we offer a wealth of programs to chose from
Boston College’s network of more than 60 international partnerships is among the most comprehensive in the U.S. Our partner institutions are located on six continents and offer virtually every discipline available at BC.
Each year approximately 1,000 BC students and faculty participate in semester/academic year and BC summer programs abroad. Students have the opportunity to choose between BC programs and approved external programs. In addition to this, the number and diversity of BC faculty-taught summer programs continues to grow. Students pursue external summer programs abroad independently. All programs will fulfill the requirement toward a certificate in Global Proficiency. 
What is the difference between BC and Approved External Programs?
BC Programs
Most semester and academic year BC Programs are based on an exchange relationship and are not a fee-for-services programs. We have carefully selected our partner universities around the world and are confident that the academic standards of our partnership institutions are equivalent to those of Boston College. While tuition rates charged to their regularly enrolled students may be lower than those at Boston College, these rates do not reflect the quality of the university but rather the host country's economy and the amount of government subsidies available to higher education institutions. BC study abroad programs adhere to a high standard of quality and have features that most programs of external providers do not offer.
By establishing exchange arrangements whereby student participants remain enrolled at their home university, BC is able to offer the following benefits to our students:
- Students participating in our exchange programs receive full Boston College credit;
- Grades earned at the partner institution appear on the BC transcript and are included in GPA calculations;
- Students remain eligible for all financial aid they would generally receive at Boston College;
- Students are carefully advised about their study-abroad plans by a team of International Study Advisors at BC's Office of International Programs;
- BC programs offer on-site coordinators or other personnel from the host institutions, who serve as local guides and mentors to ensure the safety and well-being of our students. They typically arrange housing, assist in advising and in the registration of university courses, and arrange educational and cultural activities for students;
- Furthermore, BC faculty and administrators remain in contact with participants and program contacts abroad and facilitate the exchange program;
- BC programs are constantly monitored and assessed both by the Office of International Programs and faculty members to ensure academic excellence and seamless integration into the BC curriculum.
Approved External Programs
In the case of Approved External Programs, students do not pay BC tuition but are charged a $1,000 external program fee per program to cover the cost of services provided by OIP and other BC offices. In addition, a $100 HTH Worldwide Insurance Services fee will be charged to the student’s account.
- Students participating in our approved external programs receive full Boston College credit;
- Grades earned at approved external programs appear on the BC transcript but are not included in GPA calculations;
- Students remain eligible for only federal and state financial aid they would generally receive at Boston College;
- Students are carefully advised about their study-abroad plans by a team of International Study Advisors at BC's Office of International Programs.