Courses

This is where your exchange adventure really takes off! To stay organized, download and save a copy of the Outgoing Exchange Handbook — it’s packed with all the detailed info and timelines, and has handy spaces to jot down your notes. Think of it as your personal exchange guidebook.

Looking for the high-level overview? Here’s a quick checklist to get you started:

• Accept your spot & complete program registration
• Start your visa/study permit process early
• Plan your budget & funding options
• Complete your host school application
• Choose courses & start transfer credit review
• Attend pre-departure orientation
• Book flights & housing once confirmed by your partner school
• Get travel insurance & prepare important documents
• Register your travel & review safety info
• Confirm arrival & update your info while abroad

This list covers the big-ticket items to prep for takeoff — your handbook has all the deeper details to keep you on track!

Plan Your Courses:

Wondering what classes you can take abroad and how to make sure they count toward your BComm? This is your high-level snapshot — your Outgoing Exchange Handbook has the full step-by-step guide, concentration rules, and transfer credit tools.

Course Registration: 

• Fall/Winter term:
  • Minimum: 3 courses (9 units)
  • Maximum: 5 courses (15 units)
  • Tuition: You’ll pay for 4 courses regardless of how many you take or get credit for
• Summer term:
  • Minimum: 1 course (3 units)
  • Maximum: Course load varies by partner school
  • Tuition: Pay for what you take

Note: Some partners or study visas might set higher minimums—always check your host school and study visa requirements.

Courses You Can Take Abroad:

• Business & non-business allowed, but at least 2 business courses (6 units) are required
• Concentration courses can be done but are optional — you may take a maximum of 2 during your degree, even if you do more than one exchange
• After acceptance, we’ll work with you to confirm your transfer credit. Submit your proposed courses and outlines before departure to your exchange advisor for review to ensure they count toward your BComm

Confirming transfer credit:

1. Review courses at your partner school
   • Pro tip: Check previous term schedules for the same term you intend to attend; not all courses run every term.
2. Check the Exchange Course Guide  here
   • If your course has been assessed in the past 5 years, it’s on the spreadsheet. Email us if you’re unsure how it fits your degree.
   • If it hasn’t, continue to step 3.
3. Submit the Transfer Credit Review Form
   • You’ll need course outlines (can use ones from a previous term). We’ll review and confirm expected transfer credit.

Want the full breakdown—including course guide tools, detailed concentration rules, and step-by-step transfer credit process? It’s all in your Outgoing Exchange Handbook (download it if you haven’t already!).

Costs & Funding: Know Before You Go

Here’s a quick snapshot of what to expect financially while on exchange. 

Typical Costs

There’s a lot to consider in your budget – here’s a snapshot of some big ticket items to include.

• Tuition & Fees: You keep paying UCalgary tuition - no extra international tuition at the partner school. Some small partner-specific fees may apply (e.g., student union, activity fees).
• Accommodation: On-campus or off-campus housing; costs vary by city/country.
• Travel: Flights, local transportation, airport transfers.
• Living Expenses: Groceries, phone/internet, entertainment, etc.
• Insurance: Health, travel, and any required by your partner school.
• Miscellaneous: Books, supplies, visa/study permit fees (and potential travel to apply in person), and unexpected expenses.

Rough Budget (per term):
Fall or Winter term

• Estimated living costs & travel: $8,000 – $13,000 CAD
• Estimated UCalgary tuition & fees:
  • Canadian citizens/permanent residents: ~$2900 CAD tuition + ~$440 to ~$665 CAD fees
  • International students: ~$11,840 CAD tuition + ~$440 to ~$665 CAD fees
• Total estimated costs (living + tuition/fees):
  • Canadian citizens/permanent residents: ~$11,600 – $17,000 CAD
  • International students: ~$20,600 – $26,000 CAD

Note: These are rough estimates based on the 2024-2025 UCalgary tuition & fees and 2025 living costs. Your actual costs will vary depending on your host city, housing, lifestyle, and travel plans. Use the budgeting worksheet in your Outgoing Exchange Handbook for a more personalized plan.

