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Exchange students are required to maintain full-time enrolment status while studying in the United States. Students must enroll in a minimum of four course units (usually four courses) per semester to maintain full-time enrolment status. 

• Exchange students are eligible to take undergraduate courses up to the 4999-level. 

• Students are permitted to enroll in up to two courses outside of their admitting  school per semester. 

• Students are not permitted to take graduate-level courses OR courses in Penn’s  Law, Medical, Dental, or Veterinary Schools 

UPenn is listed by the School of Economics as a possible institution to consider. 

Your responsibilities

• The information provided here serves as a guide.
• It is your responsibility to research whether the partner provides appropriate courses for your degree programme.
• Even if there are no restrictions on your degree subject, this does not mean that there are appropriate courses for you. 

Course descriptions and course offerings for specific semesters can be found on the Course Search website:

Exchange students are assigned an academic advisor from their admitting school/college. Students register for courses online before beginning their semester. Course offerings vary each semester and exchange students cannot be guaranteed enrolment in any particular course. Some courses require proof of successful completion of pre-requisites or instructor permission to register. Students should work with the appropriate academic advisor or instructor upon arrival at Penn for registration in these courses. 

**Please be aware, there may not be an up-to-date course catalogue available at this exchange destination. Please use the information available to get an idea about what you can study while on exchange**   

Guaranteed accommodation?

Yes 

University accommodation  

All exchange students are required to live on campus in Penn housing unless meeting conditions of a qualified exemption. Students must complete an online application for housing after being accepted into their exchange program.  

NOTE: Due to high demand and low supply, exchange students often share a room with a roommate and rarely are placed in single-bedroom units.  

More information about Penn housing, the application process, and deadlines can be found on the Penn housing website for exchange students: 

All exchange students are required to purchase an on-campus meal plan. See here for more information:

Further details are provided after students are accepted. 

Private accommodation  

UPenn students are required to stay on campus.  

Immigration/Visa requirements  

In order to get a visa, you will need to prove you can access the average cost of living at UPenn. This is calculated based on how much average costs for accommodation, meals, health insurance etc. will cost. This includes proving access to funds through personal funds, or family or sponsorship funds. The amount to show is around $30,500 in total. This can be across multiple sources. You will need to provide sponsorship letters from personal funds/family members/sponsor funds/Sponsor organisations etc. 

Please bear this in mind. If you cannot prove this, you will not be able to get a visa and therefore not be able to go on exchange.  

How much it will cost to go on exchange to UPenn?  

Tuition and academic fees are waived for exchange students. Exchange students are responsible for all other expenses incurred during their time at Penn.  

The following estimates are for the 2023-2024 Academic Year: 

Housing: $12,166 

Meals: $6,330 

Books & Supplies: $1,358 

Health Insurance: $4,210 

Local Transportation: $1,062 

Miscellaneous and Personal Expenses: $2,368 

Round trip flight to Philadelphia (varies): $1,700 

Clinical Fee*: $664 The Student Health Service Clinical Fee, which includes unlimited nursing and doctor visits, is charged to all Penn students, including exchange students each semester. 

Incoming Exchange Orientation & Student Activities Fee: Fall/Academic Year Admitted Students: Approximately $420; covers housing, orientation programming, most meals during New Student Orientation; subsidizes social and cultural programming during term 

Spring Admitted Students: Approximately $160; covers orientation programming; subsidizes social and cultural programming during term 

To obtain a student visa, students must produce financial documentation showing that they have at least $30,408 (for two semesters) or $15,204 (for one semester) in assets.  

These numbers are accurate for 2023-24, but will change for 2024-25. 

These figures are estimates for the entire academic year and may vary greatly depending on individual spending habits. All estimates are subject to change without notice. Instructions on how to pay student bills are distributed to students after acceptance. 

Health insurance  

All exchange students are required to enroll in a comprehensive health insurance as a  condition of enrolment at the University of Pennsylvania, and as a requirement set forth by the United States for all F-1 and J-1 students. Students have the option to enroll in the UPenn insurance plan or to enroll in another insurance plan of their choosing, provided it meets certain minimum criteria set forth by Penn Student Health Services.  

All exchange students must also submit proof of compliance with following acceptance. 

For information on your semester dates please see the UPenn Calendar: 

- for business students  

Check out the experiences of recent exchange students on UPenn or on by searching #exchangeatpenn