Going Abroad on Exchange
The Honors College at WSU has established several exchanges in Europe and Asia available to students interested in semester or academic year experiences abroad. Students interested in studying in China can take advantage of the partnership with Southeast University in Nanjing, one of China’s oldest and most respected institutions of higher learning.
For students wanting to study in the United Kingdom both Aberystwyth University and Swansea University in Wales provide excellent opportunities to complete coursework towards their degree and honors requirements for nearly every degree plan at WSU. Soon to join Aberystwyth and Swansea in the U.K. is the University of Liverpool (England) as this agreement is currently under development.
Is there a “right time” to go?
When to go on exchange may depend on your major. Many students find the junior year is good—especially if you are planning to write your thesis with a global perspective and/or complete Honors’ Certificate of Global Competencies. Students in engineering and sciences are encouraged to apply during their freshman year to travel abroad during their sophomore year.
Students interested in exchanges should be independent, resourceful, and have the confidence to seek out assistance at their host university.
Students typically find differences in educational systems and varying levels of student services when on exchange.
5 Reasons You Should Do a Fellowship Abroad
By Deborah Vieyra
If you are sitting on the fence about whether to apply for a fellowship abroad, I have two words for you: do it! Traveling internationally to further your education in your chosen field is an experience that cannot be compared to any other. You will learn so much about yourself and others and be able to bring back knowledge to your home country that you cannot learn in any book. Not to mention, an international fellowship can provide you the financial and logistical resources needed for a professional or academic experience in a foreign country.
Read more at ProFellow.com >>
Honors Exchanges
University of Liverpool (England)
Swansea University (UK)
Honors Study Abroad Exchanges 2025
Study Abroad in Scotland at the University of Stirling!
Program Dates:
- Fall: September – December, Deadline: March 1st
- Academic Year: September – May, Deadline: March 1st
- Spring: January – May, Deadline: September 1st
- Summer: June – July, July – August, or June – August, Deadline: March 1st
Credits: 12-18 per term or 6-12 for summer
Cost: During the academic year pay regular tuition (financial aid applies like
normal) and cheaper housing! Find the costs for the summer program here.
Exchange Specialist: Rachelle Spencer
See the Global Learning Brochure for this program
Areas of Study: Animal Sciences, Apparel, Merchandising, Design and Textiles, Athletic Training, Biology, Broadcast News, Broadcast Production, Criminal Justice and Criminology, Digital Technology and Culture, English, French, Genetics and Cell Biology, Human Development, Humanities, International Business, Kinesiology, Marketing, Risk and Crisis Communication, Social Sciences, Sport Management, UCORE, Wildlife Ecology and Conservation Sciences, Zoology
Three reasons to choose the University of Stirling:
- Culture abounds where it’s not uncommon to hear bagpipes or see people in traditional attire!
- Located just outside of Glasgow and Edinburgh, Stirling is just close enough to explore major regions of the U.K. without being overrun with tourists.
- The University of Stirling is ranked 1st in the U.K for campus environment and it’s no wonder when the city itself is in the top 10 of the happiest places to live in the U.K.
Further Bonuses: Thinking about grad school abroad? If you do it at the University of Stirling, you’ll receive scholarship preference as a study abroad alumni! Additionally, right now there are no visa requirements for the U.K. if you study for less than 6 months, saving you literally hundreds of dollars.
Chance of Placement: Good
Study Abroad in Wales at Swansea University!
Program Date Options:
Academic Year: September – June, Deadline: March 1st
Spring: January – June, Deadline: September 1st
Credits: 12-18 per term
Cost: Pay regular tuition (financial aid applies like normal) and cheaper housing!
Exchange Specialist: Rachelle Spencer
See the Global Learning Brochure for this program
Areas of Study: Arts & Humanities, Engineering, Human & Health Sciences, Law & Criminology, Business, Management & Marketing, Medicine, Science
Three reasons to choose Swansea University:
- You can have the best of both worlds with access to a plethora of hiking routes as well as direct access to London!
