UPM #15 – Administration of International Exchange and Visiting Student Programs
Effective Date: Approved Fall 2020 for Spring 2021 Implementation
PURPOSE
This document lays out policies, defines international exchange and visiting student programs, and establishes guidelines for the academic criteria and performance associated with participation in these programs.
SCOPE OF APPLICABILITY
This policy applies to students who come to UNC-Chapel Hill as an international exchange or visiting student.
GENERAL PROVISIONS
The international exchange and visiting student programs are high-quality, credit-bearing academic experiences that allow participants to study as special, non-degree seeking transfer students at UNC-Chapel Hill. Numerous units across campus organize and administer these opportunities for students.
PROGRAM OPTIONS
International exchange and visiting student programs come in a variety of types:
- Exchange: Reciprocal enrollment of students between UNC and partner institutions.
- Global Visiting Student Program: Direct enrollment at UNC when an exchange relationship does not exist.
- National University of Singapore Joint Degree Program (JDP): Jointly issued diploma by UNC-Chapel Hill and National University of Singapore for students from both institutions who study between two to four semesters at the partner university.
Programs can take place during various terms of the UNC academic calendar:
- Fall semester
- Spring semester
- Academic year (fall semester + spring semester)
- Calendar year (spring semester + fall semester; may include summer)
- Summer terms
PROGRAM ADVISING AND SELECTION
Interested students explore options through their home campus international exchange office or by visiting the UNC Study Abroad Office’s website for information regarding Exchange and the Global Visiting Student Program.
STUDENT ELIGIBILITY, APPLICATION, AND SELECTION
Eligibility: Exchange, JDP, and Global Visiting Students must meet the same eligibility requirements as degree-seeking transfer students and must be currently enrolled in an accredited higher education institution.
Application & Selection:
- Exchange & JDP: Students apply to their home institution, which screens and nominates applicants. Students also must complete an application to the appropriate UNC campus administering office/school, which makes the final acceptance decision.
- Global Visiting Students Program: Students apply to the UNC Study Abroad Office, which screens and selects students.
All applicants selected for study at UNC are reviewed by the Office of International Students & Scholars Services, which will issue any paperwork required for students to obtain a visa to study in the United States.
ENROLLMENT
Each office/school on campus coordinates the registration of students for the programs they administer.
- MINIMUM COURSE LOAD
Students are required to maintain a full-time academic course load for the term they are at UNC. Undergraduate students are required to enroll in a minimum of 12 credits per semester. Graduate students are required to enroll in a minimum of 9 credits per semester.
Students are required to enroll in a minimum of 4 credit hours each summer term.
Students must adhere to the enrollment requirements of their student visa.
- COURSE OPTIONS
Undergraduates are only permitted to take courses numbered 100-699. If the exchange agreement does permit the exchange of graduate students, then students will be admitted at that level. Only those students who are admitted to UNC as graduate exchange students are permitted to take courses numbered 700 and above. Graduate students may also take courses numbered 400 – 699, but are not permitted to take courses numbered below 400.
- WITHDRAWALS/DROPS/FAILS
Students opting to withdraw from program must contact their study abroad advisor in the campus administering office/school for an official withdrawal. After the program start, any refunds will be prorated based on program dates and the University calendar. Course withdrawals, drops, and failures will be notated on the UNC transcript according to campus policies.
- UNC TRANSCRIPT
After the program is completed, an official transcript from UNC will be sent to the student’s home campus approximately 45 days after the end date of enrollment. Students may request additional transcripts from the UNC Office of the University Registrar. Students are responsible for understanding the conversion of the credits and grades for the courses taken at UNC.
FINANCIAL AID AND SCHOLARSHIPS
Financial aid is not available for international exchange or GVSP students. They are responsible for arranging all financial aid through their home institution.
CHARGES, PAYMENTS, AND REFUNDS
Information regarding costs, payments, and refunds is available through the Office of the University Cashier and the Study Abroad Office.
Exchange students pay all tuition fees to their home university. Global Visiting Students pay tuition and program fees to UNC Chapel Hill.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Information regarding student preparation, rights and responsibilities, academic policies, housing, and health and safety can be found on the administering office/school’s website.
Contact Information
POLICY CONTACT(S)
Office of the University Registrar: Lauren DiGrazia, Assistant Provost & University Registrar
Study Abroad Office: Jason Kinnear, Associate Dean of Study Abroad & International Exchanges