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Western Washington University

General guidelines for study levels in USA

First year courses are often adapted to those newly admitted to the university. Therefore, students are recommended to choose higher-level courses. For more information, please visit the university's website.

Available places: 1 semester places for Spring semester 2026.

Established: 1893
Number of students: 16,000
Student life: The university has over 200 student clubs to engage in and there are also a number of sports clubs. The Associated Students Outdoor Center offers a variation of outdoor activities for students, employees and alumni. The activities include snowshoeing, kayaking, ice climbing and white water rafting.

College of Fine and Performing Arts that is part of the university organises 300 performances annually.

About Bellingham

Bellingham is located in Whatcom County in the state of Washington, between Seattle and Vancouver. There are approximately 90,000 inhabitants. It is a picturesque town known for its proximity to nature, including the San Juan Islands archipelago to the west of Bellingham and the Cascade Mountains to the south.

In Whatcom Falls Park there are several waterfalls leading from Lake Whatcom to Bellingham Bay.

Information from Western Washington University

Restrictions

Closed programmes/ Closed departments/closed subject areas:
All courses on graduate level 

Limited access:
College of Business courses 
Environmental Studies 
Chemistry 
Computer Science 
Political Science 
Biology, Geology 
Physical Education 
Kinesiology 
Health and Recreation 
Communications 
English 
Psychology 
Education and Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL) courses. 

Audition or portfolio is required for admission to some Music and Art classes. All Physical Education classes have additional charges. Online courses are not available for exchange students. 

There is no guarantee of being able to enroll in all desired courses, so flexibility is required, and the courses requested may not be the actual courses taken while at WWU. Course enrollment is often at the discretion of the course instructor and/or academic department or depends on the space available in any given course.

Information about academic departments and courses offered.

Courses 

Course levels:  
100–299: Lower division 
300-499: Upper division 
 
The first digit of a course number indicates its intended class level. 
100-199: first year courses, 200-299: second etc. 

Course types: 1-4 credit courses = quarter courses 

Course information: Course information 

Full time studies (corresponding to 30 hp): 

24 credits. Minimum full-time workload per quarter is 12 credits. Students must take two quarters for it to correspond one semester at Umeå University.  

Academic year 

Fall quarter: Sept–Dec 
Winter + Spring quarter: Jan–March–June * 
 
*Students can only apply for the Winter- and Spring Quarter.  The two quarters equal one semester at Umeå University. 
 

Additional costs 

As an exchange student, you do not need to pay tuition fees. However, additional costs may incur. 
 
Incoming Exchange Student Budget (in USD) - two quarters  
One-time WWU International Student Support Fee: 300 
International student health insurance: 910  
Birnam Wood apartments*: 3 400  
Meal plan**: 4 000  

*Apartments have kitchens so students can prepare own meals. 
**Meal plan is optional. This is the unlimited meal plan, which is the most expensive. Cheaper plans are available. 
 
Personal costs, depending of need of the student 
Transportation: 1 300  
Personal expenses: 1 780  
Books and supplies: 784

Accommodation 

Exchange students are housed in on-campus, four-person Birnam Wood Apartments or 
Buchanan Towers. Single rooms may be available depending on space, however the student is responsible for the additional costs.  
 
Information regarding housing at WWU 
 

Student support 

Study with disabilities (umu.se) 

Study with disabilities at WWU 

Additional information 

International student and scholar service 

 

Student grants and loans for studies outside of Sweden

You may be entitled to student grants and loans from CSN when studying abroad.

As the cost of living and accommodation may be higher abroad, you can apply for an extra loan known as an additional loan for studies abroad.

You can also apply for an additional loan to cover additional costs, i.e. travel and insurance costs. 

Latest update: 2024-10-15