Duke University
Duke University
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About the DKU@Duke Program
DKU students have the option of using their junior year study away semester (not including summer terms) at Duke University in Durham or Beaufort(Fall only), North Carolina. At Duke, they will be able to take a wide variety of courses in both major and elective subjects, while also participating in student activities, organizations, and clubs. The Duke study abroad experience will also involve an immersive learning experience in American culture, society, and values.
Students spending a semester at Duke pay tuition to DKU at the regular rate. DKU scholarships and financial aid packages also apply. Students attending the semester program at Duke will have to take into account the higher cost of housing, living, and other costs compared to the DKU campus in China.
Quick Facts
Exchange Period
One semester in junior year (optional) + Summer term before/after (optional)
Location
Duke campus in Durham, or Duke Marine Lab in Beaufort, NC (available fall only; limited capacity)
Courses
Full load of Duke Courses
Housing
Arranged by Duke Housing
Eligibility
Junior students in good academic, disciplinary and financial standing
Program Support
Cohort programming and support from DKU Office of Global Education and Duke Office of DKU Relations
Application Process Overview
Term Assignment Process
Each year, the DKU@Duke study away program offers a limited number of spots per term due to structural and enrollment balance requirements. In the application form, students will be asked to indicate their preferred term at Duke, along with supporting reasons.
Term Preference Options available:
1. I prefer to attend Duke in a specific semester…
- Specific DKU course sequence academic need
- Other Medical/Mental Health situations
- General Preference for a particular semester
2. I prefer to be at Duke with a specific friend, regardless of semester…
- Both students must indicate one another as a mutual preference in their application
- Placement with friend/partner in same semester guaranteed, but not guaranteed to be roommates at Duke
3. I have no preference of semester or accompanying friend…
Accepted to a semester based on best-available capacity
4. I would like to apply for the Duke Marine Lab (only Fall 2026 term)
- Why interested
- Unofficial transcript
While we prioritize assigning students to their preferred term (Fall or Spring), if applications exceed spots, we use a two-step process:
- A review of student reasons for their term preference.
- A lottery to randomly assign the remaining available spots.
Students not selected for their preferred term are assigned to the other term, which has more capacity.
Example of a General Assignment Process
The detailed process below uses additional Spring term applications as an example. Assume we have 200 seats for Fall and 100 seats for Spring. And we receive 100 applications for Fall and 150 applications for Spring.
| Duke Term | Available Spots | Number of Applications Received |
| Fall | 200 | 120 |
| Spring | 100 | 150 |
Since the Spring applications exceed spots while more spots are available in Fall, we conduct the term assignment as follows:
STEP 1: the 120 applicants are assigned to Fall directly.
STEP 2:
- We review the 150 Spring applications with reasons for preference (see below for evaluation criteria)
- Assume 5 Spring applicants provide valid reasons for a necessary Spring placement. They are assigned to Spring. ; 145 applicants remain but only 95 Spring spots are available.
- From the rest of 145 Spring applicants, we need to randomly select 95 to assign to Spring and the remaining 50 applicants will be assigned to Fall,
STEP 3: Lottery Draw: we now have a lottery pool of 145 applicants. They are placed into a lottery and drawn at random in a supervised and recorded drawing to ensure transparency. 95 students selected from the lottery are assigned to a Spring term at Duke; 50 unselected students are assigned to Fall.
Evaluation Criteria for Duke Term Preference
– Academic: Please note that general academic reasons are usually not sufficient for term preference. Specifically, the following academic reasons are not considered valid for requesting a specific term assignment for study away:
- DKU Major Course Scheduling: Conflicts with a DKU major-required course. Your academic plan can be adjusted to complete this requirement in another term/year.
- General Interest in Duke/DKU Opportunities: A general desire to take Duke/DKU courses, participate in research, or pursue an internship. These opportunities are available across multiple terms.
