Study Abroad & Study Away

Study Abroad

At UNH, studying abroad or away is a valued and encouraged educational experience—one that enriches your academic, professional, and personal development and prepares you for the challenges of global citizenship and engagement.

Students at UNH have more than 200 study abroad and exchange programs from which to choose, offered during January-term, summer, fall and spring semesters, or the full academic year. You may fulfill major, minor, or Discovery/General Education requirements and maintain your financial aid package. 

Through studying away you will have the opportunity to:

  • Study, conduct research or intern in a state, territory or country you’ve dreamed of visiting
  • Immerse yourself in fascinating new experiences and cultures
  • Gain the maturity, knowledge, and skills that will give you a competitive career edge

To begin planning your study abroad or study away experience review the steps involved in the process on the UNH Global Education website.

Students can combine their interests in security studies and history with travel through this study abroad course. Taught by a professor of security studies, and Kristen Woytonik, history lecturer, this trip focuses on the how the UK has experienced domestic conflict (i.e., the Troubles in Northern Ireland during the late 20th century, including the struggle for Irish independence), and the broader responses of the UK to domestic security and emergency preparedness to hazards and threats from World War II to present times.

For more information, email Kristen.Woytonik@unh.edu.

The University of New Hampshire and the College for Social Innovation (a Boston non-profit) have partnered to bring undergraduates the opportunity to spend a semester in Boston in a rigorous 30+ hour per week internship with a leading social change organization. LEARN MORE

THE WASHINGTON CENTER INTERNSHIP PROGRAM

Live, work, and earn UNH credits in Washington, DC
Since 1976, the University of New Hampshire (UNH) has been affiliated with The Washington Center (TWC), to offer rigorous, full-time internships in Washington DC.  This residential program is full-immersion, where students live, intern, and network while earning 12-16 UNH credits in DC, and is available fall and spring semesters, or summer term. There are countless internship and networking opportunities for all majors, including in the media, the arts, education, business, science, international affairs, the environment, health care, public policy and much more.  LEARN MORE

International Study Abroad Programs

Using the following programs, you will be able to travel throughout the world—enriching your educational experience, building your resume and preparing for the challenges of global citizenship and engagement! Click here to search for the location and time frame that works for you!

National Student Exchange Programs

As a UNH student, you have the opportunity to study, live, and explore at one of 170 colleges and universities throughout the United States, US territories, and Canada through the National Student Exchange. Explore the NSE program and member campuses.

 

Using the following programs, you will be able to travel throughout the country or the world!

UNH Faculty-Led

  • Directed and administered by UNH faculty either on-site or from Durham/Manchester
  • Suitable if you would like to study abroad with other UNH students
  • Courses aligned with UNH curricula, making it easy to fulfill UNH Major, Minor and General Education/Discovery requirements
  • Some programs are restricted to certain majors and/or have additional eligibility requirements

 

 

UNH Exchange Programs

  • Direct enrollment in UNH specially selected partner institutions abroad; also known as a reciprocal student exchange
  • Suitable if you are more independent and would like a full-immersion experience
  • All courses, programs and services are administered and delivered by the foreign university
  • Some programs are restricted to certain majors and/or have additional eligibility requirements
  • Offered for academic year, fall or spring
  • UNH tuition, plus program fees

 

Partner Programs

  • Developed, managed and administered by professional third-party providers or universities abroad
  • Suitable if you would like to study abroad with other Americans and/or international students
  • Include additional student services, such as accommodations, orientation, excursions, and on-site coordination
  • Have met high UNH standards as determined by the UNH University Committee on Study Abroad
  • Some programs have additional eligibility requirements
  • Offered for academic year, fall, spring, summer, or J-Term
  • Provider's program fees, plus some UNH fees

National Student Exchange

  • Domestic study away opportunity!
  • UNH students are eligible to go on exchange to any member institutions including Canadian Partners. 170+ members in US, Canada, and US territories (Puerto Rico, Virgin Islands, and Guam).
  • Cost is UNH tuition and mandatory fees, plus host institution’s school housing/meals, course or lab fees, and sometimes orientation fees.
  • All courses, programs and services are administered and delivered by the host university
  • Offered for academic year, fall or spring
  • Explore a new location, climate (sunshine, surf, ski!), a new career and/or a potential graduate school!
  • To see a map of participating universities in the United States click here and Canada click here.

