Looking for a university to study abroad

It's hard choosing a university abroad

Prospective students looking for a university to study abroad are faced with a daunting task. Fortunately, there are a number of very structured approaches to assist students who are interested in studying abroad.

Amongst these are the Erasmus Student Exchange Programme, other International Student Exchange and Study Abroad Programmes, and the Universitas 21 Student Exchange Programme. Between these programmes students can choose from universities in 40 or more different countries, from Ningbo (China) to Copenhagen and Lisbon to New York. The choices can be bewildering, and the only way through the maze of possibilities is to follow a very structured path.

Where to find the best help and advice for studying abroad

The simplest route into any foreign study programme is via the UK university in which the student is enrolled (the Home University), and which will ultimately be granting the student a degree. It is usual for each Academic School (or Faculty) of the Home University to have a co-ordinator for exchange programmes for studying abroad. For some degrees studying abroad is mandatory (i.e. Languages) but because of the advantages gained by students from studying abroad in general, most universities encourage students to do so, whether part of a mandatory requirement or not. So the office of the exchange programme co-ordinator (or Year Abroad Officer) within the student’s degree course faculty is the best place to obtain help and advice about studying abroad.

The first step along the path to studying abroad

Students who have a particular country and course in mind need to include these considerations in their decisions about which UK universities they apply to. All major UK universities provide information about what international exchange programmes they offer, usually on their web sites, and this should be part of the research done before students send in their applications. Students who wish to study abroad, but who have not yet decided exactly what they will study or in which country, should simply ensure that the degree course they have chosen includes the possibility of studying abroad, and that the UK universities they apply to have active Student Exchange or Studying Abroad programmes. Once they are safely enrolled in a UK university they can then liaise with their School/Faculty exchange programme co-ordinator.

Studying abroad through the Erasmus Programme

The Erasmus Student Exchange Programme is a European Commission initiative which aims to increase student mobility within Europe. It currently involves 90% of European higher education establishments including the universities of 31 countries. Students who are enrolled in a UK university and who wish to study for up to a year in a European Union, European Economic Area or candidate country are able to participate in the Erasmus Programme. Students must meet a minimum academic standard. Students who spend a full academic year studying abroad under the Erasmus Programme pay no tuition fees for the year they are abroad, neither to their home university nor to the host university. However, those studying abroad for less than a year do have to pay their home university fees. Students also qualify for an Erasmus grant. These are paid through the home university and are over and above any other grants or loans students might have, which students studying abroad are entitled to continue receiving. The average grant in 2007/8 is EUR 440 per month. Some Local Education Authorities also provide extra funding to students studying abroad.

Studying abroad through International Exchange Programmes

Most British universities offer International Exchange Programmes, outside of Europe, which vary slightly between universities and between the Schools/Faculties within the universities. Using Nottingham University as an example, exchanges are offered with 17 universities in the USA, 5 in Canada, 4 in Australia, 3 in Brazil, 2 in Mexico and with individual universities in Chile, Cuba, Hong Kong, New Zealand and Singapore. Tuition fees may be reduced by the Home University for students studying abroad for a full academic year. Many universities also offer travel bursaries and/or scholarships for students studying abroad.

 

Studying abroad through the Universitas 21 Student Exchange Programme

Universitas 21 is a network of leading universities in thirteen countries. These include Australia, Canada, China, Hong Kong, India, Ireland Japan, Mexico, New Zealand, Singapore, South Korea, Sweden, the UK and the USA. The four British universities are the Universities of Birmingham, Edinburgh, Glasgow and Nottingham. Students at British universities are able to study at a participating university as an integral part of their degree programmes. Students are selected on academic merit and other considerations.

Language issues for students studying abroad

Although one of the advantages of studying abroad is the opportunity to learn a foreign language really well, it is possible to find courses at foreign universities which are taught in English. Universities in countries like the USA, Canada, Australia and New Zealand all use English as the medium of instruction, and the following countries also have university courses taught in English: the Netherlands, Finland, Czech Republic, Poland, Denmark, Turkey, Scandinavia and Greece. The School/Faculty exchange programme co-ordinator of the home university will be able to provide students with information about the options for being taught in English whilst studying abroad. If you want to study in a foreign language other than French, German or Spanish, the European Commission offers Erasmus Intensive Language Courses totally free of tuition fees. These are courses of 3 to 8 weeks duration, in the host country, immediately before the start of the academic period.

Final thoughts for studying abroad

• Accommodation: The home and the host universities usually help with finding accommodation abroad. There are also websites which exist for exchanging rented accommodation.
• Travel: Europe has a great rail network with special deals for students. Before booking flights for further destinations students should do plenty of research to obtain the best prices.
• Insurance and Health: For European Union countries students should obtain the EHIC card, which has replaced the E111 forms. Travel insurance to safeguard personal property is vital. For destinations outside of the EU students need to have full and comprehensive insurance including travel and health insurance.

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