- The smaller city life and friendly community give you great chances to really be immersed in the culture of Wales as well as bring your costs down.
- In 2024 Swansea University was ranked 65th overall for its work with the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Further Bonuses: The beach is right next door! Additionally, right now there are no visa requirements for the U.K. if you study for less than 6 months, saving you literally hundreds of dollars.
Chance of Placement: Excellent
Study Abroad in Wales at Aberystwyth University! 
Program Date Options:
Fall: September – January*, Deadline: March 1st
*You’ll need to seek permission from individual professors/instructors in advance to take final exams online
Academic Year: September – July, Deadline: March 1st
Spring: February – July, Deadline: September 1st
Credits: 12-18 per term
Cost: Pay regular tuition (financial aid applies like normal) and cheaper housing!
Exchange Specialist: Rachelle Spencer
See the Global Learning Brochure for this program
Areas of Study: Art, Business, Biological, Environmental and Rural Sciences, Computer Science, Education, English and Creative Writing, Geography and Earth Sciences, History and Welsh History, Information Services, Information Studies, International English Centre, International Politics, Law & Criminology, Lifelong Learning, Mathematics, Modern Languages, Physics, Psychology, Theatre, Film and Television Studies, Welsh
Three reasons to choose Aberystwyth University:
- Situated along Cardigan’s Bay, Aberystwyth and its surrounding county will give you a real taste of the British countryside with new things to discover during each distinct season.
- Follow in the famous footsteps of King Arthur, Lord Rhys, Saint David, Owain Glyndwr and Henry Tudor! Cardigan Castle is less than 2 hours away by a direct train!
- Established in 1872 as the first university in Wales, Aberystwyth has a long award-winning history including #1 University town in Wales (and #8 in the UK), 4th in the U.K. for quality of teaching and learning, and 1 of 9 U.K. universities to be awarded the Carbon Trust Standard.
Further Bonuses: Looking for a challenge? Mount Snowdon (Yr Wyddfa) is the highest mountain in Wales and England. You can hike to the top or take a train to the summit. On a good weather day, you can see as far as Ireland! Additionally, right now there are no visa requirements for the U.K. if you study for less than 6 months, saving you literally hundreds of dollars.
Chance of Placement: Good
Study Abroad in England at the University of Liverpool! 
Program Date Options:
Fall: September – January*, Deadline: March 1st
*Students will finish the term in December and complete final exams in the U.S.
Academic Year: September – June, Deadline: March 1st
Spring: January – June, Deadline: September 1st
Summer: June – July, Deadline: March 1st
Credits: 12-18 per term or 8-18 credits for summer
Cost: Pay regular tuition (financial aid applies like normal) and potentially cheaper housing!
Exchange Specialist: Rachelle Spencer
See the Global Learning Brochure for this program
Areas of Study: Accounting, Anthropology, Archaeology, Architectural Studies, Biochemistry, Chemistry, Computer Science, Criminal Justice and Criminology, Digital Technology and Culture, Earth Sciences (Geology), Economic Sciences, Electrical Engineering, English, Finance, Genetics and Cell Biology, History, International Business, Literature, Management, Marketing, Mathematics, Mechanical Engineering, Microbiology, Multimedia Journalism, Music, Neuroscience, Philosophy, Physics and Astronomy, Political Science, Psychology, Public Relations, Sociology
Three reasons to choose the University of Liverpool:
- With architecture styles spanning the last 300 years, not many cities say “history” like Liverpool!
- From theater to The Beatles to Liverpool soccer, there’s a reason why Liverpool earned the title “European Capital of Culture.”
- Everyone knows the name Liverpool. The university is ranked in the top 200 in the world and is a founding member of the prestigious “Russell Group,” the top 24 research intensive universities in the U.K.
Further Bonuses: Liverpool John Lennon Airport (LJLA) makes Liverpool a great launchpad to other parts of Europe for less than $100! Additionally, right now there are no visa requirements for the U.K. if you study for less than 6 months, saving you literally hundreds of dollars.
Chance of Placement: This program is currently closed.