Study Abroad

Types of Study Abroad Programs

Exchange Program

• Involves the exchange of students between MIT and a university overseas.
• Students will pay MIT tuition and the host university room and board.
• Financial aid will be applied. For the Imperial Summer exchange, MIT students receive departmental funding (including airfare and housing).

Direct Enroll Program

• Requires students to enroll directly at a university abroad.
• Students will pay full tuition, housing, and board to the host university.
• Financial aid will travel with you for semester and year programs.

Jump to:

• Study Abroad Programs Offered
• Program Requirements
• Application Process
• Paying for Study Abroad
• Once Accepted
• Study Abroad FAQ

Study Abroad Programs Offered

Exchange Programs

• Multi-departmental Exchanges at Imperial College London (UK)
  Two types of exchanges are offered that both span several departments: academic semester exchange and summer research exchange. Contact: MISTI.
• Course 2 and 6 Exchange at ETH Zurich (Switzerland)
  This MechE/EECS exchange program allows two Course 2 and four Course 6 juniors to earn transfer credit for courses in their majors (and some HASS courses) at ETH Zurich each spring.
• Courses 2 and 3 Exchange at the University of Tokyo (Japan)
  Juniors spend the spring at the University of Tokyo and earn transfer credit for courses in their majors (and some HASS courses.) Course 2 contact: Prof. Gareth McKinley; Course 3 contact Prof. JJ Hu. 
• Course 3 Exchange at the University of Oxford (UK)
  Attend Oxford in the spring (juniors) or the fall (seniors) and live in one of the university's historic colleges. Contact: Prof. JJ Hu.
• Course 16 Exchange at the University of Pretoria (South Africa)
  Course 16 juniors can study at the University of Pretoria during either fall or spring. Contact: Prof. Wesley Harris.
• Course 22 Exchange at Tokyo Institute of Technology
  Course 22 seniors can study abroad during the fall. Contact: Prof. Michael Short.
• Students interested in political science and related courses - Exchange at Sciences Po (France)
  The Department of Political Science has an exchange program with Sciences Po in Paris, France. (Non-majors welcome to apply.) Contact: MISTI.

Pre-Approved Direct Enroll Programs

PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS

Exchange:

• Good academic standing (4.3 GPA minimum)
• Submit a MISTI application (application, personal statement, reference letter, transcript)
• Complete an interview with department major and MISTI
• Completion of pre-departure prep and training sessions

Direct Enroll:

• Good academic standing (4.0 GPA minimum)
• Submit a MISTI application (application, personal statement, reference letter, transcript)
• Complete an interview
• Receive approval from MISTI for the host institution selected
• Submit an application to the host institution and be accepted
• Completion of pre-departure prep and training sessions
• Some programs may require language proficiency

Application Process

Exchange:

1. Apply for MIT exchange for the term you wish to study. Go to the MISTI Portal, find your program, and apply before the deadline.

2. MISTI will be in touch regarding an interview with the applicable MISTI Program Manager and major department.

Direct Enroll:

1. Apply directly to the host university/program provider by their program deadline. (Their deadline may be earlier than the MISTI deadline.) 

2. Apply to MISTI for MIT approval to study abroad before the deadline for the term you wish to study. Go to the MISTI Portal, find your program or use the Direct Enroll General Application to apply.

3. MISTI will be in touch regarding an interview with the applicable Program Manager.

Paying for Study Abroad

Financial Aid:

Financial aid can be used to study abroad during academic terms. Awards will be adjusted based on expenses such as airfare, living expenses, and local tuition costs. Students should meet with their financial aid counselor and a MISTI Program Manager at least one term before they go abroad to start planning how aid will be affected. MISTI and Student Financial Services will work together to gather and verify cost information . Based on this information, financial aid counselors will advise students on their adjusted financial aid packages and process any refunds accordingly.

Scholarships:

Click here to learn more about external study abroad scholarships.

Additional Questions? Email us at misti@mit.edu.