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Find Your Study Abroad Program

SFSU is proud to partner with 37+ countries to offer our students a wide variety of options to fit your goals and dreams.

Step 1: Identify Your Academic Goal 

Start by identifying your academic goal. Are you seeking to go abroad for your: 

  • Major 
  • Minor 
  • General Education (GEs) – Upper and Lower Division (search using “General Studies” in the database) 
  • Language Learning or Improving 
  • Complementary Studies for your Major (search your major, unless you have a minor, then you will be taking classes towards your minor) 

📌 Important: Only search ONE academic goal at a time in the Study Abroad Database to find the most relevant programs. 

Unsure what requirements you have left? Review Your Degree Progress Report (DPR) in the SFSU Gateway or speak with an academic advisor in the Undergraduate Advising Center or a study abroad advisor. 

Step 2: Search the Study Abroad Database 

Use the Subject Area search in the Study Abroad Database: 

  • Search your major or minor from the drop-down list 
  • For GE courses, search for "General Studies" 
  • For language programs, search the specific language (e.g., Spanish, Japanese) 
  • For complementary studies, you may search using your major, GE or a language (students with minors will do work on their minor instead) 

Need help deciding? Come in for study abroad advising—we are here to support you! 

Step 3: Check Eligibility 

Click on the program on the Study Abroad Database. View the eligibility section.  

Step 4: Review Available Courses Abroad 

Look at the academic’s tab in the middle of the program page. Use the links provided to find classes. Please note that a lot of universities may direct you to a list of majors or degrees instead of a central list. When looking at classes abroad, look for the previous spring or fall to see what is likely to be offered for the term you will be abroad.  

Information about units and how they will come back to SFSU can be found at the bottom of the page on academics.  

Step 5: Note Deadlines 

For Academic Year, Fall and Summer Programs: February 15 

For Calendar Year and Spring Programs: September 15 

Special Deadlines: 

  • Waseda (Japan) and Trossingen Music (Germany): January 15 (Academic Year Only – No Extensions) 
  • Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile (PUC): January 15 (for Academic Year/Fall Start); September 15 (for Calendar Year/Spring Start) 

⚠️ Note: Some programs may remain open until the final deadline, but we strongly encourage applying by the priority deadline for full consideration and support. 

Study Abroad Database 

Non-SFSU Abroad Programs

The Division of International Education (DoIE) and SFSU Abroad only work with direct bilateral exchanges programs and with the system-wide California State University International Programs (CSU IP), which can be found in the Study Abroad Database. These are the only forms of certified study abroad offered as part of SFSU’s regular academic program. Our office cannot collaborate with, or advise on, any other programs or services. 

If a student decides to participate on an outside or non-SFSU Abroad program, there are three things to note:  

  1. You will not be considered an SFSU student during the program. If you go abroad for longer than a semester, you need to file a “leave of absence” with undergraduate admissions. 
  2. You will not be able to receive any financial aid attached to SFSU since you will not be a student with us during that time. 
  3. All coursework is potential transfer credit. It is potential for two reasons: 
    1. First, it must be from an accredited institution.
    2. Second, it is SFSU’s policy that transfer credit will not be pre-reviewed/approved if it comes from outside California. Meaning the student must participate and then submit an official transcript to Undergraduate Admissions to see if they will accept it as transfer credit. (This would be true even for a student attending a U.S. community college out of state.) Also, students who transferred to SFSU should be aware that there are caps on the number of units that can be transferred back. (Detail regarding transfer credit caps can be found in the SFSU Academic Bulletin.) 

When applying for an outside program, you are doing so as an 'autonomous student.' SFSU cannot complete any forms, recommendations and/or sign paperwork on your behalf.