Studying abroad and exchange students: What is the difference?

Studying abroad and exchange students: What is the difference?

Differences between “study abroad” and “exchange”

Exchange students attend a foreign university for anything from a few weeks to a full academic year through a reciprocal exchange programme with their home university. Depending on the university and course they are registered on, they may have the option of studying in Europe, the USA, Canada, or further afield. The exchange student’s place at the UK institution is taken by a student from the university they will be attending. Exchange students stay registered at the home university during the exchange. While at the overseas university exchange students attend the same courses or modules as though they were registered full time at the institution.

They sit the same exams and their marks taken abroad count toward their final degree classification.

Other students study abroad without being part of any formal reciprocal arrangement. In some cases, they may be studying all of their degree abroad: In others, only part. They may have arranged their placement themselves or been sent by their home institution though not as part of a reciprocal exchange agreement. Studying abroad in this way may have different financial implications from going abroad as an exchange student.

Funding for “study abroad” and “exchange”

A large number of UK universities offer study abroad/ exchange agreements. The plethora of courses may lead to confusion as to cost, funding and the validity of the various modules. Exchange students usually pay no tuition fees to the overseas university or institution. The Erasmus scheme enables students to study in another EU or EEA state for 3-12 months. If these exchange students remain abroad for the whole year they pay no fees to their home university either. Tuition fees are payable to the home UK university if they study overseas for less than the full academic year. Exchange students will not be penalised financially by their LEA or student loan company but will need to inform both that they are studying overseas. UK Erasmus students also receive an Erasmus grant.

Study abroad students will be charged foreign student tuition fees by the overseas university if they are not exchange students. These fees are paid either by the student or by the university or institution that sent them. Local, national and international bodies offer financial assistance ranging from full scholarships to tuition reduction or student loans. Students studying abroad may be eligible for a means tested student loan for living expenses at the overseas rate. UK research councils and professional bodies offer a small number of grants for postgraduates seeking to study abroad. The Access to Learning Fund helps students who find themselves in financial difficulties. Students studying abroad remain eligible for this assistance. Many universities now offer Bursaries for students wishing to undertake part of their studies overseas.

Other expenses

Exchange and study abroad students need to budget for additional costs incurred in overseas study: visa and passport costs, health and travel insurance, travel to and from the UK, living expenses, accommodation etc. These expenses clearly vary from country to country and may prove cheaper or more expensive than the equivalent in the UK.

 

Studying abroad and exchange students: Courses on offer.

Benefits of overseas study

Study abroad and exchange students can benefit enormously from the experience of studying in a foreign university. Only a small percentage of UK students spend a period studying overseas. These students demonstrate adaptability by having lived abroad. They will have second language skills as well as experience of living and studying in a foreign environment.

Types of courses available

There are a number of options for those wishing to study abroad. Studying overseas can be undertaken at any level: undergraduate, postgraduate, research. Many universities now offer summer school courses or vacation placements. It is also possible to study abroad at a pre-university level or while on a Gap year. Language learning need not be the only objective of such excursions. It is possible to study a wide variety of cultural topics at numerous educational establishments overseas alongside acquiring language skills. The range of countries is far from limited either. UK students can study abroad in, for example, Russia, USA, Australia, Canada, China, Europe and the Middle East.

Applying

It is important, especially for study abroad students who aren’t on a reciprocal exchange programme, to plan ahead. Passport and visa applications have to be made. Many overseas institutions will require their application forms to be completed at least a year in advance. Admission tests may be necessary. In many cases such as in the USA or Canada, students wishing to study abroad apply directly to the university they are interested in. Within Europe, different universities have different procedures and these need to be checked and carefully followed when making any application. International students need to check that they are eligible to work in the other country. A UK student studying abroad in another EU country will be treated on the same basis as a national of that country. A UK student studying elsewhere in the world will be treated as foreign student and subject to different rules, fees and regulations than a national of that particular country.

All students whether on a study abroad or exchange basis should find themselves fully integrated into the normal academic life of the university they have joined. They will follow the same workload as that of the home students.

Studying abroad and exchange students: Further Information

Websites/ Addresses

For gap year/ short-term educational trips abroad use the Internet to investigate the wide range of possibilities.

To find Erasmus/ other exchange partners of UK universities, contact the university directly or check out their website.

There are a number of Postgraduate scholarships available for those wishing to undertake further study abroad including those mentioned below. However, competition for all postgraduate awards is likely to be fierce.

• Marie-Curie Research training grants in Europe,
  http://www.cordis.lu/tmr/home.html
• Entente Cordiale Scholarships- France,
  http://www.francealacarte.org.uk/entente/.
• Norwegian Government Scholarship Pool.
  Royal Norwegian Embassy, 25 Belgrave Square, London SW1X 8QD.
• Japan Society for the Promotion of Science (JSPS)
  http://www.jsps.org/
• Fulbright Awards
  Fulbright House, 62 Doughty Street, London WC1N 2JZ

Related studying abroad pages

• Preparing to Study Abroad
• Studyabroad.com
• Studying abroad vs. studying in the UK
• Looking for a university to study abroad
• What is the difference between “exchange” and “study abroad”?
• Summer Programmes
• Planning to Study Abroad