Apply as an Exchange or Visiting student
Inbound Exchange
Seattle University invites students from our Exchange Partner Institutions to join the Inbound Exchange Program. Please refer to the Partner Institution section below to verify your university's eligibility. Students from other universities are encouraged to submit a nomination to assess their eligibility.
It is part of our core Jesuit tradition to welcome international students to Seattle University. Our student community includes representatives from more than 75 nations, and our alumni live in nearly 100 different countries.
In addition to a Jesuit education that will be recognized around the world for its academic excellence, we offer international students an opportunity to study in one of the world-class cities in the United States. You will receive a personal education among a community of dedicated students and faculty in an urban neighborhood. Wherever you are from, and wherever your life’s work takes you, we believe the connections you make at Seattle University will open up your world.
Learn in a city that captivates
Seattle is one of the world's great urban centers and much of what makes the city great is reflected in Seattle University.
Everything Seattle has to offer is right at SU's doorstep. As a student here, you have an opportunity to learn through service and internships, to be mentored by area alumni in nearly every conceivable profession and to take in world-class cultural offerings and professional-level sporting events. Seattle is one of the most literate cities in the nation and widely known as a breeding ground for creative, forward-thinking innovators.
East and south of campus are some of the city's most culturally and ethnically diverse neighborhoods in the Northwest. The Central District, Little Ethiopia, Little Saigon and the International District are all within a stroll and offer a different world culture at nearly every corner.
Reciprocal Exchange Program
Seattle University has five partner institutions that send and receives exchange students based on the student exchange agreement. Participating exchange students pay tuition to their home institution for the period of their stay at Seattle University. Exchange students will be responsible for their own room and board as well as transportation to and from the host institution.
Our current bilateral exchange partner universities include:
- Australian Catholic University (Brisbane, Melbourne, or Sydney, Australia)
- American College of Greece (Athens, Greece)
- Comillas Pontifical University (Madrid, Spain)
- Sogang University (Seoul, South Korea)
- Sophia University (Tokyo, Japan)
How to get nominated:
You will be selected and nominated by your home institution. After being nominated, you will receive a link to complete the Seattle University Inbound Exchange application.
Important Nomination and Application Dates:
Starting Term | Nomination Date | Application Due Date |
---|---|---|
Fall Quarter | March 1 | April 1 |
Winter Quarter | September 1 | October 1 |
Spring Quarter | November 1 | December 1 |
Summer Quarter* | February 1 | March 1 |
As a nominated student, you will submit your application materials through our Admission portal through in a personalized email. Below are the necessary documents to collect and submit:
- Official Transcript(s)
- Copy of bio-metric passport page
- Copy of previous F-1/J-1 Visa (if applicable)
- International UG Exchange Declaration of Finances
- You may have multiple sources of funding, please upload all. The sum of all fundings must meet or exceed the expenses for the full duration of your stay at Seattle University.
- Proof of English Proficiency (if applicable)
Visiting Student Program
Seattle University has partner institutions that send visiting students based on the student exchange agreement. Visiting Students will be responsible for Seattle University tuition, room, and meals as well as transportation to and from the host institution.
Our current visiting exchange partner universities include:
- IBERO - Universidad Iberoamericana (Mexico City, Mexico)
- Prince Sultan University (Riyadh, Saudi Arabia)
If your home institution is not listed among the Reciprocal Exchange or Visiting Exchange Partners, or if you are interested in studying abroad at Seattle University during Summer Term, you can still complete the form below. Your submitted materials will be reviewed to determine your eligibility for the Visiting Students program.
Important Nomination and Application Dates:
Starting Term | Nomination Date | Application Due Date |
---|---|---|
Fall Quarter | March 1 | April 1 |
Winter Quarter | September 1 | October 1 |
Spring Quarter | November 1 | December 1 |
Summer Quarter* | February 1 | March 1 |
As a nominated student, you will submit your application materials through our Admission portal through in a personalized email. Below are the necessary documents to collect and submit:
- Official Transcript(s)
- Copy of bio-metric passport page
- Copy of previous F-1/J-1 Visa (if applicable)
- International UG Exchange Declaration of Finances
- You may have multiple sources of funding, please upload all. The sum of all fundings must meet or exceed the expenses for the full duration of your stay at Seattle University.
- Proof of English Proficiency (if applicable)
Term Dates
Seattle University operates on the Quarter-system, which allows exchange students to take a variety of courses over each 12-week period.
Fall Quarter 2025
- September 14/15: Move-in Day (TBD)
- September 15/16: International Student Welcome Workshop (TBD)
- September 20-26: Fall Welcome Week
- September 24: Classes Begin
- October 3: Mass of the Holy Spirit (Classes between 10am-1:30pm canceled)
- Late October-Mid-November: Advising Period: Winter Quarter 2022
- November 11: Veteran's Day: No Class
- November 26-29: Thanksgiving Break: No Class
- December 6: Last Class Day
- December 8-13: Final Exam Week
- December 13: Move Out Day* - For those leaving Seattle U at the end of Fall Quarter
- December 14-Jan 6: Winter Break: No Classes
*Accommodation: Those who are continuing during Winter Quarter will have to arrange accommodations with Housing and Residential Life during Winter Break.
