Are you thinking about studying or working abroad? We offer lots of different opportunities, including short-term summer courses, full semester study options and European traineeships during the summer or after you finish your degree. Whatever your choice, this is your one-stop-shop for everything you need to know to prepare.

Studying and working abroad offer an amazing opportunity to discover a new culture and make friends from around the world. You will also be picking up skills that employers look for, which can get you ahead in the job market.

Whether you would like to study or work abroad for a summer or a full semester, there is a lot you need to do before you are on way. These pages provide information to help you plan the experience that is best for you.

Click here to sign up for our newsletter to make sure you get all of the most up-to-date information. 

We send out information about Study Abroad programmes, information sessions and partners throughout the year. We will run information Study Abroad information sessions in November. 

Studying abroad was an amazing and very unique experience. You learn to deal with new, challenging situations where you are immediately drawn in to have conversations with different people and learn different ways of communicating. This opens you up to the world. I felt that I could learn something new every day without being consciously aware of it. - Laura (BSc Psychology) studied during the summer at Sophia University, Japan  

Living, studying and working abroad can be life changing and open you up to new experiences and ways of thinking. You can immerse yourself in life in your host country and take advantage of all the fantastic opportunities that present themselves.

Studying abroad has been shown to contribute positively to your overall learning experience. You gain skills and qualities that are essential in our current age of globalisation. The most important of these is intercultural competence: an ability to operate successfully in cultures and contexts that are fundamentally different from your own on a personal, academic and professional level. You will notice that your learning experience will reach far beyond the classroom or workplace. All of these experiences will help you succeed in your academic work and prepare you for life after university.

Why not internationalise your CV with a structured work placement anywhere in Europe? You can do this during any summer you are enrolled or for up to one year after completing your course at St Mary’s. Many students participating in traineeships are eligible to receive a stipend to support living costs through the Erasmus+ programme.

If you are interested in this option, you are responsible for finding and confirming your placement. You can find opportunities online or stop by Career Services for some pointers. You can also sign up for our mailing list and we'll send through opportunities as we receive them. 

Eligibility 

Traineeships are open to all undergraduate and postgraduate students in all degrees. You may participate in a traineeship during any summer during your studies or during the 12 months after you graduate. Please contact the International Department for more details.    

In order to receive funding, your traineeship must last a minimum of 2 months and maximum of 12 months. Traineeships undertaken before you graduate must be related to your degree.  You will need to fill in and submit the proper paperwork to certify your participation in the Erasmus+ programme before, during and after your placement.    

In order to be eligible for funding, you must apply to participate in a traineeship by 1 March. You do not need to have a traineeship arranged when you apply, but we do need to know that you are interested. You must confirm your traineeship and complete all necessary paperwork at least 4 weeks before beginning your traineeship. 

What kind of work can I do?  

Whether you plan to work for a private company, volunteer or do research abroad, your placement should help you learn new skills to develop your academic and professional prospects. Erasmus+ Traineeship placements can be part-time or full-time. You should also be supervised by at least one mentor, to ensure that you receive appropriate training and regular feedback throughout your placement.

You may work in any field in any European country, as long as it is related to your degree. Recent St Mary's graduates have worked as Teaching Assistants at international schools and Interns at multinational corporations.  

If you're a student in Education, Teaching or Physical Education, Sport and Youth Development, you may work as Teaching Assistants at SEK International School in Spain during the year after you complete your course. Information about the various opportunities are below. 

Sports Rehabilitation students can participate in a structured traineeship with University of Comillas in Spain during the summer before Year 3. Speak with Elaine Mullally for more details. 

Erasmus+ funding is not available for traineeships in the UK, even if you are a non-UK student.

Eligible Activities

• Work placements
• Volunteering
• Internships
• Supervised research
• Training and work combined
• Working at a public or private organisation
• Any kind of valuable work experience, relevant to your degree or career project 

Ineligible Activities

• Some EU institutions and other EU bodies - visit the European Union website for a list of institutions and bodies​​​​​
•  Conferences and symposiums
• Summer schools or training courses in attendance only
• Unsupervised projects
• Jobs with no proven gain of academic/professional skills
• Conflict of interest (i.e., if you work for an organisation that you co-own or co-created, or is run by your relatives)
• Working remotely (i.e., not being physically based in host country)

Money matters 

You will need to cover your own accommodation, meals and travel during your traineeship.  You will want to start thinking about how you’ll fund your time abroad as early as possible.  

