Study Abroad
Immerse yourself in new cultures, enhance your academic profile, gain a global perspective, and create memories that will last a lifetime.
Gain international insight
Studying abroad is a unique opportunity to gain insight into a different culture. There are three different types of study abroad opportunities:
- term time exchanges
- summer programmes
- further study
Our 'Getting started' checklist covers the practical steps to consider before deciding to study abroad. You can then use our guide below to identify which opportunity is right for you, and what you need to do next.
Getting started: our checklist
Whether you’re planning to study abroad for a short or long period, it’s important to start your research as early as possible.
You’ll need to make practical arrangements for factors such as visas and finance. This can be complicated and involve specific deadlines or processes.
To get started, we recommend that you:
- check the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office’s (FCDO) travel advice for the country you’re interested in. Look for any government travel restrictions in place
- consider travel, accommodation, insurance and finance for your time overseas. See advice about living abroad and information about funding options. Join the Global Opportunities mailing list, Teams group, or attend one of their drop-in sessions
- research the visa process via the relevant UK based embassy for the country you’re interested in. Contact them and try to get instructions or information in writing. To get started, Global Opportunities have put together Visa information for EU countries
- speak to relevant members of staff if you’re planning on going abroad while studying. For an overseas placement year, speak to the team managing your placement. For study abroad, speak to your School Exchange Coordinator
If you’re thinking of spending time overseas, but not sure exactly what you want to do, we can help. You can book a guidance appointment via MyCareer. Our careers consultants can help you explore your options or plan your career.
Term time exchanges
If you’re keen to get experience of living and studying abroad, a university exchange is worth considering. Exchange programmes allow you to study at partner universities all over the world.
Please note: The information in this section doesn’t apply to students from the School of Modern Languages undertaking a compulsory year abroad. You can find information on the Year Abroad Community on Canvas instead.
Newcastle University has EU and non-EU exchange programmes. Use the university’s database to search for partner institutions in the countries you’re interested in.
You’ll need to make sure that the partners you’re interested in offer enough suitable modules in your subject area. Check on their website and contact them if anything is unclear. For example:
- what language is used for teaching?
- is the module you're interested in available for exchange students?
Once you’ve found suitable modules, contact your School Exchange Coordinator. They will check that they meet the academic requirements of your course.
Most students go abroad in Stage 2 or Stage 3, depending on their degree programme. To find out when you can go, contact either:
Depending on your subject, you could go for one semester or a full academic year.
You’ll be responsible for organising your own visa. You’ll need to check eligibility criteria, visa conditions and processing times.
To get started, Global Opportunities have put together Visa information for EU countries.
The Global Opportunities team offer information about tuition fees and finance. To find out more about what might be available to you through the university:
- contact Global Opportunities or
- attend one of their drop-in sessions
Working part-time while studying abroad could help you to support yourself financially. You will need to check:
- how many hours your visa entitles you to work
- whether the host institution restricts the number of hours students can work.
You can find information about self-funding on our funding further study pages.
Once you’ve chosen a partner institution, contact your School Exchange Coordinator to discuss module options.
You can also contact Global Opportunities for advice and support.
The deadline is usually around January or February in the year you want to travel (unless you’re studying a language as part of your degree).
For more information and to apply online, go to Global opportunities: exchanges.
Use the following resources for more information:
- Global Opportunities newsletter - international experiences offered by the University and beyond. Sign up to their mailing list for updates.
- GO News page - overseas opportunities
Global Opportunities organise overseas summer schools. To keep up to date with their latest opportunities on offer, see:
- Global Opportunities newsletter - international experiences offered by the University and beyond. Sign up to their mailing list for updates.
- GO News page - overseas opportunities
The Business School arranges some international summer schools. Contact their Student Experience Team for more information.
The following resources can help you find other options for short-term study abroad:
- The British Council
- The Fulbright Commission - study options in the USA for UK nationals
- ACU Summer School - Commonwealth students can explore global issues
Further study
Prospects’ top 10 study abroad tips can help you start thinking about further study overseas.
Our Further Study pages offer advice on how to choose the right course for you.
You could start by exploring the institutions we partner with for student exchanges, via Terra Dotta. These institutions are already familiar with Newcastle University.
If you’re thinking of further study overseas, but not sure exactly what you want to study, we can help. Book a guidance appointment via MyCareer to discuss your options.
If you're not sure where you want to study, read Prospects' guide to the best places to study abroad.
