Plan Your Experience
Planning ahead is the key to making study abroad fit into your academic goals. Whether you're just beginning to explore programs or getting ready to apply, we're here to help you understand your options, build your academic plan, and prepare a competitive application.
Start Here
Your first step is to attend a First Steps Information Session, led by our Gies Global Guides – students who have studied abroad through Gies. During the session, you'll learn about available programs, the application process, costs, and how to get started.
Next, meet with your academic advisor to discuss how study abroad fits into your degree plan. Your advisor can help you determine the best semester to study abroad and ensure you stay on track for graduation.
If you still have questions, schedule an appointment with a Gies Global advisor or email studyabroad@business.illinois.edu.
Academic Planning
Most students are able to study abroad and graduate on time with proper planning.
Semester exchange students are required to complete the equivalent of 12 Illinois credit hours at their host institution. Students may also take one online Illinois course while abroad if needed.
Ready to get started? Meet with your academic advisor.
Before applying, you should:
- Meet with your academic advisor.
- Review your degree requirements.
- Explore courses offered by your host institution.
- Use the Course Approval Database to identify approved transfer courses.
Major Requirements
Business core and major requirements vary by program. While many business courses can be completed abroad, some courses must be taken at Illinois. Program-specific course information is available on each exchange program page. If you have questions about your academic plan, your academic advisor can help determine which courses are the best fit for your degree requirements.
Gen Ed Courses
Gen Ed courses can be taken abroad for a grade or CR/NC. The Advanced Composition requirement cannot be fulfilled abroad. All other Gen Ed courses can be taken abroad if they are offered at a partner university.
Core Courses
- ACCY 201: Accounting and Accountancy I: not allowed abroad
- ACCY 202: Accounting and Accountancy II: not allowed abroad
- BADM 210: Business Analytics I: can be taken abroad if offered at a partner university
- BADM 211: Business Analytics II: can be taken abroad if offered at a partner university
- BADM 275: Fundamentals of Operations Management: can be taken abroad if offered at a partner university
- BADM 300: The Legal Environment of Bus: can be taken abroad if offered at a partner university
- BADM 310: Mgmt and Organizational Beh: can be taken abroad if offered at a partner university
- BADM 320: Principles of Marketing: can be taken abroad if offered at a partner university
- BADM 449: Business Policy and Strategy: can be taken abroad if offered at a partner university
- BUS 101: Professional Responsibility and Business: not allowed abroad
- BUS 201: Business Dynamics: not allowed abroad
- BUS 301: Business in Action: not allowed abroad
- BUS 401: Business in a Global Perspective: not allowed abroad
- FIN 221: Corporate Finance: can be taken abroad if offered at a partner university
There is no restriction on how many of the above Business Core Courses can be taken abroad.
Students Studying Abroad for Multiple Semesters
For students studying abroad for multiple semesters, Business Study Abroad will work with your department on how many classes you can take toward your major during study abroad. You can only study abroad for one semester through the Business Study Abroad sponsored programs. If you want to study abroad longer, you will need to participate in a program from another office.
Business Minor
Courses taken through a University of Illinois's Study Abroad Program may fulfill the Business Minor core requirement if there is an exact course articulation of the Gies Business course. For example, a study abroad course deemed the exact equivalent course to our campus' FIN 221 course is acceptable for the Business Minor Core course. If a student takes a study abroad course that is articulated as BADM 3- - and BADM 4- -, the student may work with the BUS Minor advisor to use this course as a Business Minor elective requirement.
Repeating a Course During Study Abroad
If you take a course abroad for a grade that you have already taken at UIUC, you will not receive hours towards graduation for the course, but your grade will be the average of the two grades. Make sure that without those hours, you still have enough hours to meet the minimum required for full-time status at the foreign institution.
If you take a course abroad for CR/NC that you've already taken of UIUC, you will not receive hours towards graduation for the course. Make sure that you still have enough hours to meet the minimum required for full-time status at the foreign institution.
Accountancy Majors
Accountancy majors cannot take any accountancy classes for their major abroad. Accountancy electives are offered at Nanyang University, but do not count toward the ACCY major requirements.
Finance Majors
Finance majors can take up to three major courses abroad including major elective courses. FIN 300 (Financial Markets) cannot be taken abroad.
Business Administration Majors
BADM majors can take up to four courses per major from abroad including major elective courses.
