Frequently Asked Questions
Study Abroad Program
General Program Information
Q: What is the PSA Program?
A: The PSU Semester Abroad (PSA) Program allows PSU students to study for a semester at one of our international partner universities, providing opportunities to gain global academic and cultural experience.
Q: How many Study Abroad options are available?
Q: When do you open the PSA program?
Q: How many universities can I apply to through the PSA program?
Q: Does the university I select for PSA need to match my major at PSU?
Q: I would like to study abroad at a university that is not on the list. What should I do?
Q: What are the odds of being selected for the various PSA universities I might qualify for, since I can only apply for one?
Q: Is there a residency requirement to apply for the PSA program?
Q: Can transfer students apply for the PSA program?
Application Requirements and Process
Q: What are the eligibility requirements for the PSA program?
A: To qualify, you must have completed between 36 and 104 credit hours at PSU, meet the English proficiency requirements, and have a competitive GPA.
Q: What factors increase my chances of being accepted into the PSA program?
A: Your chances are based on a combination of GPA, English proficiency, a strong statement of purpose, and careful attention to the application requirements.
Q: I am a Business student; will I be able to enrol in courses from another department where my selected courses are available?
A: If the course you are planning to take is on the option’s list of courses, we can communicate in advance with our counterpart office abroad to make the necessary arrangements.
Q: When will I know if I have been accepted into the PSA program?
A: Finalists are typically announced 2-3 weeks after the application review and selection process has been completed.
Cost and Financial Responsibilities
Q: What expenses are covered by PSU, and what am I responsible for?
A: PSU covers all academic fees, including tuition, registration, and admission fees at the partner university. Students are responsible for airfare, insurance, housing, living expenses, visa fees, and a PSU registration fee of 5,000 SAR.
Q: Are there any additional fees I need to pay to PSU?
A: Yes, students must pay a 5,000 SAR registration fee to PSU before departure. This fee is waived for eligible dependents of PSU employees.
Q: Do students pay for their TOEFL or IELTS exams?
A: Yes, students must cover the cost of their English proficiency exams.
Q: If I am a PSU scholar and have been selected to participate in the PSA program, what happens if I fail one of the courses at the foreign university? Will I lose my PSU scholarship?
A: You can confirm that with the Scholarship Office. The International Affairs Office (IAO) will only communicate with the PSU Accounts Department regarding your financial obligations as per your PSA contract conditions if you receive grades lower than C.
Academic Requirements and Study Abroad Logistics
Q: How many credit hours can I take while studying abroad?
A: You can take up to 16 credit hours (or the equivalent) for one semester at the partner university.
Q: What is the minimum number of credit hours I must enroll in during my semester abroad?
A: You are required to take a minimum of 12 credit hours.
Q: Can I participate in the PSA program more than once?
A: No, students are allowed to participate in the PSA program only once during their studies at PSU, in order to give other students the opportunity to participate.
Q: Can I apply to a university that is not on the PSA list?
A: No, students must choose from PSU’s partner universities. PSU is continually expanding its list of partners, so there may be new options in future semesters.
Q: If my study abroad semester starts in January during PSU’s final exams, how will that be handled?
A: Select a partner university with a compatible academic calendar or apply for the next semester to avoid conflicts with PSU’s schedule.
Q: If at the end of the current academic term I will not have between 36-104 credits, am I ineligible for competing in the PSA Scholarship competition?
A: Yes, students who do not have between 36-104 PSU university level credits are ineligible to participate in the PSA Scholarship competition.
Q: Will the courses I take abroad affect my GPA at PSU?
A: No, the courses you will take are assessed on a Pass or Fail system, so your GPA at PSU will not be affected.
Q: How do I ensure the courses I take abroad will be equivalent to PSU courses?
A: Once you receive your acceptance letter, we will provide you with an Equivalency Form. In this form, you will list the courses you plan to take at the selected university alongside the corresponding PSU courses. These courses must be reviewed and approved by the faculty of your department and the Registration Office to ensure they are properly recognized when you return. This process guarantees that the courses you take abroad will count toward your degree requirements at PSU.