Summer term

Option 1: Nominated Program

• Pay UCalgary tuition & term fees
  • Domestic: ~$725 per course
  • International: ~$2,960 per course
• Summer fees can vary by course load
• Living costs & travel: roughly $3,000–$5,000 CAD (varies by destination)

Option 2: Fee-Paying Program

• Tuition & program fees are paid directly to the partner school
• Additional expenses: travel, personal spending, local transportation, housing, groceries, phone/internet, etc.
• Costs vary widely. Estimated living & travel costs by program length:
  • Short programs (~10 days): ~$1,500–$2,500 CAD
  • Typical programs (~3–4 weeks): ~$2,500–$4,500 CAD
  • Longer programs (~2 months): ~$5,000–$5,500 CAD
  • Note: some programs only charge tuition, others include housing, meals, or other services – this can greatly alter the estimates above.
• Tip: Check your partner school’s website for detailed summer program fees

Note: Summer budgets, while less than a full semester, vary more than Fall/Winter. Plan early and use the budgeting worksheet in your Outgoing Exchange Handbook for a more detailed estimate.

Funding Your Exchange:

Studying abroad is more affordable than you think. Whether you're heading to Europe, Asia, or beyond, there are multiple funding options to help you cover tuition, travel, and living expenses.

UCalgary & Haskayne Funding Options

• Global Access Fund | A minimum $5,500 CAD award for students facing financial or accessibility barriers. Apply before your exchange application to use it for upfront costs.
  • Who: All students planning to apply for an exchange who meet selection criteria can apply.
  • When: Before you apply for an exchange – deadline typically in mid-October.
  • How: Apply online –click here for details (including selection criteria) and deadlines.
• Global Learning Award | Supports travel-based programs with a competitive award of $1500-$2000 to help cover extra costs like flights and accommodation.
  • Who: All students approved for an upcoming exchange can apply.
  • When: Check deadlines – specific to each term.
  • How: Apply online.
• International Business Award | Up to $8000 awarded to five BComm students annually to support an upcoming Fall or Winter exchange.
  • Who: All BComm students approved for an upcoming Fall or Winter exchange are automatically reviewed; priority is given to IBST concentrators.
  • When: Annually in June prior to upcoming Fall/Winter exchanges.
  • How: No application needed! Check online for more details.
• Brawn Family Foundation Studentship | Up to $20,000 CAD for up to four BComm students participating in the Semester at Sea program.
  • Who: BComm students approved for an upcoming Semester at Sea exchange will be invited to apply.
  • When: Annual deadline April 30 for both upcoming Fall and Winter voyages.
  • How: Application instructions will be emailed to eligible applicants. More details online.
• CIM Grant | Up to $800 for all eligible BComm students who completed a Haskayne International Exchange Program in a Fall or Winter term, or up to $400 for Summer exchange.
  • Who: BComm students who completed a Haskayne International Exchange Program.
  • When: After your exchange ends.
  • How: Application instructions are emailed to eligible applicants. Pro tip: eligibility includes volunteering, start thinking early about how to meet this requirement; click here for some ideas.

Other Funding Opportunities

• UCalgary Funding Opportunities
  There is almost half a million dollars in UCalgary funding available to students going on UCalgary study abroad programs (including Haskayne International Exchange Programs). Start your research early and pay attention to the deadlines so that you don’t miss out.
• UCalgary Awards & Scholarships
  [SM12] When you go on exchange through our program, you remain registered as a UCalgary student paying tuition & fees here – and that means you’re often still eligible for many awards and scholarships that are not specific for exchange.
• Export Development Canada
  Offers various funding programs for students pursuing international experiences.
• Student Loans
  Thinking about applying for loans for your exchange term? Connect early with our Financial Aid team to discuss!
• Think outside the box! Explore other funding opportunities beyond UCalgary, like:
  • Your host country government
  • Partner school
  • Your employer (or your parents’ employer if you are still listed as a dependent)
  • Any groups, clubs, or organizations you belong to

The more sources you check, the more you can offset costs – get creative!