Applying to Study Abroad

UCA offers all undergraduate students the opportunity to Study Abroad as part of their UCA degree. We have two options available:

• Semester Exchange: If you are on a three-year degree, you can choose to study either the autumn or spring semester of your second year overseas. You must apply in your first year.   
• International Study Year: If you are on a four-year degree, you can switch your Professional Practice Year to an International Study Year and complete a full year studying at one of our partner universities. You must apply in your second year.  

Your eligibility for a UCA study abroad programme depends on the programme you wish to apply for, your current year of enrolment and your academic standing.  

To be eligible for the UCA Semester Exchange Programme, you must: 

• Be enrolled in a three-year UCA undergraduate degree Programme 
• Be currently in the first year of your degree 
• Be recommended by your UCA Programme Director 
• Be of good academic standing (55%)
• Have a satisfactory attendance record

To be eligible for the UCA International Study Year, you must: 

• Be enrolled in a four-year UCA undergraduate degree Programme 
• Be currently in the second year of your degree 
• Confirm you wish to replace your Professional Practice Year with an International Study Year 
• Be recommended by your UCA Programme Director 
• Be of good academic standing - achieved a minimum average mark of 55% from stage 1 [FHEQ Level 4] 
• Have a satisfactory attendance record. 

Participation in the Study Abroad Programme is contingent upon the destination being safe, the allocation of study abroad placements, your progression and the allocated host university offering a suitable exchange option in the year of enrolment. UCA does not guarantee students study abroad placements. 

Before you begin research destination you must first identify which opportunities are available to you. Most UCA programmes have a range of university options which teach programmes aligned to your UCA degree. It is essential, if you apply for the Semester Exchange Programme, that you study courses relevant to your UCA degree.  

Our Where You Can Go webpage outlines your options based on your UCA school.  

As part of your application for the Study Abroad Programme you will be asked to select up to three preferences.

There are many factors to consider when choosing your preferred universities. You may think the decision should be purely academic, but you should also consider personal and wellbeing factors that could impact your overall experience.  

Below we have outline so key these and questions to help you establish your main priorities.  

Academic Considerations  

1. Most universities do not use university rankings in the same way we do in the UK or use the same ranking systems. It is important you think beyond universities you have heard of or recognize. Universities that are well known or in popular cities may not necessarily be the best fit for you.  
2. Does the university you are interested in offer courses aligned to your UCA degree and meet the credit requirements (equality of 60 UK Credit per semester) 
3. Does the university offer courses in English or are you competent in the language of the host nation?  
4. Does the university offer additional language courses to help exchange/international students learn the local language? 
5. What is the academic experience like? Does the university offer a mix of practical and theory-based classes, will you be required to take formal examinations?  
6. What does the student experience look like? It is a big university or a smaller specialized university? 

Financial Considerations  

1. What will your source of funding be?  
2. How much will it cost to travel to and from your host country? 
3. What are the costs of living in your host country compared to the UK?  
4. What extra associated costs will you have, such as the costs of visas, insurance, and vaccinations?  

Location Considerations 

1. Are you looking for a culture like the UK’s, or something different?  
2. Are you looking for a big city experience or a smaller local location?  
3. How close or far away would you like to be from home?   
4. Are you better suited to a warmer or cooler climate?  
5. How might the cultural attitudes and social norms impact your experience?  
6. Have you been to the location before or know people that have been?  

Health & Wellbeing Considerations 

1. Many countries offer different levels of health and medical quality – have you considered what might happen if you are unable to access services you regularly access in the UK  
2. Moving to a new country, even for a short period, can present an unexpected challenge. Have you thought about how you will get support if needed?  
3. If you have a pre-existing medical or health condition, have you considered the availability of prescriptions and specialised treatment if required?  
4. Have you researched the host university campus facilities and services and if specialised support is available?  
5. If you have a pre-existing medical condition, have you declared this on your travel insurance and factored in any extra costs associated with this? 

Your Finances 

It is crucial to factor your financial situation into your research as this will likely impact the destinations that you consider. If you have any concerns, you can speak to us about your financial circumstances during the application stage - we can help you calculate outgoing costs, compare the cost of living between countries and select suitable destinations. There are three main areas to consider when considering your year abroad finances: 

• Tuition fees: You will continue to pay your UCA tuition fees are normal, however, you will not be required to pay any tuition fees to your host university.  
• Travel, accommodation and living costs: you are responsible for all your travel, visa, insurance, accommodation and any living costs or personal expenses whilst abroad 
• Sources of financial support: Think about your primary and secondary sources of income for your placement: 
  • Student Finance England: If you currently receive Student Finance England support you will continue to receive this, however, maintain loan amounts may change.  
  • Student Finance England Travel Grant: If you currently receive support from Student Finance England you can apply for a Travel Grant to help cover the cost of flights For more information including eligibility information visit - https://www.gov.uk/travel-grants-students-england.  
  • Turing Funding: Contingent upon UCA securing Funding from the UK Government, students can apply for a funding to help cover the cost-of-living of study aboard and maybe eligible for travel and disability grants.  

