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Business Education Abroad Guide

Shangai at sunset


CU Boulder Education Abroad offers over 400 programs in over 60 countries! You can go abroad for a semester, year, or 2-12 weeks in the summer. Going abroad is strongly encouraged by the Leeds School of Business. This is a general guide to planning your time abroad, connect with your academic advisor to plan your individual academics. Talk with Education Abroad advisors to get started, discuss your program options, and next steps. 

Quick Facts

  • It is best for Business majors to go abroad for a semester during junior year or fall of senior year
  • It is also possible to study abroad during any summer 
  • Common degree requirements taken abroad are Business electives, non-business electives, certain gen eds, and general elective hours
  • Use the Course Approvals List to find programs that offer courses approved for the credit you need

Planning and When to Go

  • First-year: Sign up for the Leeds FGX First Year Global Experience course to start your journey with international business and study abroad. Talk to your Academic Advisor and start planning! Take A&S Gen Ed classes, especially math, economics, and writing requirements, along with 1000-level BCOR classes. 
  • Sophomore: Aim to finish BCOR courses by the end of sophomore year. Research Education Abroad programs and work with an Ed Abroad advisor. Save the recommended classes for study abroad (see chart below). We encourage you to take a global internship during the summer after your sophomore year (see INBU4910).
  • Junior: Go abroad! Most students take a combination of business electives, A&S Gen Ed, non-business electives, and sometimes one major/emphasis class. Business majors can complete one class per area of emphasis abroad for their degree. In addition (or instead of) a semester abroad, earn credit on one of the Leeds Global Seminars taught by faculty or do a Global Internship to gain valuable work experience.
  • Senior: Education Abroad during the fall of your senior year is possible with careful planning. Be sure that you know when the credits may be transcripted, as this can delay your official graduation date. Meet with Leeds Career Development to best highlight your education abroad experience on your resume. 

What Kind of Credit Can You Earn Abroad?

Usually Doable Tricky Probably Not
A&S Gen Ed Business A&S Gen Ed Business A&S Gen Ed Business
Arts and Humanities, Social Sciences Business electives, Global Business Certificate, Non-business electives Global Diversity Business area of emphasis (Business majors can complete one class per area of emphasis abroad for their degree) Writing BCOR, BASE

Special Information for Business Minors

All Business minor classes must be completed at CU - with the exception of the following approved for the Global Business Track of the Business Minor.:

Math and Economics requirements need to be evaluated by Arts and Sciences (contact Education Abroad for details).


Suggested Programs

 

Grading Systems & Earning Major Credit

Review the Academic Policies on how the coursework you earn abroad will convert to CU Boulder. Students will get more information on program-specific grade conversions in their MyCUAbroad checklist once accepted to their program. Courses must have formal approval from the relevant department, and coursework completed on Education Abroad programs are subject to the same grading policies as classes taken on Boulder campus (e.g. for students studying abroad in Fall 2024 or beyond, if your department requires a C- or better to complete a major requirement, you must have earned an SP+ abroad to complete that requirement).
 

Additional Resources

Last Updated March 2025