Incoming Students

UNH Campus in the winter

Everyday is a great day to be a Wildcat!  

We're excited to host your exchange at the University of New Hampshire.  
The following information applies to incoming students for the following Global Education programs: 

National Student Exchange
NH College & University Council Student Exchange
Univ. of California, Santa Cruz exchange 

New England Land Grant Student Exchange

Thanks for considering UNH as your exchange destination! Your acceptance to UNH through one of these programs is hinged on two things:  1) UNH's outgoing numbers, and 2) your academic course requests:

  1. UNH can only accept as many students as we are sending out.  If you are eligible and we can't accept you, we'd be happy to add you to a waitlist, but there are no guarantees.
  2. Applicants may not be accepted because they need courses we cannot access for exchange students. Please read all the requirements and restrictions. The more flexible you can be in the courses you select, the more smoothly your registration process will be.  We cannot guarantee any particular course.

Click HERE for Detailed instructions for Incoming NSE Students for Fall 2024 or Full Year Exchanges

Please explore the information below before applying to or accepting an exchange placement at UNH.  Thank you!

group of UNH students posing with wildcat sculpture

Benefits of Exchanging to UNH

  • We are a medium-sized "R1" PhD-granting institution, with an undergraduate enrollment of about 13,000.
  • Incoming NSE & UCSC Exchange Students receive priority course registration for the majority of classes.
  • UNH is a land, sea, and space-grant institution.
  • Quiet, rural setting in small-town New England, voted safest campus in the US several years running & the top ten of the Sierra Club's Coolest College in the US in 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021.
  • Access to public transportation--free local & regional bus systems, and on-campus access to the Amtrak Downeaster Train to Boston MA and Portland ME.
  • One hour drive to Boston MA, NH White Mountains, and 30 minutes to Maine & NH beaches.

UNH Exchange Requirements & Restrictions

  • UNH participates in NSE HOME TUITION PLAN ONLY .
  • UNH is a Canadian Partner of NSE, meaning we will accept students from Canadian member campuses.
  • You must have an overall GPA of 2.5 at your home institution at the time of application and exchange, no exceptions.
  • You MUST have a declared major at your home school. Sorry, we cannot accept undeclared/general studies students.
  • You MUST have an approved, qualifying health insurance plan, or you will be required to purchase the UNH Student Health Insurance Plan. All non-US citizens must purchase the UNH Student Health Insurance Plan.
  • Download this complete list of  course restrictions.  Sorry, this list is NOT negotiable, and is subject to change.
  • Studio Art and Nursing are all CLOSED; EDUC 500 is also CLOSED.
  • Individual Music lessons are CLOSED; some Music courses may require an audition.
  • Internships for credit, and independent studies are also CLOSED to exchangers.
  • Business & related majors courses may be limited. HOME campus must be AACSB accredited.
University of New Hampshire sign, downtown Durham, NH

Other Useful UNH & Local Links

  • unh.edu: Our main homepage, a good place to start. 
  • Health & Wellness: You will be instructed to fill out required immunization and health insurance forms prior to enrollment!
  • MyUNH: Once you are enrolled, go MyUNH to monitor your schedule and any housing or other fees on your account once you've been notified that your account is active.
  • UNH Undergraduate Catalog: Listing of all possible courses along with their descriptions and prerequisites...not all are offered every semester!!
  • Departments of Residential Life and Housing: Information on on-campus housing options, room assignments in our halls and on-campus apartments, and the folks who manage the halls, staffs, and events. The UNH NSE Coordinator STRONGLY suggests you apply to live in our on-campus housing. We offer a variety of options with great benefits and activities, excellent staffing & security. Plus, you can get by very easily without a car. 
  • Transportation & Parking: If you are considering bringing a vehicle to UNH, you should know that parking is tight and parking decals are expensive. We cannot guarantee that you will receive a parking permit!  Please follow their instructions, and apply early!  Remember that we have a great on-campus and regional public transportation system, much of which is free to UNH students.
  • Directions for getting here!