Types of Programs

Bilateral Exchange

The following universities have a direct partnership with ECU. If you meet the minimum study abroad requirements, your spot at these universities is almost always guaranteed. During your semester or year abroad at one of these schools, you will be charged your normal ECU tuition and fees and you will be responsible for paying your housing costs while in the host country.

International Student Exchange Program (ISEP)

ECU is a member of the International Student Exchange Program or ISEP. With this membership, ECU students can request to study at a variety of institutions. Placement at one of these universities on exchange can be competitive, depending on location.  With these programs, you will be billed normal ECU tuition and fees for the semester(s) for which you’ll be abroad. You will also pay for your housing and meals at the regular ECU rate and on the ECU payment schedule.

ISEP also offers a Direct path option. This can sometimes be the same cost or possibly cheaper than out of state tuition. There is a high likelihood of being selected for your top choice for ISEP Direct.  The program cost will be a set amount that will be billed to you directly from ISEP. You can still use your ECU financial aid to help finance ISEP Direct even though no charges will be billed through ECU.

University of North Carolina- Baden Wurttemberg Program

The state of North Carolina has an exchange agreement with the state of Baden Wurttemberg in Germany. This exchange any students within the UNC system to exchange at one of 10 universities in the State of Baden Wurttemberg. You will pay an application fee but then will only be charged your normal ECU tuition. You will be responsible for your housing costs while in the host country. Certain locations and semesters can be competitive. Please note that classes in English are limited based on location and academic calendars may differ from ECU. This program is organized by UNC Greensboro.

NC in Shanghai: Fudan University Exchange Program

UNC students can exchange for a semester or year in Shanghai, China at Fudan University. Students pay an application fee, will be charged normal ECU tuition and will be responsible for housing costs in the host country. This program is organized by UNC Wilmington.

Consortium programs

The following are approved and supported programs by ECU. Each has its own application fee and participants will be billed directly by the program for tuition and fees.

  • UNC Charlotte Semester in Spain
  • UNCW Semester in Paris
  • Educatrip-Granada
  • Semester at Sea
  • Cesar Ritz College in Switzerland

ECU-Led Programs

Each year, more than 50 programs are created by ECU faculty to teach students while abroad. Most of these programs take place over the summer and program offerings and locations change year to year. Typically, students earn 3-6 credit hours in the discipline of the faculty director. Programs range in length from a week to 2 months.  Browse ECU-Led programs here.

ECU Tuscany

Located in Certaldo Alto and available during the fall, spring and summer sessions, the ECU Tuscany program allows students from all disciplines to take care of general education requirements that are necessary of all ECU students. This is one of the only programs that allows freshman to participate. Students are housed in apartments and ECU faculty live on site as well as teach your classes. Italian language knowledge is not required but is one of the class options.  Please visit the ECU Tuscany website for further information.

Third Party Program Providers

You may find a program not affiliated with ECU that fits your academic or personal needs better. Our office can advise you through the application process for both the provider and to ECU to ensure the transfer of your credit and the use of your ECU financial aid. Contact the Education Abroad Advisor at ECU to discuss any non-ECU program options you find. E-mail studyabroad@ecu.edu.