Study Abroad
Continue your university adventure in another country.
Follow in the footsteps of hundreds of Lancaster students who have studied abroad as part of their degree for a year or term. As well as experiencing another culture, you will grow in confidence, independence and add new skills to your CV.
Where can I go?
Consult this list to find out which overseas partners that were available for students studying abroad in 2023/24 by subject area. This is a guide only as places at overseas partners varies each year.
Where can I go?Costs
There are costs associated with studying abroad. See the tabs below for more information.
Tab Content: Tuition fees 2023-2024
Tuition Fees
You pay tuition fees to Lancaster University during your study period and you do not pay any tuition fees to your host university.
If you study abroad for a full year, you pay 15%* of your normal tuition fee to Lancaster. For home students, this is £1,385 for 2023/24. If you study abroad for one term, you will be charged your full tuition fee (100%).
It is expected that tuition fees for 2024/25 will be announced in Spring 2024. For updated information please refer to our UK and EU fees webpage.
Tab Content: Living costs
Living Costs
If you study abroad outside of the EU, you will be required to prove that you have funding to support yourself. Cost will vary by country.
You do not have to have the full amount required in your bank account. You can show you have funds from different sources including your student loan, savings, scholarships, bursaries or from family.
| Country | Cost in local currency | Cost in Pounds (£) |
|---|---|---|
| USA | US $14,358 - $28,299 | £11,743 – £23,240 |
| Australia | AUD $27,390 | Approx. £15,598 |
| Canada | CND $10,164+ | £6,000+ |
| New Zealand | NZD $20,000 | Approx. £10,470 +flights |
| Hong Kong | HKD $120,000 | Approx. £12,700 |
Tab Content: Other costs
Other costs
It is compulsory for you to have medical insurance when you are studying abroad. Depending on the country you are going to, this may mean taking out the host university's policy, a national student policy or finding your own.
You are covered by Lancaster University's emergency travel policy when you are overseas. However, this is not a general health policy. You can see what is covered by the University's insurance policy, which can be found on the students' Study Abroad Moodle page, so you will also need appropriate travel insurance to cover your personal possessions while you are away.
If you decide to study abroad, you will receive further information during the year before you go overseas.
There may be funding available (e.g. Turing Scheme) for you to apply to help fund your experience abroad.
This table will give you a rough guide to living costs in different countries based on exchange rates in June 2023
|
2020/21 prices |
University of Colorado, USA US $ (2020/21) |
University of Nebraska Lincoln, USA US $ |
Sunway University, Malaysia MYR |
Australian National University AUS $ |
WU Wien, Austria Euros € (2019/20) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Room and Board |
$24,300 |
$11,918 |
16,300 MYR |
$475 per week |
€650 per month |
|
Books and Supplies |
$1,800 |
$1026 |
1000 MYR |
$13,200 |
€150 per month |
|
Medical Insurance |
$1,995 |
$2,598 |
650MYR |
$771 |
€50 per month |
|
Personal Expenses |
$3,000 | 14,400 MYR | £3,200 | €310 per month | |
|
Additional Costs |
$1,650 | $3,000 | 11,300 MYR | $4,000 | |
|
Total (currency) |
$29,745 |
$21,542 |
43,650 MYR |
$25,793 |
€1160 per month |
|
Total (GB Pounds) |
£22,715 |
£19,062 |
£7,717 |
£13,814 |
£995 per month |
How do I apply?
You apply through UCAS for degrees with Study Abroad in the title e.g. History (Study Abroad). If this is not available for your subject area, you apply when you start your degree. Some degree schemes do not allow a year or term abroad. The relevant department can confirm what is possible. There are limited options to study abroad for a term only. Below is a timeline for students studying abroad (excluding students studying in the Department of Languages and Culture).
Study Abroad application process at Lancaster
For most students, the Study Abroad application process once you are a Lancaster student will begin at the start of year 2. However, we want to make sure students are as prepared as possible for when the application process starts, so the Global Experiences team will deliver a number of information sessions throughout year 1, and you will also be invited to social events with Lancaster students who have previously completed the Study Abroad programme, as well as incoming exchange students from our partner universities and countries around the world where you may travel to for your placement.
