Freshmen

During your first year at the University of Iowa, you will begin taking general education classes and business pre-requisites. The transition from high school to college is a big one. Study abroad should be left for the future, but could come as early as the summer between your first and second year.

Sophomores

Sophomore year can be an excellent time for study abroad, as you have many course options available. You will continue to take general education classes, business pre-requisite and core classes, or possibly language classes. These course categories can all be found abroad.

Juniors

Junior year can often be a good fit for study abroad. You can take general education classes, business core classes, major-level classes, or some non-business elective hours. With careful planning, a study abroad during junior year is possible. Some business majors have more coursework available abroad than others do. It is important to work with your academic advisor on your specific plan.

Seniors

It is not too late to study abroad in your senior year. With careful planning, it is possible. It is important to work with your academic advisor to reserve classes that are available abroad. This may include business core classes, major-level classes, or electives.

Summer

Summer is an opportunity to take one or two classes in your major, business core, minor, or certificate program, or as electives. International internships are also available in the summer.

Selecting Courses

General Education and Electives

Most study abroad locations offer course work that will count towards Natural Sciences, Historical Perspectives, International and Global Issues, Values and Culture/Diversity and Inclusion, and/or Social Sciences General Education Program requirements. General Education courses taken overseas can be approved by Study Abroad.

Prerequisites for Admission to the College of Business

Prerequisite courses may be taken on selected study abroad programs. The Undergraduate Program Office must review and approve the course you propose to take before the overseas class can substitute for the UI course.

Business Core Requirements

Many business core courses can be taken through a study abroad program. Again, the Undergraduate Program Office must examine and approve the overseas course you propose to substitute for the on-campus one before the requirement can be met.

A few things to keep in mind: MSCI:2800 Business Analytics, MSCI:3005 Information Systems, and BUS:3000 Business Communication and Protocol may be difficult to find and transfer from abroad.

Business Major Requirements and Electives

For many business majors, required courses can be taken abroad. Departments will review study abroad coursework against the on-campus course criteria and determine whether it is approved as an equivalent. The College of Business requires that two-thirds of your required major courses be completed in residence at the University of Iowa or on study abroad programs offering resident credit. Discuss these policies and your plans with your academic advisor.

Many of the required non-business electives can be taken abroad with prior approval by Tippie College of Business. These courses in conjunction with the required courses are subject to the two-thirds residency requirement mentioned above.

Earning Credit

Study Abroad Course Approvals

It is important to determine what coursework you will be taking abroad, and how it is evaluated by the University of Iowa. The College of Business uses the Transfer Institution Search feature on MyUI as a database of coursework that has been approved, both domestically and internationally. Using this database, you can search by program and location to see what has previously been evaluated. Using this database will help you determine which locations/universities might be appropriate places for you to study, but there are a few things to keep in mind:

First, not every class offered at foreign universities has been evaluated yet, only those already taken by UI students who have studied abroad. If you spot a class offered at a foreign university that is not already included in the MyUI Transfer Institution Search Database, you can ask to have it evaluated for transfer credit. College of Business classes or International Business Certificate classes can be submitted to the Undergraduate Program Office.

Secondly, if a class you are interested in taking is approved in the database, you must check the foreign university’s or program provider's website to determine whether or not the class will be offered during the time you propose to study abroad. If you need help with this, visit with an advisor in the Study Abroad office.

The Tippie College of Business has set up the UPO Study Abroad Equivalencies Database to help Business majors find transferable courses abroad. It lists classes at universities around the world that have already been evaluated for UI Tippie College credit. You can search by location or by UI course number.

Using this database will help you determine which locations/universities might be appropriate places for you to study, but two words of caution are in order:

First, not every class offered at foreign universities has been evaluated yet, only those already taken by UI students who have studied abroad. If you spot a class offered at a foreign university that is not already included in the UPO Study Abroad Equivalencies Database, you can ask to have it evaluated for transfer credit.

Secondly, if a class you are interested in taking is pre-approved in the database, you must check the foreign university’s web site to determine whether or not the class will be offered during the time you propose to study abroad.

If you need help with this, visit with an advisor in the Study Abroad office.

After reading through this MAP, make sure to check out our Steps to Studying Abroad page to learn about our Discover Study Abroad sessions and how to start planning your time abroad. Ideally, you should begin to plan your study abroad experience at least two semesters in advance of your departure date.