Erasmus+ grant   

Students participating in approved traineeships are eligible to receive an Erasmus+ grant to help cover your living costs during your traineeship. Students from disadvantaged backgrounds may be eligible for additional funding. The grant is intended as a contribution to offset your living costs but will not cover your entire cost of living. You may receive this grant even if you receive a stipend or in-kind contribution from your host organisation.

The grant is paid pro rata based on a monthly amount, and exact amount of the grant depends on the destination and duration of your mobility. The grant is calculated in Euros but paid into your UK bank account in pounds, using a fixed exchange rate set by the EC.

The 2021/22 monthly grant amount for our partner countries is listed below.

EUR 520 per month - Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Ireland, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Norway, Sweden

EUR 470 per month - Austria, Belgium, Germany, France, Italy, Greece, Spain, Cyprus, Netherlands, Malta, Portugal Bulgaria, Croatia, Czech Republic, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Hungary, Poland, Republic of North Macedonia, Romania, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Turkey

A supplementary grant of EUR 20 per month (EUR 0.66 per day) is available for students from lower-income backgrounds who are undertaking an Erasmus+ traineeship, in addition to the regular Erasmus+ grant. Eligibility for the supplementary grant depends primarily on your fee status and average income for your home country. Please contact the Study Abroad team for more details.

How to receive an Erasmus+ grant   

In order to receive an Erasmus+ grant, you will need to provide some additional paperwork to the Study Abroad team before, during and after your mobility. Your total grant entitlement will be shown on your Erasmus+ grant contract.

You will receive 70 per cent of your grant entitlement at the beginning of your mobility, after you have arrived in your host country and provided the following documentation:

• Erasmus grant agreement
• Learning Agreement signed by your work supervisor
• Arrival certificate signed by your work supervisor

You will receive the final instalment of your grant after you complete your mobility and submit the following documentation:

• Proof of attendance
• Post-mobility survey from the European Commission
• Post-mobility feedback form from St Mary’s University

Interrupting your placement or coming home early

You must let the St Mary's Study Abroad team know if you change your placement dates, cancel or shorten your Erasmus+ placement. In this case, your Erasmus+ grant will be recalculated accordingly.  

You may have to repay part of the funding you've already received, based on your placement duration.  If your placement is shorter than the minimum duration (2 months for traineeships, 3 months for study placements), you will lose your eligibility for Erasmus+ funding and you might be required to repay the totality of the grant you've already received.

Brexit

St Mary's has received an extension of its current Erasmus grant and will continue to accept Erasmus+ applications for mobilities that will end before 31 May 2023.  

The UK’s will no longer participate in the Erasmus+ Programme after the current cycle. The UK National Agency will continue to manage and deliver the Programme across the UK until the end of the extended grant cycle in 2023. 

How to apply 

1) Research options. Decide which summer you would like to work abroad. 

2) Fill in St Mary’s application by 1 March to let us know you're interested. If you are interested after this date, please contact nina.langlie@stmarys.ac.uk to discuss your options. 

3) Research options and apply for traineeships. 

4) Confirm your placement details with the Study Abroad team and provide all necessary paperwork at least one month before starting your traineeship. 

5) Make sure you have accommodation, make travel plans and prepare for your work experience! 

6) After your mobility, submit your Confirmation of Attendance and fill out the required St Mary's and EU surveys to receive the final instalment of your grant.  

We encourage students whose mobilities were cancelled in 2020 to reapply for summer mobilities in 2021. 

Summer Abroad is another great way to gain international experience! St Mary’s partner universities offer a range of fantastic short-term summer schools that you can participate in during any summer of your studies. These programmes are less expensive and require less preparation than a semester programme. Most are open to students on all courses.

Each summer school offers its own curriculum and social activities. In addition to choosing the location you're interested in, please make sure the classes meet your interests. You should plan to participate fully in all activities even though the credits will not transfer back to your degree. 

