Students studying in Lancaster University library

Study Abroad at Lancaster University

If you would like to study at Lancaster University for one semester or a full academic year, explore this page to find out more.

What can I study?

You can find the modules which are available for students starting in October and January here. Please note that we are expecting to offer a reduced number of modules in 2020/21. 

Study abroad modules

Accordion

  • When can I study?

    You can study at Lancaster for:

    • Michaelmas term (October - December)
    • Lent & Summer terms (January - June)
    • Full academic year (October to June)
    • You can also study for a calendar year (January - December) if that fits best at your home university.

    You must have completed a year of undergraduate study at your home university before coming to Lancaster.

    We also offer Lancaster Global Summer Schools, which complement your stay and are often worth credits.

    NB: Postgraduate Erasmus+ students may have different terms. Please check the Erasmus+ postgraduate module handbook.

  • How many credits can I enrol on?

    Full Year: 30-32 US credits / 60-64 ECTS

    Michaelmas Only: 12 US credits / 24 ECTS

    Lent and Summer: 16-20 US credits / 32-40 ECTS

    If you are coming for the Michaelmas term and want an additional 4 US credits/8 ECTS credits, you can apply for the Culture, Literature and Society in England (1800-present) summer school. This takes place for 4 weeks prior to the Michaelmas term. You can apply for this as part of your study abroad application.

  • Module levels

    Undergraduate degrees in the UK take 3 years to complete and modules are usually numbered to correspond with the year in which they are generally taken:

    100 = first year; 200 = second year; 300 = third or final year;

    400, 500 and 5000 modules are at postgraduate level.

    Students from North America:
    100 level modules are usually equivalent to lower division modules
    200 and 300 level modules are usually equivalent to upper division modules

    See what you can study

  • Erasmus+

    If you would like to find out more about Erasmus+ please go to the Erasmus+ webpage.

How to apply

Applying to study abroad at Lancaster University is a simple process and all applications are made online. Follow these easy steps to find out more.

Applying to Study Abroad at Lancaster University.

To make your online application you first need to be nominated by the appropriate office at your home University.
Once nominated we will send you a link to apply online.

Applications must include:

  1. A Current Transcript
  2. Study Plan: A list of modules you want to study (link to handbook).
  3. English Language: If your first language is not English, proof of your English Language level.
  4. Passport: A copy of your current passport. If you do not have a passport yet, you can send this later.

You do not have to provide a personal statement but please share with us anything you think is relevant to your application e.g. module choices, mitigating circumstances, etc.

Academic Requirements

You are expected to have a GPA of 3.0, a credit or grade B average or equivalent.  If you do not meet this requirement, or have any questions about whether you are eligible to apply, please contact your Study Abroad Office at your home institution.

You must have completed a year of undergraduate study at your home university before coming to Lancaster.

Language Requirements - Undergraduate students

If you are a non-native English language speaker, you will need to submit your most recent Secure English Language Test (SELT) certificate equivalent to IELTS 6.5 (with at least 6.0 in writing and 5.5 in the other elements) or Pearson PTE Academic 58 overall with at least 50 in writing and 42 in equivalent IELTS elements, CEFR B2-C1.

Students who have IELTS 6.0 (with at least 5.5 in each element) or Pearson PTE Academic 50 overall (with at least 42 in each element) can take part in the 4 week English for Academic Purposes (EAP) course instead of retaking their tests.

IELTS and Pearson certificates are valid for 2 years from the test date and your certificate will need to be valid on the start date of your studies at Lancaster.

If you are a non-native English speaker studying at an English speaking university, please include a copy of the Secure English Language Test (SELT) certificate eg IELTS, Pearson or TOEFL you submitted when you applied to your home University/College.

Due to the ongoing coronavirus (COVID-19) situation and the difficulties around English language tests, we are relaxing our standard English language requirements for EU, EEA and Swiss nationals applying for 2020 entry. Based on your application and overall academic profile, we may not require an English language certificate or we may accept other qualifications including International or European Baccalaureate. 

