Studying Abroad
There are several ways that a student can experience study abroad. Many UK universities offer the opportunity to spend a semester or up to a year studying abroad as part of a degree course. It is not always necessary to be proficient in a language to go into Europe; many courses are now taught in English and students can also go to the US, Australasia and Canada without any language considerations.
The Erasmus Programme
The Erasmus scheme is an exchange at Higher Education level allowing students to study or complete a placement in another member country in Europe, for up to a year. There are approximately 4000 institutions involved in 33 countries. No extra fees are payable and it is possible to access additional funding to help with travel and living expenses.
Campuses outside the UK
Some UK universities have opened campuses outside the UK, where it is possible for a student a spend part of their course. For example Nottingham, Reading and Southampton have campuses in Malaysia, University College, London has a campus in Qatar, the University of Central Lancashire will open a campus in Cyprus in 2014. The University of London has offered a degree in French Studies at their Institute in Paris for many years.
Applying abroad
With the increase in fees many students are looking to Europe (now offering about 4500 courses in English) and beyond for a different Higher Education experience by applying to institutions abroad. As well as enhancing employability skills, many institutions charge lower fees which can be an attractive proposition. In Europe, UK students are charged the same as home students, which can be significantly less than the UK. However, it is not possible at present to access funding through Student Finance in the UK to study an entire degree abroad.
Applications are made direct to the university or through an online centralised application portal. Sometimes a combination of the two!
The Netherlands
Universities in the Netherlands actively welcome students from the UK and are easily accessible. About 200 degree courses are now taught in English. There are two types of institution - research universities and universities of Applied Sciences which offer more professionally-focussed courses. The current tuition fee is 1835 euros per year - about £1600. Private institutions often charge more.
Entry requirements are lower than competitive UK institutions and applications are submitted later - usually May and June prior to a September start. Some courses have restricted numbers - referred to as Numerus Fixus. Applications are made either direct to an institution or through an online portal called Studielink. It is advisable to approach the institution in the first instance and find out what they require.
The Dutch government offers a student finance package to overseas students, which involves working 32 hours per month for a Dutch company.
The US
With over 4000 universities and colleges, the US offers an amazing variety of choice in Higher Education.
A Bachelors degree takes 4 years and students enjoy a broader academic approach to their studies, choosing up to 8 subjects to begin with. A major needs to be chosen by the end of the second year. It should be noted that unlike the UK, subjects such as law and medicine are not available at undergraduate level.
As there is no standardised system of education, students take an admissions test prior to application, the SAT (Scholastic Aptitude Test), SAT subject tests (as required) or an alternative - the ACT (American College Testing). It is possible to sit tests in the UK but early booking is recommended.
Application is direct, although 400 institutions have signed up to the Common Application, allowing applicants to complete basic information for a number of institutions once, online. The application is detailed; involvement in the community and extra curricular activities are valued highly by US institutions. Each application carries a charge of usually between $50-$75. Competition is fierce for the top institutions such as the Ivy League, and also for scholarships.
There are several deadlines for different stages of application, but the latest is January 1st and an offer is not usually conditional.
Further Information
General information about applying to universities abroad:
www.astarfuture.co.uk
www.learnabroad.ie
www.eunicas.ie
www.studyineurope.eu
www.completeuniversityguide.co.uk
www.hotcoursesabroad.com
Country:
The Netherlands:
www.studyinholland.co.uk UK site specialising in HE in the Netherlands
www.studielink.nl/en Dutch application portal
France:
www.campusfrance.org/en Comprehensive information about study in France
www.diplomatie.gouv.fr/en/france/studying-in-france/ Government site
Germany:
www.studying-in-germany.org Information about Higher Education in Germany
www.daad.de/en German Academic Exchange Service
Spain:
www.studyinspain.info Studying and living in Spain
www.uned.es Organisation converting international qualifications
Denmark:
studyindenmark.dk Information about university study in Denmark
ufm.dk/en/education-and-institutions/recognition-and-transparency/recognition-guide/admission-he Danish qualifications board
Sweden:
www.studyinsweden.se Information about university study in Sweden
www.universityadmissions.se Swedish application portal
The US:
www.fulbright.org.uk The starting point for US study planning
www.collegeboard.org Information about SAT tests plus registration
www.petersons.com A guide to US colleges
www.commonapp.org The Common Application portal
www.universalcollegeapp.com The Universal College Application
Australia and NZ:
www.studyoptions.com Comprehensive information about courses
studyinaustralia.gov.au Database of higher education courses
studyinnewzealand.com Information about studying in New Zealand
www.nzqa.govt.nz NZ Qualifications Authority
Canada:
www.universitystudy.ca Information about university study in Canada
www.cic.ga.ca Citizenship and immigration
www.scholarships-bourses.gc.ca Scholarships available for study in Canada
Commonwealth:
www.acu.ac.uk Association of Commonwealth Universities
www.acu.ac.uk/about-csfp Commonwealth Scholarship and Fellowship Plan
World rankings:
www.timeshighereducation.co.uk/world-university-rankings
www.shanghairanking.com
www.arwu.org
www.topuniversities.com
© 2017 All rights reserved
The Erasmus Programme
The Erasmus scheme is an exchange at Higher Education level allowing students to study or complete a placement in another member country in Europe, for up to a year. There are approximately 4000 institutions involved in 33 countries. No extra fees are payable and it is possible to access additional funding to help with travel and living expenses.
