Program Types

DU Partner Programs

Most DU undergraduates choose to participate on one of our DU Partner Programs. DU has partnerships with approximately 100 study abroad programs and universities around the world. The variety of offerings in education abroad has grown tremendously over the last 50 years, and there are now several programs to fit just about any student's needs and goals. There are so many options, in fact, that just choosing one program can prove to be extremely difficult; the OIE offers extensive advising information both online and in person.

DU Partner Programs are categorized as Direct Enroll, Exchange, or Provider. Most Exchange programs require students to study abroad for an academic year, but not all. Applicants to direct enroll or provider programs may only apply for one term, though in limited cases students may be permitted to apply for an academic year.

• Direct Enroll
  • Programs that offer the opportunity to enroll in regular host university courses alongside degree-seeking local students.
  • Classes often taught in the host language, requiring high language proficiency.
  • An independent experience.
  • Work directly with your host university's international office, with no US program provider support.
  • Typically offer a wide variety of courses.

  What you can expect from a Direct Enroll program:

  • Experience the day-to-day life of a local student.
  • Learn and navigate a new university system in a single term.
  • Develop a higher level of autonomy that helps develop confidence and self-advocacy skills.
  • The need for a high level of self-advocacy.
• Exchange
  • Full academic year abroad at an international institution.
    • Some semester-based programs are available as well
  • Programs that offer the opportunity to enroll in regular host university courses alongside degree-seeking local students.
  • Classes often taught in English and/or the host language, requiring high language proficiency.
  • An independent experience.
  • Work directly with your host university's international office, with no US program provider support.
  • Typically offer a wide variety of courses.

  What you can expect from an Exchange program:

  • Experience the day-to-day life of a local student.
  • Learn and navigate a new university system during a full academic year.
  • Develop a higher level of autonomy that helps develop confidence and self-advocacy skills.
  • The need for a high level of self-advocacy.
     
• Provider
  • Programs are usually designed for and offer special classes for US/International Students.
  • Programs providers typically have US based support staff.
  • May offer a higher level of support because the institution’s purpose is to cater to study abroad students.
  • Classmates will be U.S. and possibly other international students rather than local students.
  • Classes often taught by faculty from the host university.
  • Language of instruction may be English, the host language, or a combination.

  What you can expect from a Provider:

  • Overall higher levels of support throughout the program including academics, visa/immigration, and housing.
  • Less ambiguity in the application process, but still a need to self-advocate.
• Global Masters Scholar

  Undergraduate students can study abroad through our Global Masters Scholar program. A Global Masters Scholar program is an articulated agreement between a DU academic department, a strategic or priority partner institution, and the DU Office of Internationalization where the curriculum is mapped to ensure student success. The program allows students to earn their bachelors degree from DU and a masters degree from a partner institution all within 5 years.

  The Global Masters model consists of the first 3 years of undergraduate study taking place at DU, then 1 year of study abroad at the partner institution (DU's fourth year). The 3 years at DU and 1 year of study abroad constitute a Bachelor's Degree from the University of Denver. The fifth and final year of study will take place at the partner institution, in which upon completion the student will be awarded a Master's degree by the partner institution. Students enrolled at DU can opt into the Global Masters programs if they meet eligibility requirements at each university, DU's study abroad and exchange requirements, and any additional requirements specifically determined for any of the Global Masters programs.

  Learn more and see what majors and locations are available.

DUPP Summer Study Abroad

DU is excited to offer DUPP Summer options. Search in DU Passport for our Summer opportunities at the University of Nicosia in Cyprus, Lorenzo de Medici in Italy, DIS in Denmark, Oxford University in UK, ISA in Sevilla, Spain, USAC Costa Rica, and CIS JF Oberlin in Japan. These DUPP Summer options are not CGS Eligible. Tuition will be charged based on total credits earned on the program and prorated housing costs. Limited financial aid applies because of summer, make sure to check with Financial Aid directly with what you can utilize and what is available.
 

Unaffiliated Programs

While the Office of International Education (OIE) offers more than 100 DU Partner Programs, students may decide to participate on an unaffiliated program if its academic offerings, minimum prerequisites, enrollment capacity, or location cannot be reasonably matched by a DU Partner Program. In other words, unaffiliated programs may not duplicate a study abroad program already offered by DU.

Students may not enroll in the University of Denver's "Stop-Out Program" in order to study abroad. All students participating on DU Partner Program or an unaffiliated credit-bearing study abroad programs will work with the Office of International Education (OIE). Credit earned abroad while on "Stop-Out" will not transfer to DU.

DU has no official relationship with unaffiliated programs. So all students on unaffiliated programs must...

• Research on your own – make sure you understand...
  • Policies & procedures – start with the unaffiliated program brochure
  • Coursework
  • Billing
• Navigate the process very independently
• Complete the DU Abroad Application process (with additional steps for unaffiliated programs)
  • Recommended: Meet with an OIE advisor before submitting your application
  • Note: DU's Department of Enterprise Risk Management must approve all study abroad destinations for undergraduate student travel. They review all locations & regions with medium to high medical or security risk as part of the application process

Unaffiliated Summer Study Abroad

Additionally, Unaffiliated programs are also an option in the summer, a reminder that these are:

• Programs without a formal affiliation with DU
• Can help students looking for specific academic needs, for financial concerns, and for lower GPA requirements
• Not eligible for DU institutional aid (incl. CGS) but federal aid can be used
• Earn transfer credit – not DU resident credit
• Required to submit petition & additional documents – start early  

No matter what, whether with DUPP or Unaffiliated, students are required to complete INTZ 2501.

Other Ways to Go Abroad

A term-length study abroad program is not the right fit for all students. If you're looking for other options, check out Ways to Go Abroad Again on our Returnee & Alumni page for ideas and resources around graduate studies abroad and internship, work, or service abroad options.

Study Abroad Options Outside the OIE

You may choose to participate in a DU Faculty-Led Program. These programs are exclusively for DU students (usually fewer than 20) and typically run during DU's interterms. They're led by DU professors teaching DU classes.

Other courses may be taught by local faculty, but students take most or all classes with DU students. These programs are run by University Academic Programs (UAP) or a specific DU department. Contact UAP or the department directly for more info.