Undergraduate Students
Study Abroad
Participating in a study abroad program is a significant and exciting part of completing a university degree. Past students often tell us that their time abroad was the best part of their education. When you study abroad, you take classes at a university in another country. You can study abroad during the summer, during winter break, for a semester, or for the entire academic year. All programs are for credit and financial aid and scholarships are available. Generally speaking, students are not allowed to travel for UNLV related purposes to countries with a State Department Travel advisory or Alert.
State Department Travel Advisories and Alerts Study Abroad
Getting Started
- Step 1: Sign up for one of our Study Abroad Information Sessions. Be sure to check out our study abroad programs before the session.
- Step 2: After you've attended the Study Abroad Information Sessions, we will ask you to prepare a few things before your one-on-one meeting with a study abroad advisor. You will be given guidance during the Info Session on how to complete each task:
- Degree Worksheet: You usually obtain an academic degree worksheet from your academic advisor. Please meet with them to receive this if you don't already have it.
- Location: Browse the websites and consider your program(s) of interest
- Courses: Look for classes you may want to take in your locations of interest
- Interactive Budget Sheet: Complete interactive budget sheets each program of interest
- Funding: Have a list of your UNLV Financial Aid
- Step 3: Once you are ready to apply, submit your application through USAC.edu. You will need to submit a Home University Approval Application to get approval from our office. You can follow the Study Abroad Checklist to help you understand the main tasks to complete before you depart.
National Student Exchange
Undergraduate students can also participate in the National Student Exchange (NSE), which waives out-of-state tuition for students to study for one or two semesters at participating universities in the United States and Canada. All programs are for credit and federal financial aid is available for the U.S. locations.
To learn more about NSE, visit the NSE website and contact the UNLV NSE Coordinator.
Graduate Students
Research Abroad
When graduate students go abroad for academic purposes, it's usually for research. Whether it's for thesis or dissertation research, independent study, or your MFA international requirement, the Office of International Programs can guide you. Funding is available from International Programs for credit-bearing research or study. Also consider applying for nationally competitive scholarships, such as Fulbright (see below).
Getting Started
- Step 1: Think about where your research will take you. If the State Department has your destination under a travel advisory or alert, you will likely need to change your plans.
State Department Travel Advisories and Alerts - Step 2: Consult with your graduate advisor. Is it logistically and methodologically feasible for you to conduct your research abroad?
- Step 3: Make an appointment to meet with an International Programs advisor and submit the International Programs Packet.
Study Abroad
Traditional study abroad is more common at the undergraduate level, but on occasion, some graduate students participate in undergraduate study abroad programs, particularly for intensive language training. Sometimes graduate advisors may be open to allowing grad students to receive graduate credit while studying abroad, but it's rare. Instead, consider scholarship programs for study, such as Fulbright, the Critical Language Scholarship, and the Boren Fellowship (see below). Speak to an advisor at International Programs for more details.
Nationally Competitive Scholarships
The Office of International Programs Director and Associate Director serve as your campus advisors for scholarships administered by the Institute of International Education (IIE), including the Fulbright US Student Scholarship, the Critical Language Scholarship, and the Boren Fellowship. For more information, call for an advising appointment at 702-895-3896.