Barnard College

Since its founding in 1889, Barnard has been a distinguished leader in higher education, offering a rigourous liberal arts foundation to young women whose curiosity, drive, and exuberance set them apart. This institution offers a diverse intellectual community in a unique learning environment that provides the best of all worlds: small, intimate classes in a collaborative liberal art setting dedicated to the advancement of women with the vast resources of Columbia University just steps away—in the heart of vibrant and electric New York City.  

Available exchanges

Barnard College hosts the University-wide exchange.

Restrictions

Barnard College is open to female-identifying students only.

Students must have completed at least one year of higher education at their home institution and will be expected to show sufficient academic preparation for the courses they wish to pursue at Barnard. Barnard may, therefore, be difficult for direct entry students.

Exchange students are not eligible to take classes in Journalism, Law, or Engineering (except for "The Art of Engineering")

Exchange students are not eligible to take any course designated G, K, I, J U or any other letter, or any course number beginning with 6000 or higher.  

Students may not register for more than two Business courses.

Your responsibilities

The information provided here serves as a guide.
It is your responsibility to research whether the partner provides appropriate courses for your degree programme.
Even if there are no restrictions on your degree subject, this does not mean that there are appropriate courses for you.

Please be aware, there may not be an up-to-date course catalogue available at this exchange destination. Please use the information in the link below as a guide:

Barnard College course search

Exchange students are eligible to take the following while at Barnard:

Courses designated BC, UN, C, R, V, and W

Courses numbered from 1000 through 4999

Guaranteed accommodation?

Yes

University accommodation

University accommodation is guaranteed to all exchange students in the exchange programme.

All VISP Exchange students are required to live on-campus (usually a double room) and participate in a meal plan. Please keep this in mind when considering costs.

On-campus accommodation options

Apply for Barnard Housing  

Students with a diagnosed disability or chronic medical condition who may need an accommodation (ex. air-conditioning, accessible housing, strobe fire alarm, etc.) should contact CARDS to complete a Housing Accommodation Request, in addition to submitting a Housing Application. 

For information about how to submit an accommodation request (including priority deadlines & required medical documentation), please visit Barnard's website linked below.

Disability housing at Barnard

How much will it cost to go on exchange to Barnard?

To obtain a U.S. student visa, you will be required to submit bank statements showing you have access to a specific sum. This is calculated based on how much average costs for accommodation, meals, health insurance etc. will cost. This includes proving access to funds through personal funds, or family or sponsorship funds. This can be across multiple sources. You will need to provide sponsorship letters from personal funds/family members/sponsor funds/Sponsor organisations etc.

Please bear this in mind. If you cannot prove this, you will not be able to get a visa and therefore not be able to go on exchange.

Further cost breakdown

You can find a breakdown of the costs for an exchange at Barnard below:

More information on costs

You will find fees associated with the exchange, health insurance, meal plans, housing and other student fees.

Please keep in mind you will not be paying Barnard's tuition as an exchange student.

Health insurance

All VISP students are required to purchase medical insurance in accordance with Barnard policy and visa regulations for the duration of their time at Barnard. This comprehensive insurance will be billed automatically to each student.

Barnard Health Insurance

Please see the:

Academic Calendar.

The New Student Orientation Program (NSOP) is a large and exciting program to welcome all our incoming first-year, transfer, and international students to the Barnard community. New students arrive on campus approximately one week prior to classes, where they are introduced to all of the resources that are available to them during their time at Barnard. 

New Student Orientation Program (NSOP)