Application Process

Learn how to apply for a term or year abroad at Penn.

Get Started

Start planning how your study abroad experience fits into your Penn journey. 

Penn Abroad will guide you in setting goals, selecting a program, and completing your application. All undergraduate study abroad applications must go through Penn Abroad— use the steps below to get started.  

Application Process

Step 1: Attend Group Advising

Attending a study abroad group advising session is required before requesting to open an application. Appointments cannot be guaranteed and are based on availability. 

For Fall 2026 programs, you must have attended group advising from April – September 2025 or register and attend an upcoming session between October 2025 – February 2026. If you attend group advising between October 2025 – February 2026, it is only valid for Fall 2026 programs. After that point, you will need to attend a new session to be eligible to apply for future terms.

Early registration and attendance to group advising is strongly encouraged as appointments fill to capacity quickly. In addition, all Penn Abroad programs have a cap on the number of applications opened per advising cycle. To ensure you are in the applicant pipeline for your preferred study abroad program, you are encouraged to begin the study abroad application process as early as possible. 

Advising and Application Timeline

Please note that advising for Fall and Spring term programs is unavailable each year from September to mid-October and from late February to early March during application review. Advising for Summer term programs is only available from November to January. 

Fall & Academic Year Programs

  • Advising begins October 15 and applications can be opened starting November 17 at 12:00PM (noon) ET
  • The final dates to request to open an application for Fall/Academic Year 2026 study abroad are below. Note that application due dates are 10 days following request deadline, as noted below:
    • January 10, 2026: Oxford, King’s College London, University of Queensland (Nursing)*
      • Application deadline: January 20, 2026 
      • * Application deadline for University of Queensland (Nursing) is February 15
    • February 5, 2026: Competitive Programs
      • Application deadline: February 15, 2026 
    • February 20, 2026: All other programs
      • Application deadline: March 1, 2026 

Spring Semester Programs

  • Advising begins March 1, 2026 and applications can be opened starting April 15, 2026.
  • The final dates to request to open an application for Spring 2027 study abroad are below. Note that application due dates are 10 days following request deadline, as noted below:
    • January 10, 2026: Oxford Lady Margaret Hall
      • Application deadline: January 20, 2026 
    • February 5, 2026: Cambridge
      • Application deadline: February 15, 2026
    • June 5, 2026: Competitive Programs
      • Application deadline: June 15, 2026 
    • September 5, 2026: All other programs
      • Application deadline: September 15, 2026
    • Exceptions for some programs apply, specifically the University of Cambridge

Summer Term Programs: 

  • Advising begins and applications can be opened on November 5, 2025
  • The last day to open an application is January 22, 2026
  • The application deadline for all summer programs is February 1, 2026

Register for a Group Advising session on Calendly

Fall & Year Term Programs: In-Person

Group Advising begins October 15

Summer Term Programs: Virtual

Group Advising for Summer Term begins November 5

Summer Term Programs: In Person

Group Advising for Summer Term begins November 5

When advising for your program of interest is unavailable, you are welcome to attend drop-in hours or look out for upcoming events to learn more. If you have any questions, please contact goabroad@upenn.edu. 

Step 2: Review Eligibility

To study abroad, you must meet certain general eligibility requirements that apply to all programs. Please refer to the Study Abroad Academic Information page for a comprehensive list of these requirements. 

Additionally, individual programs may have their own GPA minimums, language prerequisites, and/or course-specific requirements. For program-specific eligibility requirements, please refer to program brochures within PASSPORT.  

Step 3: Choose a Program

As you explore program options, consider your academic and personal goals. Once you know why you want to study abroad, it will make it easier to decide where you will study abroad. Thinking through these questions will help you navigate the many exciting program options.

Explore Programs in PASSPORT
View our Programs By Interest

Step 4: Open Application

After attending group advising, submit a request to open an application through the application request form, obtained at group advising. The relevant Global Programs Manager will confirm your eligibility before opening the application. 

Application Opening Timelines

  • Fall & Academic Year Programs: The request form will open on November 17 at 12:00PM (noon) ET
  • Spring Programs: The request form will open on April 15 at 12:00PM (noon) ET
  • Summer Programs: The request form will open on November 5 at 12:00PM (noon) ET

Students can view the application deadline for their specific program upon opening their PASSPORT application.

Important Information Regarding Application Caps

  • All Penn Abroad programs have a cap on the number of applications opened per advising cycle. The cap on open applications for each program is listed on the “Overview” tab of the PASSPORT program brochure. 
  • Once a program reaches its application cap, no additional applications will be opened even if the Penn Abroad deadline has not yet passed. Waitlists will not be maintained. 

Important Information Regarding Program Capacity

  • Opening an application does not guarantee placement. Some programs have fewer available spots than the cap for that program, meaning a selection process will take place.  
  • You will have the opportunity to explain your unique fit for a program within your application essays, and this information will be used in the selection process for programs where there are more applicants than space available.  
  • Students may have only one application open at a time. Within the application, you must also select a backup program from an approved list in PASSPORT. 
    • Thoroughly research your eligibility for your backup before selecting.
  • Students not selected for their first-choice program will be automatically rerouted to their backup program if space is available and eligibility requirements are met. 
    • Additional academic approval will be required for the backup program.

Step 5: Apply

Once your application is open, you will gain access to instructions for completing both your Penn Abroad and host program applications. Begin working on your application immediately to ensure you have ample time to address any questions with your Penn Abroad and academic advising contacts and submit it before the deadline listed on the PASSPORT program brochure.   

As part of the application process, you must meet with your home school academic advisor for study abroad. During this meeting, you will:

  • Review your academic eligibility 
  • Discuss course options 
  • Begin the course approval process 

College of Arts & Sciences Students must also obtain academic approval from their major department.  

Schedule these meetings early, as advisors’ schedules fill quickly, and they are not required to accommodate last-minute requests.

Additional Resources

Academic Information
Financial Information
Penn Abroad Universal Policy on Conduct & Academic Integrity