Starting your college career at The University of Texas at Austin means new classes, new friends, and a huge campus to explore. But there is another opportunity, which many students don’t realize they can start planning for right away: studying abroad.
UT has one of the largest Education Abroad programs in the country through Texas Global. Students from almost every major study abroad each year in more than 500 programs across almost 100 countries. Whether you are interested in a semester program, a summer experience, or an internship abroad, there are many options that can fit into your degree plan.
Even if studying abroad feels far away right now, freshman year is the perfect time to start exploring the possibilities. To learn more about all program options, visit Education Abroad at UT Austin.
How to Start Planning Early
If you are new to studying abroad, the best first step is learning about the different program types that UT offers. Our Get Started page for Education Abroad walks you through the process and explains how to begin exploring programs.
For all program types, students will pay a $75 non-refundable application fee and overseas insurance at a rate of $19 per week.
It is also important to pay attention to program costs and how academic credit will return to UT. Here is a quick overview of the main program types:
Exchange Programs
- Students pay UT tuition plus a $500 exchange fee.
- Students can use UT scholarships and the Texas Tuition Promise Fund.
- Students arrange their own housing, visa, and travel logistics with guidance from Texas Global.
- Credit applies as in-residence credit and counts toward your UT GPA.
Affiliate Programs
- Instead of UT tuition, students pay a program fee to the affiliate provider plus a $600 affiliate registration fee to UT Austin to maintain their enrollment and affiliation with the University.
- Some financial aid may apply, but scholarships and grants tied to tuition often cannot be used.
- Credit applies as transfer credit and is not incorporated into your UT GPA.
- Grades appear on your transcript, and students must earn a C or higher to receive credit.
- Affiliate providers often assist more with housing and visa logistics.
Faculty-Led Programs
- Short-term programs are taught and led by UT faculty, often during the May Term of the spring semester, or during the summer semester.
- Students travel with a group of UT students and a professor.
- Courses are designed specifically for the program and return as UT in-residence credit.
- Program fees vary depending on the location and length of the program.
Direct-Enroll Programs
- Students apply directly to an international university rather than through a UT partner program.
- Students take classes alongside local and international students at the host university.
- Credit usually returns as transfer credit and does not count toward your UT GPA.
- Students are typically responsible for arranging housing, visas, and other logistics.
How Study Abroad Credit Works
A common question that students ask is, How do courses abroad count toward their UT degree?
The first step to finding out is meeting with your academic advisor. Your advisor can help you understand your degree plan and which requirements you still need to complete. Education Abroad staff cannot advise on degree requirements, but they can provide helpful resources for planning.
The Study Abroad Credit page includes a credit checklist that walks users through the process step by step. Students can also search the My Credit Abroad database to see if courses at their intended host university have already been approved for UT credit.
If a course is not listed in the database, students can submit a course evaluation request with the syllabus for the class they want to take. Faculty in the relevant UT department review each request and determine the credit it will receive. This process can take several months, so start early!
Scholarships and Funding
Many students assume studying abroad may be financially out of reach, but there are many funding opportunities available! Just check out our Funding Resources page.
Students may be able to use:
- Financial aid
- Scholarships
- Student loans
UT also offers scholarships specifically for Education Abroad programs.
First-generation students should look into the First Abroad Scholarship, which supports first-generation Longhorns who want to study abroad. Students must apply by December 1st of their freshman year to qualify for this scholarship.
Planning early allows students more time to explore funding opportunities and apply for scholarships.
Talk to a Peer Mentor
One of the best ways to learn about studying abroad is by talking with students who have already done it. UT’s Education Abroad office offers a Peer Mentors program where current UT students help others explore programs and answer questions.
Students can schedule appointments through the Peer Mentors Program page or attend drop-in advising at Texas Global, located at 2400 Nueces St, Suite B. (Drop-in times are listed on the webpage.) Peer Mentors are a great resource for hearing real student experiences and getting practical advice.
Program coordinators also host daily virtual sessions explaining the application process for exchange and affiliated programs. These sessions, called “How to Apply to Exchange and Affiliate Programs,” take place Monday-Thursday, noon-12:30 p.m.
What Happens to Your Dorm Room or Apartment?
Housing is an important consideration when planning to study abroad. What you’ll need to do depends on whether you live in UT housing or off-campus housing.
If You Live in UT Housing
Students living in UT residence halls may be able to request a housing contract release if they plan to study abroad for a semester.
To do this, you must submit the Contract Release Request form through the Housing and Dining website. If the request is approved, you can end your housing contract and not have to pay for a dorm room while you’re abroad.
It’s helpful to start this process early and stay in touch with Housing and Dining to ensure that everything is complete before your program begins.
If You Live Off-Campus
If you live in an apartment with a yearlong lease, you will usually still be responsible for paying rent while you’re abroad. Because of this, many students choose to sublet their apartment during their program.
Subletting means another student temporarily renting your room while you’re away. Before subletting, check your lease to confirm that it’s allowed, and talk with your landlord if approval is required.
Many students find subtenants through the UT Off-Campus Housing Marketplace, social media groups, or friends. Starting early can make it much easier to find a subletter before you leave.
For more information, check out our blog post on Subletting for Studying Abroad.
Think Global from Day One
Studying abroad may feel far away when you are just starting college, but planning early makes the process much easier. Freshman year is the perfect time to start thinking about where your Longhorn journey might take you next.
UT offers an incredible network of programs, advisors, scholarships, and peer mentors to help students explore the world, so you can start thinking now about studying abroad.
Hook ’em, and welcome to the Forty Acres!
This blog post was contributed by Jonah Roming, Spring 2026 Peer Mentor. Jonah is a nursing second-year student participating in the Peer Mentors Program. Jonah studied abroad at the University of Edinburgh in Edinburgh, Scotland, in Spring 2024.