Winter Quarter 2026
- January 4: Move-in Date
- January 5: Winter Orientation
- January 6: Classes Begin
- January 10: International Student Welcome Workshop - only for exchange students starting in Winter Quarter
- January 5-9: Winter Welcome
- January 19: Martin Luther King Jr. Day: No Class
- Late January-Mid-February: Advising Period: Spring Quarter 2025
- February 16: President's Day: No Class
- March 16: Last Class Day
- March 17-21: Final Exam Week
- March 21: Move Out Day at Noon - For those leaving Seattle U at the end of Winter Quarter
- March 21-29: Spring Break: No Class
Spring Quarter 2026
- March 26: Move in Date
- March 27: Spring Orientation
- March 28 or April 4: International Student Welcome Workshop - only for exchange students starting in Spring Quarter (TBD)
- March 30: Classes Begin
- April 3-6: Easter Holiday: No Classes
- April 9: Mission Day (Classes Before 1:30pm canceled)
- May 25: Memorial Day: No Classes
- June 6: Last Class Day
- June 9-13: Final Exam Week
- June 12: International Student Graduation Reception: Celebrating Exchange students (TBD)
- June 12: Move Out Day at Noon - For those leaving Seattle U at the end of Spring Quarter
Academics - Credit Load
Seattle University is on the quarter system. The normal load for full-time undergraduate students is 15 quarter credits; Undergraduate International students are required to take 12 quarter credits to be considered full-time status. Only 1 online course per quarter is allowed for International students.
Please visit Academic Policies for more information.
Credit System | Quarter Credit Conversion | Average Load Conversion |
---|---|---|
Semester Credits | 1.5 Quarter = 1 Semester | 15 Quarter Credits = 10 Semester Credits |
ECTS Credits | 0.8 Quarter = 1 ECTS | 15 Quarter Credits = 18 ECTS Credits |
At the end of the exchange term, students will have to request Seattle University transcripts to be sent to their home university. Transcripts are issued by the Registrar's Office and should be requested once grades are posted. Transcripts are available in Electronic and Printed via the Office of The Registrar's Transcript page. We recommend that students request several physical copies for their own record for future use.
English proficiency is required. Most courses are offered in English, but the English Language Learning Center (ELLC) prepares non-native speakers of English for a productive academic career at Seattle University through the English Language Bridge program (ELLB). Non-native English speakers are required to submit proof of English proficiency through TOEFL scores and those who meet the minimum score, must participate in the ELCB courses. Students with TOEFL scores in the ELCB range will take a placement essay test upon arrival at Seattle University. Some students may have their ELCB requirement waived based upon the results of the placement essay test.
Test Type | Required to Participate in ELCB* | Exempt from ELCB |
---|---|---|
TOEFL | 68 - 85 iBT | 86 iBT |
IELTS | minimum 6.0 | 6.5 |
ELS | Not applicable | Complete Level 112 with 3.0 GPA |
PTE | 48 - 62 | 63 |
Duolingo | 105-115 | 120 |
SAT (2016+) | 500 in Evidence-Based Reading and Writing | |
ACT | Not applicable | 20+ in both Reading and English |
Students with TOEFL scores in the ELCB range will take a placement essay test upon arrival at Seattle University. Some students may have their ELCB requirement waived based upon the results of the placement essay test.
Course Listings
Most courses are taught in English. Students can select from a variety of courses in the 1000-4000 level range. Reciprocal Exchange students can take courses from across majors/disciplines. Contact your Seattle University Academic Advisor to inform them of your course preferences. Note: Courses from the School of Law, Graduate courses, and certain Undergraduate Programs (Diagnostic Ultrasound, Matteo Ricci Institute, Nursing, University Honors, and New and Continuing Studies) are not available.
The courses offered in the English Language and Culture Bridge program are highly advanced, with a specific focus on university-level reading, writing, listening, and speaking skills. In addition, the course work concentrates on the American academic culture and the specific preparation for requirements at Seattle University. Courses are still open to international students who have met English Proficiency Requirements.
- ELCB 0870 - Academic Reading and Writing
- ELCB 0880 - Communication Essentials for American College
- ELCB 0910 - Advanced Communication for American College
- ELCB 1010 - Writing from Sources
- ELCB 1020 - Research Paper Writing
- ELCB 5000 - Graduate School Success
- Undergraduate Courses and Syllabi
- Course Schedule by Major
- This includes tables indicating which term courses are offered and pre-requisite requirements.
- Undergraduate Courses Advising Tools
- This includes “Two-Year Projected Course Offerings for...” documents for each major. These documents include tables indicating which term courses are offered and pre-requisite requirements.
Course Schedule by Major
Housing & Fees Cost Estimates
Students’ tuition costs are covered under the Reciprocal Exchange Agreement between Seattle University and the home institution. Students are responsible for covering all other costs, including SU fees, food, housing, books and personal expenses.
Living on-campus is an essential way to maximize the immersion experience for exchange students. Residence hall housing options include single, double, triple rooms, apartment style living, and intentional living communities. Prices vary greatly dependingon housing typeand amenities. Visit Housing and Residence Lifefor more details.
Room Furniture
All rooms in the traditional residence halls have one twin XL bed, wardrobe, desk and chair per student in the living space. There is also a sink and mirror in the room along with a microwave/mini-refrigerator combination. Each individual residence hall may have other amenities that are listed on the specific building page in the Residences section. Linens are not included.
All students living in residence halls are required to have a meal plan. Freshman and sophomores are required to have at least the Residential Meal Plan option if living on-campus.
Food, housing, books, insurance, local transportation, etc. varies depending on housing type, meal plan, personal spending, etc.
Estimated cost per Quarter (2024-2025) in USD |
|
Housing & Food |
~$4,550-8,890 |
Annual International Health Insurance (Estimated 22-23 rate listed - Payment for annual year only) For more information, please check with ISC |
$659 USD/Qtr ($1,976 USD) |
Books and supplies |
$264 USD |
Personal Expenses |
$600 USD |
Transportation |
$600 USD |
Technology Fee |
$201 USD |
Wellness Fee |
$166 USD |
Orientation Fee |
$275 USD |
J-1 Visa Application Fee |
$220 USD |
Contact Us
Do you have questions about the Inbound Exchanges?
Jennifer Chan
Exchange Coordinator