Studying abroad fosters understanding of cultural differences and how to function effectively in a range of societies, and students often find their study abroad experience to be a defining moment in their educational and personal growth. Going abroad for a semester is an exceptional opportunity to learn a language, experience a different culture, discover new strengths, and gain a more sophisticated global view.
Students interested in studying abroad should begin planning at least one year in advance. Most students choose to go abroad as juniors.
Students have a number of program options, including Wharton-approved programs, where they can take business and liberal arts courses, and College-approved programs, where they can take courses that satisfy non-business requirements.
Requirements: Sophomore Spring Semester Study Abroad
Applicants must:
- Have a minimum 3.0 cumulative GPA
- Achieve a minimum 3.0 GPA for each of the two semesters (excluding summer) prior to the semester abroad
- Take at least 4 CUs in the semester prior to the semester abroad
- Not have a grade notation of I (incomplete) or NR (no grade reported) on their transcript
- Be in good academic and disciplinary standing
- Have completed (or waived) BEPP 1000 (formerly ECON 010) and Math 1070 or Math 1400 or 1110 (formerly Math 104 and 110)
- Have completed at least five Business Fundamentals, which must include the following:
- MKTG 1010 or MGMT 1010
- FNCE 1000 or FNCE 1010
- STAT 1010 (unless waived)
- Meet any additional criteria outlined by Penn Abroad.
Requirements: Junior/Senior Fall or Spring Semester Study Abroad
Applicants must:
- Have a minimum 3.0 cumulative GPA
- Achieve a minimum 3.0 GPA for each of the two semesters (excluding summer) prior to the semester abroad
- Take at least 4 CUs in the semester prior to the semester abroad
- Not have a grade notation of I (incomplete) or NR (no grade reported) on their transcript
- Be in good academic and disciplinary standing
- Have completed all or most of the Business Fundamentals, depending on the program
- Meet any additional criteria outlined by Penn Abroad.
Seniors should note the following Penn Abroad policy:
Students seeking to study abroad in their final semester at Penn are required to submit a petition to their home school providing the academic rationale for studying abroad in the final term, including the essential function that participation in the abroad program plays towards their degree completion. Importantly, students studying abroad in their final semester at Penn should anticipate a delay in the conferral of their Penn degree by one to two semesters due to the timing of abroad transcripts reaching Penn. Students considering study abroad in their final term at Penn should discuss thoroughly with their home school to understand all associated implications, including delayed graduation date, and the impact this may have on their individual goals post-graduation.
Study Abroad Step by Step
- Discuss going abroad with your assigned advisor.
- Research program options on the Penn Abroad Passport system. You’ll want to consider the region, university profile and setting, types of classes available, course prerequisites, and student life.
- Review your Wharton requirements to identify which requirements you can fulfill with courses taken abroad. Please note the following:
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- Business fundamental and concentration requirements may not be taken abroad.
- Most students fulfill business breadth, liberal arts and sciences, and unrestricted elective requirements.
- Only students on Wharton-approved programs can earn Wharton credit. Students on College programs cannot earn Wharton credit.
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- Attend a Penn Abroad group advising session to open an application for a program.
- Meet with the Wharton advisor for your intended study abroad region to review your academic plan and obtain academic-advisor approval.
- When you are preparing to study abroad at a Wharton-approved program, please follow the steps on this page. If you are studying abroad at a College-approved program, submit potential courses to XCAT when course information becomes available for your program. Please note the following:
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- When submitting a course, you will need the course code, course name, description, and syllabus.
- You should submit no more than twice as many courses than you ultimately plan to take.
- Courses for non-Wharton credit must be submitted to the respective College or Engineering department for review. They will determine whether it can receive Penn credit. Once the course receives an equivalency from the department, email your Wharton study abroad advisor to confirm approval for specific liberal arts and sciences requirements.
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- Once you have submitted the form and confirmed your abroad courses, withdraw/delete any courses in XCAT you are not taking.
During the above process, please be sure to respond quickly to any request from your Wharton abroad advisor or Penn Abroad global programs manager.
Policies and Program Options
Please note the following policies:
- All courses abroad must be taken for credit; you may take one class pass/fail as long as this is approved by a Wharton academic advisor (you must notify your program’s advisor by email or voicemail by 5 PM ET on the Friday of the 9th week of the program. More information can be found here.). Once the grades have been submitted via the External Course Approval Tool (XCAT), they will be calculated as part of the student’s cumulative GPA at Penn.
- Business courses can only be taken at Wharton-approved study abroad programs.
- No online courses may be taken abroad.
Penn-approved study abroad opportunities include:
- Wharton-approved study abroad programs, where students can take business and liberal arts courses for credit
- College-approved study abroad programs, where students can take classes that satisfy their Liberal Arts and Sciences and Unrestricted Elective requirements
Students may also choose to participate in the Wharton International Program (WIP) or take a Global Modular Course (short-term, half-credit courses) or Penn Global Seminar (intensive semester-long seminars combined with a short-term travel component led by the course instructor). Students also have the option to study abroad in a summer program that is not affiliated with the University of Pennsylvania. Students interested in non-Penn programs should review the policy on credit away for these courses.