As an exchange student, there are a few things you need to know about going to Columbia University. Learn more about the location, the courses and student life!
Columbia University is one of the world's most important centres of research and at the same time a distinctive and distinguished learning environment for undergraduates and graduate students in many scholarly and professional fields. The University recognizes the importance of its location in New York City and seeks to link its teaching to the vast resources of a great metropolis. It expects all areas of the University to advance knowledge and learning at the highest level and to convey the products of its efforts to the world.
Consistently within the top 25 universities globally, consult Columbia University on QS World Rankings to learn more about their current world ranking and academic reputation in different subject areas.
Columbia University's main campus is located in the Upper West Side of Manhattan in New York City, situated in the Morningside Heights neighbourhood.
Take a virtual tour of Columbia University's campus.
Very competitive ***
The level of competitiveness (Less competitive * / Competitive ** / Very competitive ***) refers to one's chances of being allocated an exchange space at this partner. This is an approximation determined by the number of applications received for this destination during the last academic year versus the total number of exchange spaces available to Queen Mary students.
For more information, visit Columbia University's academic calendar
Restrictions: Students may NOT take courses from any of the professional schools at Columbia: Graduate School of Architecture, School of the Arts, Continuing Education, Dental Medicine, School of International and Public Affairs, Jewish Theological Seminary, Columbia Journalism School, Columbia Law School, College of Physicians and Surgeons, School of Nursing, Mailman School of Public Health, Teachers College, Union Theological Seminary. Access to courses at the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences and Columbia Business School are also limited.
Exchange students are registered for a full-time non-degree program and are able to register for a variety of courses at Columbia College or the Fu Foundation School of Engineering and Applied Sciences (SEAS).
Only after nomination to Columbia, successful students preparing for their exchange are asked by Columbia to look at the course listings online to aid in their course planning. Course descriptions and class details can be found at the following websites:
For more information and general restrictions, visit the Columbia University Incoming Exchange page > Accepted Students > Academics.
Students need to take 4-5 courses per semester (12-18 points per semester).
Find out more about credit transfer and grade conversions.
Columbia University Incoming Exchange landing page
Blog posts on Queen Mary Global Bloggers:
Instagram takeovers:
Information on housing can be found on Columbia University's housing page.
For information on accessibility, please visit Columbia University's Disability Services webpage.
You can find general, up-to-date information about the cost of living in New York City here.
Living expenses can vary depending on individual lifestyle, especially in New York where renting private accommodation is often more expensive than renting privately in the majority of London boroughs. Please consult the estimated minimum and maximum cost of living figures for this destination country available in our “Estimated Costs of Living” document available on our Finance page.
Important: Students considering to live and study in New York must be realistic about financial matters, this being one of the most expensive cities in the world. In the decision-making process, Queen Mary students must calculate their forecasted budget with confirmed funding to which they will have access against the rising cost of living.
Find out more about Columbia University's Campus Life.
Columbia University: