Incoming Exchange Students

Your first step in the application process is to be nominated by your home university as an exchange student. Contact your home university’s study abroad, exchange, or international office to learn more about this process.

Once nominated by your home university, you will need to complete our Incoming Exchange Application on our online portal and submit the following supplemental documents. Our online application provides more details about the exact requirements, but be prepared to submit:

• Official Transcript/Student Record
• University of Redlands Transcript Request Form
• Passport ID Page
• English Language Proficiency Certification – Most students whose home educational system provides instruction in a non-English language need to submit this. Choose between TOEFL, IELTS, or Duolingo English Test (DET):
  • • TOEFL (Internet-based): 80 iBT minimum/ TOEFL (Band scale): 4 band score minimum
      (Applicants who took the TOEFL exam before January 21, 2026, may continue to submit scores from the previous scale: 80 iBT/ 550 paper-based.)
    • IELTS: 6.5 band score minimum
    • Duolingo English Test (DET): 105
• Financial Support Certification – Proof of adequate funds in order to qualify for the J-1 visa.

Application Deadlines

Your home university may give you an earlier deadline to follow. Once you successfully complete our application, you will receive an email confirming receipt of your application from studyaway@redlands.edu. If you did not receive a confirmation email from this email, you did not submit your application properly. Please double-check your application and contact us with questions. It is your responsibility to apply on time.

Current Exchange Partner Universities

Waseda University  ·  Chinese University of Hong Kong  ·  Nanzan University  ·  Reitaku University  ·  Tuskegee University  ·  University of East Anglia  ·  University of Galway

Once accepted to the University of Redlands as an exchange student, students who need to apply for a J-1 student visa will receive a DS-2019 document and information about how to apply for the J-1 exchange visitor visa. View a sample DS-2019 →

Visa Application Process

Students must:

1. Pay the I-901 SEVIS fee at www.fmjfee.com and print their proof of payment.  
2. Complete Form DS-160 and pay the visa fee. 
   Go to the US Department of State website (https://ceac.state.gov/genniv/) to complete the Online Nonimmigrant Visa Application Form DS-160 and pay the visa application fee. Students need to consult the website of the U.S. Embassy or Consulate where they plan to apply for their visa for specific instructions on how to pay.
3. Schedule your visa interview
   Schedule an appointment to apply for their student visa at a U.S. Embassy or Consulate. More detailed Information can be found here: http://j1visa.state.gov/participants/how-to-apply/interviews-documents/ and from the website of the U.S. Embassy or Consulate where the student will be applying.       
4. Attend your visa interview
   Bring all required materials to your appointment. Mandatory documents include:
   1. Original Forms DS-2019
   2. Form DS-160 confirmation page
   3. Valid passport (Your passport should be valid for at least six months beyond your intended date of entry into the United States when applying for your visa.)
   4. Passport-style photograph
   5. Visa application fee receipt
   6. 1-901 SEVIS fee payment proof 

Check the specific U.S. Embassy or Consulate website beforehand to confirm if any extra local documents are required. 

Once a student receives their DS 2019 and instructions, they should initiate this process, as availability of appointments and processing times vary. 

Travel to the U.S.

When traveling to the U.S., students will need to bring their paper DS-2019, along with their passport containing their J-1 visa.  At the port of entry, the immigration officials will stamp their travel document and the DS-2019. 

Courseload

A full-time semester course load is between 12-16 credits. Most University of Redlands courses are worth 4 credits each, and students take 3-4 courses. Students on a J-1 visa are required to take 12 or more credits.

Course Offerings

The University of Redlands offers over 60+ undergraduate degree programs. Exchange students can enroll in courses in any degree program as long as they meet any course prerequisites and there is space in the course. Information about the academic programs can be found in the University Catalog or our Program Finder.

Course Registration

Exchange students will be assigned a Redlands faculty advisor and will meet with them virtually prior to course registration. The advisor will assist students with the course enrollment process.

Academic Support Services and Accessibility

The Student Success Center is a space to help students develop and strengthen skills to help with their academic success. Support they offer includes:

• Subject Tutoring
• Writing Tutoring
• Peer Mentoring
• Academic Success Workshops

Exchange students who receive academic accommodations at their home university are able to receive accommodations at the University of Redlands. Accommodations commonly used by students are: extended time on exams, time-and-a-half or double time, exams in a reduced-distraction environment, note-taking and alternative texts. Students need to contact the Associate Director of Accessibility with such requests. Read more information about accessibility at the U of R.

There are many ways for exchange students to get engaged while studying at the University of Redlands. Whether you want to join student-run clubs, participate in campus traditions, or explore Southern California, your time outside the classroom is a vital part of the global Bulldog experience. 

Explore these key campus life and support resources to help you get connected: 

• Clubs and Organizations: Browse over 80 student-run organizations, academic societies, and special interest groups to find your community.  

• Outdoor Programs: Offers students the chance to explore the natural beauty surrounding the campus. From hiking and camping trips to water sports and adventure activities, these programs encourage students to engage with the outdoors and experience new adventures. 

• Intramural sports: Fun, inclusive way to stay active, relieve stress, and build community. Open to all skill levels, offerings range from traditional sports like soccer and basketball to ultimate frisbee and dodgeball, helping you stay fit and forge team connections outside the classroom. 

• Redlands International Student Association (RISA) & ISS: Connect with peer-led cultural networks and get specialized guidance on immigration, events, and life in the U.S. through International Students and Scholars (ISS).  

• Student Leadership and Involvement: Access community service initiatives, campus leadership roles, and outdoor recreation programs.  

• Live Well Bulldogs Wellness Support: Take advantage of on-campus fitness, intramural sports, club sports, and dedicated meditation and wellness spaces. 

• Office of Global Education (OGE): Your primary hub for international student orientation, transitional support, and global programming on campus. 

The University of Redlands requires all undergraduate students (including visiting exchange students) to have health insurance that provides access to local health care and helps minimize the financial burden an accident, injury, or illness creates. Exchange students will automatically be enrolled in this insurance policy. Students are billed each semester for their health insurance coverage.

Read more about the University of Redlands' Student Health Insurance Plan and the cost associated with the plan.

The University of Redlands main campus is an undergraduate residential campus; all undergraduate students are required to live on-campus unless they fulfill certain requirements to meet the exemption criteria. All incoming undergraduate exchange students are required to live on-campus.

The residential community provides an immersive experience and opportunities to meet a larger network of Redlands students. The Resident Assistants (RAs) who also live in the residence halls facilitate fun and innovative programs for students to get to know each other and find community within the residence halls.

Learn more about Residence Life and Housing.