Applying to Study Abroad

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.

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

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.

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

In certain cases you amy be eligible to appeal. Read more about the appeal process here.

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.

In certain cases you amy be eligible to appeal. Read more about the appeal process here.

Many partner and exchange programs have requirements above and beyond the Northwestern requirements. GLO approval does not guarantee admission to your program.

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).

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.

To request approval for study abroad:

1. 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.
2. Schedule a Meeting
   Schedule a meeting in ConnectNU with your School Adviser.
3. 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.
4. 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

• 2025-2026 Student Agreement (Summer 2025 and Fall, Winter, and/or Spring 2025-2026)

• 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 statements are only required for certain programs. Personal Statement prompts will be clearly listed in your application if this requirement applies to your program.

Only certain programs require an interview. Learn more about interview requirements and refer to your application and program brochure to see if this applies to you. 

Certain programs have additional requirements above and beyond those listed above.

It is possible to study abroad during your final quarter at Northwestern, but keep the following important issues in mind:

• You must stay in contact with your degree auditor before and while you are abroad to discuss the timeline of your graduation and the process for receiving your diploma.
• It can take up to 4 months after your program ends for your transcript to arrive at GLO, and additional time for credits to be posted and applied towards your degree program, which will likely delay your actual date of graduation. 
• Some programs do not end until after Northwestern's quarter is over, and you are required to complete all courses, coursework, and final assessments on-site. If your program does not end until after Northwestern’s graduation, you cannot return early to walk. 
• Students planning to return to the U.S. to walk with their fellow graduating classmates may experience difficulty obtaining tickets to the graduation ceremony while abroad. Contact the Office of Special Events (847-491-3600 or commencement@northwestern.edu) for further details. 
• If you receive financial aid for study abroad, you are required to transfer your credits back to Northwestern, regardless of whether you "need" the credits or intend to petition for specific departmental credit.
• You must be enrolled at Northwestern to be eligible to participate in study abroad. You cannot study abroad after graduating. Students may participate in study abroad during the summer after their fourth (senior) year, as long as they petition to graduate after Summer term.
• Seniors may only be eligible to use financial aid for summer study abroad if they plan to defer their graduation date to the end of the summer quarter in order to complete a degree or or primary major requirement through their program.
• If you are hoping to apply to graduate schools for the term immediately following your study abroad program and Northwestern graduation, make sure your graduate schools understand that your final diploma and transcript from Northwestern may not be available until for some time.
• Be sure to review the Office of the Registrar's graduation deadlines and complete the credit transfer process as soon as possible after your return to campus. Contact your academic advisers and/or the Office of the Registrar with any questions.