All students who study abroad must be in good academic and disciplinary standing. Each program listed has coursework taught in English unless otherwise stated. In addition, each program has specific eligibility requirements that may include GPA, prerequisites, and/or class standing. Please see the specific program page on the Study Abroad website at international.uiowa.edu/study-abroad/programs.

Europe

United Kingdom

CIEE London Open Campus
Fall, Spring, Academic Year

CIEE’s Open Campus program is unique because students take block-schedule courses while living in London. Two courses are taken during each six-week block.  UI students can participate in all three blocks for 18 semester hours, 3 blocks for 15 credits, or 2 blocks for 12 credits. Students choose one of six coursework “tracks” for their area of emphasis although students may take courses across multiple tracks. There are several pre-approved courses for general education and business requirements. Courses include, among others, International Marketing, Operations Management, International Finance, and Strategic Brand Positioning. 

IES Study London
Fall, Spring, Academic Year

IES London offers students the opportunity to explore business in an international context and take additional courses for general education and elective credit. Students can take courses that fulfill UI Business Core requirements – such as Introduction to Management and Introduction to Marketing Strategy. IES London is also particularly strong in Economics – IES offers major-level courses like International Finance, Economics of Sustainability, Econometrics  and International Marketing. 

Ireland

Iowa Regents Semester in Ireland
Fall, Spring, Academic Year

This program offers students the opportunity to enroll at the University College Cork (UCC), one of the oldest universities in Ireland. Students are fully integrated academically and socially with their Irish peers, living in student housing, and attending regular classes at UCC. Cork University Business School values high-impact experiential learning and effective, practice-oriented research. Courses include Financial Accounting, Management Accounting: Principles and Concepts, Corporate Finance, Introductory Macroeconomics, Introductory Microeconomics, Principles of Management, Introduction to Marketing, and Human Resource Management.

Czech Republic

CEA CAPA Prague
Fall, Spring, Academic Year

Students participating in this program take their courses in English at Anglo-American University (AAU), Prague’s oldest private university, along with international and Czech students. AAU offers many courses that are pre-approved for business and general education requirements. Courses include Managerial Accounting, Introduction to Macroeconomics and Microeconomics, Corporate Finance, Introduction to Business Law, and Operations Management.

Austria

IES Vienna
Fall, Spring, Academic Year

Study International Business in a city renowned for its intellectual and cultural heritage. Students enroll in a required German language course and can select English-taught electives from the Business, Economics & International Relations track. This program also offers a part-time internship that can replace a class. IES offers many courses that are pre-approved for business and general education requirements. Courses include International Finance and Operations Management.

France

CIEE Paris Open Campus
Fall, Spring, Academic Year

CIEE’s Open Campus program is unique because students take block-schedule courses in English while living in Paris. Two courses are taken during each six-week block, and UI students participate in all three blocks for 18 semester hours. Students choose one of six coursework “tracks” for there are of emphasis, although students may take courses across multiple tracks. There are several pre-approved courses for general education and business requirements. Courses include International Marketing, International Management, Strategic Management, and Business Ethics and Leadership.

Spain

IES Barcelona
Fall, Spring, Academic Year

IES Barcelona offers students the opportunity to explore business in an international context and take additional courses for general education and elective credit. In addition to a required Spanish language course at beginning through advanced levels, students can take English-taught courses that fulfill UI Business Core requirements – such as Introduction to Management and Introduction to Marketing Strategy – and take equivalencies of major-level courses like International Finance and International Marketing. Relevant courses IES courses include Strategic Management, Marketing Management, International Marketing: A European Approach, and International Finance Management.

CIEE Barcelona Business & Culture
Fall, Spring, Academic Year, Summer

The CIEE Barcelona Business & Culture semester program allows business majors to earn major credit through English-taught business while beginning or improving their Spanish language skills. In addition to a required Spanish language course at beginning through advanced level, students can fulfill UI Business Core requirements such as Operations Management and take equivalencies of major-level courses like International Marketing and Corporate Finance. Relevant CIEE courses include Strategic Issues in International Manufacturing, International Marketing, Corporate Financial Decision Making, and Business Ethics and Corporate Social Responsibility. Students may also choose to enroll in English-taught business courses at one of two host universities. Students participating in the summer program attend one, two, or three sessions and complete one English-taught business course per session.

