Villajoyosa in Spain

Year Abroad

For language students who love the language and want to live the culture

For many modern languages students, the year abroad ends up being the most exciting and rewarding part of the degree. It’s your chance to immerse yourself in the language, live like a local and experience a new culture from the inside.

When you return, you'll not only have fantastic language skills – you’ll also be more confident, independent and equipped with real-world experience to make your CV stand out after graduation. It’s not just a year away, it’s a year that can shape your future.

If it sounds a little daunting right now, don’t worry! The Global Opportunities Year Abroad Team will be on hand to help you plan and make the most of your time abroad.

What our students say... Harriet


"My year abroad enabled me to discover so much about myself and my interests. I travelled all over Spain and France, experiencing beautiful cities rich in culture and history at my own pace, allowing myself to simply live in, and enjoy, the small moments.

 

I look back on my photos and think, 'That was my life? Wow!' It feels incredible. I would do it all over again in a heartbeat."

 

- Harriet, Modern Languages BA


What will I do on my year abroad?

In Germany and Austria, you may:

Some students choose to get even more out of their year abroad by combining placements or experiencing life in more than one country (if timing, visa requirements and availability allow).

Our German-speaking partner universities:

Germany:

Austria:

In France, you may:

In Canada or Belgium, you may:

Some students choose to get even more out of their year abroad by combining placements or experiencing life in more than one country (if timing, visa requirements and availability allow).

Our French-speaking partner universities:

France:

In Spain, you may:

In Argentina, you may:

In Chile or Costa Rica, you may:

  • attend a private, self-funded language school
  • build professional skills with a work placement or by volunteering or teaching with an NGO or private organisation.

In Cuba, you may:

You may choose to spend a semester studying at the University of Havana experiencing one of the world’s most distinctive and vibrant countries.

Some students choose to get even more out of their year abroad by combining placements or experiencing life in more than one country (if timing, visa requirements and availability allow).

Our Spanish-speaking partner universities:

Spain:

Chile:

Cuba:

* Please note that study at the University of Havana is only available during Semester 2.

In Portugal or Brazil, you may:

  • study at a partner university
  • attend a private, self-funded language school
  • build professional skills with a work placement
  • gain transferable skills by volunteering or teaching with an NGO or private organisation.

Some students choose to get even more out of their year abroad by combining placements or experiencing life in more than one country (if timing, visa requirements and availability allow).

Our Portuguese-speaking universities:

Portugal:

Brazil:

As students are currently unable to spend time in Russia, you will travel to Estonia, Latvia or Armenia where Russian is widely spoken as a second language. There, you will focus on intensive language development at one of the following institutions:

You will study at the University of Belgrade in Serbia.

In China, you may:

  • study at our Ningbo campus.

In Taiwan, you may:

  • study at a partner institute
  • attend a private, self-funded language school.

Our Mandarin-speaking partner universities and language centres:

China:

Taiwan:

You will divide your time between your chosen languages, and you may (depending upon location and language):

Some students choose to get even more out of their year abroad by combining placements or experiencing life in more than one country (if timing, visa requirements and availability allow).

Information Icon

Please note

All placement opportunities are subject to availability and relevant visa and immigration regulations, which may vary by country and are subject to change. Students are responsible for ensuring they meet the necessary requirements for their chosen destination.

 

To participate in a compulsory year abroad, you must meet the academic requirements set by the university and fulfil the selection criteria of both the university and the partner institution. Even if you meet these criteria, the partner institution is not obligated to accept you.

 

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.

Cassie gives us the lowdown on what a year abroad is like for a languages student.

Cassie gives us the lowdown on what a year abroad is like for a languages student.

Play

What our students say... Freddie


"My year abroad gave me the most life skills of any year of my education. It was phenomenal." 

 

- Freddie, Modern Languages with Business BA


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Open Day June 2022