Grade Articulation
All grades earned while abroad will be posted to your UAB transcript and included in GPA calculations. Grades will be transferred back as letter grades, meaning they will impact your GPA. In all cases, you must participate fully in all course activities and meet all stated course requirements. Auditing of any course abroad is not permitted.
Credit Conversion
Foreign universities often use a different system of measuring course credits. As a result, foreign credits typically do not equal the same number of credits as the equivalent course at UAB. For example, most Western European countries use the European Credit Transfer System (ECTS), while UAB uses the U.S. semester credit hour (SCH) system. To convert ECTS credits into UAB credits, multiply the ECTS credits by 0.5 (or divide by 2). Below is a guide to help convert common types of foreign credit into UAB credits.
| Foreign Credits | UAB Credits |
|---|---|
| 6 ECTS | 3 U.S. Credits |
| 45 Contact Hours | 3 U.S. Credits |
| 20 British Credits | 5 U.S. Credits |
| 4.5 Australian Credits | 3 U.S. Credits |
If the transcripts are received from a foreign university, UAB follows the guidelines set by World Education Services to convert the foreign grade to a US equivalent grade. World Education Services is an internationally-recognized credential evaluation agency.
Students studying abroad are enrolled in a study abroad indicator course, INTL 100-107, that serves as a placeholder while abroad. For most students, this includes full-time, non-billable hours. After you return from your time abroad and UAB receives your foreign transcript, the indicator course is reduced to 0 credit hours and a grade of “P” is granted. Please note that this is not your study abroad credit. You will earn a letter grade for your study abroad credit(s) once your transcript is received by UAB.
If you plan to participate in a UAB exchange program, the INTL placeholder will include full-time billable hours relevant to your exchange.
How Will Your Credit Post to UAB?
The process of grade posting varies depending on the program type:
UAB Exchanges
You earn direct UAB course credit. While abroad, you will typically take courses along with the student body at the exchange university.
UAB in Wales
You receive a transcript from Aberystwyth University and have transfer credit appear on your UAB transcript.
UAB Affiliate Programs
You receive a transcript from the foreign university or U.S. university of record and have transfer credit appear on your UAB transcript.
UAB Faculty-Led Programs
You earn direct UAB course credit. UAB Faculty-Led Programs are UAB courses that are taught by UAB faculty and have a field component that takes place away from campus, usually outside of the United States.
UAB Internship/
Practicum Courses Abroad
You earn direct UAB course credit. UAB Internship/Practicum Courses Abroad are UAB courses which involve an internship or practicum, allowing you to actually work abroad in a company or organization related to your area of study, and earn UAB course credit.
Fulfilling Residency Requirements
Courses taken on UAB Exchanges, USAC programs, ISA programs, U.S. - UK Fulbright Commission Summer Institutes, U.S. Department of State Critical Language Scholarship Program, Clinton Scholarship at the American University in Dubai, UAB Faculty-Led Programs, and UAB Internship/Practicum Courses Abroad will satisfy the UAB residency requirement. Contact the Office of Education Abroad Advisor to ensure your Graduation Planning System record is noted accordingly.
Individual UAB academic departments may have additional requirements. The residency requirement is listed in the UAB Undergraduate Catalog.
Courses taken on non-supported programs may not be used to satisfy the residency requirement.
Knowing how your credits will apply to your degree is essential to planning your academic success. We encourage you to start this process early so that you can stay on track with your degree plan.
Each Education Abroad program has a list of available courses that have been pre-approved for UAB credit. However, this list is not exhaustive and is updated regularly as more approvals are received. To see this list of pre-approved courses and their UAB course equivalents, either click the "Sample Courses Approved for Previous UAB Students" button on a program brochure or search by approved classes. You may also submit Course Approval Requests for courses that have not been pre-approved.
Top skills employers are looking for: adaptability, cultural awareness, independent, problem solver, strong communicator. Think about your study abroad experience. You likely strengthened each of these skills during your study abroad, but you don’t know how to articulate them. Check out these resources to highlight how navigating a foreign city can boost your career.
Articles relating to skills:
- Studying abroad could give you an edge in the job market (CNN)
- How Study Abroad Will Help Your Career (GoAbroad.com)
- Showcasing Study Abroad on your Resume (StudyAbroad.com)
- How Study Abroad Makes You A Better Leader (Forbes)
- The Most Helpful Study Abroad Career Advice You’ll Ever Get (GoAbroad.com)
Articles relating to interviews/resumes:
- 4 Tips On How to ‘Unpack’ Your Study Abroad Experience in a Job Interview (LinkedIn)
- How to Include Your Study Abroad Experience on Your Resume (The Abroad Guide)
International Job Listings:
- U.S. Department of State
- U.S. Foreign Service
- U.S. Department of Commerce
- GoAbroad.com
- Bunac
- The International Educator
International Volunteer Opportunities:
Teaching English Abroad:
*The Office of Education Abroad does not necessarily endorse any of the organizations listed above.
Plug into the Office of Education Abroad, International Student & Scholar Services, and student organizations to stay connected and share your experience. Get involved with some of these opportunities to connect with international students and other UAB students, who either have gone abroad or would like to.
- Apply to be a Peer Ambassador and share your experience with future study abroad students.
- Participate in the Education Abroad Club to host events for prospective students and committed study abroad participants, while networking with other UAB Education Abroad alumni.
- ISSS programs host events for international students and UAB students, such as Orientation, Coffee Hours, and social gatherings.
- Participate in our Photo Contest for a chance to win prizes! Watch your inbox for details! The photo contest happens each semester. We know you have amazing photographs from your study abroad experience.
Peer Ambassadors
As a UAB study abroad alumni, you have the opportunity to become a Peer Ambassador! As a Peer Ambassador, you can build a legacy of in internationalization and cultural competency at UAB through student recruitment, advisement, pre-departure preparation, and assisting future study abroad students.
This program will offer you an opportunity to share your study abroad experience and perform a role that is fun, challenging, and rewarding.
Eligibility
At the time of application, you must:
- Have successfully completed an approved Education Abroad program of at least four weeks in length, preferably through UAB
- Maintain full-time degree-seeking status
- Have a minimum 3.0 cumulative GPA