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Experience another culture. Learn another language. Gain broader knowledge and skills, and develop a network of international contacts.
There are so many reasons to study or work in another country as part of your degree – and whatever you choose to do – we’re here to help.
Studying or working abroad as part of your degree can help your CV stand out from other graduates too, so when you apply for jobs or further study after graduation, your experience abroad could improve your chances of finding a great career.
Ways to study abroad
Study abroad year
For most students (other than BA (Hons) International Business), your student abroad year will take place between between your second and third year.
This means you'll spend a year studying abroad, and then return to Portsmouth to complete the final year of your degree.
Placement year
If you choose to take a placement year (where you work for a year between your second and third years of study), you can choose to work abroad.
The Global Mobility team will support you as you move and work abroad, alongside the Careers and Employability Service and your Faculty Placement Advisors.
A semester abroad
Some courses offer the opportunity to study abroad for the second teaching block at the end of your second year, instead of studying for a whole year.
This means you'll be able to complete your degree without extending your studies.
Dual degrees
If you're studying a dual degree, you'll study abroad for a year as part of your degree.
In this case, you'll know where you're studying from the start of your degree.
Frequently asked questions
Styles of teaching can vary from country to country and class to class, but don't worry. You'll adapt quickly and the experience you gain from a different way of learning will prove beneficial in the future, and even enhance your studies when you return to Portsmouth.
As an exchange student, you won't pay tuition fees to the partner university, but you would be expected to cover accommodation, travel and general living costs.
You may be eligible to apply for additional funding to support your exchange mobility.
Each department has its own policies about degree classifications. You should discuss how your placement will count towards your degree and impact your degree classification with your departmental coordinator.
Your time studying abroad will be recorded on your University of Portsmouth transcript when you graduate, and you'll also receive a transcript from the partner university for the period of time you spent there.
Apply to study abroad
1. Let us know
To start the process, you should contact your Academic Exchange Coordinator. If you're not sure who to speak to, email us at goabroad@port.ac.uk so we can help.
2. Choose your destination
Depending on your course you may have different study options — you can see our full list of partners on the outbound mobility webpage.
3. Speak to your course leader
Once you've chosen where you'd like to go you should contact your course leader about starting your application.
Most applications to study or work abroad take place in your second year, unless you are studying International Business.
Deadlines are set by schools, departments and faculties.
4. Visit Moodle
Our Moodle site has useful resources to help with you prepare to study abroad, and provides an easy guide on how to apply for studies, work, or funding.
If you're taking part in the British Council Language Assistantship you'll need to complete the documents required for work placements.
5. Prepare to travel
You need to complete certain paperwork to make sure we have the relevant information we need to approve your trip.
If your request isn't received six weeks before you travel, it's up to the Faculty's whether they will allow a late request.
Next steps
Exchange spaces at the partner universities are limited, so staff in your Faculty will review your application, and you may be invited to attend an informal interview as part of this process.
If your application is successful, you'll be formally nominated to our partner university, who will then contact you to begin their exchange student application process.
Once you've been approved you need to:
- consider your funding, insurance and travel details
- identify any further requirements from your host institution or company
- attend any exchange sessions organised by your department or our team, to help you prepare academically and personally for your trip
- arrange your accommodation — the institution or company you're joining should be able to help if you need it
Funding
You may have the opportunity to apply for an external mobility grant. You don’t have to do this alone — our team is here to help guide you through the process.
Grants can help to pay for any extra costs of living overseas, such as your rent, food or bills, but you shouldn't rely on it as your main budget, or to cover your initial costs.
Some grants have extra funding available to support students from low-income backgrounds, those with special educational needs and disabilities. Whatever your background, we can help. Email us at goabroad@port.ac.uk to find out more.
You may also have access to other sources of funding, such as the Student Maintenance Loan, local and regional government grants or existing savings.
Speaking the language
You don't usually have to speak the language of the country you're going to.
Most of our partner universities teach courses in English, but you should check with your departmental coordinator before selecting your options. You'll probably pick up some basic phrases while you're abroad either way.
We offer a free language course while you're at university to learn basic language skills. The IWLP is a free programme open to every campus-based, full-time student at the University. Regardless of what you're studying, you can learn a language alongside your degree.
You can study a number of languages including French, German, Spanish, Italian and Mandarin.
Learn a foreign language for free
Preparing to travel
Planning
- Consider health cover: When travelling to Europe, you're entitled to reduced-cost treatments in eligible countries via the Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC). To apply for the card, visit the UK Government webpage on GHIC.
- Get a map and directions: Pick up a map for the places you're going in your first few days. Have the address of your accommodation written down in the local language. Keep safe any useful numbers you might need, such as a local taxi company and your University contacts
- Check your timetable: Check if there's an orientation programme or welcoming session with the host institution's International Office. They may also have housing information too (if you haven't got a place already).
- Explore International Student Identity Cards (ISIC): Consider getting an International Student Identity Card (ISIC). This is not the same card as the NUS. With the ISIC card you'll benefit from cheaper flights. For more information, visit the ISIC website.
- Check your budget: Make sure you have sufficient funds for the first couple of weeks while you're there.
Make sure you have
- A copy of your passport: keep this separate from the original in case something goes wrong.
- Only what you need: Don't take unnecessary cards or papers with you that can't be used abroad.
- Your important contacts: Keep a contact book in case you lose your phone.
- Any medications you need: Make sure you've got enough supplies of prescription medications you are taking — and that you check for any restrictions on taking medication into your destination country before you travel.
Policies and travel requests
These steps must be completed at least six weeks before departure.
If they are not submitted six weeks prior to travel, it will be the Faculty's decision as to whether they will allow a late request.
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Complete the Student Overseas Travel Risk Assessment Form for the country to be visited.
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Submit the completed Overseas Travel Risk Assessment, and the proposed travel schedule and itinerary to the Global Mobility team at goabroad@port.ac.uk. You should also inform your Tutor / Exchange Co-ordinator / Placements Officer that you've completed these forms.
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We're review your form and decide whether to accept or reject the proposed overseas travel request.
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If the overseas travel request is approved, travel will be covered by the University's Travel Insurance Policy. Graduates who are going on graduate placement or internship programmes are NOT covered and will need to arrange their own travel insurance.
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Once approval has been received, you can then organise booking and paying for travel and accommodation.
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Your travel details and itinerary will be uploaded into the Healix Sentinel System by the Global Mobility team, providing further information about the country's risk profile.
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We strongly recommend that your download the Healix Sentinel Travel Oracle App.
The Healix Sentinel Travel Oracle App is your ultimate travel safety companion. The app is designed to assist you overseas when you need help. The App ensures you receive up-to-date travel information and advice regarding any relevant security and medical alerts within the country you are visiting. There is no additional charge for using the App.
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While you're abroad you should switch on GPS tracking within the Healix Sentinel Travel Oracle App. This means so the app can active monitor risks and provide support if a situation presents a risk.
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When you arrive at your destination you must confirm your safe arrival by emaliing goabroad@port.ac.uk, and copying in your Exchange Coordinator/Placement Officer/Personal Tutor as appropriate.
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Staff and tutors responsible for organising the mobility activity will ensure there is a process to check-in with you regularly. These should take place at least once per fortnight for short mobilities (one teaching block or shorter), and monthly for year-long mobilities.
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You should periodically reassess risks to ensure mitigations continue to be appropriate and relevant. If a risk has changed, you should contact your tutor to reassess the risk and mitigations in place.
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If your encounters a medical emergency or natural disaster whilst abroad, refer to the travel insurance guidance.
For the full student travel overseas guidance and risk assessment, please see the following documents:
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