Types of Programs

University of Manchester Content 08
Academic Programs

Take your seat alongside locals and enroll in full-time coursework at a world-class university.

IES Program London 01
Concurrent Programs

Combine university coursework with local language studies to experience the best of both worlds.

IES Program Paris 07
Language Programs

Dedicate yourself to full-time language learning at SAF's partner university language centers.

University of California, Riverside 1
Summer Programs

Summer programs are rich in extra-curricular cultural and social activities.

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Research Programs

Work with university faculty in dedicated research during the academic session.

IES Program London 06
Internship Programs

Apply your learning to the real world and prepare for professional life.

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Program Types
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Unique Programs
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Program Combinations

Academic Programs

Working between your home and host universities, SAF works with you to enroll in undergraduate or graduate courses at your best-fit overseas program where you are assessed on the same basis as degree-seeking students. 

With hundreds of Academic programs available, academically-minded students may enroll in a program best suited to their area of specialization or major. 

Highlights include:

Coursework Classes With Local Students

Take a seat in the same tutorials, lectures, seminars, and webinars as local students, as you would at your home university. Earn credit back to your degree, with your home university's approval.

Single Term or Multi-Term Enrollment

Enroll in a standard full-time coursework study load at your new host university for a single semester, quarter, or term, or extend with a longer enrollment period.

Sound Language & Academic Skills Required

Academic Programs are designed for students with a history of coursework completion at their home university and evidence of proficiency in the language of instruction of their host university.

Concurrent Programs

Students shy of normal language requirements for direct access to an Academic Program have options with a hybrid language and academic course enrollment through Concurrent Programs. Generally, these programs allow students to study a reduced credit load while also studying to improve their language proficiency through parallel enrollment at the university and language center.

Highlights include:

Coursework With Locals & Language Classes With Visiting Students

While in your university courses, enjoy classes with local students as you would at your home university. While in your language units, you'll meet new international friends from all over the world.

Single Term or Multi-Term Enrollment

Enjoy study abroad for just a single semester, quarter, or summer, or extend your time abroad by progressing from a Concurrent Program to an Academic Program the following term if you achieve the progression scores required.

Sound Academic Requirement, Lower Language Requirement

Take a parallel enrollment with a partial coursework study load and a partial language center study load. Earn partial credit towards your degree back home and improve your language proficiency.

Popular Academic & Concurrent Programs

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Language Programs

Language Standalone Programs

Students with any level of language proficiency can study abroad. SAF partners exclusively with university campus language centers to offer language courses designed to improve proficiency. Regardless of your current level of proficiency, you can improve through a full overseas immersion experience.

Highlights include:

For Beginner+ Language Learners

Most of our standalone language programs offer classes suitable for students at all levels - from Beginner to Advanced proficiency. At most centers, your language proficiency will be assessed through a placement test on your first day.

Homestay Housing Included

Most SAF Language programs include accommodation with a local homestay family, giving you the full immersion experience. Practice your newfound language skills in class and at home, while getting to know how it feels to really live like a local.

Not Academically Assessed

Most host university language centers do not grant credit for language training classes, meaning your prior academic experience is not assessed as part of the application process. However, your home university may still grant credits for your studies in language classes abroad - so check with SAF and your home university.

Single or Multi-Term Enrollment

Enroll in for a single semester, quarter, or term, or extend with a multi-term enrollment and study for several terms for as long as it takes to achieve your language goals.

Language Pathway Programs

Students aspiring toward a for-credit study abroad program who don't yet meet language requirements can take a language pathway program with SAF. Language Pathway programs are generally for one term of enrollment, and candidates will need to demonstrate their current level of proficiency and prior academic achievement before commencement. Students will need to achieve a minimum final score to advance to an Academic program in their second term. 

Highlights include:

For Intermediate+ Language Learners

If your existing language proficiency is very close to the level required for admission into the Academic program, and your GPA is also satisfactory, you can study this program for one term and progress to a second term Academic program if you achieve satisfactory progression.

Homestay Housing Included

Most SAF Language programs include accommodation with a local homestay family, giving you the full immersion experience. Practice your newfound language skills in class and at home, while getting to know how it feels to really live like a local.

Sound Academic Experience Required

Admission into a Language Pathway program requires evidence of sound academic achievement. Your GPA will be taken into consideration for admission into your second-term program.

Multi-Term Combined Enrollment

Enrolling in a Language Pathway Program means you have a plan to progress to a second term of enrollment. You will receive an offer to study which requires you to meet minimum progression milestones throughout your study abroad program.

Summer Programs

Enroll in a summer session at an SAF partner university. Tailored specifically for visiting students, summer programs generally run during June to August each year and often include a whole lot of extra-curricular activities. 

Highlights include:

Earn Extra Credits

Aside from being a fun way to spend your summer, studying extra credits over your regular vacation can put you ahead of your study plans. Earning extra credits may help your graduate earlier, or study additional courses you find interesting.

Meet Diverse Students

Summer study abroad programs cater to students from all over the world, and have the flexibility to focus on different topics that aren't constrained to academic year modules.

Many Program Options

Studying abroad in summer can take many different forms. Perhaps you enroll in the popular for-credit Academic option, or you use your time to study a Language Pathway program so you can progress into an Academic program in fall. The choice is yours!

Popular Summer Programs

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Research Programs

Working in partnership with host university faculty, participate in a dedicated research effort during an academic term. Generally, there is very limited availability in Research programs, and prospective applicants may need to be pre-assessed by the university prior to enrolling with SAF.

Highlights include:

High Academic Entry Requirements

Research programs are renowned for their academic rigour. Applicants will generally need to have completed a minimum of four semesters, or two yeras, of undergraduate study within the designated specialization, and have intention to pursue a Masters or Ph.D.

Direct Faculty Engagement

Work in very small groups, or even one-on-one, with some of the world's best faculty researchers, and gain valuable insights and referees for further graduate study.

Improve Your Graduate Research Prospects

Over 50% of Research program alumni have successfully gained admission into top 50 graduate programs in the United States.

Internship Programs

Working with a limited number of quality partners, SAF facilitates professional internship placements to enable students to apply their learning in the real world. Internships are a fantastic way to gain real-world experience in an overseas workplace. 

Highlights include:

Virtual, Remote, or In-Person

Internships can be offered virtually, remotely, or in-person. Virtual and remote internships are ideal for candidates who have taken an in-person internship in the past and want to understand the new world of remote and hybrid working in the Western world.

Gain Valuable Industry Experience

Discover the ins and outs of your future career industry. Interning abroad helps you develop valuable job skills crucial to hireability, such as language proficiency, cultural understanding, tolerance for ambiguity, adaptability, and self-confidence.

Get a Foot in the Door

There are many paths to working abroad, but an internship abroad creates a natural opportunity for you to go back in the future. Why not lay the groundwork for an international career now while you can earn credit and benefit from the support SAF offers throughout the process?

Intern with IES Internships

SAF is part of IES Abroad, and our friends at IES Internships offer a range of virtual, remote, and in-person internship experiences suitable for students from around the world. Get to know about the range of internships available and discuss your options with an SAF Student Counselor today.

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Interested in studying abroad with us? Schedule a call with us and we'll help you select a program.

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Ready to dive a bit deeper? Explore universities by region to see the bigger picture of your study abroad options. 

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