Exact dates are provided to exchange partners and students annually. They generally fall in the timeframe below.

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. These dates have been updated to reflect the latest changes made to the academic calendar in response to COVID-19.

Academic Year 2020-2021

Academic Year 2021-2022

Attendance at orientation is REQUIRED. The program covers cultural and academic adjustment to UVM as well as 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.

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. Please contact the OIE for more information.

Course descriptions and information are here. 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.

Incoming exchange students must meet UVM's language profociency 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: 79 or IELTS: 6.5. 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. 

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.

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.

Exchange students are expected to live in UVM residence halls. 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 are housed in suite double, traditional double, or within a special housing community for exchange students. Single rooms are available on a limited basis, and students should not expect this format of housing. All rooms are single-sex, but suites may be mixed-sex. Students must supply bedding, linens, and towels. Bathrooms are shared, and cooking and laundry facilities are available for shared use. After acceptance, The Office of Residential Life (ResLife) will send you an on-line housing application. Students may register for break housing at an additional cost of around $150 per week. Students from “all-inclusive” exchange programs have these costs covered. Only full year exchange students are eligible for winter break housing. More information about UVM housing is available from ResLife.

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. 

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.

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 US up to 30 days after program end date (last day of benefits) if they wish to travel independently in the US.

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 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. Megabus and Greyhound are bus companies with service to Burlington. Amtrak operates the long-distance trains in the US.

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.  

If you will be arriving earlier than the arrival date provided in pre-arrival information, you must make arrangements for temporary accommodation. Within a 20 minute walk of the UVM there are several options, including local hotels, a hostel, and Airbnb locations. We recommend reading reviews and comparing prices before making a booking. No early accommodation is available at the university.