Study Abroad Credit

Academic credit is a critical consideration when choosing to study abroad. Check out our four-part video series to guide you through the credit process, or review key information below.

Getting Credit

Students participating in BBA International Programs, International Engineering Education (IEE) Programs, or Law School Exchange Programs should refer to these offices for credit details.

All other students follow the instructions in the expandable sections below.

Study Abroad Credit Checklist

Exploring Your Options

Consult with your academic advisor and education abroad program coordinator regarding fulfilling degree requirements while abroad.

Credit by Program Type

Exchange Programs

Students register for UT “exchange placeholder” courses while abroad (ex. SAB 300)
Credits appear as in-residence credit on official UT transcripts
Grades will appear and are computed into overall UT GPA
Transcripts from exchange programs are received by Education Abroad and are transcribed from the foreign grading system to the UT letter grade

Affiliate Programs

Students register for UT “affiliate placeholder” courses while abroad (ex. AS 000)
Credits appear as transfer credits on official UT transcripts
Grades are not computed into your overall UT GPA
Students must make a C- or better to receive credit. If an Affiliate provider posts a grade as "P" or "CR", the course will transfer with a "CR" grade.
Some affiliate credit may count for residency hours. (see GI 2a & 2b)

Faculty-Led Programs

Students register for a UT course led by UT faculty
Grades are computed into your overall UT GPA
Some Faculty-Led programs are "hybrids" and have coursework taught by an affiliate provider. Credit from these courses will be treated as Affiliate transfer credit (see above).

My Credit Abroad Database

After speaking with your academic advisor to review your remaining degree requirements, search the My Credit Abroad database of 12,000+ courses. This is a historical record of courses other UT students have taken abroad and the UT course equivalent. You may apply filters for department specific credit, but we advise searching the database by application (program) code to capture all historical record of courses previously taken abroad through Education Abroad

The My Credit Abroad database is not automatically updated with new courses. If you see courses listed on a program’s website that are not in the My Credit Abroad database, you can obtain the syllabus and submit a Course Evaluation Request.

Course Evaluation Process

Submit course syllabi to be evaluated to find a UT equivalent match. If there is no equivalent match at UT, students are guaranteed to receive elective credit from the UT department that best matches the course. Submit a Course Evaluation Request at any time. Course evaluations take between four to six weeks depending on the department.

After Acceptance

Key information about credit is outlined in a CANVAS course in which you will be enrolled. You will also attend a Pre-Departure Orientation that further elaborates on these key credit steps:

Plan your course schedule: Make a list of the courses you plan to take during your semester abroad, including backups. Find courses on your host institution’s or program’s website. Keep in mind that not all programs will list available classes ahead of time and registration in a specific course is not guaranteed.
Determine what credit you will receive at UT: Check to see if your courses are in the My Credit Abroad Database. If your course is not listed, submit a Course Evaluation Request. UT faculty members review syllabi to find a UT equivalent match. If there is no equivalent match at UT, students are guaranteed to receive elective credit from the UT department that best matches the course. If you need a specific credit to stay on track to graduate, submit your syllabus early. Course evaluations take between four to six weeks depending on the department.
Register for classes: Once you’re accepted, you must register in Education Abroad “placeholder” courses. You’ll also register for courses directly with your host institution/program. You must be enrolled as a full-time student during your program abroad to receive financial aid. For Fall and Spring semester students, this means registering in the equivalent of 12 UT credit hours. For summer students, this will be the equivalent of 6 UT credit hours.
Understand International Course Weights: Many partner universities and programs record course credits based on the local education system. For example, European schools us the European Credit Transfer System. A five ECTS credit course is equal to a three UT Austin credit course. Your Education Abroad Program Coordinator will share your program’s credit weights with you during pre-departure orientation.

When You Return

Education Abroad must receive your official transcript from your host institution or abroad program. Timing of receipt of transcripts varies by program. It may take up to a long semester after you return to post your credit. Review the timeline below and discuss deadlines with your academic advisor and the Education Abroad Credit Team.

Semester Abroad	Transcript Arrives at UT	Credit Approved	Credit Posted on UT Transcript
Summer	Mid-Fall	September – October	October – December
Fall	Mid-February – early April	March – late April	April – May
Spring	Late summer – early Fall	September – October	November – December

Frequently Asked Questions

Have another question not included here? Reach out to the Credit Team at Education Abroad at txglobal-credit@austin.utexas.edu!

Can I fulfill Core or Flag requirements while abroad?

Students may be able to fulfill Core requirements abroad by submitting their course syllabus for petition to the Undergraduate Studies office (UGS). If you petition prior to going abroad, approval will be tentative on receiving credit and passing the course.

Can I graduate the same semester I am studying abroad?

Yes, if you don’t need the credits from abroad for your degree requirements.

No, if the courses you are taking abroad are needed to fulfill your degree requirements.

Students cannot always graduate the semester immediately upon return because the credit may not be posted by the deadline to apply for graduation. Review the procedure for In Absentia Graduation/Registration with an advisor in your Dean’s office.

Semester Abroad	Transcript Arrives at UT	Credit posted on UT transcript	Application for Graduation Deadline
Summer	Mid-Fall	October – December	Mid-Oct – early Nov (Fall Graduation)
Fall	Mid-February – early April	April – May	Mid-March – early April (Spring Graduation)
Spring	Late summer – early Fall	November – December	Mid-July (Summer Graduation)

Can I take a course pass/fail while abroad?

Exchange programs – Yes. The student’s college or school sets the numbers of pass/fail courses allowed. After speaking with your UT academic advisor, if you decide to take a course pass/fail you must inform your Education Abroad Program Coordinator in writing by the date marking 60% of course completion in the host country. This deadline is different for each program and does not match the UT pass/fail deadline. Most colleges/schools do not allow pass/fail credits to count for major degree requirements. Email the Education Abroad Credit Team at txglobal-credit@austin.utexas.edu to inquire further about Pass/Fail.

Affiliated programs – No. Students typically take all affiliate courses for a grade because they are transfer credit and require a C- or better to receive credit. In the case that an affiliate provider posts a grade as "P" or "CR", a course will be posted as "CR" on the student's UT record.

Faculty-led programs – Yes. Like any regular UT Austin course, you may take the course as pass/fail if offered in that mode by the faculty member. Email your faculty member to initiate the request. You must follow the pass/fail request deadlines for the term in which you are taking the course.