International Exchange Students

The information below is for international students who are interested in attending the University of Connecticut (UConn) on an official exchange program for a semester or academic year through the Office of Study Abroad. Click here for our UConn Exchange Info Sheet AY 2013-2014.pdf. Applicants who wish to apply for an exchange must be full time students in good standing at one of the University of Connecticut's exchange partners.

For more information, email incoming_exchange@uconn.edu

Application Process   

All students who wish to attend the University of Connecticut as an incoming exchange student must be nominated by their home university.  After the Incoming Exchange Coordinator in UConn's Office of Study Abroad receives the list of nominated students from a partner institution, she will send out invitations (by email) inviting the nominated students to apply online to the University of Connecticut. Please wait for your invitation to apply before filling out forms on the Office of Study Abroad website. 

At UConn, you'll have the opportunity to take challenging classes, reside in contemporary residences and enjoy outstanding athletics and hundreds of student clubs and activities. To take a virtual tour of our campus, click here.

  Visas for International Exchange Students

All students who are not U.S. citizens, U.S. permanent residents, MENA Peace Scholars or Fulbright Scholars must apply for a J-1 Exchange Visitor visa to come to the U.S. as an exchange student. The University issues incoming exchange students a Form DS-2019, which you will need to apply for your visa and travel to the U.S. Please note: International NSE students should contact their home institution international office to arrange for study at UCONN under your current visa sponsorship.

After you have been nominated by your home school and accepted to the exchange program at the University of Connecticut, you will need to complete the Financial Declaration Form (found on your UConn Application Homepage). All exchange students must document that they can meet the estimated cost of living and fees at UCONN in order to be eligible for the DS-2019 form. Please submit any required supplemental documentation along with the Financial Declaration Form. UCONN cannot issue your DS-2019 form until we have received your initial Application Document (completed online), Financial Declaration Form and funding support documentation.

The Department of International Services and Programs will issue your DS-2019 and it will be sent with pre-arrival/visa application instructions to your home institution exchange coordinator. Please read all instructions carefully and schedule an appointment with a U.S. Consulate or Embassy to apply for your visa as soon as possible. You will not be able to schedule your appointment until you have received your DS-2019 form. Total visa costs, including a required SEVIS fee, can total a minimum of 320 USD (citizens of some countries may be subject to extra visa reciprocity fees).

Please note: citizens of Canada do not require a J-1 visa stamp, and may enter the U.S. using their valid DS-2019 form and other required support documentation.

The Department of International Services and Programs (DISP) is responsible for all matters related to your J-1 student visa and status. Please go to http://www.disp.uconn.edu for more information.

Deadlines for Spring 2012

October 1st: Receive all nominations for students from partner institutions

October 20th:  Receive applications from students

November 1st:  All students notified of acceptance

November 15th:  All post acceptance documents are due

The University

Your University of Connecticut experience will be a great adventure. You'll live and learn in the hub of collegiate excitement. UConn has the highest percentage of students living on campus of any public university in the United States. Our campus is like a small city with students from over 100 countries represented in the student body. Students enjoy a vibrant student union, an on-campus movie theater, numerous coffee shops and a full-service bookstore. Located in the beautiful New England countryside, the campus is situated thirty minutes from Hartford, less than two hours from Boston and three hours from New York City.