Short Term Programs

  • Short-term programs, including January Term and summer programs, operate a little differently than semester-long programs.
  • Allow for greater flexibility in selection and enrollment because they take place during official UNH breaks.
  • Fees are comparatively lower, but financial aid is limited since academic expenses during semester breaks are not typically factored into financial aid packages.
  • Available programs include UNH Managed and UNH Approved programs.

study abroad: International Programs

Students must meet the following academic criteria of the UNH Study Away Eligibility policy at the time of application:

  • Admitted to a Bachelor or Associate Degree*
  • Has a declared major
  • Has at least a 2.5 cumulative UNH GPA at time of application AND time of abroad experience
  • Has completed at least 32 credit hours, at least 12 of which have been earned at the University of New Hampshire baccalaureate level
  • In good academic, judicial, and financial standing

*Associate Degree students will have an additional form to complete in order to gain eligibility

Study Away: Domestic Programs

Students must meet the following academic criteria of the UNH Study Away Eligibility policy at the time of application and the time of the exchange the student is:

  • Must be a full-time Bachelor's candidate with a declared major, enrolled at UNH or UNHM the semester immediately prior to the intended exchange semester
  • Has at least a 2.5 cumulative UNH GPA at time of application AND time of exchange
  • Has completed at least 32 credit hours, at least 16 of which have been earned at the University of New Hampshire baccalaureate level
  • Must be in good academic, judicial, and financial standing

 

Study Abroad

Students need to contact the Academic Advising office to establish eligibility, apply to their program of choice and notify the Academic Advising office by the following deadlines:

  • March 1- Notification Deadline for summer/fall programs
  • October 1 - Notification Deadline for spring programs

Students need to have a Registration Meeting and return all forms completed by:

  • October 15 – Spring semester study abroad
  • March 15 – Summer & Fall semester study abroad
Study away

This varies by program. Students need to contact the Academic Advising office, establish eligibility and submit their application for the following academic year by:

  • NSE: March 1 –for the following academic year
  • Students can apply and be admitted after that deadline, but campus availability may be limited
  • Semester in the City & The Washington Center are similar to study abroad deadlines, contact those programs for details.

How do I begin the process of studying away?

Contact the Academic Advising Office at (603) 641-4170 to set up an appointment as early into your academic career as possible.  Then visit the Global Education website, and follow the steps outlined. 

Am I eligible to study away?

Minimum eligibility requirements are established for study away programs. Please see the section titled “Eligibility Requirements” for specific information.

Will the courses I take while studying away apply to my degree?

By studying away you will have the opportunity to take general elective courses, major courses and/or general education requirements. Depending on the program you chose, courses will either be UNH courses or courses through another accredited institution. For UNH courses, both the grade and credits will apply directly to your degree. If you are taking courses through another institution, credits will transfer back to your degree as long as you earn a C or better. All of your chosen coursework will go through a prior approval process so you will know exactly if or where the courses will fit into your degree.

How much does studying away cost?

The cost of programs varies based on the location, length and what is included. Because UNH Manchester students typically find that a semester abroad will cost a bit more than their tuition, you may want to explore UNH Managed, UNH Exchange or National Student Exchange programs for which UNH tuition is charged. Additional expenses typically include travel and room and board.

How do I pay for studying away?

First, plan ahead! Planning allows you time to save money, apply for scholarships and do your research on finding an affordable program. Second, your financial aid! UNH currently allows federal, state, and institutional aid (except Work/Study) to transfer for all UNH Managed, UNH Exchange, UNH Approved and National Student Exchange programs.

Thirdly, scholarships! UNH Manchester offers a scholarship just for a UNH Manchester student who studies abroad!

UNH Global also provides information about various scholarships available specifically for Study Away.

And if you are eligible for a Pell Grant as part of your financial aid award, you may be eligible for the Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship.

 

What if I do not want to travel internationally?

No problem! UNH offers several programs right here in the US! The National Student Exchange is a consortium of over 170 colleges and universities throughout the United States, US territories, and Canada. The Washington Center and Semester in the City are full-time, immersive study away internship programs in Washington DC & Boston, respectively.

Can I travel for a short period of time?

Study Away opportunities are available for an academic year, semester, summer, and short term winter programs.

What if I cannot find a UNH Managed, UNH Exchange or UNH Approved program that fits my academic requirements?

First, review them again because the other two options below involve significantly more individual work and responsibility. If you still cannot find an appropriate option you can petition to Global Education to have a non-approved program granted a One-time Approval. There is a specific procedure and information you will need to provide during this process, and you must provide a compelling academic reason. Please contact The Academic Advising Office to find out more. You can also officially Withdraw or take a Leave of Absence from UNH for the semester or year abroad.

How can my parents get additional information about studying abroad?

The Center for International Education has developed a Parent’s Guide to Study Abroad.