Where can I study? 

Our Summer Abroad options are in Australia, Japan, Germany, Malaysia, South Korea. The ongoing pandemic is likely to affect the programmes available in Summer 2021. Please see the latest updates  as of 3 February 2021 below: 

The Sophia University Summer School in Japan will be offered online only. East Asian Studies will be taught virtually from 14 June to 1 July. You can find out more information here. The Summer Session in Japanese Language has been cancelled for 2021. If you are interested in participating in the virtual East Asian Studies option, please let me know. 

Taylor’s University in Malaysia is planning to offer Doing Business in Asia and Hospitality Management in person on their campus from 1-14 August, subject to confirmation closer to the dates. They will offer Malaysian Legal System virtually from 2-16 August. You can find details about each of the modules below. 

The IBH German Language Summer School at Lake Constance in Germany is scheduled to run VIRTUALLY from 2-27 August. The programme offers German language classes at all levels, lectures about politics and history, and virtual excursions and cultural activities. You can find out more here.

We have not yet received updates about the Australian Catholic University July School or Catholic University of Korea Global Summer School. 

Eligibility

We have over 20 spaces available for Summer Abroad programmes. You can participate in the summer programme during any year of your studies, though some programmes require completion of Year 1 (Level 4). Most summer programmes are open to undergraduate and postgraduate students studying all majors, though students participating in the Taylor University Law programme must have completed at least one year of undergraduate Law. Please ensure you are interested in the topics offered at your chosen programme. 

• Your grades matter! You must be in good academic standing and maintain an average of at least 50 to participate in a semester abroad. Sophia University in Japan requires a minimum average of 57 to participate in their programme. For most programmes, you may not have academic misconduct findings.
• If you fail a module, you must pass it during the summer resit period in order to be able to study abroad. You must ensure that participating in a summer programme does not conflict with the resit period. 
  
• You may not be in financial arrears to the University. 

We generally have enough spaces available for all students interested in summer programmes. We ask that you choose at least two programmes in case one fills up. In this case, preference will be given to students have not previously studied abroad. We may also consider academic achievement when allocating places.

Money matters  

Tuition is waived for all summer programmes. You will need to pay for accommodation, meals, flights, internal travel, and study supplies. You may need to get a visa for some countries and may want to purchase additional insurance. Summer programmes tend to be less expensive than semester programmes. See the Sample Costs information sheet for an indication of costs for selected programmes. 

Students participating in Summer Summer Abroad programmes may be eligible for St Mary's Go Abroad grants. Check the Go Abroad section of this Moodle module for more information. 

How to apply

1) Research options. Decide which programme and which summer you want to study abroad.

2) Fill in St Mary’s application by 1 March.

3) After you receive confirmation of your allocated summer programme, fill in the host university’s application.

5) Provide all necessary documents and details for your visa, accommodation and modules

6) Make travel plans and prepare for your summer abroad!

7) Have a wonderful time and take lots of pictures! 

8) When you return, fill out the Study Abroad feedback form and share your experiences with other students. 

Students in many of our degrees may study for a full semester at one of our partner universities in the United States, Australia or Europe. This option takes place during your second year of study. The semester abroad is integrated into your degree, which means you can graduate on time after three years. As you are expected to gain academic credit for your semester abroad, this option requires that you receive approval from your programme director for the semester and modules you plan on undertaking abroad before you depart. 

If you would like to study in Australia or the United States, you will be hosted by one of our study abroad exchange partners. If you would like to study in Europe, you will be hosted by one of our Erasmus+ partners and receive a stipend to support your living costs. 

You must apply for the semester programme during your first year in order to go abroad during your second year. The application deadline is 1 March.

Where can I study?

You can study at one of our 30 partner universities across the world. We have Semester Abroad partners in the USA, Australia and Europe. You can find more information about our partners in the Partners section. 

Student experiences

The best thing about my experience was having the opportunity to live in another country while learning about their culture, education and way of life. Along the way I was able to make lifetime friends from all over the world and share my experience with them.  - Matthew, BSc Sports Coaching Science, Semester Abroad at Malmo University in Sweden

Eligibility

The semester abroad is open to Year 2 undergraduate students. You must apply during Year 1.