Fullbridge Program
Eligibility and Participation
Q: Who is eligible to participate in the Fullbridge Program?
A: The Fullbridge Program is open to all PSU students who are engaged in their Cooperative Training period, regardless of their major or gender.
Q: When does the Fullbridge Program start, and how long does it run?
A: The Fullbridge Program runs for three intensive weeks at the beginning of each semester. Specific dates will vary by semester, so please check the latest schedule when the application opens.
Q: Is the Fullbridge Program conducted online or on campus?
A: The Fullbridge Program is conducted on campus. Physical attendance is required; it is not available online.
Integration with Cooperative Training
Q: Will participating in the Fullbridge Program extend my Coop period?
A: No, the Fullbridge Program is integrated into your Coop period and will not extend the duration of your Coop training.
Q: How do I inform my Coop training provider about my participation in the Fullbridge Program?
A: Once you are accepted into the Fullbridge Program, you should notify your Coop training provider. The Coop office will issue an enrollment letter to request an excuse for your absence during the Fullbridge Program, allowing you to participate fully.
Integration with Cooperative Training
Q: Will participating in the Fullbridge Program extend my Coop period?
A: No, the Fullbridge Program is integrated into your Coop period and will not extend the duration of your Coop training.
Q: How do I inform my Coop training provider about my participation in the Fullbridge Program?
A: Once you are accepted into the Fullbridge Program, you should notify your Coop training provider. The Coop office will issue an enrollment letter to request an excuse for your absence during the Fullbridge Program, allowing you to participate fully.
Certification and Costs
Q: Will I receive a certificate upon completing the Fullbridge Program?
A: Yes, a certificate will be awarded to all enrolled students during a graduation ceremony held on the last day of the program.
Q: Are there any fees associated with the Fullbridge Program?
A: No, there are no fees for participating in the Fullbridge Program. The program is fully funded as a scholarship, covering all tuition costs and additional charges.
English Proficiency Tests (TOEFL/IELTS)
Q: Which English proficiency test should I take – TOEFL or IELTS?
A: Both TOEFL and IELTS are acceptable, but US universities generally prefer TOEFL, while UK universities may prefer IELTS. Ensure you take the Academic version of IELTS, not the General version.
Q: What if I do not meet the English proficiency requirement for my chosen PSA option?
A: If you do not meet the English proficiency requirement, you can work on improving your score before the application deadline or apply to another partner university with lower language requirements. If you miss the deadline or cannot achieve the required score in time, you may try again in future application periods.
Q: Will I be disqualified if I miss the TOEFL/IELTS test deadline?
A: Yes, all application requirements, including TOEFL or IELTS scores, must be submitted by the specified deadline to be considered for the PSA program.
Q: Why do PSA options have different English proficiency requirements?
A: Each partner university has its own admission standards, often tied to its ranking. Higher-ranked universities typically have stricter English language requirements.
Support and Documentation
Q: If I go for a semester or year of study abroad on my own, what kind of support can I get from PSU?
A: If you go on your own, PSU can only provide the necessary documents for your short stay at the foreign university, such as:
- The official copy of PSU transcripts (available from the Deanship of Admission and Registration Office).
- Approval of courses you plan to enroll in at the university abroad (you will need to fill out the Equalization Form to be signed by your Department Chairman/Dean).
Q: Will PSU help me enroll in courses from other departments while studying abroad?
A: PSU will assist with communication between you and the partner university if the courses you need are available and align with PSA program requirements.
Q: When will I know if I have been accepted into the PSA program?
A: Finalists will be announced after the application review and competition process has been completed.
Q: If I meet the minimum requirements, am I guaranteed a spot in the PSA program?
A: Meeting the basic requirements increases your chances but does not guarantee acceptance. Final selection depends on the overall competitiveness of your application.