Credit transfer
Study abroad for academic credit
Earn 3 or 6 U.S. semester credits through Summit’s university partners in Europe and Brazil, depending on your session and course selection. Your home university decides how those credits count toward your degree. We help you find suitable courses and provide the materials for approval.
Academic details at a glance
- Per course
- 3 U.S. semester credits (6 ECTS)
- Course level
- 300-level undergraduate courses
- Instructional time
- Approximately 48 academic contact hours per course
Students take one or two courses, depending on the session. Readings, assignments, and preparation complement scheduled instruction.
Every course includes a shared regional component—Introduction to the European Union or Introduction to Brazil—with discussions and visits that contribute to students’ coursework.
Who issues your transcript?
Official transcripts come directly from the university partner for your program.
| Program | Transcript issuer |
|---|---|
| Summit Prague + Europe | University of New York in Prague (UNYP) |
| Summit Barcelona + Europe | IQS School of Management |
| Summit Brazil | ESPM |
How to get your courses approved
You can start with a destination you want to explore or a course you need for your degree. The next step is to review specific course choices with your university.
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Step 1
Choose courses that could fit your degree
Start with requirements you still need to complete, such as a major, minor, elective, language, or general-education requirement. Compare Summit course descriptions and preliminary syllabi, then check which program and session offer your choices.
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Step 2
Find out who approves them
Ask your academic advisor or study abroad office how your university reviews outside programs. You may also need approval from a department or the registrar. Check the university’s deadlines early; they may come before Summit’s application deadlines.
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Step 3
Submit the course materials
Send the course title and code, credit value, syllabus, program dates, and transcript-issuing university. Course pages provide a starting point. Ask Summit for current syllabi, grading information, or any additional documents your university requires.
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Step 4
Get the decision in writing
Confirm which requirement each approved course will fulfill and how many credits your university will award. Keep the approval email or form, including any minimum-grade or other conditions. If your course selection changes, ask for the new course to be reviewed.
What to ask your advisor
- Will this course fulfill a specific requirement, or count as an elective?
- Are there prerequisites, upper-division requirements, or limits on credits taken outside my university?
- What minimum grade do I need, and will the grade affect my GPA?
- Which forms and deadlines apply, and where should the official transcript be sent?
An email you can adapt for your advisor
Subject: Course approval for study abroad with Summit Global Education
Hello [Advisor’s name],
I’m considering [program and session] with Summit Global Education and would like to take [course title and code]. The course is worth 3 U.S. semester credits (6 ECTS), with an official transcript issued by [university partner]. Here is the course information: [course link].
Could this course fulfill [degree requirement], or count toward another requirement in my degree? Please let me know which approval forms, deadlines, and supporting documents I should prepare. Summit can provide current academic materials if needed.
Thank you,
[Your name]
If your university is new to Summit
Your advisor may need to learn about Summit before reviewing your courses. Share the course pages and information about the university issuing the transcript. We can provide syllabi, grading details, and program information, and answer questions from your reviewing office.
Past Summit participants have come from universities including Miami University, Michigan State University, Hofstra University, Texas A&M University, UCLA, and Virginia Tech. These are examples of students’ home universities, rather than a list of current partnerships or course approvals.
Share our information for academic advisorsAfter your program
Ask your university where the official transcript should be sent, then contact Summit for the request and delivery instructions for your program’s university partner.
Once your university receives the transcript, follow up with the registrar or reviewing office to make sure the credits are posted as approved. Keep your written approval and course materials until the process is complete. Contact us if your university needs additional information.
Credit-transfer questions
All Summit FAQsDo I need credit approval before I apply?
You can submit a free Summit application while discussing credit with your university. Start that conversation early and obtain written approval before relying on a course to fulfill a degree requirement. Your university may have its own program-approval deadlines and rules.
Can Summit courses count toward my major, minor, or electives?
They may, depending on your university’s review of the specific course. Compare the course description and syllabus with the requirement you want to fulfill, then ask your academic advisor or department for approval. Confirm both the number of credits and the requirement they will satisfy.
What if my university has not worked with Summit before?
Ask your study abroad office how it reviews outside programs. Summit can provide course materials, university-partner information, and answers to your advisor’s questions. Your university makes the approval decision; participation by students from other universities does not replace that review.
What if I change courses after receiving credit approval?
Ask your university to review the replacement course and update your written approval. Approval for one course does not automatically cover another, even when the credit value is the same. Summit can provide the new course materials.
How do I get my official transcript after the program?
Your program’s university partner issues the official transcript: UNYP for Summit Prague + Europe, IQS for Summit Barcelona + Europe, or ESPM for Summit Brazil. Confirm the recipient details with your home university and contact Summit for the partner’s request and delivery instructions. After delivery, check with your university that the credits have been posted.
Plan your next steps
Courses in Europe
Compare subjects, credit values, preliminary syllabi, and session availability.
Courses in Brazil
Explore business, Portuguese, and Brazilian culture courses.
Information for advisors
Academic partners, program arrangements, and student support.
Dates and deadlines
Plan your application alongside your university’s approval process.
Financial aid and scholarships
Understand funding options and the separate approvals they may need.
Professors
Meet past faculty and learn how professors teach through classes and visits.
Next step
Let’s find courses that fit your studies.
Tell us your university, what you study, and the requirements you hope to fulfill. We can help you compare courses and prepare the materials for your advisor.