Global Learning Opportunities

MBA - Academics - Global Learning Opportunities - Exchange Programs

Exchange Programs

The Darden School of Business has reciprocal exchange relationships with business schools around the world. These exchanges give students the opportunity to immerse themselves in a new culture and develop a broadened understanding of doing business in an international setting.

Darden students have expressed many benefits of spending part of their graduate business education time abroad, including:

  • Increased career networking opportunities
  • Expansion of personal network
  • Site visits to local and multinational companies and organizations
  • Exposure to a new education environment
  • Deeper understanding and personal experience with a new business culture
  • Learning from diverse international students and professors
  • Opportunities to travel within host country and beyond
  • Exchange Partners

    Visit the Darden exchange partner school websites below for specific information:

    ASIA

    Hong Kong, China 
    Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST)

    Hyderabad, India 
    Indian School of Business (ISB)

    Shanghai, China 
    China European International Business School (CEIBS)

    Tokyo, Japan 
    Hitotsubashi University Graduate School of Management and Commerce

    EUROPE

    Barcelona, Spain 
    ESADE Business School – Ramon Llull University

    Barcelona, Spain 
    IESE Business School - University of Navarra

    Milan, Italy 
    Università Bocconi

    Paris, France 
    Hautes Études Commerciales (HEC)

    St. Gallen, Switzerland 
    St. Gallen University

    Stockholm, Sweden 
    Stockholm School of Economics (SSE)

    LATIN AMERICA

    Buenos Aires, Argentina 
    IAE - Universidad Austral Escuela De Dirección y Negocios

    Mexico City, Mexico 
    IPADE - El Instituto Panamericano de Alta Dirección de Empresa

    AUSTRALIA

    Melbourne, Australia 
    Melbourne Business School (MBS)

  • FAQs

    Who can go on exchange?

    Second Year (SY) residential full-time students can study at one of Darden’s established exchange partner schools for one quarter or a semester (two quarters). Available spots at each partner school differ each year as it is based on exchange agreement balances.

    When can students go?

    Students can go on exchange in Quarter 1-3 of their second year.  Quarter 3 (January – March) tends to be  the most popular time to go on exchange since Quarter 1 and Quarter 2 (fall semester) tends to be heavy recruitment times for SYs. Note that available exchange timeframes differ by school and is determined by how Darden’s academic calendars best align.

    How much does it cost?

    You continue to pay tuition to Darden while you are on exchange. Living/travel expenses average between $2,600 and $8,000 per quarter (includes housing, airfare, transportation, etc.) depending on location and estimated cost of living expenses. Financial aid can be used to cover exchange program related expenses and can also be increased if needed. Students eligible for the Batten Worldwide Scholarship can use their scholarship to offset the out of pocket expenses of exchange.

    What is the selection process like?

    Students participate in a ranked preference process to determine preferences and selections for the available exchange spots. This process is separate from the second year elective bidding process. The exchange program process generally opens around late-March/early April for Fall Exchange, and August/September for Spring Exchange. Interested students must submit the preference form before the deadline to be considered. If there is more interest in a certain school/program than seats available, students will be matched through a random selection process. Students not initially matched with any school will be waitlisted for each school they bid on the form.

    What should students consider before going on exchange?

    • The exchange matching process aligns with rising second year elective course registration in April. It is recommended that students still register for electives as if they weren’t going on exchange (it is much easier to drop courses than to add them later on).
    • Be aware of graduation requirements, such as the Leadership requirement that needs to be taken at Darden.
    • Make sure any non-academic responsibilities (for example, club leadership) will be covered while on exchange. Presidents of student organizations are typically not allowed to go on exchange and should consult with the Office of Student Affairs before submitting bids for exchange partner schools.
  • Contact Us

    If you have any questions about going on a Darden Exchange Program or if you are interested in studying at Darden as an exchange student, please contact:

    Darden Center for Global Initiatives at cgi@darden.virginia.edu