COMPUTER SCIENCE
The Department of Computing Sciences encourages students to study abroad during their four-year degree at Villanova University. In-class instruction and professional internships are just a few of the many opportunities that exist for computer science majors. Plan on taking one or two major-related courses per semester while studying abroad. This will allow you to stay on track with your progress toward completing the major, plus give you a new perspective on computer science and related subjects in a foreign country.
Computer science majors should begin the study abroad advising process as early as possible. Tell your academic advisor that you are interested in study abroad at each registration appointment. Together, identify the best terms to go abroad, for summer or semester, based on the courses in your four-year plan.
Specific things to consider:
- The CSC major has a large number of requirements. It is critical to plan study abroad early on in your academic career.
- The four CS Electives required of Computer Science majors allow some flexibility when selecting technical courses abroad. Even if Villanova does not offer the same exact course, it may be possible for a course being used as a CS elective to be mapped to a related course, or possibly to "CSC 5930 Topics in Computer Science".
- Computing Sciences limits the number of times a student can take "CSC 2993 Internship in Computing" to one. However, that is regularly extended to two if one of the instances is taken as part of a study abroad program.
Search the OEA Course Approval History database to select from more than 3,000 study abroad courses that have already been pre-approved for liberal education requirements and a growing list of technical courses.
The Course Approval History database is not exhaustive and students can work with an OEA advisor to submit additional courses for review.
Don't forget - CLAS has a list of policies and limitations specifically focused on study abroad. Make sure you're aware of these as you plan your overseas experience.
Semester
- Fall Sophomore Year through Spring Junior Year
Summer
- After 1st, 2nd and 3rd year.
- Study abroad after senior (4th) year not permitted.
Students should work with their academic advisor to determine the best time to study abroad.
The Department of Computing Sciences encourages students to consider programs that provide practical experiences. Internships, field work and lab research are wonderful ways to gain hands-on, professional experience.
Study abroad opportunities are not limited to formal instruction. Consider taking advantage of the unique research, internship, and fieldwork opportunities available in different regions of the world.
In the past, students have:
- Interned with the Vatican Museums and the (Vatican) Directorate for Telecommunication
- Interned with the United Nations World Food Program (Rome)
- Learned game scripts using C# and the Unity API as part of a game development lab (Copenhagen).
*Villanova Semester - Vatican/UN Internship
The Department of Computing Sciences also manages their own page which offers an introduction to the program.
*Villanova Semester Exchange - University College Dublin
*Students will apply through Arcadia Abroad through Spring '25
Study at a top-ranked Irish University alongside Irish students on a vibrant campus just outside of Dublin. Computer Systems, Functional Programming, and Computer Architecture are a few of the course offerings at UCD. Students from UCD regularly study at Villanova each semester which makes this program a true exchange!
CIEE Arts + Sciences at Yonsei University, Seoul
CIEE Arts + Sciences at Singapore Management University (SMU), Singapore
DIS - Study in Scandinavia (DIS)
Sites in Copenhagen and Stockholm, offering coursework in gaming, artificial intelligence, as well as research and lab opportunities.
IES Abroad
In addition to the well established Rome/Vatican program which is housed at the IES Rome Center, IES Abroad offers supported direct enroll and study center based programs in a variety of locations around the world.
- IES Abroad - Universidad Carlos III, Engineering, Math & Science
Strong offering of computer science at partner university, Carlos III. Internships available.
Looking for more?
If a program is not listed above, it does not limit your eligibility to study abroad. Visit Passport Villanova to discover other opportunities.
Course Approval Database
Students should consult with the OEA Course Approval Database to view a full list of pre-approved courses for most programs. The Course Approval Database may not contain updated/new courses and students may need to submit additional courses for review and approval. Programs and universities are continually updating course offerings and the program’s website will list most accurate course offerings for the planned term abroad.
*Villanova Intensive Course Abroad: Strategic Information Technology in Berlin
STEM Summer Research through Arcadia Abroad
Internships in Dublin and London through FIE
Looking for more?
If a program is not listed above, it does not limit your eligibility to study abroad. Visit Passport Villanova and explore other opportunities.
Course Approval Database
Students should consult with the OEA Course Approval Database to view a full list of pre-approved courses for most programs. The Course Approval Database may not contain updated/new courses and students may need to submit additional courses for review and approval. Programs and universities are continually updating course offerings and the program’s website will list most accurate course offerings for the planned term abroad.
It is important to plan ahead as it is not uncommon for scholarship deadlines to occur much earlier than a Villanova or program application deadline.
There are many study abroad scholarships available for students through Villanova University, our partner programs and other external sources, like the US Government. The OEA can help students with the scholarship search and application process. If a scholarship is found outside of the OEA scholarship page, students should have it reviewed by the OEA to determine if it is a viable option.
Browse the scholarships opportunties found on the OEA website.