Purdue University, USA
Founded in 1869, Purdue University is one of the nation's leading research institutions and has an outstanding international reputation for its agricultural and management programmes. Purdue University's programs in engineering, education, business, biological sciences, chemistry, computer science, mathematics, physics, and statistics have also been ranked among the best in the country in U.S.News & World Report's school rankings.
The West Lafayette, Indiana campus offers more than 200 majors for undergraduates, over 70 master’s and doctoral programs, and professional degrees in pharmacy and veterinary medicine. Despite having a student population of 39,000, the university maintains a 13:1 student-to-faculty ratio and an average class size of 31 students, there is ample opportunity to interact with professors.
Credit system
Students should take 15 semester credits. This will equate to 60 Massey credits.
Academic calendar
The academic year begins with the fall semester (semester 1), which runs from late August through mid-December. The spring semester (semester 2) runs from mid-January through early May.
Courses
Exchange students are limited to enrolment at Purdue’s West Lafayette campus only.
The College of Agriculture and the Krannert School of Management are particularly strong at Purdue. The College of Agriculture created a video and a PowerPoint presentation to let you know more about their programmes.
Purdue is recognised for academic excellence, meaningful research, and graduate achievement. Our students and graduates enjoy a global network of leaders in business, healthcare, science, technology, education, the arts, agriculture, communication, politics and much more. Purdue offers a dynamic community of goal-oriented individuals who see potential in themselves and each other.
Purdue offers nearly 200 majors (qualifications) across a range of Colleges, including:
- College of Agriculture
- College of Education
- College of Health and Human Sciences
- College of Liberal Arts
- College of Science
- College of Technology
- Exploratory Studies (for undecided students)
- Krannert School of Management
Course codes
Courses numbered 100-299 at Purdue equate to 100-level at Massey. 300-499 courses equate to 200 or 300-level courses at Massey.
Student life
Whether pursuing current interests or exploring new ones, students make friends and establish their on-campus community by getting involved. As a Big Ten university with nearly 30,000 undergraduate students from across the country and around the world, there are literally thousands of things to do at Purdue. With over 1,000 student clubs and organisations, multiple cultural centres, and club sporting opportunities, finding others who share your interests is easy.
Located an easy two-hour drive from the great city of Chicago, Purdue offers not just a great educational experience, but is also a great jumping off point for exploration and travel.
Health insurance
Adequate health insurance is required by law for all exchange students going to the USA. Travel insurance alone will not provide the appropriate coverage. Health insurance plans in the USA are typically more expensive than plans in New Zealand.
Be sure you check the university’s insurance requirements and enrol in the appropriate plan.
Visas
You will need to have a J-1 exchange visitor visa to enter the U.S. You cannot study full-time at the university on either a B-2 tourist visa or the visa waiver program.