UW Signature Programs
Created and administered specifically by UW-Madison. Information about classes, housing, and administration abroad are organized by your program. You earn UW in-residence credit and most types of financial aid may be applied to program costs. These programs may be prioritized for IAP scholarships.
Exchange Programs & Direct Enroll
Offered through partnerships with other universities where students enroll as an exchange student or as an international student at a university. The host institution provides pre-departure information, and provides information for classes, housing, and administration abroad. You earn UW in-residence credit and most types of financial aid may be applied to program costs. These programs are eligible to apply for IAP scholarships.
Provider Programs
Offered through partnerships with study abroad and international organizations. The provider organization provides pre-departure information, and provides information for classes, housing, and administration abroad. You earn UW in-residence credit and most types of financial aid may be applied to program costs. These programs are eligible to apply for IAP scholarships.
Program Structure Comparison
| Structure | UW Signature | Exchange Programs & Direct Enroll | Provider Programs |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fellow Classmates | A cohort of UW-Madison students; or mix of UW-Madison students and students from other universities; may or may not have a level of integration with local students of that country. | Host-country students; occasionally other study abroad and international students. | Study abroad students from U.S. colleges and universities; may or may not have a level of integration with local students of that country. |
| Location | Typically classroom, or field-based, which may or may not be near a university. | Courses at a local university | Typically classroom, or field-based, which may or may not be near a university. |
| Academic Structure | May include courses taught by UW-Madison instructors; or have a strong influence of UW academics; may offer chance to experience both U.S. style and host-country academic culture. | Learning is self-directed or independent; wide variety of courses; course information may be limited prior to arriving; grading structures differ from U.S. style. | Similar to U.S. style with regular assignments, frequent exams, and seminar-style teaching, or experiential for field-work; may offer chance to experience both U.S. style and host-country academic culture. |
| On-site Support | High level of support on site. You are expected to be pro-active in asking for assistance on-site. | Limited; you are expected to be independent and pro-active in asking for assistance on-site. | Usually a high-level of support by staff from the provider program. You are expected to be pro-active in asking for assistance on-site. |