Since 1954, CALS has offered their students unique opportunities to study abroad via the CALS Exchange program. Through reciprocal agreements with select universities, CALS students integrate themselves into a partner university abroad, taking classes and living alongside degree-seeking students. In exchange, students from our partner come to study at CALS. The CALS Exchange programs are rooted in, and in many cases designed by, CALS faculty affiliated to an international academic institution or university department that complements your academic program. 

Students who have previously gone on exchange have found it to be a rewarding experience as it has added an international dimension to their degree, challenged them academically and facilitated the development of new skills, and enhanced their personal growth and self-confidence. Credits obtained while on exchange will be considered Cornell credit, not transfer credit. Students are billed their regular CALS tuition, with no added administrative fees. This is especially advantageous for in-state students. Housing, food, visa, travel, health insurance, books, and other personal expenses are paid separately.

This exchange program is recommended for undergraduate students majoring in Animal Science, Agricultural Sciences, E&S, and Food Sciences. Students with a focus an business ag, wildlife, and/or zoology are also encouraged to explore course options. Students in majors outside of those recommended may also be able to participate, depending on your interests and academic needs.

What is unique about this program?

Harper Adams University is the leading higher education provider of land-based education in the UK. Established more than 100 years ago, Harper Adams offers taught programs at undergraduate and postgraduate level, as well as research programs leading to MPhil and PhD awards.

Harper Adams operates a commercial farm, providing an excellent resource for teaching, research and student projects. The farm is approximately 343 hectares, and is at the heart of the University’s campus. Grass, maize and stewardship crops are all grown and all the major animal enterprises are present with a major new dairy unit, three sheep flocks, an intensive beef unit, commercial egg and poultry enterprises, and a pig unit. The University has specialist facilities for its engineering students, including an off-road vehicle test track and purpose-built indoor soil hall, and for its veterinary nursing students there is a mock veterinary practice, operating theatre and prep room.

Harper Adams University has been awarded The Queen’s Anniversary Prize for Higher and Further Education 2017. The award recognizes their work in agricultural engineering and precision farming in which they have built a national and international reputation, not least with the recent success of their Hands Free Hectare initiative (see www.handsfreehectare.com), where HA worked to grow a crop of barley using only robots and drones.

What is unique about Shropshire and England?

The University is located in rural Shropshire. It enjoys a single campus site and provides a safe and secure environment in which students can study and live comfortably in modern student dormitories. Harper Adams also has excellent transport links to Birmingham, as well as the nearby attractive town of Shrewsbury.

Academic Calendar

• Academic year: mid-September - early/mid-June (includes exams)
• Fall semester: mid-September - mid-December (includes exams)
• Spring semester: mid-January - early/mid-June (includes exams)

For exact dates, reference the full academic calendar (scroll down to "term dates").  

Things to Consider Before Applying

• Browse through course options and information
• Review the information on the Education Abroad Office’s Get Started page for important considerations on academics and finances, and a guide to next steps.
• Have questions about which abroad program to choose and the application process? Visit the Get Advice page and learn how to connect with an Education Abroad Advisors.
• Selected your program and have questions about international course approvals or academic policies while abroad? Please reach out to cals-studentservices@cornell.edu.
• Want to keep up to date with Cornellians Abroad? Follow Education Abroad on social media, @cornelliansabroad

How do I apply?

Applying to study on an exchange program is a two-step process. The Cornell approval process must be completed first, before your Education Abroad advisor in the Office of Global Learning can submit your nomination to the exchange partner.  Exchanges may have limited spaces, so early applications are encouraged. If you are applying to an exchange program, it must be your first choice.  Exchange programs cannot be a "back-up" to another program.

1. For Cornell approval and nomination, click on the "Apply" button on this webpage. Applications are approved by your college and the Office of Global Learning on a rolling basis until the application deadline listed on this page, or earlier, if the program fills.
2. Once nominated by Cornell, Harper Adams will email you an invitation to apply with application instructions.  At that point, you must complete the external application required for exchange students by Harper Adams' deadline. Nominated exchange students are typically admitted by partners, but you must complete the application process for them to review your application and offer you a place.