There are a variety of learning abroad opportunities for both undergraduate and graduate students at U of T. Please find below a description of such opportunities, offered through the university, by the Centre for International Experience (CIE) or other divisions at U of T.
Registration: Your status will vary based on the type of opportunity you decide to opt for.
Funding: Students going abroad on a U of T-sanctioned activity are eligible to apply for a needs-based International Experience Award+ (IE Award+) offered at CIE.
Safety Abroad: All students must register and complete Safety Abroad requirements.
Transfer Credit: Credit eligibility will mostly depend on the type of learning abroad opportunity you choose to opt for. Please make sure to consult your department/registrar prior to going abroad.
Some divisions propose learning abroad opportunities to their students, usually for credits.
Faculty-Led Programs
These programs are developed by faculties to provide students the opportunity to gain meaningful courses, experiential learning, or applied research experiences abroad. These trips generally vary in length depending on the project or the faculty and are developed in collaboration with academic partners.
Please consult your division to find out what’s available for you.
Field Courses
Some U of T programs offer upper-year students the opportunity to complete either a field camp abroad or a hybrid of course work followed by a field trip.
Please consult your division to find out what’s available for you, and browse a list of opportunities and search for “field course”, “field camp” or “field trip”.
Independent Summer Programs (ISP)
ISP’s are summer schools offered by international institutions, including partner institutions. However, you will be required to register and pay fees directly to the host institution. Some institutions offer discounts for students who apply from U of T.
It is important to note you will be required to consult with your department/registrar to ensure credit transfer eligibility upon your return and to follow the process in place with your respective division.
Application deadlines and formalities for such programs are described on the host institution’s website. For more information please contact them directly.
Please find a list of ISP opportunities and search for “Independent Summer Program”.
Summer Abroad (3-6 Weeks)
The Summer Abroad program is hosted by Woodsworth College (not by CIE). You will be able to complete U of T undergraduate degree credit courses from the Faculty of Arts & Science that are relevant to each location. Classes are relatively small (about 25 students on average) and are taught by U of T professors or faculty from the host university. Program fees are paid to Woodsworth College directly.
For more information, please visit the Summer Abroad website or the list of opportunities and search for “Summer Abroad”.
Students who decide to go on a non-exchange learning abroad experience (research, courses, or professional experience), that is organized, coordinated or supported by any division at UofT, are able to apply to receive an IE+ award. Please make sure to check the IE+ eligibility and application instructions.
You can explore other funding opportunities and note experience-specific funding that is highlighted on individual experience pages and experience host websites.
With the CIE
The CIE advertises non-exchange opportunities such as Independent Summer Programs or placement opportunities. To apply for a non-exchange opportunity, please follow the instructions relevant to the opportunity as described in the experience page and click the “learn more” option at the bottom of the experience page to be redirected as needed.
Some opportunities will require applications to the CIE, others an application directly to the host institution. Make sure you understand the conditions and you follow the relevant application procedures.
If you have any question, please email learning.abroad@utoronto.ca.
With Another Division at U of T
Other divisions at U of T propose learning abroad opportunities, such as Summer Abroad, UTM Abroad, field trips… To apply for a non-exchange opportunity, please follow the instructions relevant to the opportunity as described in the experience page and click the “learn more” option at the bottom of the experience page to be redirected as needed.
