If you would like to learn more about the opportunities that UVM offers for exchange students, please visit our Exchange Page. If you have been accepted as an exchange student at UVM, please read our information for accepted students to learn more about required pre-arrival steps. We also have information about understanding your exchange to help you understand what is covered by your exchange program and how to register for classes.
View Over Campus: Vermont is famous for its natural beauty, including colorful fall leaves
Off Campus: Visiting the Vermont State House in Montpelier
Staying Healthy at UVM: The fitness center is free for students and has some of the best views on campus
Off Campus: Learning about the outdoors at the Green Mountain Audubon Center
Downtown: Church Street is the heart of UVM's downtown
Out and About on Campus: Walking by one of UVM's student residence halls
The University of Vermont combines faculty-student relationships most commonly found in a small liberal arts college with the resources of a major research institution. The university is home to approximately 10,500 undergraduates, 2,000 graduate and medical students, and 1,300 faculty members. 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.
Important Dates
Exchange Timeline
Exact dates are provided to exchange partners and students annually. They generally fall in the timeframe below.
Event Fall & Academic Year Spring & 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 Late June 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 2023-2024
Event Fall Semester Spring Semester Move-in August 21, 2023 January 8, 2024 Orientation August 22-25, 2023 January 9-12, 2024 Registration Provided to Accepted Students Provided to Accepted Students Classes Begin August 28, 2023 January 16, 2024 Classes End December 8, 2023 May 3, 2024 Examination Period December 11-15, 2023 May 6-10, 2024 Move-out December 16, 2023. Year-long students return on January 15, 2024. May 11, 2024 - Calendar-year students must move out and receive a new housing placement for Fall 2024. Vacation Period(s) Thanksgiving Recess: November 20-24, 2023 Spring Recess: March 11-15, 2024 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 14, 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 International Student Orientation
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.
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. Please contact the OIE for more information.
Pre-Arrival – Course Registration and Restrictions
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.
English Language Requirements and Support
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.
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 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.
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 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 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.
Early Arrival and Temporary Accommodation
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.
We love being a part of the UVM community and hope that you will too! Please feel free to contact us with any questions about the exchange experience.
Contact Information
Application & Pre-arrival Communication
Sarah Denu
International Student & Scholar Advisor
Exchange@uvm.eduStudent Advising/Exchange Coordination
Emma Swift
Interim Director
Exchange@uvm.eduAddresses and Phone
Find more ways to contact us here.
Emergencies
Outside of standard office hours, OIE staff can be reached through UVM's Police Services at +1 (802) 656-3473.