Beginning Your Application

There are two parts to applying for study abroad at Rice: the Rice Study Abroad online application, and the host university/program provider's application.

Begin the Rice Study Abroad application by finding your program on our list of approved programs and clicking the "Apply Now" on its brochure page. Be sure to carefully follow the directions provided and complete all required application materials by the earlier of the two deadlines. Check your host university/program's website for instructions on beginning their application process.

Study Abroad Advisors can only complete program approval forms for students applying through our office who have completed all components of the host university/program application and received approval upon review of their completed Rice Study Abroad application materials. Keep in mind advisors need time prior to your final deadline to approve (particularly if your deadline falls earlier than the Rice final deadlines, but also if your deadline falls around or right after our final deadline) so please allow at least a week or two for review. If you need an approval form completed by your advisor, you must complete your application at least one full week prior to your program deadline. Speak to your advisor if you have any questions about this. It is the student’s responsibility to ensure they submit their application in a timely manner; otherwise, an approval cannot be given for their participation.

Deadlines

Rice Study Abroad sets the following deadlines to submit a completed application for study abroad. No applications can be submitted after the final deadline. Depending on the program, some deadlines will be earlier (discussed below). If your program deadline is later, you must submit no later than our final deadlines listed here, allowing at least one week ahead of the program deadline for review.

Note that no student will be considered for scholarships from our office after the priority deadline.

Applications must be submitted online no later than 11:59PM CDT. After this time, the online system will close and students will be unable to submit materials online.

*These are the final deadlines to apply, but please note that many deadlines can be earlier depending on the program and term. Applications must be submitted by the earlier of the two deadlines (even if your program deadline is later). Keep in mind you must also allow at least a week for review so students must submit in a timely manner ahead of the program deadline if an approval or authorization is required by their program.

Incomplete applications will not be accepted. Applications will not be reviewed until all application materials have been submitted (including recommendations and proof of program application completion, if applicable).

Early application deadlines and rolling admissions

Take careful note of individual programs' deadlines, as they may fall earlier than the October and March deadlines set by Rice Study Abroad (with some as early as a full calendar year before the program begins). If a program deadline falls before the Rice deadline, both the program's and the Rice Study Abroad applications must be submitted by that program's deadline. If your program requires an approval of any kind to be completed, you must submit at least a week ahead of the program deadline. This is to allow for timely review of your Rice Study Abroad application so that your advisor can grant home school authorization typically required by universities/programs. However, if a program deadline falls after the Rice deadline, both applications must still be submitted by the Rice deadline (as described in the table above).

Admissions to some programs may be more competitive and/or determined on a rolling basis. Additionally, some programs determine entry into desired courses or housing on a first come, first served basis. It's therefore advised to submit your application comfortably in advance of the program application deadline. This also allows you more time for a visa process, if applicable, given that is a process you completes on their own but can only be started after they are accepted.

Application flow for specific program types

Exchange programs

Students applying to study abroad at a partner institution as a visiting exchange student should first complete the Rice Study Abroad online application for review and approval by their advisor. Once approved, students will be nominated by the Rice Study Abroad as exchange applicants at the partner institution. Under the guidance of Rice study Abroad, students will collect and submit all application materials required by the partner institution.

Foreign universities and third-party provider programs

Students applying to study abroad through a foreign university or program provider must complete both the online Rice online application as well as the individual program application simultaneously. If deadlines differ, both applications must be submitted by the earlier deadline for review and approval by the Rice Study Abroad. Study abroad advisors cannot complete program provider certifications or approvals until all components of a student's application have been completed (including the faculty recommendation). If your program requires approval, be sure you submit both applications at least a week ahead of the program deadline (if it’s on or earlier than the final October 15th deadline). If you do not submit a week ahead of your program deadline, the approval on their portal cannot be completed by your advisor by their deadline.