The World Learning Global UGRAD Program 2025 offers a fully funded, one-semester, non-degree exchange opportunity at a U.S. university for students worldwide. Each year, 300 students are selected for this prestigious program, funded by the U.S. Department of State and administered by World Learning. There’s no IELTS requirement and no application fee. The program is open to all academic fields and aims to foster academic growth, professional development, and cultural exchange among U.S. and international students. Please note that this is a short-term, non-degree program. More details are below.
Program Details
- Host Country: USA
- Program Name: Global UGRAD by World Learning
- Duration: One Semester
- Participants: 300 students
- Benefits: Fully Funded
- Application Deadline: 15th December 2024
- Also Check: Echidna Global Scholar Program 2025 (Fully Funded, 4 Months in USA)
Program Dates
The program selects 300 students annually, with start dates in either August 2025 or January 2026. Note that selected applicants cannot choose their semester of participation.
Financial Benefits
- Pre-departure travel allowance
- Round-trip international airfare (economy class)
- Tuition and required university fees
- On-campus housing and meals
- Required textbooks
- Monthly stipend for living expenses
- Basic health insurance
- Attendance costs for the End of Program Workshop in Washington, D.C.
- Also Check: New York Times Fellowship 2025 in USA, UK (Paid Program)
Eligibility Criteria
- Open to students in all academic fields
- Must be over 18
- Citizen of an eligible country (listed below)
- Full-time undergraduate with at least one year remaining in degree program
- Completed secondary education in the home country
- Strong English proficiency
- Available to begin studies in August 2025 or January 2026
- Medically cleared for participation
- Committed to returning to the home country upon program completion
Eligible Countries
This program is open to students from the following regions and countries:
- Africa (Sub-Saharan): Kenya, Malawi, Mozambique, Niger, Zimbabwe
- East Asia and Pacific: Brunei, Cambodia, China, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Mongolia, Pacific Islands, Philippines, Singapore, South Korea, Thailand, Timor-Leste, Vietnam
- Europe and Eurasia: Albania, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Georgia, Kosovo, Moldova, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Serbia, Ukraine
- Near East (Middle East and North Africa): Algeria, Bahrain, Egypt, Israel, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Morocco, Palestinian Territories, Saudi Arabia, Tunisia
- South and Central Asia: Bangladesh, India, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan
- Western Hemisphere: Costa Rica, Dominican Republic, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua, Panama, Paraguay, Venezuela
Note: Students from Pakistan may apply through the GLOBAL UGRAD Pakistan program by USEFP. Check out more U.S. Exchange Programs for 2025-26 (Fully Funded) for additional options.
How to Apply
Submit your application online via the World Learning platform. Be prepared to write two essays (350-750 words each) addressing specific prompts, and obtain two letters of recommendation. The official application link is below.
