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Academics

Field of Study: Social Sciences 

Take your classroom discovery of global and international studies into the world in this enriching program taught in English. A series of interdisciplinary courses highlight such topics as international trade, politics, the environment, human rights, migration, and global health. Classes also include academic field trips to the many Geneva-based organizations such as the United Nations, the World Trade Organization, and the International Labor Organization. Following the spring, you then have the option to participate in a full-time summer internship with a local organization or company.

Unique study opportunities

  • Study the impact of technologies like social media, blockchain, and artificial intelligence on world affairs.
  • Visit international organizations and talk with professionals working every day in global governance, international trade and development, and human rights issues.
  • Explore the complexities of environmental diplomacy and international environmental law.
  • Discover the boundaries of legitimate force when applied to detention, drones, and privacy.
  • Take an interactive Model United Nations seminar.

Language

Language of Instruction: English

French Language Study: Required 

The University of Geneva offers courses in both English and French, with French courses available only to students with requisite language skills. A French language course is required during the semester. If you have two years or more of French language, you can replace the French language course with a course taught in French.

Upon arrival, a placement exam will help determine your French language level.  

Courses and credit

Requirements While Abroad

To successfully complete this program:

  • Take a full-time course of study: Five courses for a total of 26.5 quarter/17.6 semester UC units
  • One International Geneva course for 6 quarter/4 semester UC units
  • One French language course for 5.5 quarter/3.7 semester UC units
  • Three upper-division elective courses for 5 quarter/3.3 semester UC units each
  • You may take two courses for pass/no pass

Current Program Courses

International Geneva Course

This upper-division core course explores issues of global governance, international trade and development, the environment and climate change, human rights, migration, humanitarian law, and global health. This course involves visits to organizations around Geneva and guest lecturers from local organizations.

French Language Course

French language courses are available from intermediate to advanced levels. Language instruction is split into written, oral, and grammar sections. If you’re proficient in French, you’ll be able to opt for a course taught in French and choose from a broader range of courses.

Elective Courses

You’ll choose three upper-division electives from course offerings that can vary each year. Elective courses discuss topics including international relations, economics, environmental diplomacy and sustainable development, international law and foreign policy, political science, migration, and technology. The Global Studies Institute also offers a Model United Nations seminar.

The University of Geneva’s online courses, Massive Open Online Courses (MOOC), do not receive UC credit because they do not carry any credit at the host institution and they have no form of assessment. These courses do not count toward program requirements.

Research and independent study are typically not available on this program.

Catalogs and resources

  • Global Studies Institute Course Catalog: Filter by language of instruction and term to browse a list of courses with descriptions.
  • UCEAP Course Catalog: See a list of courses students have taken on this program. This is not a current representation of course offerings on this program. Reference the above links to review recent course offerings
  • Campus Credit Abroad: Learn the types of credit (major, minor, general education, elective) students from your campus received at this location.

Academic culture

This program is an ideal environment for challenging your independence and self-sufficiency. Navigating daily life and classes will take a proactive and responsible approach.  

The structure and format of each course is determined by the professor. The online course catalog will list the dates and times of the class meetings and whether they are in lecture or seminar format. Courses tend to have few in-class contact hours per week. 

Reading and self-study outside of class is key to success. Homework and assessment will vary greatly between professors. Each professor will determine the format of the assessment, number of exams, and take-home assignments. Syllabi are not available before the program; however the University of Geneva website does provide full course descriptions in their course catalog.  

Grades

You will earn direct UC credit and grades for all coursework.

Grades for the spring semester are typically available in August.​ Grades for the summer internship are typically available in October. 

Tip: If you intend to put yourself on your campus degree list for graduation while on UCEAP, consult your campus advisors before departure about possible delays in the degree verification process.