Located in Burlington, Vermont (consistently voted one of the healthiest and most exciting small cities in the US), UVM's setting in a valley on the shores of Lake Champlain, between the Adirondack and the Green Mountain ranges, inspires visitors and residents.
If you have already been accepted as an exchange student at UVM, please read our Pre-Arrival Information for Exchange Students page to learn more about required pre-arrival steps, including what is covered by your exchange program and how to register for classes.
Exchange Timeline and Dates
Exchange Timeline
Exact dates are provided to exchange partners and students annually. They generally fall in the time frame below.
| Event | Fall and Academic Year | Spring and Calendar Year |
|---|---|---|
| Nominations Due to UVM (Bilateral Partners) | March 1 | October 1 |
| Application Due to UVM (Bilateral Students) | March 15 | October 15 |
| Acceptance Notifications (Bilateral Students) | Mid-to late March | Late October to early November |
| Acceptance Notifications (ISEP Students) | Late March to early April | Early November |
| Class Registration Begins | Mid-April | Mid-November |
| Required Orientation | Mid-August | Early January |
Academic Calendar
Below are the dates of the academic calendar for the coming school years at UVM. Specific dates are provided where available; otherwise the general timeline is provided. Students must plan to be present at UVM from the beginning of orientation until the end of the exam period.
Academic Year 2024-2025
| Event | Fall Semester | Spring Semester |
|---|---|---|
| Move-in | August 19, 2024 | January 7, 2025 |
| Orientation | August 20-23, 2024 | January 8-11, 2025 |
| Registration | Provided to Accepted Students | Provided to Accepted Students |
| Classes Begin | August 26, 2024 | January 13, 2025 |
| Classes End | December 6, 2024 | May 2, 2025 |
| Examination Period | December 9-13, 2024 | May 5-9, 2025 |
| Move-out | December 14, 2024. Year-long students return on January 12, 2025. | May 10, 2025 - Calendar-year students must move out and receive a new housing placement for Fall 2025. |
| Vacation Period(s) | Thanksgiving Recess: November 25-29, 2024 | Spring Recess: March 10-14, 2025 |
Academic Year 2025-2026
| Event | Fall Semester | Spring Semester |
|---|---|---|
| Move-in | August 18, 2025 | January 6, 2026 |
| Orientation | August 19-22, 2025 | January 7-10, 2026 |
| Registration | Provided to Accepted Students | Provided to Accepted Students |
| Classes Begin | August 25, 2025 | January 12, 2026 |
| Classes End | December 5, 2025 | May 1, 2026 |
| Examination Period | December 8-12, 2025 | May 4-8, 2026 |
| Move-out | December 13, 2025. Year-long students return on January 11, 2026. | May 9, 2026 - Calendar-year students must move out and receive a new housing placement for Fall 2026. |
| Vacation Period(s) | Thanksgiving Recess: November 24-28, 2025 | Spring Recess: March 9-13, 2026 |
International Student Orientation
Attendance at orientation is REQUIRED. The program covers important health and safety information, cultural and academic adjustment to UVM, and social opportunities to connect with other students and UVM staff. Housing is covered for this period, but there may be additional meal plan costs for students. Please see International Student Orientation for additional details.
Academic Information
Application And Acceptance
UVM looks forward to welcoming exchange students each semester. Exchange partners must nominate their students to UVM based on deadlines provided each year. After being nominated by their home university, students must complete an online application. This application includes uploading several documents: passport, financial documentation to cover the full expenses associated with the exchange program, language proficiency documentation, and most recent official academic transcript. UVM expects students of high academic ability, and seeks a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher. We accept exchange students in most academic disciplines, but space is dependent upon departmental availability. UVM can accept limited graduate-level students pending approval from the UVM graduate department.
Pre-Arrival - Course Registration And Restrictions
Course descriptions and information can be found in the Schedule of Courses. Not all courses are offered every semester, and students must be flexible in selection of UVM coursework. Students will have the opportunity to register for courses once accepted to UVM. Due to the current UVM enrollment, exchange students are unlikely to be able to enroll in any Theater or Art/Art Studio courses. Courses in Psychology are also limited, and upper-level undergraduate courses may be restricted for exchange students. Students are responsible for the payment of lab fees, late book fees for the library, housing damage fees, physical education/PEAC fees, music fees, physical therapy services, etc.
English Language Requirements And Support
Incoming exchange students must meet UVM's language proficiency requirements. Unless a student is studying at a university in an English-speaking country or is a native English speaker, students must show a minimum TOEFL iBt score of 79, IELTS score of 6.5, or Duolingo English Test score of 110. We do not need scores sent to us from the test agencies, but students will upload proof of their score in their application. In some cases, alternate exams and Language Proficiency Reports are considered by agreement with the home institution.
Classes And Grades
Students typically take 4-5 classes per 15-week semester. Each semester finishes with a one-week exam period. Students can expect to spend about 3 hours per week in a lecture/discussion for each class. Additional time is spent studying. Grades at UVM are calculated on a 4.0 scale, with 4.0=A, 3.0=B, 2.0=C, 1.0=D. Academic support is available to exchange students in several formats.