The table below gives an outline of what the Study Abroad application cycle at Lancaster will look like for you in the year before you study abroad.
Please note that there are a small number of degree schemes where the options to study overseas is in year 2, and so this application cycle will take place in your 1st year at Lancaster. Please check your course pages for further information.
Stage 1
October/November
If you were admitted to the University on a Study Abroad degree scheme or if you are on a standard Lancaster degree scheme but want to study abroad, you should contact your Departmental Study Abroad Adviser to express an interest in participating.
November/December
The Global Experiences Office holds general information sessions for all students interested in studying abroad during November. There are also specific information and drop-in sessions starting in December about how much it costs to study abroad and immigration requirements. You then research exchange universities that are available for your department.
You will be asked to provide your Departmental Study Abroad Advisor with a shortlist of your preferred universities by the end of the Michaelmas term.
Stage 2
January/February
Your Departmental Study Abroad Advisor will allocate you a place by mid-January.
Stage 3
February/March
The Global Experiences Office will send you information about how to apply to your host university. Applications are submitted by the end of Lent term.
May/June
You will receive your acceptance documents from your host university. Once you have received these documents, you must apply for your visa.
Stage 4
June/July
The Global Experiences Office will hold pre-departure briefings for students who are studying abroad. Attendance at one of these is compulsory.
You will be told if you have fulfilled the academic requirements to study abroad following the Exam Boards in the Summer term.
If you are studying in the USA, you will have to go to the US Embassy for an interview.
Stage 5
July/August
If you are studying in Australia or New Zealand, you will leave for your year abroad.
August/September
If you are studying in the USA, Canada, Europe or Asia, you will leave for your year abroad.
Frequently asked questions
Accordion
-
Who can study abroad?
Most Lancaster undergraduates have the opportunity to go abroad as part of their degree. However please check with your department as there are a few exceptions.How to apply
-
Will the modules I take abroad count towards my Lancaster degree?
Yes. The grades you achieve at your host university will be translated back and be credited to your Lancaster degree. Depending on your degree scheme and your academic department, the number of degree-related credits you will be required to study and translate back to your Lancaster Study Abroad degree will be different.
-
What do I study when I am abroad?
You will study a full credit load during the time you are overseas, and the number of degree-related modules you study will be determined by your academic department. Students on Integrated Master's will be required to study 100% of their credits in degree-related modules which match to your degree at Lancaster. For Bachelors students, there is more flexibility in the modules you take overseas and your departmental Study Abroad Advisor will support you in choosing modules for your Study Plan. You might also have the opportunity to take modules that are not available at Lancaster.
-
When do I go?
Most Study Abroad options are now part of a 4-year Bachelor's and Integrated Master's degree, meaning you will usually go abroad for a full year in your 3rd year before returning to Lancaster for year 4. Some departments/degrees have an alternative Study Abroad schedule (e.g. MEng Engineering, the Accounting and Finance department) so please consult the relevant course page for more information.
-
Will I need a visa to study abroad?
Depending on where you go, you will likely be required to get a student visa. You should check specific study visa requirements on the country's Embassy/consulate website.
-
What support is there to help me through the process?
There is a dedicated Global Experiences team who will guide you through the process. We hold scheduled information sessions, social events, one-to-one appointments and run drop in sessions during term time. If you have any questions, please email us at globalexperiences@lancaster.ac.uk.
Get in touch
Lancaster University Global Experiences
Welcome Centre, Bowland College, Lancaster University LA1 4YT
Email: globalexperiences@lancaster.ac.uk
Telephone: +44 (0)1524 592035
Linked icons
Interested in visiting Lancaster for Study Abroad or a Summer School?
Find out more about the options for visiting students
Study Abroad at Lancaster University | Global Summer Schools at Lancaster University