Program Structure & Fees

Global Seminars are an exciting and rewarding way to study away with Stanford University. Taught and led by Stanford faculty, these programs are specifically designed to integrate course content and program location.

Program Structure

Global Seminars are 2-4 week programs during the summer.  Program locations and course topics change every year. Each seminar is a 2-unit course.

Each seminar is limited to 15-20 students. As determined by each faculty leader, the grading basis is either mandatory satisfactory/no credit (S/NC) or mandatory letter grade.

Program Cost

Students pay a highly subsidized program fee based on the length of the program. This fee covers only a small part of the total costs and may increase in the future. Students are only charged the program fee and not per-unit tuition. The current program fees are:

​​​​Stanford provides students on seminars with: 

• Housing for the duration of the program
• All meals for the duration of the program
• Onsite transportation for all program activities
• Required immunization/vaccination costs
• All program excursions and activities for the duration of the program

Stanford does not provide students on seminars with:

• International travel costs to and from the program location
• Immigration expenses, including passport and visa costs
• Recommended immunization/vaccination costs
• Course materials
• International health insurance
• Other incidental expenses (such as laundry and souvenirs or personal travel)

Financial Assistance

BOSP is committed to ensuring access for all students, regardless of financial circumstances, to global learning opportunities. In past years, roughly 50% of students participating in global seminars have received financial assistance. Financial need will have no impact on program admission decisions. All applicants will be automatically considered for financial assistance towards the program fee and travel grant. Students with demonstrated financial need, as determined by the Financial Aid Office, will be notified by BOSP regarding their eligibility for a fee waiver of up to 100% of the program fee. Award amounts will be announced after acceptance, and students will have time to consider their plans before committing to participate. Students receiving a Federal Pell Grant may be eligible for additional federal funding as determined by the Financial Aid Office.

BOSP is committed to ensuring all students can access global learning opportunities, regardless of financial circumstances. About 50% of Global Seminar participants receive financial assistance. Financial need does not impact admissions decisions and is also not counted as a quarter of aid. All applicants are automatically considered for a program fee waiver and a travel grant. Eligible students, as determined by the Financial Aid Office, may receive up to 100% coverage for both the fee waiver and the travel grant. Awards are announced after acceptance and before the withdrawal deadline, allowing time for an informed financial decision. Federal Pell Grant recipients may qualify for additional federal funding as determined by the Financial Aid Office.

Expectations and Preparation

All program participants are required to attend the entire program from the scheduled arrival date/time through the scheduled departure date/time. Before their programs, BOSP and Faculty Leaders conduct a series of mandatory orientation sessions, which include an online orientation module and an in-person orientation in Spring Quarter. Some Faculty Leaders may also offer a required pre-program course and/or additional meetings. The "Quick Facts" section of the program-specific web pages lists a complete list of academic prerequisites.

Activity Level

The activity level of Global Seminars varies depending on the location and academic focus. You can find more information about the activity level for your program(s) of interest in the "Quick Facts" section of the program-specific webpage. If you have questions about the activity level for a specific program, please contact a BOSP Program Manager.

• Light: Activities may include city walking tours, easy/short hikes, museum, and other site visits
• Light/Moderate: Activities may include city walking tours, easy/short hikes, museum and other site visits as well as an occasional physical activity such as snorkeling, hiking, or kayaking.
• Moderate: Participants should expect to spend multiple hours each day engaging in physical activity such as hiking or snorkeling.
• Moderate/Strenuous: Participants should expect to spend multiple hours engaging in physical activity such as hiking or snorkeling. Some days might require more physical activity such as a full day or snorkeling or hiking on steep terrain.
• Strenuous: Activities may include full-day hikes (sometimes at high altitude and on steep terrain that may or may not be exposed) or full-day kayaking excursions or other physical activities.
• Extremely Strenuous: Activities will include full-day hikes at high altitude and on steep, exposed terrain or full-day kayaking excursions or other physical activities.

Program Modification and Cancellation

Stanford reserves the right to cancel or modify the Program before or during its operation for any reason, including natural disasters, emergencies, low enrollment, unavailability of facilities or personnel, or compliance with the University's International Travel Policy.