So many programs to choose from
Students can choose from a wide range of semester and academic year programs. Search and compare Boston College programs and approved external programs. The advising and application process for semester and academic year programs is similar. Application instructions are available to assist students in the process.
Students can extend their time abroad by adding a BC faculty-led summer program or internship. Note that the advising and application process for summer programs is different. Information and application instructions for summer programs and internships are available to assist students.
What is the difference between BC and external programs?
BC Program Tuition: BC tuition
Housing: Unless specifically noted, housing costs are paid to the host university/program, not BC
Additional Fees: CISI Health Insurance
Grades: Count towards BC GPA and appear on transcript
Credits: General elective and with approval, can be applied to student’s major, minor or core
Financial Aid: BC and federal aid (if eligible)
Boston College programs allow students to study directly at one of BC’s 70+ partner institutions around the world. On a BC Program, the OGE has a direct connection with the host university. Often, the host university abroad will send their own students to BC as part of an exchange. Some BC programs have a resident director whose roles vary from location to location; these programs are labeled as “BC in.”
Students who attend a BC program abroad continue to pay BC tuition. Students will be billed directly by their BC host institution for housing unless otherwise noted. Students continue to receive all financial aid, grants, scholarships, tuition remission, etc. Students will also pay for international health insurance offered through CISI. Many scholarship opportunities exist for students studying abroad and students are encouraged to apply early.
Students attending a BC program will earn BC credit and the grades from abroad will be factored into their BC GPA. Credit will be applied to General Elective Credit. With approval, students may have the credit applied to their major, minor, or the BC core. Students should review the study abroad academic guidelines to learn more.
Check here for a breakdown of costs associated with BC and approved external semester & year programs.
Approved External Program Tuition: BC tuition
Housing: Arranged by external program and paid to external program
Additional Fees: CISI Health Insurance
Grades: Count towards BC GPA and appear on transcript
Credits: General elective and with approval, can be applied to student’s major, minor, or core
Financial Aid: BC and federal aid (if eligible)
Students may also study on an Approved External Program. Approved External Programs are programs that offer additional abroad opportunities for BC students. Students who choose an external program still must apply to study abroad through the OGE prior to applying to the Approved External Program.
On approved external programs, BC students pay tuition to Boston College and fees directly to the program provider. Costs vary from program to program; please consult the specific program. Starting in Fall 2023, students are eligible for BC institutional financial aid, as well as state and federal aid for students who are eligible.
Credits from an approved external will transfer back to BC as general elective credit. With approval, credit can be applied to a student’s major, minor, or core. Grades will appear on the transcript, and be factored into the student’s BC GPA.
Please note that if BC has a contractual agreement with a program or institution abroad, BC students may only attend that institution through a BC program and not through direct enrollment or through another college, university, or independent organization.
Check here for a breakdown of costs associated with BC and approved external semester & year programs.
Boston College Programs
While we encourage you to compare and consider several programs for your study abroad experience, please remember that at the end you will be approved to apply to one program only. Students who are not accepted to their first program of choice will be accommodated on other Boston College programs.
Full year program* applicants must meet with an OGE advisor before submitting an application.
