Wageningen's academic year is organized in 6 periods and every period ends with an exam. Spring semester covers periods 4 through 6.

Academic year: Orientation in August + courses start in end of August/early September.

Spring only: Period 3 (optional - in January) + Orientation in February + ends in early May/early July (depending on if you attend period 6)

Spring participants have started in January (period 3) but may start their studies in February (period 4) . Most US students will study through Period 5. Some students have stayed through Period 6 but must inform Wageningen for immigration reasons. You must study through at least two periods in order to meet the minimum required US credit hours.

CALS Exchange students typically have to enroll in the equivalent of 15 US credit hours (30 ECTS). Due to the block schedule at Wageningen, it may be difficult to enroll in 30 ECTS and students are allowed to register for 12 US credit hours (24 ECTS) with college permission. All students are advised to be as flexible as possible with their module requirements.

Course Selection & Enrollment

• In general, students may choose courses on MSc level and 3rd year BSc level, as they are taught in English. Most 2nd and 3rd year BSc classes and all MSc classes are in English.
• To find specific information on courses, visit the study handbook page.
• It is preferred that you choose most of your courses from one program although not a requirement. Wageningen University has 37 minors in English which exchange students can opt to follow.
• This program offers language and area studies courses as electives. Language study may be required by your college. Check your college requirements.
• For assistance in selecting courses, see your faculty or college advisor. (Note: You may earn elective, distributional, minor or major credit depending on your major and college.)
• You may need to look at courses from a previous semester (i.e.: the most recent spring semester if you want to select classes for a future spring abroad) 

Course Load & Credits

• Take the equivalent of 15 Cornell credits (= 30 ECTS per semester at Wageningen) for a full semester, even if it is possible to take fewer and still graduate on time
• Decisions on the final allocation of credit are made upon successful completion of the course (must earn grade equivalent of a “C” or higher—all courses must award a letter grade).
• For more information on courses and credits from abroad, including policies regarding start/end dates, refer to the Academic Policies page on the Education Abroad website.

Transcript & Grades

• Grades will appear on the Cornell transcript in the same format as they are recorded on the original transcript generated by the host institution. Grades are not factored into the Cornell GPA.
• For information on how grades appear on the transcript and frequently asked questions, including transcript dates for graduating seniors, please refer to the Transcripts and Credits page on the Education Abroad website.
• Students must request their transcript from Wageningen to be sent to Cornell's Education Abroad. Instructions on requesting transcripts can be found on Wageningen's website.