Independent Study and Research (ISR)

If you're interested in conducting research or studying independently abroad while maintaining UT enrollment, independent study and research (ISR) may be right for you. Learn more about requirements, credit, deadlines and other pertinent information.

General Information

• Registration
  • Students may enroll in ISR for a maximum of four consecutive long semesters (Spring and Fall) and a minimum of one month abroad (4 weeks) during a term.
  • ISR students are considered full-time students by the university for the term abroad.
    • Note: the university does not consider ISR to be full-time enrollment for the purposes of employment.
  • Credit is not granted by Texas Global for ISR status. If students want to seek credit for their time abroad they need to speak to their graduate coordinator or the Office of Graduate Admissions.
  • Doctoral candidates who meet the requirements for ISR registration can use their time in ISR as a substitute for dissertation hours, but can’t use it to circumvent the continuous registration requirement for doctoral candidacy. Consult your graduate coordinator for more information regarding your continuous registration requirement.
  • Travel to U.S. protectorates, such as Puerto Rico, will not be approved for ISR status.

  Once approved for ISR, your registration will be completed by Texas Global. However, you must confirm your registration by paying your tuition bill. ISR is an exclusive registration, and cannot be combined with any other courses.

• Benefits While Abroad

  While most students will be abroad for the entire semester or year, many students in ISR status have some days, weeks or months in Austin before going abroad and will be able to use these resources before, during, and upon return.

  • UT Austin Libraries
  • ITS computer support services
  • University Health Services
  • University Housing
  • University Writing Center
  • UT RecSports facilities access
  • Eligible to enroll in the Student Health Insurance Program (SHIP)
  • Not included: Federal grant or loan programs administered by the Office of Scholarships and Financial Aid.
• Deadlines

  Education Abroad will accept new applications or extensions until the deadlines. Students must complete all requirements for application prior to the application deadlines.

  • August 1 – fall semester abroad
  • December 1 – spring semester abroad
  • May 1 – summer semester abroad
• Cost & Funding

  Application Fee: There is a one-time, $75, non-refundable Texas Global administration fee for ISR status.

  Registration: The fee for registering in ISR status is $600 per semester. This fee, in lieu of tuition, will be posted to your My Tuition Bill. Student will receive an email notification of the fee and must make payment by the university fee bill due dates.

  Insurance: All UT Austin students studying abroad are enrolled in mandatory Overseas Insurance for their travel dates abroad. The cost is $19 per week. Students cannot opt out of the UT Overseas Insurance, even if their program or overseas sponsor provides them with a similar type of coverage. International students returning to their country of citizenship can request an exemption to the Overseas Insurance requirement. Please view the International Students dropdown for instructions.

  Financial Aid and Scholarships: Students in ISR are not eligible for federal, state, or institutional loans. Students should also note that ISR does not satisfy the enrollment requirement for either academic or non-academic employment with the university. Some grants and scholarships may be awarded to students in this registration category. To apply for scholarships in Global Assist use program code 300999. All students in ISR are eligible for apply for the International Education Fee Scholarship (IEFS).

• International Students

  International students must schedule an appointment with an Immigration Advisor in International Student and Scholar Services in Texas Global before leaving the United States. International students on a F or J visa status are required to remain enrolled in U.S. domestic health insurance to comply with the U.S. Department of State visa policy and University of Texas requirements.

  You will also be enrolled in mandatory Overseas Insurance, unless you are traveling to your country of citizenship. If you wish to request an exemption to Overseas Insurance for travel to your country of citizenship, please complete the Overseas Insurance Exemption request form. 

• Extension Request

  Students who want to continue research in the same country should complete the documents listed below for each subsequent semester they are in ISR beyond the initial semester. Students must submit approvals before the application deadlines listed above. Students will have to pay the tuition and insurance fees for the extension semester but the $75 application fee will be waived. Please submit the items below to the ISR Coordinator:

  1. ISR Extension Request Form
  2. Any other updates from original request

  If you are traveling to a country on the UT Austin Restricted Regions List and the approval period listed on your letter from the IOC has expired or will expire during your proposed extension period, you must seek a Restricted Regions approval extension from the International Oversight Committee before your ISR extension can be considered. Please submit an email to grs@austin.utexas.edu with the subject line "Restricted Regions Extension Request" and the following information:

  1. Updated itinerary (accommodations, dates, etc.)
  2. Letter to IOC explaining reason for extension
  3. Updated Emergency Medical Authorization and Risk & Indemnification Agreement
  4. Any other updates from original request

Application Steps

1. Determine if you will be traveling to a UT-Restricted Region

   If you are traveling to a UT-Restricted Region, If you must get request Restricted Travel Region Approval from the International Oversight Committee (IOC). You can apply for this and ISR at the same time. Students not traveling to a UT-Restricted Region should proceed directly to the next step.

2. Email the ISR Coordinator

   Email keelan.apthorpe@austin.utexas.edu with the following information:

   • Subject line: ISR Request
   • First Name
   • Last Name
   • EID
   • When your first Semester abroad will be
   • The country where the research will take place
   • Indicate if you are awaiting restricted travel region approval from the IOC for travel to a UT-Restricted Region

   You will then be granted access to the MyAbroad Portal and sent an email notification. Students in ISR should not register their travel in the International Travel Registry.

   Students participating in Global Career Launch (GCL) should not apply for ISR. Upon acceptance to the GCL program, they will automatically be enrolled in the MyAbroad Portal and registered in ISR by the GCL Program Coordinator.

3. Submit Additional Application Elements

   Log into the portal or "MyAbroad" and complete the "Online Registration Form" along with all listed steps / modules.

   Download the ISR Cover Sheet, and obtain the required signatures. If you or your supervising professors are out of the country, email the cover sheet and one-page proposal to your faculty member and graduate adviser for an email approval. Send all documents and approvals to the ISR Coordinator at keelan.apthorpe@austin.utexas.edu. 

   Complete a one-page abstract / proposal that addresses when, where, for how long, and for what purpose you will be abroad. Email the application to keelan.apthorpe@austin.utexas.edu or turn it in at Texas Global front desk or mail it to Education Abroad's physical address (listed in our website footer) - [Attention ISR Coordinator]

4. Receive Email Notification

   Once final approval has been granted, including Restricted Region requests, an email notification will be sent to the students confirming the student's ISR application status. You will then be registered in ISR 00090.