• Your Year 1 grades matter! You must maintain an average of at least 55 in your first year to participate in a semester abroad. Some partners have higher grade requirements. Students with lower averages will be considered on a case by case basis and may have limited choices for destinations. 
• You must be in good academic standing and will not be eligible to study abroad during Semester 1 if you do not pass any of your Year 1 modules. If you do fail a module, you may defer your application to Semester 2, and your application will be reconsidered after the resit marks are confirmed. 
• You may not be in financial arrears to the University. 
• All Semester Abroad programmes require that you study full-time at the partner university. 
• You must be an enrolled St Mary's University student when you apply to spend a semester abroad. 

You will be asked to choose from our partner universities that have been approved for each degree. We have limited spaces available at each of our partner universities and request that you provide at least 4 options where you would be happy to study. We will allocate spaces based on your preference, suitability for your studies and academic achievement. If you have questions about the different universities, please get in touch with the Study Abroad team.

Money matters  

Semester abroad students continue to pay tuition to St Mary’s while they’re away. Students do not pay tuition to host universities, but are responsible for paying for accommodation, meals, visas (where necessary), flights, internal travel, books, study supplies and any applicable fees. You may also be required to purchase insurance. Semester programmes tend to be higher cost than summer programmes, but keep in mind that you would need to pay for living expenses if you were spending your semester in London. See the Sample Costs information sheet for an indication of costs for selected programmes. 

Funding Sources

If you are eligible for a tuition loan, you will still receive this funding to cover your St Mary’s tuition during the semester you are away. 

Travel Grants

If you receive a maintenance loan, you may be eligible to receive a travel grant from Student Finance England to help cover the extra costs incurred by studying abroad. This grant reimburses your costs, which means you will need to pay all costs up front and retain your receipts to submit to Student Finance England. 

Erasmus+ Grants

You can receive a grant of €370 to €420 per month per month to study at one of our EU partner universities. Please note that this funding is contingent on St Mary’s continued participation in the Erasmus+ programme.

Below is a list of approved non-European partners by academic area. If you are interested in studying in Europe, please check the Section about European partners for more details. 

Business Law

• Australian Catholic University, Australia
• College of Mount Saint Vincent, Riverdale, NY
• DeSales University, Center Valley, PA
• Seattle University, Seattle, WA
• University of Notre Dame Australia, Sydney Campus

Business Management

• Australian Catholic University, Australia
• Catholic University of America, Washington, DC
• College of Mount Saint Vincent, Riverdale, NY
• DeSales University, Center Valley, PA
• Niagara University, Lewiston, NY
• Saint Peters University, Jersey City, NJ
• Salve Regina University, Newport, RI
• Seattle University, Seattle, WA
• University of Notre Dame Australia, both campuses
• University of San Francisco, CA
• University of St Thomas, Houston, TX

• Australian Catholic University, Australia
• Catholic University of America, Washington, DC
• College of Mount Saint Vincent, Riverdale, NY
• DeSales University, Center Valley, PA
• Molloy College, Rockville Centre, NY
• Niagara University, Lewiston, NY
• Pacific University, Forest Grove, OR 
• Rider University, Lawrenceville, NJ
• Saint Peters University, Jersey City, NJ
• Seattle University, Seattle, WA
• University of Notre Dame Australia, Sydney Campus
• University of San Francisco (USF), CA
• University of St Thomas, Houston, TX

• College of Mount Saint Vincent, Riverdale, NY
• DeSales University, Center Valley, PA
• Seattle University, Seattle, WA
• University of St Thomas, Houston, TX

• College of Mount Saint Vincent, Riverdale, NY
• Niagara University, Lewiston, NY
• Pacific University, Forest Grove, OR 
• Saint Peters University, Jersey City, NJ
• Salve Regina University, Newport, RI
• Seattle University, Seattle, WA
• University of Notre Dame Australia, Freemantle
• University of Notre Dame Australia, Sydney Campus
• University of San Francisco, CA

