Outgoing Exchange Program
Full-time undergraduate SVA students may participate in the International Exchange Program at institutions that have exchange agreements with SVA, depending upon their major, academic standing, and departmental approval.
To learn more about the program, freshman, and sophomores are encouraged to attend information sessions held throughout the spring semester every year.
Information Sessions are announced via email in the early spring semester each year.
Outgoing students must meet initial eligibility requirements, gain acceptance to a partner institution and gain academic approval to be considered exchange students.
Students then can schedule individual meetings using this form with Melinda Victoriano, Manager of SVA Global to discuss their plans and complete the application process. Melinda can be reached at exchange@sva.edu and the SVA Global office is located within Admissions at 342 East 24th Street.
Program Eligibility
SVA Undergraduate Juniors of certain majors are eligible to participate in international exchange if they have a minimum 3.0 GPA and are in good standing with the College.
Eligible students may choose up to three partner institutions to which they may apply. Students should research the partner schools, attend a study abroad information session, and meet with the Manager of SVA Global to form their plan.
Application Requirements & Deadlines
To apply:
Using this undergraduate application, choose “SVA Semester Abroad” under both “applying as” and “academic program.”
In addition, you must submit the following required application materials to the Manager of SVA Global:
- Digital Portfolio on SlideRoom
- Letter of Motivation
- Transcript
- Two letters of recommendation from SVA instructors
- Resume, Artist’s CV, or Artist’s Statement
- Photocopy of Passport ID Page
- 2 Standard Passport Photographs
Application requirements can be sent via email or filesharing service to exchange@sva.edu or dropped off at the first floor Admissions office in 342 East 24th Street.
Application Deadlines
Fall Deadline: March 15
Spring Deadline: September 15
Please note, the spring semester deadline for Beaux-Arts de Paris and Gerrit Rietveld Academy is March 15.
Majors
- 3D Animation and Visual Effects
- Design
- Film
- Fine Arts
- Illustration
- Interior Design
- Photography and Video
- Visual and Critical Studies
Cost
SVA Students accepted and approved to attend an international exchange program pay SVA tuition and maintain their enrollment at SVA. They continue to receive financial aid and scholarships for which they remain eligible. They do not pay their SVA department fee during their semester abroad, but may be asked to pay the partner school’s similar fee (but not tuition.) If accepted and approved, students automatically receive a stipend to assist with personal expenses. This is disbursed as a refund to students during the semester abroad.
Participants are responsible for securing the necessary travel documents, paying for and making travel reservations, arranging housing, and maintaining contact with SVA while abroad. All student responsibilities are clearly outlined in the acceptance paperwork.
International Exchange Partner Institutions
Aalto University, School of Arts, Design and Architecture | Helsinki, Finland
Academy of Arts, Architecture and Design | Prague, Czech Republic
Ecole Nationale Superieure des Arts Decoratifs | Paris, France
Gerrit Rietveld Academy of Art and Design | Amsterdam, The Netherlands
LUCA School of Arts, campus Sint-Lukas Brussel | Brussels, Belgium