Through a variety of programs, RISD Global is committed to developing and sustaining learning opportunities that address the challenges, meanings, and importance of art and design in a global context. These opportunities prepare creative agents for a changing world. Information on the individual application/ registration processes for both semester-long and short-term global learning programs can be accessed via the RISD Global website.
Academic policy requires students participating in RISD Global programs to meet the GPA eligibility requirements not only at the time of application but also up until and throughout their time in the off-campus program. Students who fail to maintain the required GPA will be subject to dismissal from the off-campus program prior to, or throughout, the program of study. The Office of the Registrar, in accordance with the Academic Standing Committee and consultation with RISD Global, will review the academic performance of all registered students prior to their departure. Should a student fail to maintain the required minimum GPA, RISD will terminate the student’s participation in the program. RISD is not required to refund any of the student’s program costs in such case.
For additional information about RISD Global programs, students are welcome to visit the RISD Global Office (at 20 Washington Place Room 321) and the RISD Global website. Appointments are also available (upon request in advance) in the RISD Global Office. To make an appointment click here.
Scholarships
As part of the Social Equity and Inclusion (SEI) initiative, a limited number of need-based scholarships are available to RISD students, to be used for participation in off-campus global learning programs. These funds require a supplemental application and are intended to provide students the unique, and often life-changing, opportunity to participate in an off-campus global learning experience during their time at RISD.
The scholarship may cover either part of or the entire course fee for short term programming. However, not all applicants will receive funding. First priority is given based on a student’s financial need as determined by Student Financial Services, followed by preference given to those who have not already received funds for a prior travel opportunity, and then to those students who expect to graduate soon (i.e., undergraduate juniors and seniors, second-year graduate students). Brown University students, as well as other approved non-RISD participants enrolled in other art and design institutions, are not eligible to apply for RISD travel scholarships.
Global Exchange Program
Global Exchange is open to a select number of eligible RISD and Brown | RISD Dual-Degree juniors, seniors and graduate students, allowing the unique opportunity to spend a semester studying at one of RISD’s partner schools across the world. Students interested in applying are encouraged to clearly formulate their objectives and discuss their academic and residency requirements with their Academic Advisor and Department Head.
Students interested in participating in a Global Exchange semester during their time at RISD should schedule an advising appointment at RISD Global. Students will be provided information about the application process, as well as the partner schools during their appointment. A cumulative GPA of 3.00 or higher is required to apply.
RISD students participating in a RISD Global Exchange semester must maintain the equivalent of RISD full-time status (12-credit minimum) in order to remain in good academic standing. Students should be advised that, depending on credit conversion, 12-credits at the exchange partner school may not be equivalent to full-time status at RISD.
Global/AICAD Exchange participants are required to work with their major Department Head and Academic Advisor to complete a Learning Agreement, a form designed to identify the courses that will be taken at the exchange partner school and their equivalents at RISD. The form must be signed by the student’s major Department Head, Academic Advisor and the Dean of Liberal Arts (if applicable). Upon completion, the Learning Agreement should be submitted to the RISD Registrar’s Office for further processing. Part II of the Learning Agreement should be completed upon arrival to the exchange school to verify any changes to the original Agreement that may have taken place. Changes to the Learning Agreement require renewed approval by the student’s major Department Head, Academic Advisor and the Dean of Liberal Arts (if applicable).
Prior to departure at the end of the exchange semester, students should work with the exchange coordinator at the exchange school to arrange for an official transcript to be sent to the Office of the RISD Registrar at the end of their semester. Official transcripts may be accepted either directly from the international school, or submitted by the student in a sealed/stamped envelope. Assuming the courses on the transcript coincide with those listed on the Learning Agreement, courses will be successfully transferred. Although the student is enrolled in an exchange program through RISD, transfer grades of “T” will be assigned to each completed course. Courses that are not eligible for credit due to a non-passing grade/failure will not be recorded on the student’s transcript.
Students continue to pay their regular RISD tuition and receive their standard RISD Financial Aid package (if applicable) while on Global Exchange. Students will also be billed for an obligatory RISD medical/travel insurance policy. Scholarship application questions are embedded in the Global Exchange online application and scholarship awards are announced within this course admission notification. Students are responsible for securing their own accommodation and travel visa. Students must work with the appropriate consulate to understand what is necessary for their visa application. RISD Global cannot formally advise on the visa process, but can provide any necessary institutional supporting documentation.
Global Summer Studies
RISD Global Summer Studies are 3-week, 3-credit art and design courses led by RISD faculty, open to currently enrolled RISD students in all years and departments. Non-RISD students enrolled at Brown University and art and design institutions around the world are also permitted to register. No application is required; these courses have limited capacities and registration is on a first-come, first-serve basis.
Students reserve a seat in the course by submitting a non-refundable deposit beginning the first day of the Global Summer Studies registration period. Information sessions for the courses will be held on-campus beginning in January. Students are not permitted to switch courses once they have already submitted a deposit and/or full payment for another course. Additional details regarding the application process can be accessed via the RISD Global website.
Students are required to pay an additional tuition for the Global Summer Studies program. This tuition cost is typically inclusive of mandatory accommodations with the group, certain group meals, field trips, some local transportation, and obligatory medical/travel insurance, among other individual costs. The full course description will include additional details which may not be listed here. If applicable, students must work with the appropriate consulate to understand what is necessary for their visa application. RISD Global cannot formally advise on the visa process, but can provide any necessary institutional supporting documentation.
Scholarship application questions are embedded in the travel course online application and scholarship awards are announced within this course admission notification.
Students will be notified immediately if a course is canceled due to low-enrollment, or if there is a health and safety risk in the region of travel.
Wintersession Travel Courses
Registration for Wintersession Travel Courses is held in advance of on-campus Wintersession registration and typically opens in early October, preceded by a mandatory application period. Official registration dates are published in the academic calendar. The following steps outline the application process for Wintersession Travel Courses:
Students are required to attend the General Information Session hosted by RISD Global or the course instructor’s information session, which provides a detailed overview of the course description, as well as what is included in the course’s tuition. Information sessions take place between mid-September and early October and are open to all interested students. Certain instructors may permit a one-on-one meeting in lieu of information session attendance. Students are encouraged to reach out to the instructor and/or RISD Global for more information.
During the course instructor’s information session, instructors will inform students how they can apply for their course via the RISD Global website. Once the instructors have selected their lists of accepted and waitlisted students, these lists will be shared with the Office of the Registrar and Student Financial Services for additional approval to register.
Students approved to register will receive acknowledgement on the first day of travel course registration. This e-mail will also include payment details (payments will be made online). Students will have one week (7 days) to submit payment for the course. Upon verification of payment, the student will be officially added to the Wintersession Travel Course roster. If applicable, students must work with the appropriate consulate to understand what is necessary for their visa application. RISD Global cannot formally advise on the visa process, but can provide any necessary institutional supporting documentation.
Waitlisted students will also receive an acknowledgement. Should seats become available in the course, waitlisted students will be notified via e-mail and given 48-hours to submit full payment. Upon verification of payment, the student will be officially added to the Wintersession Travel Course roster.
Students will be notified immediately if a course is canceled due to low-enrollment, or if there is a health and safety risk in the region of travel.