Supply Chain Management Majors
BADM 335 (Supply Chain Management Basics) cannot be taken abroad.
Dual Degrees
Students who are pursuing a dual degree can transfer back to the Gies College of Business courses towards each major. The course limitations for each degree will apply.
Costs and Funding
Many students are surprised to learn that studying abroad can cost about the same –or even less – than studying on campus. Financial aid, scholarships, and grants can often be applied toward study abroad expenses.
Scholarship Opportunities
- Gies Global Scholarship: Gies majors applying to study abroad for a semester, academic year, or summer with a host university should Apply Here. Gies majors applying to a short-term faculty-led program should Apply Here
- I4I Scholarship: All study abroad students should apply for the I4I Scholarship, from the study abroad student fee. It can be used for semester or faculty-led programs.
- Wert Scholarship: Undergrads going to India should apply for the Wert scholarship. The program reflects the Charles Wert's strong interest in fostering interactions between the university and institutions in India.
- Gilman Scholarship: Any student receiving a Pell Grant should apply for the Gilman Scholarship.
- University of Illinois Scholarships: You may be eligible to apply for a variety of funding opportunities available from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign and external sources.
- National & International Scholarship Program: These program focuses on select prestigious scholarships.
Program Costs
For many students, an important consideration for any study abroad program is the cost. There are study abroad programs at U of I that can meet every budget.
Semester Programs
The most cost effective programs are generally exchange programs. For these programs, you do not need to pay the tuition of the university you will be attending. You only pay Range III tuition at the University of Illinois. This is a substantial tuition savings over the regular cost of tuition, especially if you are from out of state.
Short-Term Programs
The costs for short-term study abroad programs vary widely and depend on the location, duration and number of participating students. Some short-term programs are subsidized by Gies College of Business. The Gies Study Abroad Office does everything possible to provide safe, high-quality programs to Gies students at a reasonable cost to participating students.
Gies majors applying to a short-term faculty-led program should complete the scholarship application, which is included as part of the program application. Both are due on the program application deadline. If you are studying abroad during winter break or May, you must also submit an I4I scholarship application in order to be considered for the Gies Global scholarship.
Financial Aid
Financial Aid can generally be used the same for study abroad periods as for when the student is attending classes at U of I. For students going on a semester program, the financial aid will be adjusted to reflect the program costs. Keep in mind that financial aid will not be distributed until the beginning of the U of I semester. These dates can differ significantly from when our study abroad programs begin, so be prepared for this.
Application Timeline
February 1
- Summer programs
- Fall semester programs
- Early Action for Spring semester
- Students applying for both Fall and Spring options
June 15
- Second-round application deadline for select Spring semester programs.
September 1
- Final application deadline for remaining Spring semester openings. If studying in a specific location is your highest priority, we recommend applying for the Fall semester, when the greatest number of exchange spaces are available.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to be a business major to study abroad through Gies College of Business?
Many Gies Global programs are designed for business students, although some opportunities are open to students outside the college. View our Semester Programs and Short-Term Programs for more information.
How safe is studying abroad?
Student safety is our highest priority. Gies Global works closely with Illinois International and university partners to support students before and throughout their time abroad. Please refer to the International Health and Safety website for more information.
How is housing determined?
The housing application process differs for each program offered. A majority of our programs have the options for students to reside in university provided housing or off-campus housing.
Do I need to speak another language?
No. Most partner universities offer enough courses in English for students to complete a full semester.
How will the courses I take abroad fit into my schedule?
Consult with your academic advisor to determine how studying abroad will fit into your schedule and confirm your ability to study abroad. Once you have been accepted into your program, set up a meeting with one of our study abroad advisors to discuss your classes abroad. Students are required to take the equivalent of 12 Illinois credit hours at their host institution. In addition to these 12 credit hours, students can take one online Illinois course.
Explore your host institution's website and utilize the Course Approval Database to identify courses you can take abroad.
Can I study abroad as a senior?
Possibly. Your academic advisor can help determine whether studying abroad will fit into your graduation plan.
How do I apply?
There is one application for students applying to a Gies Global semester study abroad program. List your top 10 location preferences on your application.
How competitive is admission?
Admission varies by program and available space. Students are encouraged to submit a thoughtful application and rank multiple program preferences.
Have a question?
Connect with our team to get more information.