• Catholic University of America, Washington, DC
• College of Mount Saint Vincent, Riverdale, NY
• DeSales University, Center Valley, PA
• Rider University, Lawrenceville, NJ
• Saint Joseph’s University, Philadelphia, PA
• Salve Regina University, Newport, RI
• University of San Francisco, CA

• Catholic University of America, Washington, DC
• College of Mount Saint Vincent, Riverdale, NY
• DeSales University, Center Valley, PA
• Niagara University, Lewiston, NY
• Pacific University, Forest Grove, OR 
• Rider University, Lawrenceville, NJ
• Saint Peters University, Jersey City, NJ
• Salve Regina University, Newport, RI
• Seattle University, Seattle, WA
• University of Notre Dame Australia, both campuses
• University of San Francisco, CA
• University of St Thomas, Houston, TX

• Australian Catholic University, Australia
• DeSales University, Center Valley, PA
• Pacific University, Forest Grove, OR 
• Rider University, Lawrenceville, NJ
• Seattle University, Seattle, WA
• University of Notre Dame Australia, Sydney Campus

• Australian Catholic University, Australia
• College of Mount Saint Vincent, Riverdale, NY
• DeSales University, Center Valley, PA
• Molloy College, Rockville Centre, NY
• Pacific University, Forest Grove, OR 
• Rider University, Lawrenceville, NJ
• Salve Regina University, Newport, RI
• Seattle University, Seattle, WA
• University of Notre Dame Australia, both campuses
• University of San Francisco, CA

• Catholic University of America, Washington, DC
• College of Mount Saint Vincent, Riverdale, NY
• DeSales University, Center Valley, PA
• Niagara University, Lewiston, NY
• Rider University, Lawrenceville, NJ
• Pacific University, Forest Grove, OR 
• Saint Peters University, Jersey City, NJ
• Salve Regina University, Newport, RI
• Seattle University, Seattle, WA
• University of Notre Dame Australia, both campuses
• University of San Francisco, CA
• University of St Thomas, Houston, TX

• Saint Peters University, Jersey City, NJ
• Seattle University, Seattle, WA
• University of Notre Dame Australia, Sydney Campus (Semester two only)

• Catholic University of America, Washington, DC
• Saint Peters University, Jersey City, NJ
• Seattle University, Seattle, WA
• University of San Francisco, CA

• Australian Catholic University, Australia
• Catholic University of America, Washington, DC
• College of Mount Saint Vincent, Riverdale, NY
• DeSales University, Center Valley, PA
• Lakehead University, Canada
• Molloy College, Rockville Centre, NY
• Niagara University, Lewiston, NY
• Pacific University, Forest Grove, OR 
• Rider University, Lawrenceville, NJ
• Seattle University, Seattle, WA
• Seton Hall University, South Orange, NJ
• Saint Peters University, Jersey City, NJ
• University of Notre Dame Australia, Sydney Campus
• University of San Francisco, CA
• University of St Thomas, Houston, TX

• Australian Catholic University, Australia
• Catholic University of America, Washington, DC
• College of Mount Saint Vincent, Riverdale, NY
• DeSales University, Center Valley, PA
• Molloy College, Rockville Centre, NY
• Niagara University, Lewiston, NY
• Rider University, Lawrenceville, NJ
• Saint Peters University, Jersey City, NJ
• Seton Hall University, South Orange, NJ
• University of Notre Dame Australia, Sydney Campus
• University of San Francisco, CA
• University of St Thomas, Houston, TX

• Australian Catholic University, Australia
• DeSales University, Center Valley, PA
• Pacific University, Forest Grove, OR 
• Saint Peters University, Jersey City, NJ
• Seattle University, Seattle, WA
• University of Notre Dame Australia, Freemantle

• Australian Catholic University, Australia
• Catholic University of America, Washington, DC
• College of Mount Saint Vincent, Riverdale, NY
• DeSales University, Center Valley, PA
• Saint Peters University, Jersey City, NJ
• Salve Regina University, Newport, RI
• Seattle University, Seattle, WA
• University of Notre Dame Australia, both campuses
• University of San Francisco, CA
• University of St Thomas, Houston, TX

This section contains videos and links to videos from St Mary's students who have studied abroad as well as Information Sessions with some of our partners. 

