Studying Abroad

The chance to study or work abroad as part of your degree is a fantastic opportunity that more and more students choose to take each year. There are endless advantages to gain from living abroad as a student, such as enhancing your personal development with cultural experiences and improving your foreign language skills. A programme of study or work abroad can also improve your employability; it is a great addition to your CV which should help you stand out against other graduates. As a result, initiatives such as 'Erasmus' have been set up to ensure that financial constraints are not a deterrent to students who would otherwise benefit from foreign travel.

Erasmus is an EU-wide scheme which aims to provide financial support for students who wish to study or work abroad as part of their degree. Most UK universities support the Erasmus scheme, and it is in fact open to students of any degree discipline, not just to students of foreign languages. Individual course requirements do tend to differ, and some degree programmes do not permit students to undertake a period of residence abroad, and so it is worth checking with your university or college before you apply for the course.

Provided that you will be studying or working in an Erasmus partner country within the EU, you will be entitled to a non-repayable Erasmus grant. The amount which you will receive depends upon the country you are travelling to, and how long you will be spending in that country. Depending on the requirements of your university or college your tuition fees may also be waived whilst you are abroad.

Scholarships and grants may be available from your university or from external organisations, offering funding for students who wish to study outside the EU.

You can apply for the Erasmus scheme via your University: ask your personal tutor, or a member of the careers service, for more details.