Cameroon
External: (SIT) Development and Social Change
Egypt
American University of Cairo (AUC)
Ghana
External: (SIT) Globalization Cultural Legacies and the Afro-Chic
Jordan
External: (CET) Middle East Studies and Internship in Jordan
External: (SIT) Refugees Health and Humanitarian Action
Kenya
External: (SIT) Global Health and Human Rights
Morocco
Al Akhawayn University
External: (SIT) Migration and Transnational Identity
Madagascar
External: (SIT) Biodiversity and Natural Resource Management
South Africa
BC in Makhanda: Rhodes University
BC in Cape Town: University of Cape Town
External: (SIT) Community Health and Social Policy - Durban
External: (SIT) International Relations in the Global South - Durban
Tanzania
External: (SIT) Wildlife Conservation and Political Ecology
External: (SIT) Coastal Ecology and Natural Resource Management
United Arab Emirates
American University of Sharjah (AUS)
Nepal
BC in Kathmandu: Center for Buddhist Studies at RYI
The Philippines
Ateneo de Manila University
Singapore
National University of Singapore (NUS)
South Korea
Seoul National University (SNU)
Sogang University
Taiwan
Fu Jen Catholic University
Austria
Vienna University of Economics and Business (WU)
Croatia
BC in Croatia: War, Peace and Reconciliation
Czech Republic
Charles University: East and Central European Studies
Denmark
Copenhagen Business School (CBS)
University of Copenhagen
France
BC in Paris: L'Institut Catholique de Paris (ICP)
*BC in Paris: L'Institut d'Etudes Politiques de Paris (Sciences Po)
BC in Paris: L'Ecole Supérieure de Commerce (ESCP)
BC in Paris: L'Institut de Langue et de Culture Francaise (ILCF)
BC in Paris: Université de Paris IV, La Sorbonne
BC in Paris: Université de Paris IX, Dauphine
Germany
Katholische Universität Eichstätt-Ingolstadt - Beginner
Katholische Universität Eichstätt-Ingolstadt - Advanced
Frankfurt School of Finance & Management
Great Britain
*Durham University
University of Bristol
University of Glasgow
BC in London: King’s College
*BC in London: London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE)
BC in London: Queen Mary
BC in London: Royal Holloway
BC in London: SOAS
BC in London: University College London (UCL) Newcastle University
Lancaster University University of Edinburgh
*University of Oxford, Mansfield College
University of Liverpool
Ireland
BC in Galway: National University of Ireland Galway
BC in Cork: University College Cork
BC in Dublin: Maynooth University
BC in Dublin: Trinity College Dublin
BC in Dublin: University College Dublin (UCD) - Arts
BC in Dublin: University College Dublin (UCD) - Commerce
Italy
Università Bocconi
Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore (UCSC)
BC in Parma: L'Istituto Dante Alighieri
BC in Parma: University of Parma
Venice International University
The Netherlands
Universiteit van Amsterdam (UvA)
Amsterdam University College (AUC)
University College Utrecht (UCU)
Northern Ireland Queen's University Belfast
Norway
University of Bergen
Poland
Jagiellonian University
Portugal
Nova School of Business & Economics, Lisbon
Spain
Universidad de Deusto, Bilbao
Universidad de Deusto, San Sebastián
BC in Barcelona: Business & Culture
BC in Barcelona: ESADE
BC in Barcelona: Universidad Pompeu Fabra (UPF)
BC in Granada: Granada Institute of International Studies (GRIIS)
BC in Madrid: Pontificia Comillas - ICADE (Business and Law)
BC in Madrid: Pontificia Comillas - Sociales (Liberal Arts and Social Science)
BC in Madrid: Carlos III
BC in Madrid: Carlos III English SAP
Türkiye
Boğaziçi University
What am I looking for in a program?
“No one is judging you for your [language] mistakes, but will certainly congratulate you and encourage your achievements. Don’t be afraid or feel uncomfortable, and really do your best to engage in the language and culture wherever you are studying.”
Approved External Programs
We offer over 70 BC programs around the world. To accommodate students who would like to study in a country or a city in which BC currently does not offer a program or who need tailored programs for certain majors, the Office of Global Education offers a selection of approved external programs as semester and academic year options.
Please note that if Boston College has a contractual agreement with an institution abroad, BC students may attend that institution only through a BC program and not through direct enrollment or through another college, university, or independent organization.
Note further, students considering external summer programs are encouraged to contact their academic dean's office.
Petitions for Non-Approved Programs: With so many options to choose from, students are expected to first consider a BC or approved external program. If a student cannot find such a program that meets their academic needs, he or she may petition to approve a program not currently listed. Students must have a strong academic rationale for choosing a program currently not approved. Students are required to meet with the OGE advisor for their chosen region to discuss the case and obtain access to the petition application. Petitions are approved on a case-by-case basis and must be submitted before the application deadline. If granted approval, the program is administered as an approved external program.