In this section, you will find information about some of our partner universities. You can find more information on each partner's website. Please contact Nina Langlie if you would like more details about a university. This site is updated regularly but some of the information is from previous years. 

Most St Mary’s students may go abroad during the second year of their undergraduate studies. St Mary’s offers students the opportunity to study at a number of European universities Erasmus+ programme. Students participating in this programme also receive a monthly stipend towards their living costs.  

Most of our Erasmus+ exchanges are set up through a specific programme or department. Please see the list of partner universities below. Many of our partners are flexible about accepting students in other courses, especially if you are already fluent in the language of the country where you would like to study. 

Language requirement

Most of our partners offer some modules taught in English, especially in the areas of study that are pre-approved (see below). If you do not speak the local language, it is extremely important that you ensure you will be able to meet your academic requirements before you arrive at your host university. 

Although it is not a requirements, we strongly suggest that you start learning the language of your host country. Our partners also offer preparatory language courses and there is the option to do an online course prior to departure free of charge.

Erasmus+ grant 

Just as with our Semester Abroad destinations, students studying at one of our European partners pay your tuition fees to St Mary’s as normal. Students are expected to pay for their living costs and accommodation while on exchange. You may still receive your normal student funding while participating in an Erasmus exchange. 

The Erasmus+ programme allows students to receive a grant from the European Union to support your cost of living while studying at one of our European partner universities. The grant is intended as a contribution to offset your living costs but will not cover your entire cost of living. 

The grant is paid pro rata based on a monthly amount, and exact amount of the grant depends on the destination and duration of your mobility. The grant is calculated in Euros but paid into your UK bank account in pounds, using a fixed exchange rate set by the EC.

The 2021/22 monthly grant amount for our partner countries is listed below. 

EUR 420 per month - Ireland and Sweden

EUR 370 per month - Czech Republic, France, Germany, Portugal and Spain

How to receive the Erasmus+ grant

In order to receive an Erasmus+ grant, you will need to provide some additional paperwork to the Study Abroad team before, during and after your mobility. Your total grant entitlement will be shown on your Erasmus+ grant contract.

You will receive 70 per cent of your grant entitlement at the beginning of your mobility, after you have arrived in your host country and provided the following documentation:

• Erasmus grant agreement
• Learning Agreement signed by your host university
• Arrival certificate signed by your host university

You will receive the final instalment of your grant after you complete your mobility and submit the following documentation:

• Proof of attendance
• Post-mobility survey from the European Commission
• Post-mobility feedback form from St Mary’s University

Interrupting your placement or coming home early

You must let the St Mary's Study Abroad team know if you change your placement dates, cancel or shorten your Erasmus+ placement. In this case, your Erasmus+ grant will be recalculated accordingly.  

You may have to repay part of the funding you've already received, based on your placement duration.  If your placement is shorter than the minimum duration (2 months for traineeships, 3 months for study placements), you will lose your eligibility for Erasmus+ funding and you might be required to repay the totality of the grant you've already received.

Brexit 

We will accept Erasmus+ applications for mobilities that will end before 31 May 2023. 

The UK's participation in the Erasmus+ programme will terminate after the current grant cycle. 

Studying abroad is an exciting opportunity to live and study in a different country. It will likely cost more for you to spend a summer or semester abroad than if you stayed in London, but there are sources of funding available to help support students and make studying abroad possible. 

It's a good idea to start thinking about how you're going to fund your time away and plan a budget to keep you on track. Some of the costs will be extra, such as flights and visas, but keep in mind that you would also have to pay for accommodation, meals and local travel if you were staying in the UK. You can plan for and manage a lot of your costs while you’re away, but do try to budget a bit extra so that you can take advantage of opportunities to experience new things. You can find a budgeting sheet at the end of this section.

Student Finance England Travel grants 

If you're going away for a full semester, you'll pay tuition to St Mary's as usual and receive your regular student finance. If you receive a maintenance loan, you may be eligible for a Travel Grant from SFE, which you can read more about on the sheet below. There is also helpful information about maintenance loans and the SFE Study Abroad grant on this website, and a tool to determine whether you're eligible on the SFE website here. Please note that St Mary's is not responsible for the accuracy of the information on external websites. 

