Click the plus (+) icon for an overview of each Program Type.
Program Types
Experiences Unique to You
UK EA has a variety of programs - each with differing courses, support structures, and included experiences. With all that variety, we use Program Types to group programs into easy to understand categories. Each program is still unique, so specific details about a program abroad can be found on the unique program page.
Related Topics
Tip: The Program Type is usually the first word in the UK EA program name.
Program Type Basics
Direct
Direct enroll programs allow you to enroll directly as a non-degree seeking international students at partner institutions abroad. Direct enroll programs are ideal if you are independent, willing to seek support services on your own, and want to be fully immersed in their host culture.
- Term: Semester, summer, full academic year
- Cost: Medium program cost, often lowest option for out of state students
- Support/Independence: Low hands-on support, High Independence
- Courses: Classes with local students, taught by local professors
- Credit: Transfer credit from university abroad
- Academic Approval Form: Required
- Housing: Residence halls, homestays, apartments - unique to each program
- Competitive: Varies
- How and When to Apply: Apply with UK EA before the deadline. UK EA will instruct you when and how to apply with the university abroad.
Exchange
An exchange program offers a unique chance to delve into a different culture and academic setting for a full semester or year. Through one of University of Kentucky's partner institutions, these programs let you study and live abroad as a local, fostering personal growth, cross-cultural insight, and language skills. It's an enriching opportunity to gain fresh perspectives and develop a global outlook during your college journey.
- Term: Semester, summer, full academic year
- Cost: Lower program cost, consistently closest to UK cost of attendance
- Support/Independence: Low hands-on support, High Independence
- Courses: Classes with local students, taught by local professors
- Credit: Transfer credit from university abroad
- Academic Approval Form: Required
- Housing: Residence halls, homestays, apartments - unique to each program
- Competitive: Varies
- How and When to Apply: Apply with UK EA before the deadline. UK EA will instruct you when and how to apply with the university abroad.
Faculty-Directed
A faculty-directed education abroad program is a University of Kentucky course designed and led by UK faculty or staff. These programs provide you with the chance to engage in immersive learning experiences, combining traditional classroom instruction with hands-on activities and cultural exploration. The guidance of the faculty or staff members ensures academic continuity while enabling you to gain firsthand insights into different cultures and environments, fostering personal growth and a deeper understanding of global perspectives.
- Term: Typically summer and winter. Sometimes a spring or fall term course on campus with short travel during or after the term (called embedded programs).
- Cost: Varies
- Support/Independence: High Support, Med-Low Independence
- Courses: Classes with UK students, taught by UK professors
- Credit: UK Credit
- Academic Approval Form: None
- Housing: Hotels, residence halls, homestays, apartments - unique to each program
- Competitive: Varies
- How and When to Apply: Apply with UK EA before the deadline.
Partner
Partner programs are run by third party companies whose whole job is facilitating academic experiences abroad - we call them partners. Partners provide support to students before, during, and after their program and often have on-site staff in your program's host city or country to help with any issues that may arise. Partners will work with local universities or offer courses at their study center. Either option will allow you to meet other US and locals.
- Term: Semester, summer, winter, full academic year
- Cost: Higher program cost
- Support/Independence: Medium-High support, Medium-High Independence
- Courses: Classes with UK, US, and/or local students, taught by US or local professors
- Credit: Transfer credit from university abroad and/or partner
- Academic Approval Form: Required
- Housing: Residence halls, homestays, apartments - unique to each program
- Likelihood of Acceptance: High
- How and When to Apply: Apply with UK EA on our program page and with the Partner on their website by the Partner's program deadline.
Independent Study & Research
If you're working with a UK faculty member to earn academic credit for an independent study or research abroad, the Independent Study and Research (ISR) application is for you.
An ISR program requires you to do all of the work related to logistics and completing your academic credit requirements.
Chat with your UK EA Advisor to learn more before pursuing the ISR application.
External Petition
UK EA strives to offer programs for every major at UK, but sometimes students find something that is unlike anything we have pre-approved. In that case, you could complete an External Petition where UK EA will review the program and determine if it meets UK's requirements for health and safety, academic rigor, student support, and more. In most cases, it will be up to you to manage all the logistics and coordination with the program provider, if approved.
If you have found a program not approved by UK EA and think it could work better for you than what we already offer, you should meet with your UK EA Advisor to discuss next steps.