العربيةStudy abroad at Athens
Overview
Country
United StatesPopulation
130,000
Universities
3
Summer / Winter Temperature
Summer: 23°C–33°C / Winter: 2°C–13°C
Why study at Athens
Athens is the premier 'Classic City' college town of the American South, located in northeast Georgia just 1 hour east of Atlanta. Celebrated for its vibrant indie music legacy (birthplace of R.E.M. and the B-52's), antebellum architecture, and world-class Southern collegiate spirit, Athens is home to the University of Georgia (UGA - chartered in 1785 as the first state-chartered public university in America, ranked among the top 20 public universities in the US by U.S. News & World Report). UGA is internationally renowned for the Terry College of Business, Grady College of Journalism and Mass Communication (home to the prestigious Peabody Awards), College of Veterinary Medicine, College of Engineering, and School of Public and International Affairs (SPIA). Degrees are taught 100% in English with prestigious US accreditations (AACSB, ABET, SACSCOC). International students benefit from affordable living costs, free Athens Transit buses for students, warm southern hospitality, and direct F-1 / I-20 Student Visa support.
Fees
Tuition fees in Athens for international undergraduate students at the University of Georgia (UGA) range between $30,000 and $34,500 per academic year for Business, Engineering, Computer Science, and Journalism, while postgraduate Master's degrees range from $27,000 to $33,000 per year (with competitive graduate research assistantships and tuition waivers). On-campus university residence halls (Creswell, Russell, East Campus Village) cost between $750 and $1,250 per month (inclusive of meal plans and utilities), while off-campus student apartments in Downtown Athens, Five Points, and Riverbend Parkway range from $600 to $1,100 per month. General monthly living expenses range between $850 and $1,450.
Cost of Living
| Category | Cost (US dollar) |
|---|---|
| University on-campus student residence (UGA Housing / East Campus Village - monthly) | $975 |
| Rent, 1-bed private apartment in Downtown Athens / Clayton Street | $1,200 |
| Rent, 1-bed apartment in Five Points / Milledge Avenue (student area) | $900 |
| Utilities (heating, electricity, gas, water - off campus) | $190 |
| Internet (fiber optic high-speed home broadband unlimited - AT&T/Charter) | $63 |
| Mobile phone plan (high 5G data & calls - Verizon/T-Mobile) | $53 |
| Monthly public transport & UGA Campus Transit / Athens Transit (100% Free for UGA students) | $0 |
| Monthly grocery & dining budget (Kroger / Trader Joe's / Publix) | $460 |
| Coffee / Beverage in café near North Campus Arch / Broad St | $5 |
| Cinema ticket (Cinemark / Georgia Theatre live show) | $13 |
Admission requirements
Secondary School Diploma / Academic Transcripts & Common App
Certified secondary school graduation certificate and official transcripts with certified English translation, evaluated through Common Application with counselor recommendations and essays.
English Language Proficiency (TOEFL iBT / IELTS / Duolingo)
TOEFL iBT (minimum 80+ with 20+ in each subscore), IELTS Academic (6.5+ with 6.0+ in each band), or Duolingo English Test (110+).
Student Visa
International students require a US F-1 Student Visa. Upon academic admission and submission of the financial declaration (bank statement verifying first-year tuition and living expenses), the University of Georgia International Student Life (ISL) office issues the official Form I-20. The student pays the SEVIS I-901 fee, completes the DS-160 online visa application, and attends the F-1 visa interview at the US Embassy or Consulate.
How to Study
Choose your degree program at University of Georgia (Terry Business, Engineering, Grady Journalism).
Submit your application via Common Application with transcripts, teacher evaluations, and English scores before Early Action (Oct
or Regular Decision (Jan 1).
Receive your official Acceptance Letter and submit financial declaration to obtain Form I-20.
Pay the SEVIS I-901 fee online.
Complete the DS-160 form and book your F-1 Visa appointment at the US Embassy.
Fly to Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL - 75 min from campus with direct Groome Transportation shuttle to Athens campus), check into your halls, and attend international orientation.