How to get involved

Universities and colleges in the UK are encouraged to offer study/work abroad opportunities. Here’s a short summary of some of the programmes and partnerships available.

Erasmus

Erasmus is the European Union's flagship educational exchange programme for Higher Education students, teachers and institutions. It’s all about student and staff mobility for work and study. Nine of every ten European HE institutions are already involved, and universities of 33 countries co-operate through Erasmus.

The programme offers a fee waiver for those taking a whole year abroad, and offers grants for students to be able to pay for their time abroad. These eases the load for students and their home institution. Erasmus is a popular choice for students across all disciplines and is recognised worldwide.

Staff from Higher Education institutions can also spend some time working abroad under the aegis of Erasmus. It’s very beneficial for staff and institutions: staff have a great opportunity to get involved with new research projects, and the experience enhances their teaching on return to their home university.

IAESTE

The technical placement provider IAESTE offers contacts and funding for over 4000 traineeship placements in more than 80 member countries each year. The scheme is for students currently studying engineering and technology, sciences or agriculture at universities in Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland, for placements outside the UK.

IAESTE can also provide you with highly skilled, highly motivated international trainees to assist you in your research projects. For every traineeship you provide, one of your students can undertake a reciprocal traineeship abroad.

Exchange partnerships

When your university partners with universities outside the UK, there are benefits for your student, and for your institution: they can provide a collaborative platform for research, course creation and staff exchange. It can also build strong bonds between the partners allowing you to ensure your students are getting the best education, and transfer credits earned abroad back to their home university.

Businesses can also take part in international exchanges with universities and offer technical placements as part of courses. When your university is affiliated with global businesses, this can be a real selling point to students who see the benefits of practical experience with international employers during their studies.

Language assistantships

Students can apply to work as English language assistants under two schemes, Comenius and the British Council English Language Assistants programmes. These are popular with foreign languages students so that on their year abroad they are able to gain knowledge of culture and develop their language skills.

Assistantships are also available to students of other disciplines. In these cases most students take a year out from their course to work as a language assistant (and return to complete their course afterwards).