Credit Transfer And Transcripts (AFTER EXCHANGE)
Home institutions set all policy regarding credits for coursework completed on a UVM exchange. It is the responsibility of students to be aware of these policies. Transcripts are available to be requested one week after exams end in a given term. Students MUST request their transcripts by filling out the online transcript request form. Transcript request forms CANNOT be completed by others on behalf of the student. Students must make sure they have paid all remaining debts to the university or transcripts will not be issued. Transcript requests should be made online before departing from UVM.
Housing, Dining, and Expenses
Housing
Exchange students are required to live in on campus in UVM residence halls. Housing is guaranteed pending students submit their housing and meal plan contracts to UVM's Residential Life (ResLife) on time. Costs vary by exchange agreement, and students should consult their home institutions to understand what is covered at UVM. If you have any special housing or meal needs, you should notify the OIE when you accept your placement.
Exchange students will almost always be placed in traditional-style housing, which could be in a number of different residence halls around campus. Traditional housing is a long hallway with rooms on either side and shared same-sex bathrooms on the floor with multiple showers and toilets. Most exchange students will be placed in traditional double rooms which means you would have one roommate. Some may be placed in traditional triples. Students may request other types of rooms, including single rooms, but those are extremely limited. Students must supply bedding, linens, and towels. Bathrooms are shared, and cooking and laundry facilities are available for shared use. After acceptance, Residential Life (ResLife) will send you an online housing application. Students may register for break housing at an additional cost of around $170 per week. Students from “all-inclusive” exchange programs have these costs covered but they will still need to sign up. Only academic year-long exchange students are eligible for winter break housing. More information about UVM housing is available from ResLife.
Dining
All students are required to have a meal plan. For more information, including fees, visit the UVM Dining's website. Meal plans do not cover break periods, and many dining locations are closed. However, students can save their “points” and eat on campus at some locations during break.
Personal Expenses
Students are responsible for personal expenses including specific course fees, books, transportation, and entertainment. We recommend budgeting $300-$500 per month in living expenses and $300-500 per semester for books/materials. The actual amount will vary by student.
Travel and Transportation
Entering The US
Students are eligible to enter the US on a J-1 visa up to 30 days before the program start date listed on their J-1 DS-2019. Students will be eligible to remain in the US up to 30 days after program end date (last day of benefits) if they wish to travel independently in the US.
Arrival On Campus
In making travel plans, you should allow enough time for both air travel and ground transportation in order to arrive at the university during regular office hours. Some extended check-in hours may be available and will be distributed in pre-arrival materials.
Students can fly directly to the Patrick Leahy Burlington International Airport (BTV). Students may also take a bus or train to Burlington from another point of arrival in the US. New York City, Boston, and Montreal are all within a distance that travel can occur in a day. Greyhound is a bus company with service to Burlington. Amtrak operates the long-distance trains in the US.
The Patrick Leahy Burlington International Airport (BTV) is a 10-minute taxi ride from the UVM campus (around $15 including tip), or a 30-minute city bus ride. Students are responsible for making their own way to campus. Rideshare services like Uber and Lyft are present in the area but not widely available at night.
Early Arrival And Temporary Accommodatiion
If you will be arriving earlier than the arrival date provided in pre-arrival information, you must make arrangements for temporary off-campus accommodation. Within a 20-minute walk of UVM there are several options, including local hotels and Airbnb locations. We recommend reading reviews and comparing prices before making a booking. No early accommodation is available at the university.
The Student Experience
Living In Burlington
UVM is located in Burlington, Vermont. Burlington is the largest city in the state with about 45,000 people and is located next to one of the largest lakes in the country, Lake Champlain. Campus is a 15-minute walk to the center of the city and about a 20-minute walk to the waterfront. Burlington has something for everyone - there are nightly music performances downtown, a comedy club, shops and restaurants, a bike path along the lake, a bus system that is free for students, and much more.
When students are looking for a weekend in a bigger city, there is easy access. Buses run to Montreal, Canada (2 hours), Boston (3.5 hours), and New York City (7 hours - via bus or train). The Patrick Leahy Burlington International Airport is close by and offers service to additional cities.
UVM Culture
In many ways, UVM is a traditional US university; it has a beautiful campus with historic buildings, an on-campus living experience, and plenty of chances to cheer on the home team at various sporting events. Many of the things that students expect of US universities are true at UVM.
UVM also has a unique culture that places value on social justice and the environment. Students can see these values reflected around campus including in course offerings, in themed living areas, and in student clubs and organizations. UVM's Our Common Ground is a statement that outlines the values that UVM aspires to.
Support Services
UVM offers a wide range of free services available to exchange students. Examples include tutoring and special support for students with documented disabilities. UVM's Writing Center supports students with their academic, professional, and personal writing projects from a variety of disciplines and backgrounds. The Career Center helps students search for on and off-campus work experiences and offers resume-building and job interview preparation. UVM also has four identity centers on campus: The Prism Center (supporting the LGBTQA community), the Mosaic Center for Students of Color, the Women and Gender Equity Center, and the Interfaith Center.