First Semester Abroad Program
Study Abroad in Europe while you earn TCU transfer credit and scholarship dollars.
The First Semester Abroad program provides a pathway for selected students to study abroad this fall at a partner university in Europe and start at TCU the next spring.
“It was such a big step for my first semester of college, but once I realized how much I loved TCU, the decision became easy. Walking to downtown Lugano eventually felt casual, and I started to feel like a local.”
-Amanda Goss ’29
Frequently Asked Questions
Program Overview & Admission
The First Semester Abroad program provides an opportunity for selected domestic first-year applicants to study abroad at one of our partner institutions this fall:
- American College of Thessaloniki Thessaloniki, Greece
- Franklin University Switzerland Lugano, Switzerland
- Richmond American University London, England
- Sant'Anna Institute Sorrento, Italy
You’ll be eligible to start as a TCU transfer student in the spring after fulfilling the requirements of the study abroad program. Learn more about the first semester abroad experience on our Horned Frog Blog.
We invite you and your family to join representatives from TCU and from our partner schools to learn more about each institution and ask questions about the program. Check your email for details.
Students selected to participate must indicate their interest in their myTCU portal by April 15. Once you do so, representatives from our partner universities will reach out with next steps to secure your spot in the program.
Cost will vary by university. We invite you to join our virtual information sessions for more information on specific program costs.
Students will enroll in full-time courses during their First Semester Abroad, earning 12-15 transferrable credit hours. TCU and our partner university staff will provide a list of pre-approved classes for you to choose from that will satisfy your major requirements and transfer to TCU in the spring.
Housing options and cost will vary by university. We invite you to join our virtual information sessions for more information on campus housing at partner universities.
Transferring to TCU
Yes, you can apply to transfer to TCU once you earn 12 transferable college credits from a regionally accredited college in a long semester (i.e., a fall or a spring semester) with a transfer GPA of 2.7 or higher (some majors require a higher GPA).
Yes! We encourage all incoming transfer students in their first and second year post-high school graduation to live on campus. Our residential community has many living options to meet student needs. Students who have paid their commitment deposit will receive a notification to complete their housing application in the fall.
Yes, the courses you are recommended to take during your Study Abroad are designed to fulfill the requirements for the TCU core curriculum. As these courses are required for all TCU undergraduate students, taking them your first semester abroad will not negatively impact your ability to complete your degree.
Once you complete your semester at the institution, please request that your transcript be sent to TCU. You will need to have them sent as official transcripts directly from the institution to TCU. Please have them send us an official transcript in a sealed envelope to TCU Admission Box 297013, Ft. Worth, Texas 76129. TCU also accepts electronic transcripts from most schools. If your school delivers transcripts electronically, please request that they send it to TCU Office of Admission or our email at transferfrog@tcu.edu.
You will meet with your assigned advisor in the spring semester. However, you will work with an advisor in your college while you study abroad.
Spring registration for incoming transfer students is generally available the first week of December.
While you will not be eligible for financial aid or scholarships to study abroad this fall, you will be eligible to apply for financial aid and receive academic scholarships as an incoming TCU transfer student in the spring. Our Office of Scholarships & Student Financial Aid will start sending aid offers to students in late August.