CIEE Seville International Business & Culture
Fall, Spring, Academic Year

Through this unique program, students study in Seville with the support services of CIEE while enrolling primarily in courses at a local university, Universidad Pablo de Olavide (UPO). After completing an intensive Spanish course in beginning through intermediate levels at CIEE, students can choose from a wide variety of courses taught in English at UPO. Studying alongside other international students or local students at UPO, participants can take International Finance, Entrepreneurship and New Ventures, and Operations Management.

CIEE Madrid Open Campus
Fall, Spring, Academic Year

CIEE’s Open Campus program is unique because students take block-schedule courses in English while living in Madrid. Two courses are taken during each six-week block.  UI students can participate in all three blocks for 18 semester hours, 3 blocks for 15 credits, or 2 blocks for 12 credits. Students choose one of six coursework “tracks” for their area of emphasis although students may take courses across multiple tracks. There are several pre-approved courses for general education and business requirements. Courses include, among others, International Marketing, Operations Management, International Finance, and Entrepreneurial Strategy. 

USAC Bilbao
Fall, Spring, Academic Year, Summer

In addition to required Spanish language coursework at beginning through advanced levels, USAC Bilbao offers several English-taught business courses each semester. Students can fulfill UI Business Core requirements such as Introduction to Marketing Strategy and Introduction to Financial Management and take equivalencies of major-level courses like International Business Environment. Relevant USAC courses include Marketing Principles, International Strategic Management, and Corporate Finance. Students participating in the summer program are not required to take a Spanish language course.

Italy

IES Milan
Fall, Spring, Academic Year

Students participating in IES Milan take an Italian language class and then choose from a variety of area studies courses taught in English. Students can also add international work experience to their resume by participating in an internship placement and accompanying academic seminar. Courses include Strategic Management, Introduction to Business Programming, International Financial Markets and Investment, Banking and Financial Intermediation, and Business Modeling and Planning.

USAC Verona
Fall, Spring, Summer

The USAC Verona program requires that students take a six-week Italian language class at the beginning of the fall and/or spring semester, allowing for rapid language acquisition and cultural adjustment. Students then select from a variety of English-taught courses. Core classes that are frequently offered include Operations Management and Business Communications. Additional relevant courses include Event Management, Fashion Marketing and Merchandising, International Marketing, International Trade, International Sports Business, and International Strategic Management.

USAC Torino
Fall, Spring, Summer

USAC Torino requires that students take a six-week Italian language class at the beginning of the fall and/or spring semester, allowing for rapid language acquisition and cultural adjustment. Students then choose from a variety of English-taught courses. Courses include Business Ethics and Fair Trade; Business Leadership, Management and Teamwork; Marketing Principles; Operations Management; Human Resource Management; and International Marketing.

Wells in Florence: Lorenzo di Medici
Fall, Spring, Academic Year

Wells College facilitates enrollment for students at the Italian International Institute Lorenzo di Medici, located in the heart of Florence. Apart from an optional Italian language course, all instruction is in English. There are several pre-approved courses for general education and business requirements. Courses include Principles of Microeconomics, Principles of Macroeconomics, and Operations Management. Additional courses offered by the International Business department include Principles of Finance, Global Business and Society, International Marketing, Global Financial Markets, Cross-Cultural Communication in the Workplace, and International Business Negotiation.

CEA CAPA Florence: Study in Florence
Fall, Spring, Academic Year

CEA CAPA welcomes students to their academic centers located in downtown Florence. Students enroll in one core class related to Italian language and culture and additionally, can choose courses from various disciplines. There are several pre-approved courses for general education and business requirements. Courses include Basic Operations Management, Business Finance, International Marketing, and International Finance. 

CIMBA Italy Program
Fall, Spring, Summer

Since the University of Iowa is the credit-granting institution for CIMBA, the program aligns wells with the UI Tippie College of Business’s core courses and major courses. Courses include Managerial Accounting, International Finance, Introduction to Management, Operations Management, International Marketing, Consumer Behavior, Introduction to Law, and Introduction to Marketing Strategy.

Greece

American College of Thessaloniki
Fall, Spring, Academic Year, Summer

Students are direct enrolled in American College of Thessaloniki, a U.S.-accredited university in northern Greece. There are several pre-approved courses for general education and business requirements. Courses include Financial Accounting, Introductory Macroeconomics, Introductory Microeconomics, Introduction to Management, and Operations Management. Other courses offered by the Division of Business include Consumer Behavior, E-Marketing, International Finance, Financial Management, International Economics, and Global Marketing.

