Entry requirements

One of the first pieces of information you need to find out if you are planning to study abroad will be what requirements you’ll need to meet. The two key areas to consider are language requirements and academic requirements.

Here we outline some likely requirements. These may vary from one country to another, so get in touch with your destination college, university (or work programme) to find out detailed specifications.

Language requirements

Which language will your chosen course be taught in? This will probably be the language in which you need to show competency to the level required by your destination college/university.

For overseas courses taught in English

In some European countries such as the Netherlands and Sweden, you may find that degree and work programmes are taught in English. So you may not need to speak the language of your destination country to be accepted onto degree or work programmes there. Of course it’s always a good idea to work on the language and you will probably find that it helps to be interested in acquiring at least conversational basics. It may put you in a better position when applying. And it’s a good idea to take an intensive language course before you leave so that you are as prepared as possible. However, fluency in the language is not usually a prerequisite.

There are also work and degree programmes on offer outside of Europe that are taught in English and again, you will probably not be required to speak a second language. In English speaking countries, UK nationals do not have to provide any evidence of English language ability apart from the usual GCSE or equivalent English qualifications, which is the same when applying for UK universities.

For overseas courses taught in a foreign language

If you are embarking on a course or work programme which is fully or partly taught in another language then you will usually be asked to demonstrate proficiency in that language. This could involve a written exam or an interview to prove that you are able to speak and understand the language.

If you are travelling as an Erasmus student to a country with a language other than French, German or Spanish, the European Commission offers support in the form of Erasmus Intensive Language Courses (EILCs). You can also do a short language course (3-8 weeks) in your host country before starting your Erasmus period. There are no tuition fees and it's an excellent opportunity to meet fellow Erasmus students.

Academic requirements

Whether you’re a secondary school student, an undergraduate or a postgraduate, your application for a Foundation, Bachelor’s, Master’s or PhD degree abroad will usually be dependant on previous examinations. These can include GCSE’s, A-levels and dissertation grades. If you are planning on only doing part of your course abroad then you will need to check with your chosen institution as such requirements may not be necessary.

When you can apply for shorter programs varies - Erasmus study applicants will have to have completed the first year of their degree, whereas Erasmus work placement students can go in their first year. For other working courses a completed Bachelor’s degree is necessary.

For information on language requirements try the UKCISA language page or Study Portals which has courses listed by language taught.

The British Council Assistantships Programme has both English language and foreign language work programs around the world.