George Mason University
Programme Details
Minimum mark 60%
Level Undergraduate
Language/s English
Agreement Scope University-wide exchange, check with your department regarding compatibility with your degree programme
Exchange Places 2 full year places for 2025/26
Overview
About:
Founded in 1972, and located just outside of Washington, D.C., George Mason University is the largest public research university in Virginia with over 34,000 students from 130 countries and all 50 U.S. states. Mason is an innovative and entrepreneurial institution with a growing and diverse student body and exceptional faculty of enterprising scholars as recognized by our Tier 1 research status.
Contact at GMU:
Outgoing Exchange: intlex@gmu.edu
4400 University Drive, Fairfax, Virginia 22030, USA
Highlights:
Mason was ranked 47th in the 2017 Times Higher Education list of 200 universities under 50 years old and 14th in the U.S. News Most Innovative Schools in the U.S. With over 80 majors in a variety of fields, exchange students are able to enroll in nearly every degree program the university has to offer. Subjects available include, but are not limited to: Education, Visual Arts, Business, Information Technology, Engineering, Government, Health and Well-Being, Liberal Arts, Sciences, Social and Human Behavior, and Sports, Recreation and Tourism.
Location:
The main campus consists of 677 wooded acres and is less than a mile walk from the downtown historic City of Fairfax. Mason’s campus is just 15 miles (24 kilometers) outside of Washington, D.C. The nation’s capital is easily accessible by car or public transportation. Free shuttle buses transport students to the nearby Vienna Metro subway station, allowing you to explore the city on a weekend to see the cherry blossoms and monuments, visit the museums, or go to a restaurant or theatre. At Mason, you can enjoy the best of both worlds: a beautiful wooded residential campus and outstanding college experience, as well as numerous opportunities that only a world-class urban setting like D.C. can offer. In addition, in just a short drive, you can be hiking in the Shenandoah Mountains or walking the boardwalk in either Ocean City, Maryland, or Virginia Beach, Virginia.
Academic information
Courses / Modules:
Most courses at George Mason are worth 3 credits. Students should not take more than 16 credits per semester. The course catalogue serves as a general guide to the courses available. However, not all courses may be available in each semester and some may be restricted. To see courses offered in a specific semester students can view the Schedule of Classes. Fall semester classes will go live in March and Spring semester classes will go live in October. Classes are generally offered in the same semester (i.e. a course offered in Fall 2018 is likely to be offered again in Fall 2019). Most exchange students take courses at the 200, 300, or 400 levels, but York students are advised to consult with their supervisor or international coordinator at York prior to selecting courses to ensure that they can transfer the credits upon completion of study abroad program at Mason.
Credit (Full-time Load per semester):
12 credits = 60 York credits
This has been calculated by the University of York and students should not compare it with the requirements of other universities. Taking insufficient credits can lead to students failing the year. Any alteration to credits/modules must be discussed with your department prior to making any changes.
Teaching Periods:
Autumn/fall semester: Late August to early December
Spring semester: Mid January to early May
Language:
Classes at George Mason are taught in English.
You may be required to provide evidence of your English language ability if English is not your first language.
Student experiences
This is a new exchange and we have yet to send a student to George Mason.
You might want to look at the student experiences from some of our other US partners such as Beloit, Drexel or UIUC.
Top Tips for Studying in the USA
Please note: these tips have been provided by students who have studied abroad in the USA - Global Opportunities recommends that you use these as a guide only and do your own research on what is best for you.
Money and Banking:
'REVOLUT - cannot recommend this enough. Allows for free currency conversions and transfers into US bank accounts. It is cheaper even than Transferwise. The best way to pay bills to the university is to pay Flywire with a domestic US bank transfer through Revolut.'
'I used my UK or French bank accounts and I opened a bank of America account.'
'I used a Revolut Card which had a really good exchange rates. But I didn't open up a new Bank account.'
Staying Connected:
'I bought a sim from AT&T.....It was a monthly contract that could be cancelled at any time, so it's good for international students. I know some other [students] who either only used WiFi (there's wifi all around campus and it's usually reliable) or who changed their usual contract to an international one.'
'Pretty much every exchange student used Mint Mobile. Not all phones work on US frequencies though, so I bought a Google Pixel 3a which works everywhere.'
'At first, I got a new SIM card but it wasn't compatible with my European phone (due to the software or something). I then borrowed a phone from one of my American relatives.'
Food:
(Drexel University) 'I was on campus and I had a dining plan so I mostly got food in the university's dining facilities.'
(University of Denver) 'A micro fridge is a worthwhile investment for snacks and drinks outside of mealtime!'.
Paperwork and bureaucracy:
'The most tedious thing was getting the visa sorted, but after that most of the paperwork was easy to get done. You might feel like you've forgotten to do some things, but chances are you haven't and they'll send a reminder if you did.'
'Be patient, keep a well labelled folder, email when feeling stressed and your not sure what to do. The main thing is keeping in mind that the paperwork will end and once you arrive at our host country everything is easier face to face.'
'Be meticulous and create checklists. Get all the paperwork necessary for visas etc. before even beginning the process of applying. Flights do not necessarily get more expensive as the travel date gets closer. They can go down too (I booked a flight to NYC to save money before the Philly flight halved in price so I should have just waited).'
What I wished I'd known...:
'Research accommodation a bit more. Expect delays with communication. Expect the mundaneness of normal day to day living- expectation management is a useful skill. All the feelings are very normal!'
'How much it costs! I was happy to pay for the flights even though they're expensive, but having to buy 4-5 books for every module adds up quickly, especially when some of them are $50+ ....... Other things are more expensive too, like clothes, which can cost twice as much as they would here even after converting it.'
Student life
Accommodation:
Undergraduate students are guaranteed on-campus housing for the duration of their exchange at Mason so long as students apply by the housing deadlines. However, Mason cannot guarantee that student will get their first preference.
Orientation:
The Global Education Office (GEO) partners with the Office of International Programs and Services (OIPS) to provide students with an orientation. This orientation is mandatory for all new exchange students. Exchange students are automatically registered for orientation. Orientation is a great time to meet other new students, receive information about Mason, learn important information about their J-1 visa, and get connected to all of Mason's resources. Exchange students will also have a special orientation meeting just with GEO.
Support Services:
George Mason has a wide range of university-life support services.
Visas:
Information is provided by George Mason regarding visas Students are responsible for checking their own status.
Health Cover:
All students are required to have adequate health cover during their time at George Mason.
Travel insurance:
If you are approved by the University of York to participate in this program, you will be covered by the University's Travel Insurance Policy. This is a complimentary policy to cover you for the duration of your University of York mobility experience. Please refer to the Insurance website for all travel insurance queries. You may be required to obtain health insurance valid during your exchange.
Useful links
Contact Global Opportunities
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