- Uncertainty or Difficulty with Your Major: Challenges related to your current or potential major. These complex issues must be resolved with your academic advisor and are not a basis for term assignment.
Examples:
Example 1: DKU COMPSCI 204 Introduction to Artificial Intelligence is not a major required course. It will not be considered as a valid reason.
Example 2: Duke FECON 373 Corporate Finance is a Duke not a DKU course. It will not be considered as a valid reason.
Example 3: DKU STATS 402 Interdisciplinary Data Analysis is a major course under Data Science. As this course can be completed in the senior year, it will not be considered as a valid reason.
– Other Medical/Mental Health Reasons
Medical/Mental Health Accommodations will be reviewed and evaluated by SASO and the Accommodations Committee in accordance with DKU accommodation processes. In the application, you will be asked to submit medical records with signatures from doctors and letterhead with hospital name. Kindly note that the final medical report (issued by the treating physician) is required documentation; individual medical test reports are not necessary to submit, but should be referenced in the final medical report.
– Partner Preference Requirements
- Mutual Selection: Both students must list each other as their preferred partner in their respective applications.
- Graduation Timeline: Both students must share the same Expected Graduation Term (EGT).
– Other notes:
Eligible terms across two academic years: For students who have taken a leave of absence (LOA) before and end up only eligible for a Spring study away term at Duke in the application cycle: if included in the lottery but not selected to Spring, the student will be assigned to the Fall of the next academic year.
Duke Office of DKU Relations (DODR)
Located on Duke’s campus in Durham, North Carolina, the Duke Office of Duke Kunshan University Relations (DODR) works in close collaboration with Duke and DKU stakeholders to develop and support initiatives across our institutions.
Check DODR website: https://dkurelations.duke.edu/ to know how they support DKU students thrive at Duke and DKU student life in Durham.
Check DKU@Duke CANVAS site to learn more information about studying and living at Duke. Committed students will be granted the access by DODR.
Email DODR: dkurelations@duke.edu if you have any questions regarding academics, events, housing, student work at Duke or US visa, etc.
US J-1 Visa FAQ
Please refer to the quick links below and visit the link to the visa guide for detailed information and steps required to complete your visa application.
- J-1 students must pursue the course of study required by their Duke programs or schools and must make satisfactory progress toward a specific educational objective.
- J-1 student visa holders are required to enroll in a full load of Duke courses to maintain visa status (see details in the Academics and Summer Session sections).
- J-1 students are permitted to work on campus only if the employment is part of a scholarship, fellowship, etc. connected to their course of study. No other work is permitted unless specifically authorized in writing by the Duke Visa Services (DVS) in advance. On-campus employment is limited to 20 hours per week while school is in session and full-time during holidays and school vacations. Volunteer/unpaid work cannot be assumed to be permitted. Before engaging in any kind of employment (including volunteer, unpaid work), students must first consult their DVS advisors whose written approval is required in advance.
- Academic training is permitted only beginning after your program start date. If you stay within the stipulated time limits, academic training allows you to work part-time while classes are in session and full-time during vacation periods. Certain conditions must be met to qualify for academic Training. Email dkurelations@duke.edu if you are interested in pursuing academic training.
The DKU@Duke program is a one semester plus an optional summer session visiting student program. Duke is approved by the US Department of Homeland Security to bring all international visiting students in on J-1 student visas. For the DKU students studying at Duke for a semester, J-1 is a better choice in terms of employment opportunities:
J-1: For a one-semester program, J-1 visas offer students the ability to engage in Academic Training (a form of work authorization for J-1 students) when they study at Duke for a regular semester.
- For students interested in on-campus employment, they should request on-campus employment authorization from Duke Visa Services.
- For those seeking eligible off-campus employment, they should apply for Academic Training, a process that will be reviewed by the Duke Office of DKU Relations and Duke Visa Services.
F-1: F-1 for a one-semester program does not offer off-campus employment opportunity. CPT/OPT is not an option for one-semester F-1 program students.
