. If you feel you meet the health insurance exemption criteria, please submit this form and the necessary documentation.
UArizona is an amazing university with an incredible campus. Here are some tips below on how to make the best of your time here.
Live on Campus
- 7,600 students live on campus, spread across 23 dormitory options. By attending dorm events and getting to know your neighbors, living on campus can give you some of the best experiences and friends of your time at the University of Arizona. Find out more information at Housing & Residential Life.
Experience Campus Events and Venues
- Athletics: Cheer on the Wildcats as they compete in basketball, football, gymnastics, and more! You can buy individual tickets at events or join the ZonaZoo student section for special access. Check out the University of Arizona’s athletics website for schedules, tickets, and more information.
- Arts: The University of Arizona has incredible programs in the arts including dance, photography, music, theatre, visual art, and film. You can search for and attend their performances and displays on the Arizona Arts events website.
- Museums: Our university hosts several museums. You can explore history, art, science, and nature at the various locations found on UArizona Arts & Museums.
- Other Events: Various other events occur on campus as well. Keep up-to-date with student-run events on Campus Groups Events and other events on the Main UArizona Calendar.
Get Involved in Campus Activities
- Clubs: Students run many clubs for various interests on campus. A list of student organizations is here, and there may be others you can catch tabling on the UA mall or around campus. If you can’t find contact information for a group on the list, consider looking them up on social media.
- Intramural Sports: Intramural sports are a great way to get to know people on campus. You and your team will compete against other UArizona students. Check here for a list of sports available.
- Fraternities and Sororities: Greek Letter Organizations, also known as sororities and fraternities, offer a small close-knit community based on shared values, networking, and service to the community.
- Campus Recreation: Our campus recreations centers are modern and fully-equipped with the exercise supplies and spaces you need, plus a pool! Additionally, these facilities offer fitness classes and guided outdoor adventures throughout the academic year!
Want more information? We suggest checking out: https://everywhere.arizona.edu/about/student-life.
Fall
- Nomination Deadline - March 1
- Application Deadline - March 15
Academic Year
- Nomination Deadline - March 1
- Application Deadline - March 15
Spring
- Nomination Deadline - September 15
- Application Deadline - October 1
Academic Calendar
Fall Semester - Late August to Mid-December
Spring Semester - Early January to Late April/Early May
Specific semester dates, holidays, and finals week can be found on the 2022-2023 Calendar.
If you are interested in coming to the University of Arizona on an exchange, the next step is to speak with your home university’s international office. Information on what to expect after you have been admitted to the University of Arizona can be found on the Exchange Students Information page. Questions can be sent to inbound@arizona.edu.
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Document
After you have been nominated to and accepted by the University of Arizona, exchange students will work with the University of Arizona’s International Student Services (ISS) advisors to arrange their visa paperwork to enter the United States as a lawful student visitor. Information on how to request a DS-2019 can also be found on the Exchange Students Information page. Additionally, ISS staff manage International Student Orientation, the Buddy Program, and social and cultural events on campus.
| UNDERGRADUATE EXCHANGE STUDENTS (ESTIMATED) | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Fall 2023 | Spring 2024 | Year 2023-2024 | |
| Fee Balance | $896.81 | $896.81 | $1,792.42 |
| Orientation fee | $125.00 | $125.00 | $125.00 |
| CatCard fee | $25.00 | $25.00 | $25.00 |
| Health Insurance | $1,779.00 | $1,779.00 | $3,558.00 |
| Total | $2,825.81 | $2,825.81 | $5,500.42 |
Students will be required to pay for the Student Health Insurance plan and are responsible for the mandatory student fees. Fees vary from year to year, but you can find an estimate of the mandatory fee cost here. You can check the estimated cost of living for an international student at the University of Arizona here: Financial Guarantee Requirements.