Applying to Study Abroad
Eligibility
To study abroad you must:
Have completed at least one (1) year of study at Northwestern
You are eligible to study abroad starting with the summer following successful completion of your first year. This requirement applies to transfer as well as first year students.
Have a cumulative GPA of at least 2.5
You may still be able to apply to study abroad if your GPA is between 2.0 and 2.5 depending on your program and will be required to provide additional application materials
Be in good academic standing
If you are on academic probation during the application process or in the terms leading up to study abroad, you should discuss your study abroad eligibility and readiness with your academic advisers and GLO.
Be an active, enrolled student as you are applying to, preparing for, and participating in study abroad
You are not eligible to study abroad through GLO if:
- You take a Medical Leave of Absence (MLOA) during the quarter(s) immediately prior to your term abroad
- You take a voluntary leave of absence during the quarter(s) immediately prior to and during your term abroad
- You are suspended from the university for academic or disciplinary violations
- You have graduated
Be cleared for study abroad by Northwestern's Office of Community Standards
If you are on disciplinary probation during the term(s) in which you are scheduled to study abroad, you are not eligible to study abroad for academic credit at Northwestern, even if your Northwestern application has been previously approved
Meet all program-specific eligibility requirements as described in the program brochure
Many partner and exchange programs have requirements above and beyond the Northwestern requirements. GLO approval does not guarantee admission to your program.
How to Apply
- Log in to the GLO Portal using your NetID and password
- Search for and select the program to which you want to apply in the GLO Portal
- Click the “Apply Now” button in the "How to Apply" section
- Select your term of study
- Complete the application tasks by the deadline
GLO Application Requirements
If you’re hoping to get Northwestern credit for courses you take abroad, you must apply through GLO. Northwestern doesn't give retroactive credit for study abroad.
Academic Plans & Requirements
You are required to outline the courses you intend to take on your program and indicate how you plan to use your credit from abroad. Note: listing courses as part of your Northwestern study abroad application does not constitute course pre-approval. To determine how courses may transfer toward your academic requirements, you will need to consult with your academic adviser(s).
Passport Details & Proof of Validity
You will be required to show proof that you have a valid passport or that your passport application is in process at the time of application.
School Adviser Approval
To request approval for study abroad:
- Raise your Hand for Study Abroad Approval
Raise your Hand for Study Abroad Approval in ConnectNU to alert your School Adviser of your intention to study abroad.
- Schedule a Meeting
Schedule a meeting in ConnectNU with your School Adviser.
- Meet
Meet with your School Adviser to discuss your study abroad course plans, policies for fulfilling distribution/foundational discipline, theme, foreign language, or other requirements for your school, possible course substitutions, and remaining degree requirements.
- Upload
Upload your approval confirmation to your application in GLObal Gateway.
Note: while School Advisers are able to discuss school policies for fulfilling foundational discipline, theme, and other school-level requirements, they are not able to help you choose a study abroad program or determine how your credit will transfer back to Northwestern.
Find your school adviser
Student Agreement Signature
Unofficial Transcript
You must upload a recent transcript that includes at least one quarter of grades at Northwestern.
- If this is your first year at Northwestern, this means that your transcript must include your fall quarter grades.
- If you are a transfer student, you should also upload a transcript from your previous institution.
Personal StatementÂ
Personal statements are only required for certain programs. Personal Statement prompts will be clearly listed in your application if this requirement applies to your program.
Program Interview
Program-Specific Requirements
Certain programs have additional requirements above and beyond those listed above.
LEARN MORE ABOUT THE APPLICATION REVIEW PROCESS
No Retroactive Credit
Students cannot receive retroactive credit for study abroad programs completed prior to matriculation or while enrolled at Northwestern. To earn credit for coursework completed outside the United States, you must apply through the Global Learning Office (GLO) by the designated deadline.
Independent Summer Programs:
If you participated in an independent summer program without submitting a GLO application, you may be eligible to appeal for credit transfer.
Important Limitations:
For questions about the independent summer appeal process, please contact Jessica Fetridge.
External Applications
Applying to Partner and Exchange Programs
- GLO deadlines are earlier than the application deadlines published by our partners.
- You must submit an application to the program provider or host institution in addition to your GLO application.
- Your GLO adviser will nominate your for your exchange program or approve your application to the partner program provider only after they have reviewed and approved your GLO application.
Study Abroad Housing Policy
You are bound by the housing policies set by your study abroad program. Northwestern strongly discourages students from making their own housing arrangements when housing options are available through their program. Even if your program permits you to make independent housing arrangements, doing so can expose you to significant risks and additional costs, and you assume full responsibility for all risks and additional costs associated with the independent housing.
GLO Deadlines
Important Deadlines
| Deadline |
Programs |
Term(s) |
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- Oxford University (All Terms)
- King's College London
- King's College London Health & Society
- BADA Theatre Program
- Japan Study at Waseda University (All Terms)
- Exeter College Summer Program - Oxford University
|
|
|
- Northwestern Programs
- Exchange Programs
- Prague Film School
- International Chinese Language Program - ICLP (Summer)
|
- Summer
- Fall
- Fall-Winter
- Full Year
|
|
- Partner Programs
- Global Practicum Programs
- Rolling approvals in the fall - may fill before the deadline:
- IES Madrid Business, Economics & Social Science
- Syracuse University in Florence
- Yonsei University
|
- Summer
- Fall
- Fall-Winter
- Full Year
|
|
- Northwestern Programs
- Global Journalism Residency in Argentina
- Exchange Programs
- Kyoto Consortium for Japanese Studies
- IES Abroad Nagoya Nanzan University
|
- Winter
- Winter-Spring
- Spring
|
|
- Partner Programs
- SESP Global Practicum in Sydney
|
- Winter
- Winter-Spring
- Spring
|
|
|
|
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