Study Abroad

Study Abroad at John Cabot University in Rome, Italy!

Many roads lead to Rome ... choose the right one!                APPLY NOW!

Are you interested in studying abroad for a summer session? Click here!

Over the past decades, 8,000 American university students have chosen JCU as their study abroad destination along the banks of the Tiber River in historic Rome.

At JCU, you’ll find yourself in a community of young people who bring their own stories from their own countries – Italy, Morocco, Russia, Eastern Europe, the Middle East and the Balkans - to study at one of the leading American liberal arts universities in Europe and the Mediterranean.

JCU's courtyards, terraces, and classrooms are full of discussions, ranging from issues of food security, human trafficking, environmental and cultural impacts of globalization, and the challenges of starting and running an international business, to more personal issues of how to understand and communicate across cultures.

Your education is an investment in your future. Join us in Rome for a comprehensive, affordable international education – and leave with a University experience that will bring value to your international credentials.

Key features:

• American educational system of standard courses taught in English that transfer back to your home university.  U.S. Department of Education recognition of Title IV funding facilitates financial aid transfer.
• Small, engaging classes (average size 15 students), where professors and students get to know each other.
• On-site classes, study trips and extra-curricular activities throughout Italy.
• Dedicated professors selected for academic and teaching excellence.
• Career services, competitive internships, and community service to help you leverage your study abroad experience and build your international resume.
• Campus in the Trastevere neighborhood of Rome with wi-fi coverage, library, studio art facilities, computer labs, student center, and beautiful terraces and courtyards.
• Housing provided by the University.
• Complete services for visiting students, from airport pick-up to 24/7 administrative help and on-site student and staff support. 

If you come on your own, you’ll find that from the moment you get off the plane, there will be support to help you get to know people and find your way around, so that within a week or two you’ll be navigating on your own.

…..and paradoxically, it is here in Rome at JCU  that Americans from across the U.S. and over 130 universities get to know each and go beyond invisible borders....after all, Rome is an international open city!

Frequently Asked Questions

When can I study abroad?

How do I get started?

Once I have applied, how long does it take to find out if I have been accepted?

Will I get accepted? 

Do I need a visa?

What classes can I take and how many can/do I have to take? 

Will my credits transfer back?

How much will it cost and when do I need to pay?

How do I get my Financial Aid to transfer?

Are there scholarships available?

Where is the campus located?
 
Where will I live?

Do I have to speak Italian to attend John Cabot? 
 
Is Rome a safe city?

Is it easy to travel around Rome/Europe? 

How do I get to the University from the airport?

What if I come by myself? 

What is the campus atmosphere like?

Is there a way to find out what other students say about JCU?

How do I obtain more information about how to prepare for living in Rome?

What if my question isn't listed here? 


When can I study abroad?
In addition to the Fall and Spring semester, there are two summer sessions. See our Academic Calendar.

How do I get started?
Just follow these six easy steps:
1. Apply online or by mail by November 1st for the Spring Term & June 1st for Fall Term (Check out our Academic Calendar).
2. Send in official transcripts from your college or university.
3. Upon acceptance, send in your tuition deposit.
4. Apply for JCU Housing (if you are requesting it).
5. Apply for a student visa following the steps outlined here.
6. Book your ticket!!

Once I have applied, how long does it take to find out if I have been accepted? Once all required materials have been submitted, you will hear from us in two weeks.

Will I get accepted? 
Students who are in good academic standing at their home university and have completed at least one year of university study are likely to be accepted to JCU. Generally students need a GPA of 2.67 or higher. Those with GPA's lower than this are reviewed by the Dean of Academics and sometimes advised as to what classes they should take to ensure academic success while studying at JCU.

Do I need a visa?
If you are from the United States or another country that is not a member of the European Union, you need a student visa before entering Italy. Obtaining a student visa is mandatory by Italian law and must be obtained before you arrive. Applying for a student visa is a completely separate process from applying to John Cabot University.

For more information on obtaining a student visa, click here. 

What classes can I take and how many can/do I have to take?
You will need to take a minimum of 12 credits (4 classes). Click here for course schedules and syllabi.
It is possible for students to audit courses if space is available. If the tuition costs of taking the course(s) for credit would be covered by the general tuition payment for 12-17 credits, the course(s) may be audited for no additional fee. 

Will my credits transfer back?
JCU is a regionally accredited University so credits earned here are easily transferable, allowing you to stay on track for graduation. Course syllabi are available online. Please check with your academic advisor and/or Study Abroad office for details. Questions about courses can be directed to admissions@johncabot.edu.

How much will it cost and when do I need to pay? 
Please visit the Anticipated Budget page to see an estimated student budget, which includes tuition fees and expenses.

Payment deadlines are:
July 15 for Fall
November 30 for Spring
April 30 for Summer I 
May 30 for Summer II 

Click here for details if you are a US or Canadian citizen or permanent resident.
Click here for details if you are a citizen or resident of countries other than the US or Canada.