Providing evidence of funds for visa applications 

Some countries require evidence of personal funds as part of the visa application process. 

Although not an exhaustive list, this is generally a requirement for placements in the USA, Japan and some other Asian countries. If required, you'll need to provide evidence of sufficient personal funds documented through a combination of bank statements and payment confirmation letters from financial sponsors of Student Finance England, that you have the funds to support yourself for the duration of your study abroad placement.  

For example, host institutions in the USA, students are often required to provide evidence of access to funds in the region of $25,000 USD (around £20,000). 

You may need to show financial support for visas in Europe, though the funds necessary are much less than what is requested for the USA. In the past few years, students experienced serious delays in obtaining visas for European countries. It is necessary to start your visa request process as soon as possible to avoid a late arrival for your placement. 

Language of instruction

If you are proficient in a language other than English and there is an option for you to attend a university that teaches in that language. If you are allocated a space at a university teaching in a language other than English, you will likely be required to provide evidence of your proficiency as part of your application. Most of our partners require an intermediate proficiency in the target language. 

Health and wellbeing 

Being away from home means being away from your primary healthcare provider. If you have any ongoing health issues for which receive treatment, or have received treatment for recently, it is important to discuss this with your healthcare practitioner before deciding to go abroad. 

If you are taking any long-term prescription medication, it is also important to seek advice about availability of your medicines overseas and ways you can manage this abroad, as this may affect your choice of country or university. 

Moving to another country and adjusting to a new culture and academic system can be disorientating and can present unexpected challenges at times. Before deciding to go abroad, it is important to ask yourself whether you think you will be able to deal with the effects of moving overseas. 

Support systems overseas also vary. If you are allocated a place at one of our North American or Australian partners for example, you may find yourself in a campus environment with a highly developed support network for exchange students. Closer to home within Europe, you may be expected to manage your affairs as independently as a local student. There is a wealth of support available to UCL students abroad and you can find information on this here. 

You can also discuss these issues in confidence with us, the UCA wellbeing or disability support teams.  

Students with disabilities 

If you have a disability or specific learning difference and anticipate that you will need specific support while abroad, we encourage you to reach out to us, the Global Mobility Team or the UCA Disability and SpLD Support Term as early as possible in the process to discuss this further. 

We can provide tailored advice on destinations, information on additional funding and support with the organisation of updates to individual support plans.  

Cultural Differences  

Different countries offer an opportunity to experience different cultures, attitudes and experiences, However, attitudes to disability, gender, religious beliefs, sexual, ethnic or social identity can be different in other parts of the world, and you should take this into account when deciding where to study abroad. It is important to research carefully and seek advice if this is a concern for you, as experiencing direct or indirect prejudice or discrimination can cause emotional distress, and potentially put your safety at risk.  

You may also experience some form of culture shock when you arrive to your host country, as you adjust to the unfamiliar environment, social, and educational systems, as well as the unfamiliar food, climate, language and more. You may find this challenging, frustrating or overwhelming, which is entirely normal. It is important to consider this when selecting a destination, and what support you might need.  

Semester Structure 

While the UCA Academic year runs from September to June and consists of two semesters, other institutions around the world may have different academic calendars and semester structures. It is important to consider the term time of your preferred host universities, as these may overlap with the UCA semester dates, or require you to start or finish at your host university during holiday periods.  

For example, host universities in the southern hemisphere have their longer academic breaks over December and February. Therefore, your Spring placement may not begin until March and run through to August.   

You can find the academic calendars for our partner universities on their websites.  

Accommodation 

If you are planning to apply for a semester exchange, this means you will spend a semester of your second year at UCA and the other overseas, therefore it is important to consider your accommodation options both at UCA as well as overseas.  

Your plans before and after your year abroad

If it is important to consider what you are doing before and after your Study Abroad Placement which could affect your ability to take part in the programmes or attend a specific university due to the start and end dates of the programme. You also need to consider the dates you need to be back at UCA to continue your degree.  

You could also decide to extend your time in your host country to travel and explore or undertake a summer opportunity.

Applying for Study Abroad goes through the UCA Global Mobility Team – we will access your application and allocate and nominate you to a Host University.  

Here are the steps you will need to complete:

1. Research your options: Use the Where You Can Go webpage and this guide to support your research of host universities and decide on your preference. 
2. Discuss with your tutor: Meet with your personal academic tutor or programme director to discuss your options and goals for your study abroad.
3. Apply to Participate: To Apply, complete the online application form that can be found on the outgoing study abroad page. Applications open in January for the next academic year. To complete the online form, you will need: 
   1. Your personal and programme details
   2. The details of your Programme Director 
   3. Details of the Programme you wish to apply for (Semester Abroad or International Study Year) 
   4. Details of the semester you wish to apply (Autumn or Spring) if you are applying for Semester exchange
   5. Details of the three host universities you wish to study at
   6. Details of the course you wish to study
4. Await approval and receive your allocation: the UCA Global Mobility Team will review your application and approve your participation. You will receive an email confirmation to confirm which host university you have been allocated. 
5. Provide your consent and agree to your responsibilities: you must provide UCA consent to share your details with the host university, and in emergencies and acknowledge that your understand the responsibilities of participating in the programme.   UCA will email you the forms that need be completed and returned to UCA before your nomination to the host institution. 
6. Receive an invitation to apply to your host: you will be nominated to your allocated host university. If your nomination is successful, you will receive an invitation to formally apply to your host university.
7. Apply to your host university: every host university has a different application process, it is important you apply as per their guidelines and by the by the host universities deadline.  