- F-1 students can only apply for CPT/OPT (forms of work authorization for F-1 students) after they complete one academic year of full-time study, which, critically, will not happen in the normal DKU@Duke program.
- F-1 students can only do CPT if CPT is an integral part of the program’s established curriculum, which is not the case for DKU students.
Therefore, J-1 visa is more beneficial in terms of employment opportunities for DKU students when they study at Duke. For off-campus employment, J-1 students can apply for AT to work off-campus during the summer and work for US based employers remotely during the academic year.
- Regardless of whether students are subject to the two-year home residency requirement, J-1 status does not make students ineligible for the H1B visa lottery, nor does it reduce the chances of being successfully selected to apply for an H1B visa. The H1B visa lottery treats J-1 students and F-1 students equally. The fact is, US employers are not required (and often are not willing) to sponsor employees for immigration, presenting a hurdle for both J-1 and F-1 students.
- If a J-1 student wishes to apply for an H1B visa without fulfilling the two-year home residency requirement, they must apply for a waiver before applying for the H1B visa. Over the years, we have set up systems informing students of this requirement and of timelines for starting the process, however we cannot be responsible for students’ waiver applications, because it is not just an application to the US government, it is an application to the student’s home country. Each country has different requirements, processes, and often languages, and some countries specifically require students to apply by themselves.
The two-year home residency requirement poses challenges for students who want to work in the US right after graduating from DKU. This challenge can be resolved by planning to apply for a waiver at the right time. The two-year residency requirement does not prevent students from attending graduate school in the US on an F-1 visa. Information related to the waiver application is provided in the J-1 Visa Guide available to all DKU@Duke students, including the waiver application process and the best time to apply for it.
QUICK LINKS
Resources for Duke/DUML Fall 2025 Participants
Resources for Duke Spring 2026 Participants
This table compares the lowest and highest estimated costs for a semester of study at Duke University. The main differences between the two scenarios are the insurance, housing, and dining fees. It’s important to note that this table is designed to provide a detailed breakdown of the semester costs at Duke, along with potential variations in actual expenses based on individual choices. The total amount indicated should NOT be used as the basis for preparing the proof of funding required for the J-1 visa application. Instead, students should refer to the J-1 visa guide for specific instructions on the amount of funding necessary and how to provide the proper proof of funding documentation.
- All students will be automatically enrolled in the Duke Student Medical Insurance Plan (SMIP). US citizens have the option to waive the health insurance plan, while non-US students are required to pay it.
- For dental insurance, students on J-1 visa will be automatically enrolled in a dental plan but have the option to waive it. US citizens need to opt in to the dental plan.
- Typically, DKU students are assigned a double room at Duke, but those with special needs can request a single room.
- All DKU students live on Duke campus and must enroll in one of the upperclass dining plans (Plan A, B, C, D, or E). Plan A is the cheapest option, while Plan E is the most expensive. Detailed information on dining plans can be found on the Duke website.
- Estimates for tuition, personal expenses and transportation are not specified as they vary based on individual circumstances.
*Academic Year 25-26 Estimated cost | The Lowest Cost | The Highest Cost |
|---|---|---|
Tuition | Fall/Spring Semester: Tuition Paid to DKU (financial aid applied) | Fall/Spring Semester: Tuition Paid to DKU (financial aid applied) |
Required Fees | $1,306
| $1,306 |
Room&Board | $8,626.28 (Double Room + Meal Plan A) | $12,076.85 (Single Room + Meal Plan E) |
Health Insurance | $1,428.6 (J-1 visa holders) $0 (waivable for US citizens and permanent residents) | $1,428.6 |
Dental Insurance | $0 (waivable for all students) | $339 |
*Books&Supplies | $268 | $268 |
*Personal Expenses+Transportation | depends on individual circumstances | depends on individual circumstances |
Total | J-1 visa holders: Tuition+$11,628.88+Personal Expenses+Transportation US citizens and permanent residents: Tuition+$10,200.28+Personal Expenses+Transportation | Tuition+$15,418.45+Personal Expenses+Transportation |
*For a comprehensive explanation of all fees, please visit the DODR website: https://dkurelations.duke.edu/students/dku-students-duke/financials/.
