Iowa State University is located in Ames, central Iowa, just over half an hour away from Des Moines the state capital. Ames has been voted one of the best college towns in the US, and is the largest university in the state of Iowa. It is also the only university in the US that has a U.S. department of Energy research laboratory on campus.
Alongside its strong academics, ISU offers plenty of fun campus activities to participate in. At ISU, you can experience the quintessential American college. From traditional brick buildings, to strong academics, to the excitement of a football or basketball game, ISU is an American university at its best. Walk around ISU’s beautiful campus on the way to class, with historical and modern buildings, fountains, sculptures and more throughout campus.
Live on campus in either a traditional residence hall or a student apartment. It’s also easy to get a meal on campus with multiple dining halls, eateries for quick meals during the day, and food trucks on campus. As an ISU student, take the CyRide bus system around campus and the town of Ames for free. Join a student club or intermural sport team, it’s the perfect way to meet local and other international students.
It will not be possible to complete a year abroad at this University if you have any assessments, such as supplementary or deferred exams, during the August assessment period at Swansea University.
WHO CAN STUDY HERE?
Swansea has a ‘university-wide’ partnership with this university which means that it is open to all subject areas except for Classics, Education, Criminology, Social Policy, Economics, Law, Chemistry or Geography.
Spaces are not guaranteed, can be limited and all students on a semester/year abroad programme are subject to a university-wide, competitive selection process.
IMPORTANT INFORMATION
ACADEMIC YEAR: Runs August to May
COSTS: In order to apply for a visa, you will need to be able to evidence finances equaling at least $16,035 for the academic year. As part of your application to ISU, you will be provided with more information about the type of documents you can use to evidence finances.
There is a $55 application fee which will be deferred and placed upon your first U-Bill at ISU.
All costs are subject to change.
VISAS: Once you have completed your ISUAbroad application, your application will be reviewed and sent to the Office of Admissions. After your application has been processed, you will receive an acceptance letter and your DS-2019 in the mail. Your application status in ISUAbroad will change to "Accepted". At that time, you can "Commit" to your application in ISUAbroad. You'll then see new information for your to review before arriving at Iowa State.
To apply for a visa, you will need to pay a SEVIS fee of approx $220 plus an appliction fee of approx $185. In addition, you should factor in the cost of attending a visa interview at the US Embassy (typically in London). More information is available on the US Embassy website: https://uk.usembassy.gov/applying-f-1-j-1-visa/
HEALTH INSURANCE: All international students must enroll in the ISU Student and Scholar Health Insurance Program (ISU SSHIP). Enrolling in health insurance through the sponsor (Iowa State University) of the J-1 visa is a requirement of the US State Department. ISU requires nonimmigrant international students and their dependents to purchase and maintain coverage through the ISU health insurance plan for the duration of their tenure at the university. Insurance plans purchased outside the university may be used for supplemental coverage, but cannot be substituted for the ISU plan. In 2024/25, the cost of the insurance for a full academic year was $1435
ACCOMMODATION: Iowa State has two types of university accommodations. You can select from either as an exchange student. The first type is a more traditional American residential style in Residence Halls. In these halls, students share rooms and live communally on a floor. The residential community usually has a dining hall nearby so it is quick and easy to grab a meal. These halls are closer to the classes and central campus. Most of these halls require you to have a meal plan.
ISU also operates university apartments at Fredricksen Court, called Freddy court. This option is good for exchange students who would maybe like a more independent living experience as all the apartments have a kitchen. Rooms are still typically shared between residents, single rooms can be difficult to get. Fredricksen Court has a community center and a market/café. Campus is within walking distance, and a free bus for students goes throughout the day from Freddy Court to various areas of campus.
Each type of housing has it’s own cost associated with it. The full list of university accommodation costs can be found on the Housing Rates page.
MEAL PLANS: Some residence halls require any student living there to have a meal plan (university apartments do not require a meal plan). You can also sign up for a meal plan or dining dollars if you are living in an university apartment or are even living off-campus. There are multiple plans providing different number of meals and flexible dining dollars so it is easy to select a plan that will work best for you. This cost will then be placed on your U-Bill for the semester. Signing up for a meal plan will be done in the Accessplus system, similar to filling out a housing contract. You can do this after you have been admitted.
SPORTS ON CAMPUS: Football and Men’s Basketball are the biggest sporting events on campus, but exchange students have free admission to other sports including Volleyball, Wrestling, Women’s Basketball, and more. Multiple gyms on campus are available for all students and Recreation Services coordinates trips throughout the USA with a focus on the outdoors. Some examples of past trips include surfing lessons in California, hiking the famous national parks of Utah, and more.
USEFUL LINKS:
- Iowa State Homepage
- Iowa State Exchange Page
- Iowa State Accommodation Page
- Iowa State Student Support Services