Asia

South Korea

WorldStrides South Korea: Korea University
Fall, Spring, Academic Year, Calendar Year, Summer

WorldStrides facilitates direct enrollment for students at Korea University (KU) in Seoul. Established in 1905, Korea University is a member of the prestigious group of Korean SKY universities, similar to the Ivy League in the U.S. Courses offered in English by the Department of Business Administration include World Economy and Business, Marketing Management, Introduction to Operations Management, Business Analytics, Investments, Marketing Research, International Business, Corporate Finance, Consumer Behavior, and International Finance.

Oceania

Australia

WorldStrides Australia: University of New South Wales (UNSW)
Fall, Spring, Academic Year, Calendar Year

Through WorldStrides Australia, students can study at the UNSW Business School, which offers 26 undergraduate programs. A unique feature of this program is that students can do a business internship in place of a course. UNSW also offers coursework to help fulfill general education requirements. Relevant UNSW courses include Financial Accounting Fundamentals, Management Accounting, Micro and Macroeconomics, Business Finance, Introducing Law and Justice, Managing Organizations and People, and Introduction to Business Databases.

WorldStrides Australia: Bond University
Fall, Spring, Academic Year, Calendar Year

This program allows UI students to study at the Bond University Business School, which has set the benchmark for integrating big data and analytics into the broader spectrum of business, commerce, and finance education. Courses include Marketing, Business Law, Contemporary Macroeconomic Issues, Fundamentals of Finance, Organizational Behavior, Marketing, and Statistics for Business.

Iowa Regents Semester in Australia: University of Tasmania
Fall, Spring, Academic Year, Calendar Year

The Iowa Regents Semester in Australia program offers students an opportunity to study for a semester at the University of Tasmania, fully integrated academically and socially with their Australian peers. The Bachelor of Business program has several areas of focus such as accounting, business economics, finance, management, and marketing. Courses include Business and Corporate Law, Financial Accounting, Management Accounting, Corporate Finance, Introduction to Management, and Data Analysis for Business.

CIEE Sydney Open Campus
Fall, Spring, Academic Year, Summer

CIEE’s Open Campus program is unique because students take block-schedule courses in English while living in Sydney. Two courses are taken during each six-week block, and UI students participate in all three blocks for 18 semester hours. Students choose one of six coursework “tracks” for their area of emphasis, although students may take courses across multiple tracks. There are several pre-approved courses for general education and business requirements. Courses include International Marketing, Statistics, Strategic Management, International Finance, and Business Ethics and Leadership.

New Zealand

WorldStrides New Zealand: University of Otago
Fall, Spring, Academic Year, Calendar Year

This program in Dunedin allows UI students to study at the University of Otago and be fully integrated academically and socially with their New Zealand classmates. The University of Otago’s School of Business has several business concentrations. Courses include Principles of Accounting, Management Accounting, Business Law, Marketing, Organizational Leadership, Micro and Macroeconomics, and Managing for Performance.  

WorldStrides New Zealand: Victoria University of Wellington
Fall, Spring, Academic Year, Calendar Year

Students can study at Victoria University of Wellington through this WorldStrides program where they take their coursework alongside their New Zealand peers. The Bachelor of Commerce program at Victoria University of Wellington is structured like the Bachelor of Business Administration at UI in that there are core requirements and then major-specific requirements.  Courses include Introduction to Information Systems, Statistics for Business, Management Accounting, Financial Accounting, Micro and Macroeconomics Principles, Strategic Management, Operations Management, and Principles of International Business.

Africa

South Africa

IES Cape Town University of Cape Town
Fall, Spring

This IES program gives students the opportunity to study at South Africa’s leading research university, the University of Cape Town (UCT). The Faculty of Commerce at UCT offers a Bachelor of Business Science and a Bachelor of Commerce which means there are several courses that can fulfill business and general education requirements. Courses include Financial Accounting, Microeconomics, Macroeconomics, Business Law, Statistics, Management Accounting, and Information Technology in Business.

Latin America

Argentina

CIEE Buenos Aires Open Campus
Fall, Spring, Academic Year

CIEE’s Open Campus program is unique because students take block-schedule courses in English while living in Buenos Aires. Two courses are taken during each six-week block, and UI students participate in all three blocks for 18 semester hours. Students choose one of six coursework “tracks” for their area of emphasis, although students may take courses across multiple tracks. There are several pre-approved courses for general education and business requirements. Courses include International Marketing, International Management, Strategic Management, International Finance, and Argentine Consumer Culture.