As the oldest institute of higher education in New York, Columbia University, Columbia College has a long history of fostering academic excellence. Since its foundation in 1754, it has educated Founding Fathers, Nobel Prize winners, and award-winning artists, writers, and musicians. Study here to experience firsthand the history and prestige of this distinguished university and discover everything the iconic Big Apple has to offer. Opportunities abound.
Columbia University School of Professional Studies Academic Program









About the Program
Program Advisor

At a Glance
Stay Healthy & Safe While You Study Abroad
Hyewook Jeong
Studying at one of the top universities in the world is a really good experience.
Columbia University SAF Alumni

About the University
Columbia University
As the oldest undergraduate college in the oldest institute of higher learning in the state of New York, Columbia College at Columbia University has a long history of fostering academic excellence. Since its foundation in 1754 has educated Founding Fathers and modern presidents, poets, musicians, and politicians. Among its notable alumni and faculty are 82 Nobel Prize winners, each one a champion of knowledge.
The abundant diversity of New York is an exquisite setting for being open to new experiences and enviable opportunities the Big Apple has to offer. From Wall Street to the headquarters of the United Nations, from Broadway to the Village, the city is alive with adventures and memories waiting to happen.
Learn more at Columbia University's official website.
Academics

Columbia University's Academic Approach
Two core strengths of Columbia College are the rigorous academics and world-renowned reputation. When you attend Columbia, you find themselves surrounded by high-achieving peers and learning from distinguished faculty. Over 80% of classes contain fewer than 20 students, so you will have more opportunities to engage individually with professors than at other institutions.
Courses
You register prior to arrival through an online portal after the registration window opens. To be fully registered, immunization forms must be approved by the university immunization compliance office (including 2 MMR doses after your first birthday). You must meet all pre-requisites to register for a course.
Course & Departmental Restrictions
You are free to choose any courses administered through Columbia SPS, but none at the School of Law, Graduate School of Journalism, or the School of Nursing. If you want to take a course in any other school, you need to request permission from the course professor. There is no guarantee the professor will grant permission.
Graduate courses are available to graduate students only. As a graduate student, you can take any graduate- or undergraduate-level course at the School of Professional Studies
Get To Know Our Application Process
From academics to visa requirements, our structured process helps you choose the right program and university for your goals. Complete a strong application, and prepare for success abroad.
Personalize Your Study Abroad Plan With Your SAF Counselor
Each student has unique academic goals for a study abroad experience. As you think about studying abroad, your SAF Counselor will help you plan for success and support you every step of the way.
Application Requirements
The requirements outlined in this section include the language proficiency scores you may need to demonstrate your language skills, a guide to the GPA range and other academic prerequisites required by your host university, and a list of documentation and other application materials you will need to finalize your application. You may need to supply additional information throughout the process, and you will be alerted through your emails and SAF Student Portal if this is the case for you.
Language Test Score Requirements
To prove your language proficiency, you can use any of the following:
- Duolingo: 120
- IELTS: 7.0
- TOEFL iBT: 100 (TOEFL MyBest score not accepted)
- TOEFL PBT: 600
- TOEFL Home Edition is accepted
Program Dates
When studying abroad, you will want to consider the time of year and how long you are away. Most programs follow the host university's academic calendar.
The dates shown below are general estimates, and as you get closer to the start of the term, you will get more detailed information from SAF. If you have any questions, your Student Counsellor and Program Specialist are always here to support you and point you to the correct information.
Fall 2022 (Graduate)
Program dates:
Application Deadline:
Fees Starting From:
Fall 2022 (Graduate) + Spring 2023 (Graduate)
Program dates:
Application Deadline:
Fees Starting From:
Fall 2022 (Undergraduate) + Spring 2023 (Undergraduate)
Program dates:
Application Deadline:
Fees Starting From:
Fall 2022 (Undergraduate)
Program dates:
Application Deadline:
Fees Starting From:
Spring 2023 (Graduate)
Program dates:
Application Deadline:
Fees Starting From:
Spring 2023 (Undergraduate)
Program dates:
Application Deadline:
Fees Starting From:
Housing Information

Off-campus apartment
Depending on when you attend Columbia University, Columbia College, your accommodation may be on- or off-campus.
During the fall semester, you stay at Studio 99, a popular off-campus twin shared apartment building, which has its own fitness center. There is a communal kitchen and laundry. Wi-Fi is free, too.
During spring, it’s all about on-campus life in a twin shared dormitory with communal living, kitchen, laundry, and bathroom facilities (weekly bathroom cleaning is included). There’s also free Wi-Fi.
About New York City

Why New York City
The Big Apple is a thriving, vibrant, iconic city. It's a place of global go-getters and some of the most recognizable sights in the world with adventures and memories around every corner: think Statue of Liberty, the Empire State Building, Central Park. From Broadway to the Village, Wall Street to the headquarters of the United Nations, Pfizer, and American Express, New York truly leads the business world, too.
The Student Experience

How to Celebrate St. Patrick's Day
As a widely recognized celebration of Irish culture, there's something for everyone to enjoy about St. Patrick's Day.
Orientation
Advising and Support
The process of studying abroad could quickly feel overwhelming, but we have been doing this for decades and do everything we can to support you through it.
Many SAF staff are alumni and have walked this path. They have real-life experience to draw on as they advise and support you through every step of our comprehensive services. They’re in your corner, taking care of all the details and explaining what you need to do next.
Take the first step in your study abroad journey by scheduling a consultation with your closest Student Counselor. You can discuss your for-credit academic courses and language programs and explore internships, research programs, and study tours. When you know what you want to do, we guide you through the pre-program steps, help you arrange your visa and transport, and finalize your accommodation or digital experience.
Get To Know Our Application Process
From academics to visa requirements, our structured process helps you choose the right program and university for your goals. Complete a strong application, and prepare for success abroad.
Personalize Your Study Abroad Plan With Your SAF Counselor
Each student has unique academic goals for a study abroad experience. As you think about studying abroad, your SAF Counselor will help you plan for success and support you every step of the way.
Commonly Asked Questions About Studying Abroad
Commonly Asked Questions About Academic & Concurrent Programs
Student Blogs

Studying English in Toronto at the University of Toronto
Toronto is a great place for studying abroad and improving your English, take a look at some reasons why!

5 Fashion Icons from the University of Arts London, College of Fashion
Top-ranked in the world for Art and Design, the University of the Arts London (UAL) is the gold standard for fashion education. And although all of UAL’s...

6 of the Best London Vintage Markets
London has something to offer any type of fashion-lover, from colossal flagship stores in the heart of Soho to quirky boutiques, curated vintage shops...
Why Travel With SAF?
Studying abroad is an unforgettable experience, one that stays with you in your career, your contacts, your future. It can define you. At any of our prestigious university partners, you can build personalized for-credit programs that can last up to a whole year.