If you are from Hong Kong, Malaysia, Singapore or Brunei, you can check here for other English language qualifications that we can accept. 

if you have any further questions about this, you can email studyabroad@lancaster.ac.uk 

Application Deadlines

Full Year and Michaelmas (October) entry: 31 May

For Lent/Summer (January) entry: 31 October

Once you have completed and submitted your online application, we will:

  1. review your application within 2 weeks
  2. send you a formal offer via email when your application has been accepted
  3. email you accommodation information after the application deadline has closed

Tuition fees and other costs

Tuition fees for 2020/21

Academic Year (October to June)

£20,265

30-32 US semester credits/60-64 ECTS credits

Michaelmas term (October to December)

£8,250

12 US semester credits/24 ECTS credits

Lent/Summer (January to June)

£12,375

16-20 US semester credits/32-40 ECTS credits

 If you are exchange or Erasmus+ student, you pay tuition fees to your home university and none to Lancaster University.

Living costs

2019-20

Single study bedroom (private shower room)

£122.92 - £144.97 per week

Single study bedroom (shared bathroom)

£88.83 - £117.25 per week

Food

from £50 per week

Housing deposit and insurance**

£200

College membership (for social activities)

£12

'Purple Card' - student discount card

 £12.95

Sports Centre membership

various packages available

** This is refundable, subject to an end of tenancy room inspection and the return of your keys.

  

You will also need to budget for:

  • health insurance if you are attending Lancaster for less than 6 months
  • visa
  • travel costs to and from Lancaster
  • textbooks
  • vacation and weekend travel
  • entertainment
  • telephone; laundry; cooking and eating utensils; and other personal expenses. These will obviously vary widely according to your budget, tastes and requirements.

Find out more information about living costs.

Why Lancaster?
Study Abroad Video

Study Abroad Video

Take a virtual tour

Study Abroad Brochure 2020

Download a copy of the Study Abroad Brochure 2020.

What happens next?

Once you have submitted your application to Lancaster University find out what happens after.

Information on how to apply for your accommodation will be sent to you once you accept your offer to study at Lancaster.

It is unlikely that Erasmus+ or Postgraduate students will be offered accommodation on campus. You should nevertheless apply so that you can receive information about accommodation options off-campus and be registered as a member of a College. Often accommodation is available with one of our approved partners in the city of Lancaster. If you wish to make your own accommodation arrangements, we recommend that you use Lancaster University Homes

Undergraduate students from outside Europe

Undergraduate students coming to study at Lancaster from outside Europe are guaranteed a single study bedroom on campus provided you apply by the deadline. The Accommodation Office will send information about how to apply after students have accepted their offer to study at Lancaster.

Immigration information will be emailed to you after the application deadline closes.

It is important that you obtain the correct visa or entry clearance to study in the UK. You will be sent detailed information about visas and immigration when you have accepted your offer to study at Lancaster University.

If you have questions or need help regarding immigration matters when you are at Lancaster, you can contact the Visa and Immigration team which can give you advice and guidance about these matters.

Prior to arrival in the UK we will email you your:

  1. Pre-arrival Guide 4 weeks before you arrive to help you prepare for your visit to Lancaster, information will include; coach transfer from Manchester airport and how to get to Lancaster from other areas
  2. Orientation Booklet outlining your first week at Lancaster, 2 weeks before you arrive

Transcripts: A transcript will automatically be sent to your adviser at your home university at the end of your study period at Lancaster. For students leaving in December, transcripts are normally posted out at the end of February. Transcripts for students leaving in June are posted out in August.

If you want your own copy, you can request an official copy or copies of your transcript after you have left Lancaster. There is a small charge of £5 per transcript which you can pay using the online transcript request form. Please make sure that you place your transcript order at least 4 working weeks in advance of when you actually need it to ensure it reaches you in good time.

Alumni: After you’ve finished your study abroad programme, you can benefit from a wide range of alumni services. Please keep your details up to date so we can stay in touch and invite you to alumni events.

Lancaster University will offer a reduction in tuition fees to all taught Master’s programmes for eligible applicants, determined by the level of undergraduate award achieved. The Scholarship is open to all our Alumni, regardless of their nationality or year of graduation. Find out more here

Browse the postgraduate options which are open to you at Lancaster University at Postgraduate Options.

Culture, Literature and Society in England (1800 - present)

12 August - 12 September 2020

This summer school is available to any student that would like to join us for a term or year starting in Michaelmas. This can be taken for general credit worth 4US/8ECTS credits. There is a 2 week break for personal travel between finishing and the start of term. Applications can be made as part of your general study abroad application.

Culture, Literature and Society in England

Contact

Global Experiences, Welcome Centre, Lancaster University LA1 4YW

E: studyabroad@lancaster.ac.uk

T: +44 (0)1524 510068