Study abroad
Studying abroad is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to experience life as a student in another country.
It does not necessarily cost any more to study overseas than studying in the UK and there are a number of grants, bursaries and scholarships which can help you to fund your studies abroad.
There are a number of opportunities to study abroad during your course including as part of a named degree.
Summer Schools - Take place at a wide-range of institutions in Asia and Europe including our Ningbo campus and are one-seven weeks long, Because they are not part of your academic programme there is less restriction on the subjects you study so it can be a great way to pick up some knowledge in a new area like business or global perspectives.
Exchanges to Malaysia Campus - Available to limited number of streams on Natural Sciences. Students can apply in the first year to spend either a semester of a full year in their second year at our Malaysia campus (combinations of Biology, Ecosystem & Environment, Psychology). This year replaces part or all of the second year in the UK so students return to continue in their third year.
With International Study Programmes - Natural Sciences is available as both a BSc and an MSci with a year of international study. These programme can be applied to directly through UCAS or transferred onto before the December of your second year of study. Students apply in their second year to spend their third year abroad. This is a competitive programme to be considered applicants need a 65% average in their first year and a well-written personal statement to support their application.
This is an additional year of your programme which allows you to take full advantage of the opportunity to expand your horizons, explore new areas of your subject and enjoy the experience of studying abroad. You return to Nottingham following your year abroad to your third year of study.
Where can you go
Partners through the University-wide programme include:
- Australia: University of Western Australia; University of Sydney; University of Newcastle (New South Wales)
- New Zealand: University of Auckland; University of Canterbury (Christchurch)
- USA: Oregon State University; University of Virginia; University of South Florida
- Canada: McGill University (Montreal); University of British Columbia; University of Toronto
- South Korea: Korea University
- Hong Kong: University of Hong Kong
- Singapore: National University of Singapore
What do you gain from studying abroad
Studying abroad is an opportunity to develop as a person, explore the world and acquire a wide range of skills.
- It allows you to be truly independent and develop your resourcefulness.
- Adapting to a different style of teaching and learning strengthens your understanding of your subjects.
- Getting to study new specialisms and see your subjects from a new perspective sparks new interests and energises you.
- You learn more about yourself, what you like and what you want from life (and what you don't) and this will make you more confident
- You get to travel and see new parts of the world
- You can take part in activities and events that are not available in the UK
- Being fully immersed in a new culture helps you to become less rigid in your views of the world.
- Builds resilience - people who have studied abroad are more flexible and better equipped to handle change
- You meet people from a different backgrounds and cultures and build a network around the world
- You will be more employable - the skills you develop such as independence, resourcefulness, resilience and confidence will make you more employable
- It can open up new doors and expand your horizons of what is possible
Hear from our students
Lucy Wolstencroft MSci Natural Sciences with International Study
I am currently back in the UK having had to return home due to the current situation with Covid-19. I spent most of my third year studying abroad at Monash University in Australia.
I wanted to experience living abroad for a longer period than I have previously done. When you live in a new place, you get to see it from a different perspective than you would as a tourist on holiday.
I had an amazing time in Melbourne and was sad when I had to return early due to Covid-19. I had so many opportunities that I would not have had if I had stayed in Nottingham and have made life-long friends. It exceeded all my expectations.
Read more
Please be aware that study abroad, compulsory year abroad, optional placements/internships and integrated year in industry opportunities may change at any time for a number of reasons, including curriculum developments, changes to arrangements with partner universities or placement/industry hosts, travel restrictions or other circumstances outside of the university's control. Every effort will be made to update this information as quickly as possible should a change occur.