Erasmus+ grants 

If you're going to study at one of our European partners through Erasmus+, you are eligible to receive a grant to help you cover the costs while you're away. Grants vary from €370-470 per month. Additional funding of €120 per month is available for eligible students from disadvantaged backgrounds. You can also receive grants for European work placements from 2 to 12 months in duration. You can find out more about Erasmus+ grants for study in the Semester Abroad European Partners section and for work in the European Traineeships with Erasmus+ section. 

St Mary's Go Abroad Grants 

If you're going for a summer, please check out the information about the Go Abroad grant funding to support students from eligible widening participation background. 

Turing Scheme

The UK government recently announced the Turing Scheme will begin providing financial support to students who would like to participate in international study and work abroad programmes. The scheme is set to begin in September and will offer financial support to students who are going abroad from two to twelve months. Additional funding will be available for participants from disadvantaged backgrounds. Funding to individual UK universities has not yet been confirmed. You can find out more about the new programme here. 

Preparing for your time abroad requires that you are organised and follow through with all of the required tasks and paperwork. It may seem overwhelming at times, but your persistence will pay off. This materials in this section provides information to help you with the practicalities of going abroad, from applying to your host university and making sure you're taking the right modules to getting your passport and planning your travel. 

The admissions process will vary for each host university. Unless you have notified them otherwise, the Study Abroad team has provided your St Mary’s email address to your host university. Make sure you read any emails or letters you receive from your host university, follow instructions and meet all deadlines. 

If you are going abroad in the summer or during Semester 1, you will receive information about the admissions process for your host university during the spring and summer. If you are going abroad during Semester Two, you will receive more information in the autumn of Year 2.

Travelling increases some risks, and you may experience unforeseen difficulties while abroad. It is important that you take the time to consider the differences and possible risks you might encounter while you are away and think of what you might be able to do to mitigate them. 

Covid-19 

The Covid-19 pandemic has affected international travel and created uncertainty for students planning to study abroad. Travel restrictions, quarantines and other measures have been put in place by governments around the world. More details can be found in the Covid-19 Considerations section. 

• Monitor the guidance from the UK, your home country and your destination country/locality to ensure you know the latest news. 
• Have a plan and maintain adequate funding and travel and health insurance in case you get ill or need to leave your host country with little notice. 
• Know the risks and discuss health and safety concerns with your family and GP. 
• Consider that in-person teaching may be cancelled and your classes may move online. 
• Understand cancellation policies and avoid making financial commitments that may not be refunded if plans change. 

General safety tips 

Things might be different in your host culture, but you can overcome most problems with common sense and flexibility. While you are away, be aware of your surroundings and avoid taking risks that you would not take at home. Be sure to attend your host university’s orientation to learn more about the local area and meet other new students. 

• Check in regularly and make sure someone always knows where you are 
• Keep a printed copy of your passport and insurance documents in a safe place 
• Write down important and emergency phone numbers including your embassy 
• Consider any risks you might encounter and make plans to mitigate these concerns 

Know the local laws 

You are subject to the local laws and regulations of your host institution and visa status, and it is your responsibility to know them. Respect your host country’s legal drinking age and rules around controlled substances, which may be different from the UK. The cultural expectations around alcohol, drinking and drugs may also be different than in the UK. Avoid drinking to excess while abroad and limit alcohol consumption, particularly at official or university events. 

Health and mental health 

It important to take care of yourself while you are away in order to maintain your physical and mental health. Before you leave, discuss with your GP or other health professional if you any medical or mental health concerns. You should also discuss any concerns with the Saint Mary’s Wellness team as they can help you think through any support you might need while you’re away. 

Try to get plenty of rest and take care of yourself if you are feeling ill, stressed or run down. Ask for help if you don’t understand something or need support managing a stressful or dangerous situation. If you’re not sure where to turn, the Study Abroad Office at your host university can provide you with practical guidance and signpost you to local resources. 