How do I get my Financial Aid to transfer?
Visiting students from universities in the United States who receive financial aid and wish to study at John Cabot University may transfer their financial aid to JCU through a Consortium Agreement between the two institutions.

Students are urged to contact the Financial Aid or Study Abroad office of their home institution for more detailed information. John Cabot University’s Financial Aid Office can assist in arranging for the transfer with the home institution’s Financial Aid Office. JCU also offers work study opportunities for visiting students.

Please contact the JCU Financial Aid Office for further information.

Are there scholarships available?
Yes! To recognize the important role visiting students have in promoting JCU's mission, scholarships that range from $500 to $2,000 are available for visiting students who qualify. Please fill out a JCU visiting student scholarship application. You should also check out external scholarship opportunities here.

Where is the campus located?
John Cabot University is located along the banks of the Tiber River in the vibrant Trastevere quarter, on the grounds of the prestigious Accademia Nazionale dei Lincei, where Galileo worked. A 15-minute walk takes you to the Vatican, the Sistine Chapel, and Castel Sant'Angelo, the hiding place of the popes during the Guelf-Ghibelline wars of the Middle Ages. In another direction you’ll find the Pantheon, built as a Roman temple in 25 BC, and the beautiful Piazza Navona. And yet in another direction you’ll be walking through the Roman Forum to the Coliseum. The neighborhood surrounding JCU is characterized by small cobblestone streets and outdoor cafes – the perfect place to study and meet with friends as you enjoy the historic center of Rome. Click here for maps and directions.

Where will I live?
John Cabot University is happy to arrange housing for you. There are two options available: 1) the Gianicolo Residence, a 230-bed residence hall with 24/7 security and live-in resident assistants located just five minutes from campus; 2) Shared apartments outside of the Residence, located within a 30 minute walk or bus ride to JCU.

You will live as the Romans do, in an authentic Roman neighborhood with its many coffee bars, restaurants, trattorie, gelaterie, and open-air markets. 

Learn more about JCU Housing.

Do I have to speak Italian to attend John Cabot?
No. We do, however, highly recommend that you take a course in Italian at JCU as part of your curriculum. Studying Italian will make you feel more comfortable in Rome and give you a language skill to put on your resume. Courses are offered in Italian each semester at all levels.

Is Rome a safe city?
Rome is an important European capital and is a safe city. However, students are advised to take the same precautions they would take at any US university. During Orientation, students receive useful information about living in Rome and the Student Services staff is always available to answer any questions about staying safe in the city. Click here for important information about student safety. A 24/7 Emergency Phone number is provided to all JCU students.

Is it easy to travel around Rome/Europe?
JCU classes are held Monday through Thursday so there are plenty of long weekends available to explore or just relax in a Roman piazza. Some of the most magnificent and historic cities in Europe (including London, Paris, Barcelona, Madrid, Vienna, Budapest, and Athens) are within easy train or plane distance from Rome. Even Cairo, Istanbul, Dubai and Jerusalem are within reach.

How do I get to the University from the airport?
As soon as you get off the plane, JCU representatives will be waiting to welcome you to Italy and bring you to the JCU campus and your housing. Click here for important arrival information and move-in dates for JCU housing. 

What if I come by myself?
Many students come by themselves and quickly find friends as there are many student activities available to help you meet other people, such as wine-tasting, cooking classes, weekend and day trips. Join us on Facebook and make friends with fellow students before you come to Rome! Learn more about Student Life at JCU.

What is the campus atmosphere like?
JCU is an American university so you will find the academic structure similar to a university in the US. Classes are small so you get to know your professors and classmates quickly. Expect to study as you will be in a serious academic environment. The campus is a welcoming environment full of faculty and students throughout the day. There is a friendly atmosphere because we are used to welcoming people who are away from home. 

John Cabot University faculty, staff and students are proud to be part of an American university overseas with a unique and friendly student population of Italians, Americans, and international students who enjoy the challenges and satisfaction of contributing to a global community dedicated to tolerance, respect, and appreciation for diversity. We welcome you to become a part of our JCU family as you begin your adventure studying abroad.
 
Is there a way to find out what other students say about JCU?
Certainly, check out our video testimonials here!
Take our virtual tour here!
Meet fellow students on the JCU Facebook Page!

How do I obtain more information about how to prepare for living in Rome?
Check out the "Life Roman Style" booklet!  It's the perfect introduction to the basic aspects of living and studying in Rome.

What if my question isn't listed here? 
You can do one or more of the following:
1. Email an Admissions Counselor: admissions@johncabot.edu
2. Call us! +(39) 06-681-91270/271 (If calling from the U.S. please dial: 011-39-06-681-91270/271 or call our toll free number: 1-866-457-6160
3. Join us on Facebook! Follow us on Twitter!
4. APPLY NOW!

“Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by things you didn't do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbour. Catch the trade winds in your sails.
Explore. Dream. Discover.” 
                                                             - Mark Twain