"Four Years. Four Continents. One World-Class Education." marks a new chapter in globally immersive education for Minerva University.
Minerva University today announced a milestone in the evolution of its global education model: beginning with the Class of 2029, all undergraduate students will follow a four-continent rotation, anchored by year-long experiences in San Francisco, CA and Tokyo, Japan in their first and second years, respectively. The Tokyo rotation is made possible by a strategic $50 million philanthropic investment from The Nippon Foundation, establishing Tokyo as Minerva’s first donor-funded rotation city and a core part of its global program.
Reflecting Minerva’s commitment to a truly global education that balances learner agency, well-being, and immersive learning, students will be able to choose their third- and fourth-year rotations from cities including Berlin, Buenos Aires, Hyderabad, Seoul, and Taipei. As the university continues to grow—with support from partners and donors—it plans to expand its offerings with additional year-round and semester-long rotation options.
This refined model marks a shift from the original seven-city rotation to a more sustainable and enriching structure designed to deepen cultural immersion, strengthen Minerva’s on the ground partnerships, expand academic and professional opportunities, and improve student well-being.
“Four Years. Four Continents. One World-Class Education” is more than a tagline—it’s a reflection of Minerva’s commitment to preparing adaptable, globally fluent leaders,” said Mike Magee, President of Minerva University. “We’ve listened carefully to our students, alumni, and faculty. This model brings together everything that makes Minerva exceptional—rigorous academics, experiential learning, and meaningful global engagement marked by deep partnership with our host cities—while providing greater stability and access for our community.”
Key Benefits of the New Rotation Model:
- Deeper Immersion – Students spend an entire academic year in year one and two cities, allowing for more meaningful engagement, connection, and impact within local cultures and communities.
- Stronger Partnerships – Extended stays allow for richer collaborations with civic organizations, research labs, and professional partners.
- Enhanced Well-being – Fewer transitions mean reduced stress, greater residential stability, and lower travel and visa costs for our students, ensuring a more equitable experience amongst our student body.
- Global Impact – Increased time within rotation cities means that our students will be able to approach their location-based projects with heightened intentionality, leading to measurable and lasting impact.
With changes to the cadence of the four-year city rotation, Minerva is doubling down on its commitment to ensure students will have the opportunity to live and learn on four continents over four years, engaging in city-based, hands-on projects that enrich their academic journey and professional readiness.
“This is not study abroad,” Magee added. “This is a fully integrated global education that treats the world as our classroom—and we’re proud to be leading the way.”
About Minerva University
Minerva University is redefining global higher education through a bold, outcomes-focused model designed to empower the next generation of leaders, thinkers, and changemakers. Headquartered in San Francisco and operating across four continents, Minerva offers an intensive undergraduate experience that combines rigorous academics, real-world engagement, and a global rotation that immerses students in diverse cultural and professional contexts.
Minerva’s interdisciplinary curriculum emphasizes critical thinking, creative problem solving, effective communication, and global collaboration. Through fully active, discussion-based seminars and applied learning projects in major cities around the world, students develop the habits of mind and practical skills needed to address the most pressing challenges of our time.
The university has built a vibrant, international student body representing over 100 nations, and graduates have gone on to launch high-impact startups, lead civic initiatives, earn Rhodes, Schwarzman, and Knight-Hennessy scholarships, and pursue graduate study at institutions such as Oxford, Harvard, and Stanford.
Minerva also offers a graduate program focused on equipping working professionals with the tools to drive innovation and impact in their fields.
Ranked the #1 Most Innovative University for three consecutive years by the World University Rankings for Innovation, Minerva is pioneering a scalable, equitable, and transformative model of higher education for the 21st century.
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