Campuses outside the UK
Some UK universities have opened campuses outside the UK, where it is possible for a student a spend part of their course. For example Nottingham, Reading and Southampton have campuses in Malaysia, University College, London has a campus in Qatar, the University of Central Lancashire will open a campus in Cyprus in 2014. The University of London has offered a degree in French Studies at their Institute in Paris for many years.
Applying abroad
With the increase in fees many students are looking to Europe (now offering about 4500 courses in English) and beyond for a different Higher Education experience by applying to institutions abroad. As well as enhancing employability skills, many institutions charge lower fees which can be an attractive proposition. In Europe, UK students are charged the same as home students, which can be significantly less than the UK. However, it is not possible at present to access funding through Student Finance in the UK to study an entire degree abroad.
Applications are made direct to the university or through an online centralised application portal. Sometimes a combination of the two!
The Netherlands
Universities in the Netherlands actively welcome students from the UK and are easily accessible. About 200 degree courses are now taught in English. There are two types of institution - research universities and universities of Applied Sciences which offer more professionally-focussed courses. The current tuition fee is 1835 euros per year - about £1600. Private institutions often charge more.
Entry requirements are lower than competitive UK institutions and applications are submitted later - usually May and June prior to a September start. Some courses have restricted numbers - referred to as Numerus Fixus. Applications are made either direct to an institution or through an online portal called Studielink. It is advisable to approach the institution in the first instance and find out what they require.
The Dutch government offers a student finance package to overseas students, which involves working 32 hours per month for a Dutch company.
The US
With over 4000 universities and colleges, the US offers an amazing variety of choice in Higher Education.
A Bachelors degree takes 4 years and students enjoy a broader academic approach to their studies, choosing up to 8 subjects to begin with. A major needs to be chosen by the end of the second year. It should be noted that unlike the UK, subjects such as law and medicine are not available at undergraduate level.
As there is no standardised system of education, students take an admissions test prior to application, the SAT (Scholastic Aptitude Test), SAT subject tests (as required) or an alternative - the ACT (American College Testing). It is possible to sit tests in the UK but early booking is recommended.
Application is direct, although 400 institutions have signed up to the Common Application, allowing applicants to complete basic information for a number of institutions once, online. The application is detailed; involvement in the community and extra curricular activities are valued highly by US institutions. Each application carries a charge of usually between $50-$75. Competition is fierce for the top institutions such as the Ivy League, and also for scholarships.
There are several deadlines for different stages of application, but the latest is January 1st and an offer is not usually conditional.
Further Information
General information about applying to universities abroad:
www.astarfuture.co.uk
www.learnabroad.ie
www.eunicas.ie
www.studyineurope.eu
www.completeuniversityguide.co.uk
www.hotcoursesabroad.com
Country:
The Netherlands:
www.studyinholland.co.uk UK site specialising in HE in the Netherlands
www.studielink.nl/en Dutch application portal
France:
www.campusfrance.org/en Comprehensive information about study in France
www.diplomatie.gouv.fr/en/france/studying-in-france/ Government site
Germany:
www.studying-in-germany.org Information about Higher Education in Germany
www.daad.de/en German Academic Exchange Service
Spain:
www.studyinspain.info Studying and living in Spain
www.uned.es Organisation converting international qualifications
Denmark:
studyindenmark.dk Information about university study in Denmark
ufm.dk/en/education-and-institutions/recognition-and-transparency/recognition-guide/admission-he Danish qualifications board
Sweden:
www.studyinsweden.se Information about university study in Sweden
www.universityadmissions.se Swedish application portal
The US:
www.fulbright.org.uk The starting point for US study planning
www.collegeboard.org Information about SAT tests plus registration
www.petersons.com A guide to US colleges
www.commonapp.org The Common Application portal
www.universalcollegeapp.com The Universal College Application
Australia and NZ:
www.studyoptions.com Comprehensive information about courses
studyinaustralia.gov.au Database of higher education courses
studyinnewzealand.com Information about studying in New Zealand
www.nzqa.govt.nz NZ Qualifications Authority
Canada:
www.universitystudy.ca Information about university study in Canada
www.cic.ga.ca Citizenship and immigration
www.scholarships-bourses.gc.ca Scholarships available for study in Canada
Commonwealth:
www.acu.ac.uk Association of Commonwealth Universities
www.acu.ac.uk/about-csfp Commonwealth Scholarship and Fellowship Plan
World rankings:
www.timeshighereducation.co.uk/world-university-rankings
www.shanghairanking.com
www.arwu.org
www.topuniversities.com
© 2017 All rights reserved