Pack a health kit and basic medications, such as plasters, face masks, antibacterial wash and over-the-counter medication. If you require a regular prescription, speak with your GP before you leave to request enough medication to last for your entire stay. Keep your prescription or a note from your GP to show the medication is necessary. 

If you plan to travel to areas with known health risks, be sure you have acquired the recommended jabs, which you can find out from your GP or local travel clinic. Use good judgment when eating out and recognize when not to drink the water, especially if you travel off the beaten path. 

Personal safety 

While it is important to be open to new experiences and meeting new people, it is equally important to protect yourself from uncomfortable and dangerous situations. Never feel pressure to drink alcohol or take drugs. If you do drink alcohol, be sensible and know your limits, and avoid drugs that are not medically necessary. 

When going out, it is always a good idea to take a friend so you can look out for each other. Take as few belongings with you as possible and always leave valuables in a secure place in your accommodation. Avoid being alone with strangers and stay in public places until you are comfortable with someone. If you are sexually active, respect yourself and others and always practice safe sex. If find yourself in an uncomfortable situation, firmly refuse any unwanted invitations and leave the situation as quickly as possible. 

When you’re out and about: 

• Don’t wear headphones when walking alone in dark or isolated places 
• Don’t keep your wallet in your back pocket 
• Don’t leave belongings unattended, on tables or on the backs of chairs 
• Do secure backpack zips and carry handbags across your body 
• Do pay attention at ATMs and avoid taking out large sums of cash 

If you are the victim of a crime, theft or any form of harassment, contact your local emergency services as well as the emergency contact at your host university as soon as possible. 

Check before you leave 

Be aware of any local safety risks and actively think through plans for how you can mitigate these concerns. Consider natural disasters, social unrest, health threats and other possible risks and think through how you might deal with them. For instance, be aware of local emergency phone numbers, the nearest hospital and what to do in case of a fire, terrorist attack or natural disaster. Your home country’s consulate or embassy may also be able to provide support in some instances. 

Embassies and consulates are an excellent source of country-specific information including safety, security, crime, medical facilities and traffic safety. Make sure you know the contact details of your nearest embassy or consulate. You can also register with your home country’s consulate while you are abroad. 

We are happy to announce St Mary’s Go Abroad Grants to help cover the extra costs of studying abroad in Summer 2021. The grant is open to fee-paying Home and EU undergraduate students who meet Widening Participation criteria below.  

2021 Summer Abroad 

Students will receive a grant up to £500 to help cover the costs of a round-trip economy class plane or ticket to one of our Summer Study Abroad partners in Australia, Germany, Japan, Malaysia or South Korea. 

Widening Participation Criteria

The University is committed to ensuring that our student body reflects the diversity in wider society and to enabling as many students as possible to benefit from the full range of experiences we offer, regardless of social or economic background or circumstances. We are particularly keen to ensure that all opportunities are accessible to a wide a range of students, particularly to students from backgrounds that are traditionally underrepresented in HE or who may have experienced disadvantage. To this end, it is the University’s goal to encourage all students interested in studying abroad and to provide financial support where economic circumstances may be acting as a barrier to participation.

We encourage you to apply for this grant if you are a fee-paying Home or EU undergraduate student and meet any of the following criteria: 

• Low-income background (generally with a household income under £25,000/annum)
• From an area with low participation in HE or if your parents did not go to university
• Care leaver, care experienced or estranged from your family
• From an ethnic minority background (including BAME, Gypsy, Traveller and Roma)
• Living with a disability
• Returning to learning as a mature student (aged 21+)

 How does the grant work?

1.     You must first apply and be accepted to the Summer Study Abroad programme. Check the box on the application indicating that you would like to be considered for the grant, and we’ll confirm your eligibility. 

2.     Once you’ve been accepted to study at one of our Partner Universities, you may buy an economy-class round-trip plane ticket from your home country to your Study Abroad destination.

3.     Submit the receipt from your ticket to studyabroad@stmarys.ac.uk before 15 July 2021 in order to claim your grant. 

4.     Study abroad, have a fantastic time, then fill out a short survey about your experiences when you return. We also hope that you will choose to share your experience with other students.