*Housing Rates: https://students.duke.edu/living/housing/housing-assignments/
Meal Plan: https://students.duke.edu/living/dining/plans-points/
*The expenses for Books and Supplies may differ based on the individual student and their class selection.
*Personal expenses include laundry, clothing, snacks, personal care items, etc, which may be around $1,936 but vary by individual.
*Transportation costs depend on the distance from your home address to the Duke campus, which may vary from $500 to $2,000.
Updated 7/15/2025
Next Duke Semester Application Cycle
Study Away Term
Fall semester 2026, Spring semester 2027
Eligible Academic Level
(Junior Term)
Expected Graduation Term: Fall 2027, Spring 2028, Fall 2028 (subject to eligibility requirements in application announcement)
Application Start Time
September 22, 2025
Application Deadline
11:59AM, October 9, 2025 (China Time)
Duke/DUML Summer Session
In addition to spending a fall or spring semester at Duke, DKU students can opt to enroll in Summer Session at Duke or Duke Marine Lab. For students who want to pursue this option, we recommend attending Summer Session just before, or just after a regular semester to reduce travel costs.
Duke Summer Session consists of session 1 and 2.
For the summer session, students and their families are responsible for all associated costs including tuition and housing, and scholarships and DKU financial aid packages will not apply to summer programs. Also, the number of courses and activities is limited compared with the regular semester at Duke. Nevertheless, students attending the Duke Summer Session will receive support and guidance by a dedicated team of administrative staff at DKU and Duke, and there will also be some special programming for DKU students who attend the summer programs.
Check the Duke Summer Session website (https://summersession.duke.edu/visiting-college-students) for more information on courses, calendars and costs, etc.
About application:
– Students who are accepted to a Duke Spring or Fall semester will need to apply for Duke/DUML Summer Session just before, or after a regular term through the Office of Global Education. For example, the 2025 Duke/DUML Summer application from DKU OGE opens to students accepted to either Duke Spring 2025 or Fall 2025. Please be on the look out for application announcement and apply in time. Click the “Application Overview” tab to take a glance at the general application process.
– Students who would like to pursue a standalone summer experience that is not tied to a Duke/DUML semester (summer only): please visit the Duke Summer Session Website to know about course offerings, tuition and costs, etc. and apply through the Visiting College Student section directly. Please be aware of the following:
- Keep OGE apprised of your intention to apply for Duke summer only and the application result. This is important for us to know your summer study plan and support your credit transfer for courses taken at Duke/DUML Summer Session.
- In the application, you should list “Duke Kunshan University” as your Home Institution and submit the DKU official transcript/enrollment verification. Failure in submitting these documents may result in application rejection and/or credits not being able to be transferred back to DKU.
- For Duke Summer Session 2025, International students must submit visa documents to Duke Summer Session by March 15, 2025 if you require visa sponsorship to attend Duke for Summer Session 1. For Summer Session 2, the deadline is April 15, 2025.
- Students who are accepted by DUML Summer Session need to reach out to Marine Lab directly on course registration.
Duke/DUML Summer Application Overview
- The Duke/DUML Summer applications, which are managed by DKU OGE, are only applicable to students who apply for the Duke/DUML Summer Session tied to an accepted Duke semester. Application for Duke Summer Session 2025 was due at 11:59am, Jan. 16, 2025. Click here to view the summer application guide.
- Students who are interested in attending a standalone Duke/DUML Summer Session need to apply through Duke Summer Session Website-Visiting College Students directly and follow the Duke application process.