To search for overseas courses, see:
- MastersPortal.eu - Masters degrees worldwide
- PhDPortal.eu - PhD and doctoral degrees
- Educations.com - courses worldwide
To find and compare overseas institutions, see:
- QS World University Rankings - worldwide university league tables
- Times Higher Education World University Rankings
- Academic Ranking of World Universities - from ShanghaiRanking Consultancy
- 4 International Colleges & Universities - international higher education directory
Much of the application advice in our Further Study sections can be applied globally, especially if you are applying for a Masters or a PhD.
We would always recommend checking application guidelines with each individual provider. If anything is unclear, contact them before you apply.
Country profiles may be useful to get an idea of application standards for specific countries. You could look at:
- Prospects - study abroad guides for 30 countries
- GoinGlobal - country profiles for over 40 countries
When completing your application, ENIC-NARIC can help with recognition of international qualifications. The ENIC-NARIC is a collaboration between national information centres, offering academic recognition of qualifications in 55 countries.
Our guide to funding further study includes ideas and approaches to help you fund your studies.
You can also speak to Global Opportunities about funding options available.
The following websites have information about global scholarships and funding:
- Studyportals: Scholarships.
- Chevening UK government scholarships - UK government’s global scholarship programme.
- UNESCO Fellowships Programme - global scheme offering financial support for overseas education
- Commonwealth Scholarships - for UK students who want to study in Pakistan, South Africa and Singapore
- Association of Commonwealth Universities - courses and funding opportunities in the British Commonwealth
You can find more scholarship information in the resources for specific countries below.
Semester dates in Australian universities can differ from those in the UK and other countries. Postgraduate courses typically begin in March, but can vary by course and institution.
Useful resources:
Scholarships
Useful resources:
- Prospects: Study in Canada
- Study in Canada - Canadian Government site
- EduCanada
Scholarships:
- EduCanada's scholarships for non-Canadian students
- BUNAC Educational Scholarship Trust (BEST) Scholarships
Useful resources:
- Prospects: Study Abroad - guides to studying in 16 European countries
- European Youth Portal
- DAAD - German academic exchange service includes course search and funding schemes
- Study in Holland
Scholarships:
- Anglo - Danish Society Postgraduate Scholarship Programme - each year awards are made to 6-8 students for study in the other country
- Canon Foundation in Europe - up to 15 fellowships. Awarded to highly-qualified European and Japanese researchers in all fields each year
- DAAD (German Academic Exchange Programme) - scholarship information for study/research in Germany
- Erasmus Mundus Joint Scholarships - funded master level programmes. They are delivered by an international partnership of higher education institutions
Scholarships:
- Hong Kong PhD Fellowship Scheme - based in eight different Hong Kong institutions. Aimed at new full time PhD students
Scholarships:
- Canon Foundation in Europe - up to 15 fellowships. Awarded to highly-qualified European and Japanese researchers in all fields each year
- Japan Society for the Promotion of Science (JSPS) - opportunity for pre and post-doctoral UK researchers. Conducting cooperative research with leading research groups at Japanese Universities and Institutions
Useful resources:
- Prospects: Study in Brazil
- Studying in South America - QS World University Rankings
Education USA is the USA Government’s official portal for international students in the USA. It covers information on:
- undergraduate and postgraduate study
- short-term study and opportunities for scholars
- funding.
Other useful resources:
- Prospects: Study in the USA- includes visa information
- Fulbright Commission - advisory service for studying in the USA
- Study in the States - Department of Homeland Security (DHS) initiative
Scholarships:
- Fulbright Scholarships and Awards to the USA
- Peterson's International Scholarship Search database
- Funding for US Study - database of scholarships, fellowships and grants. Search by field of study or by US location. As with all scholarship databases, be sure to check eligibility criteria.
- BUNAC Educational Scholarship Trust (BEST) Scholarships
- Frank Knox Fellowships - fellowships to Harvard University for British graduates
- Kennedy Memorial Trust - variety of programmes at MIT and Harvard
- EduPass - articles on funding study in the US
Other options overseas
If you want to spend time abroad and you’re exploring the options available, you may also be interested in:
- volunteering abroad
- looking at international awards and competitions
- being part of an overseas research expedition
- working abroad
- global work experience
- working for yourself overseas - guidance from our START UP team offer can be applied globally
- increasing your global and cultural awareness while at university