Frequently asked questions

Go Abroad opportunities for BCU students are varied so it depends what is available to you and where you are with what you are studying at BCU. 

Undergraduate (UG) students can apply to study abroad as part of their degree at a BCU partner university for a semester or a full year. Students can apply to study for a semester in their second year or a full year between their second and third year. 
There are also summer opportunities which are generally four weeks during June, July or August.

This depends on the opportunity you are interested in. We have opportunities for undergraduate (UG), postgraduate (PG) and PhD students, including final-year students!

UG students can apply to study abroad as part of their degree, spending a semester or a year abroad. Spend a semester in your second year or a full year between your second and third year. You will need to speak to your Course Team – you can find details on our Go Abroad Moodle page.

All UG, PG and PhD students can apply for a summer opportunity, including final-year students. Summer opportunities in June, July and August are available covering a wide range of activities: study, work, volunteering, language courses and more!

Summer programmes are open to all students, including all levels of study and also recent graduates (the summer programme must be completed within 12 months of your course end date). Applications from PG and PhD students are subject to academic approval. PG and PhD students must first check with the Academic Team in their Faculty if they will approve their absence from their BCU course before applying. 

International students can apply for summer programmes but are advised to check their UK visa and any restrictions attached to it to be sure they can travel and come back into the UK.

Graduating students applying to a summer programme need to check if the date of their graduation ceremony clashes with the summer programme. Students will need to decide which one is of more importance to do. Students may wish to defer to the next set of ceremonies. Please note, students can only request to defer their attendance on two occasions.

Undergraduate (UG) students can study abroad for a semester or a full year.

• A semester usually takes place in your second year.

• A full year takes place in between your second and third year.

Summer opportunities are available in June, July and August, and normally last four weeks, but some opportunities may be available for longer.

You should research and look to apply for the best opportunity to suit you.

Speaking a foreign language isn’t a requirement to go abroad – in fact, the opportunity could help you develop language skills.

For undergraduate (UG) student exchanges, most of the courses we have links with abroad are taught in English.

For summer opportunities, the majority of providers will speak English, but if you go to a non-English speaking country, you may pick up interesting and new skills when conversing with any locals you meet.

Once you’ve picked an opportunity, it’s worth learning a few of the basics before you travel.

Costs vary depending on the opportunity you apply for.

For study abroad opportunities, UG students do not pay tuition fees to the host university, but will continue to pay tuition fees to BCU and can apply for a tuition fee loan if eligible. 

• For a full year opportunity, Home students pay 15% of that years’ fee and international students pay 50%.

• For a semester abroad, all students continue to pay their full fee for that year to BCU.

Subject to eligibility, students can still apply for Student Finance to support the costs of a period abroad. 

There is also Turing funding and BCU top up funding available – find details on our Go Abroad funding webpage.

You’ll need to be aware that you’ll still need to pay living costs, such as accommodation, travel, visa, insurance and living expenses.

Some countries have specific requirements relating to insurance and you may be required to purchase an additional policy at an additional expense e.g., Australia and the USA. This can be costly, so please bear this in mind when selecting your destination.

You won’t have to pay tuition fees on exchange to the partner university, but you will pay your fees to BCU as normal.

Some partner institutions do charge for some services which are not included in their tuition fee costs but these should be highlighted to all students by the partner university upon application. Students are responsible for the costs of participating in a mobility abroad, such as accommodation, travel, visa, insurance and living expenses.

Please be aware that some countries have specific requirements relating to insurance and you may be required to purchase an additional policy at an additional expense e.g. Australia and the USA. This can be costly, so please bear this in mind when selecting your destination. For more information please contact the Go Abroad Team.

Your next steps to applying are:

1. Check out current opportunities on the Go Abroad Moodle page.

2. Do some research into the opportunity you are most interested in.

3. Check the application deadlines

4. Head to our How to Apply page for step-by-step details

Enrol on to the Go Abroad Moodle page to find the online application links.

Only UG semester and full year periods abroad that are taken as part of an approved degree programme. The credits from a period abroad will be taken not grades. Students will still be required to pass all 120 credits at each level of their degree.

Summer opportunities are taken outside of your degree.

Postgraduate (PG) and PhD students must check first with the Academic Team in their Faculty to get approval of absence from their BCU course before applying.

Once you've been accepted to participate in a mobility you will receive further information from your Faculty and the Go Abroad Team about the practicalities of your period abroad, including how to apply, accommodation, travel and insurance requirements. You will also be required to complete an exchange application and a Learning Agreement to agree the details of your time abroad.

Generally our partner institutions offer accommodation to rent within the campus or with local contacts to find your own accommodation. The partner university you plan to apply to will provide further details, but accommodation may not be guaranteed.

In many of our partner universities there is more than one place available for students. You may be able to apply with friends but please note that places are subject to availability and handled on an individual basis.

You will be welcomed to the partner university by their support services and the international teams, helping you to adjust to the new environment and to make new friends. There will be plenty of opportunities to get to know new people and to interact with local and international students, so we encourage you to make your own decision about what and where is best for you!

Studying abroad as part of your degree is a fantastic way to differentiate you from the rest. It will demonstrate you are open-minded, independent and can adapt to new surroundings.

Research carried out by Universities UK International saw mobile students were more likely to achieve higher final degree awards, less likely to be unemployed and at a higher starting salary than their non-mobile peers six months after they graduate.

Students who took part in short-term mobility also gained from their international experience compared to their non-mobile peers.

Find out more about the benefits of studying abroad.

If you have any further questions or would like to find out more about going abroad or the funding available, please contact the team at goabroad@bcu.ac.uk