Every Monday, firstpoint publishes five points about a topic related to life at university. This week, have you considered Study Abroad? It’s an experience you’ll remember for the rest of your life!
POINT ONE: DECIDE HOW LONG TO BE AWAY FOR: SEMESTER, YEAR OR SUMMER…
A semester? You can spend a semester of year two at one of our partner universities. This semester will serve as a replacement semester. You will take modules that fulfil and complement your usual degree requirements. You will pay your regular tuition fee to the University of Worcester.
A year? You can switch your degree to a four-year degree and spend year three abroad. For this option, you will spend years one, two, and four in Worcester completing your degree requirements. You will spend year three abroad either at one of our partner universities or completing a placement.
A summer? You can attend a summer school at one of our partner or endorsed universities. Summer schools usually run from between one to six weeks. Some focus on cultural experience, while others will focus on specific course related subjects.
If you’re interested, why not set up an appointment with the International Mobility team? You can send an email to international-experience@worc.ac.uk outlining your interests and a member of the team will be in touch.
POINT TWO: THINK ABOUT WHERE YOU MIGHT GO…
The University of Worcester has partner universities in Asia, Europe, North America, Australia, New Zealand and Brazil. Where you can study will depend on your course and the duration of your study period.
The school destination guides list all the partner institutions available to students in your school, you can find these under ‘Where can I go on study abroad?’ on the FAQ page here. Some universities will be more suitable for some courses than others. It is noted in each guide where there are clear restrictions on course eligibility or study duration at each partner.
You can also check out the online map of partner universities here, to help start your planning!
POINT THREE: UNDERSTAND THE APPLICATION PROCESS…
For both a semester abroad and third year abroad, you will:
- Complete the online application form
- Have an interview
- Find out the results
- Be nominated to the partner university
- Complete the application for the university (register for classes, sign up for accommodation, etc.)
- Attend a mandatory pre-departure session
- Apply for your study visa/residence permit
- Finalise your travel arrangements
- Go abroad and live the dream!
Go abroad and live the dream!
POINT FOUR: DON’T MISS THE DEADLINE…
Applications for first semester of year two should be completed in your first year of study. Applications for Third Year Abroad must be completed in your second year of study.
For both opportunities, applications open on 1st December and close on 31st January. You will be nominated in March and have a departure session in April or May. You’ll then go abroad in the August or September of your third year.
Applications for second semester of year two must be completed in your first year of study. The application opens on 1st February and all applications close on 31st March. You will be nominated and have a departure session in September. You’ll then go abroad in the January, February or March of your second year.
The online application form will be available here as soon as the application window opens.
POINT FIVE: FIND OUT ABOUT HOW TO FUND YOUR TRAVELS…
Our Money Advice Study Abroad webpage contains some helpful information about your financing. Your tuition loans and maintenance loans or grants from Student Finance England, Wales or Northern Ireland can be used for your study period abroad.
You are eligible for four years of financing from Student Finance England, Wales and Northern Ireland. If you spend your Third Year Abroad, you will use your fourth year of eligibility. Student Finance will match your tuition fee loan according to that year’s fee. You will be eligible for the usual study abroad maintenance grant/loan amount.
Research the destination you want to study at in advance, to help you compare costs to home and help you to budget for your time abroad. Factor in expenses such as rent, food, visas and health insurance if required.
In addition to your normal SFE funding every student at the university who applies to study abroad will receive funding from the university through the Turing Scheme. Please contact the International Team for more information about this.
For other funding options, see the Study Abroad FAQ’s.
firstpoint 