You are responsible for researching the courses and units offered at your host university. With your academic lead, you should select the courses you wish to study before applying to your host university. This ensures the credits you earn can be counted towards your UCA degree. 

Students taking the Semester Exchange Programme must take courses and modules aligned to their UCA degree. 

Students taking the International Study Year have the flexibility to take complimentary courses additional to their UCA degree and are not restricted to their specific field of study at UCA.  

You must take the equivalent of a full-time course load and 60 UCA credits per semester. This is equivalent to 30 ECTS or 15 USA credits per semester. 

As a participant in the UCA Semester, you are responsible to   

• To understand that exchange placements are not guaranteed and that UCA cannot offer you the preferred host institution. We will usually work with you to find a suitable host.  
• To understand acceptance and a placement offer at your host institution is at the discretion of the host institution.  
• To ensure you read and understand the Exchange Programme Student Guide 
• To ensure you read and act on any emails received from the UCA Global Mobility Team during the application process and exchange placement period. 
• To proactively follow application processes and adhere to deadlines. Ensuring applications, agreements and forms are completed accurately. This includes applying to the host university once you have received your successful nomination notification or invitation to apply. 
• To connect and consult with your UCA lead academic and gain their approval to go on an exchange placement, as well as gain their approval for the course you wish to take at the host university. This ensures courses correlate towards your degree, and credits can be transferred. 
• To attend any mandatory pre-departure information sessions and your personal 1:1 session with the UCA Global Mobility team. 
• To complete and return all mandatory UCA documentation, including learning agreement, Consent to share form, length of study forms, and risk assessment by the set deadlines. 
• To gain programme director approval to change your modules and complete a new learning agreement and return this to exchange@uca.ac.uk. 
• To conduct research into the country and host university where you plan to study, including becoming aware of local laws, customs and human rights positions.  
• To ensure you understand the financial implications of studying abroad and applying for the Turing grant if applicable.  
• To organise your travel documentation, visas, insurance, and immunisation if required and review any government travel advice for your destination country.
• To book your travel and accommodation for the duration of your exchange placement.  
• To pay all fees and personal expenses associated with participating in the UCA exchange programme.  
• To ensure you respect and adhere to the laws and customs of the host country and adhere to the host university’s policies and the UCA code of conduct. Remember you are representing UCA.  
• Inform the UCA Global Mobility team and, when applicable, your host university of any changes to your circumstances, including if you wish to withdraw your application or change courses at your host university. 
• To keep in contact with UCA for the duration of your exchange placement and attend any check-in sessions or respond to any check-in emails. Remember you are still a member of the UCA community and under UCA academic guidance and duty of care.  
• To inform UCA of any academic, health and safety or other issues which impact your ability to successfully complete your exchange placement.  
• Supply exchange@uca.ac.uk with a copy of your official transcript from your host university during the competition for your exchange placement to ensure that credits are transferred to your UCA degree programme. 
• You must please complete the Student Responsibility Form and return it to exchange@uca.ac.uk to participate in the programme. We will ask you for this as part of the application process.  

Once you have submitted your Study Abroad application to UCA you cannot make changes, your first submission will be taken as final. Please check and double-check that you are happy with your preferences and responses before clicking submit. 

UCA does not guarantee study aboard placements or allocation to your preferred host university.  

If you are successfully allocated a placement, this offer is considered final, and it is not possible to negotiate your offer due to the volume of applications we receive and the limited number of placements available. We do not operate a waitlist for alternative placement offers. Withdrawal process. 

When you submit your study abroad application you commit that if you are successfully allocated a place, you will take it up. This is important because if you withdraw later, another student can no longer benefit from that place. 

Of course, we understand that many life factors can implicate your ability to participate meaning that you need to withdraw from the programme.  UCA considered the below extenuating circumstances for withdrawal:  

• personal illness  
• preventing travel health concerns relating to travel to the destination country illness or bereavement of a close family member 
• significant changes in financial circumstances  
• withdrawal for academic reasons 
• circumstances in the host country making it unsafe or impossible to pursue your placement significant changes in circumstances between the date of application and date of withdrawal 

Force majeure and Study Abroad 

Opportunities advertised for study abroad are expected to run in-person, however, please be aware that forces outside of UCA’s control that may result in some programmes being cancelled.