Erasmus+ is a European Union programme that funds students to study or work abroad in participating European countries. Click here for information on how Brexit will affect the UK’s participation in Erasmus+. You can also find out more about Erasmus funding for work placements.

Work abroad through your School

Depending on your subject of study, you may be able to complete an Erasmus+ work placement as an integrated part of your studies. Schools that offer this include:

• Newcastle University Business School
• Modern Languages
• Combined Honours

If you are studying in one of these Schools, speak to your School Exchange Coordinator about opportunities to work abroad.

Careers Service Work Placement module

If your School does not offer the option to do a work placement abroad, you may be able to do a work placement abroad through the Careers Service Work Placement module. This is a 120-credit module completed over the course of an academic year. Students complete the module after their penultimate year of study, which means it will extend your degree programme by one year. If your placement is in a European country, you may be eligible for Erasmus funding.

Contact the Careers Service to find out more.

Students studying in the School of Modern Languages can also choose to work as a British Council Teaching Assistant as part of your Year Abroad. This allows you to work as a teaching assistant in a school or college in Europe.

If you are not a School of Modern Languages student, you might also be able to do an assistantship depending on your degree requirements. If you are not sure, please contact global opportunities to make sure. 

How to Apply

You will need to speak to the Year Abroad Administrative Officer in the School of Modern Languages, who will guide you through the process of applying for an Assistantship.

If you are not a School of Modern Languages student, you could also apply via the British Council. 

If your degree programme has a 'Year in Industry' component, you may be able to work abroad as part of this.

For more information, please contact Global Opportunities.

The Careers Service provides examples of organisations which offer volunteering opportunities outside of the UK.

NUSU Go Volunteer has produced a useful guide to International Volunteering which includes advice on choosing a reputable organization and guidance on how to fundraise to support your volunteering experience. NUSU RAG's World Challenges also offer opportunities to volunteer abroad.

The International Coalition of Sites of Conscience (ICSC) are a global network of historic sites and initiatives which connects past struggles to today's human rights movements.

There are numerous sites around the globe which all provide a unique chance to gain valuable work experience in a truly global manner. Internships are either in-person or virtual and are usually paid. Applications are open to undergraduate (who have completed at least 2 years before the commencement of the internships), Masters and PhD students from all backgrounds.

You can read more about the sites that were involved in 2022/2023 in the ICSC brochure 2022.
Check back here for more information on the 2023/2024 applications!

If you have any questions regarding this opportunity please contact Stephanie Sobek (stephanie.sobek@newcastle.ac.uk) or Katie Lavender (katie.lavender@newcastle.ac.uk). You can also read ICSC testimonials of students from across the globe.