Study Abroad

Review essential resources and policies to support your study abroad journey through the International Studes Office's Education Abroad website, including:

• Education Abroad Workshop
• Eligibility
• Financial Aid and Scholarships
• Education Abroad Handbook
• Make an appointment with an Education Abroad Advisor 

Due to course sequencing in the B.S. in Data Science, it is only possible to do a semester-long study abroad through UVA in Valencia and DIS Scandinavia. Required courses are subject to change each year.  

UVA in Valencia

UVA in Valencia is semester-long study abroad program available to BSDS students during the fall semester of their third year at UVA. UVA in Valencia allows students to receive direct credit (grades earned will appear on your UVA transcript) for core major requirements. Students must be eligible to take SPAN 2010 - Intermediate Spanish, and while in Valencia will take at least one Spanish-language course while the remainder of their courses will be taught in English. We recommend that students enroll in two additional courses to satisfy general education or elective credit.  

Required Data Science Courses: 
DS 2024 - Value I: Ethics & Policy in Data Science
DS 3022 - Data Engineering
DS 4021 - Analytics II: Machine Learning

Find more information about the program here.

DIS Scandinavia

DIS Scandinavia is semester-long study abroad program available to BSDS students during the fall semester of their third year at UVA to study in Copenhagen, Denmark, or Stockholm, Sweden. Both programs are taught in English. Students will earn transfer credit to satisfy core and concentration requirements. We recommend that students enroll in two additional courses to satisfy general education or elective credit.

DIS Denmark Required Data Science Courses:
Artificial Neural Networks and Deep Learning = DS 4021 (Core Major)
Age of AI: Ethics and Public Policy = DS 2024 (Core Major)
Human Computer Interaction = DS 4023 (Design Concentration or Elective)

Find more information about the program here.

DIS Sweden Required Data Science Courses:
Machine Learning = DS 4021 (Core Major)
Philosophy of Tech and Human Values = DS 2024 (Core Major)
Data-Driven Information Visualization = DS 4023 (Design Concentration or Elective)

Find more information about the program here.

January Term, Spring Recess, and Summer Study Abroad Programs

Students who are unable to participate in one of the semester-long Data Science study abroad programs should consider UVA programs offered during winter break, spring break, and summer. Program availability can be found through the International Studies Office.  

Unapproved Programs

If you find a program elsewhere that meets your needs but is not on the approved list of UVA programs, you may submit a petition application through the International Studies Office. Review of petition applications is two-fold. First, the student is reviewed for eligibility and approval to participate in education abroad. Second, the program criteria (academics, housing, on-site support, etc.) are reviewed for one-off approval. You must also apply through the provider for acceptance. The cost, level of immersion and accommodation options can vary widely. Before making this decision, thoroughly research options approved by UVA. Students who wish to transfer credit must complete a Transfer Credit Approval Form through the petition application. It is not possible to earn credit to satisfy core major or concentration requirements for the B.S. in Data Science through an unapproved program. 

In some cases, BSDS core courses are not offered during semester abroad programs; due to course sequencing, some core courses must be taken upon a student’s return to the residential program the following year. Students are required to meet with their academic advisor prior to applying for study abroad to ensure proper course planning and to navigate general education and elective transfer credit selection.

Students who wish to earn credit to satisfy a second major or minor must request approval from the appropriate academic department.

During the application process, you will submit a Transfer Credit Approval form. Students may seek approval for credit for general education or electives. Students should plan to discuss their Transfer Credit Approval Form with their academic advisor.  

• Students applying to DIS Scandinavia programs should use the DIS Course Finder to review additional courses offered in Stockholm and Copenhagen.
• Check if your proposed elective and general education credit are listed in the College of Arts & Sciences Transfer Credit Database. Courses that transfer as X000T will count as elective credit. If a course is not listed in the course analyzer, send the course syllabus to sdsregistrar@virginia.edu to be evaluated. 

We recommend using the UVA Education Abroad Application Tutorial.  

• Applications must be completed and by the deadline to be considered for admission. Incomplete applications will not be reviewed.
• Deadlines vary by program and are posted on the program brochure pages on the ISO program website.
• ISO will provide pre-departure preparation materials, and additional information will be available to students after they are admitted to the program.
• Apply early — you can start planning much sooner.

Students who accept their offer to study abroad for DIS Scandinavia and UVA in Valencia are required to attend this information session. During this session, ISO staff and School of Data Science Staff (Student Affairs, Career Services, and Academic Advising) will discuss resources to support you while you’re abroad. Additional information will be provided to students who have accepted their offer to study abroad.