Outbound mobility: study or work abroad

There are many different ways to achieve a global experience abroad. Whether you're looking for the classic study exchange for a semester or a year, experience working overseas in your chosen field, or a short term research placement, we’ve got you covered. 

Taking a placement year abroad during a sandwich year can be a fantastic addition to your CV — not only are you able to test out a career path you may be interested in, but you are able to challenge yourself further and gain new skills by doing this in a different country.

Don’t speak a second language? No problem! All of our study abroad opportunities are delivered in English, unless you're studying a languages degree.

Study abroad options

We have a range of exchange partnerships so undergraduates from all subject areas can apply to study with our partners, for one semester or a full academic year, depending on your individual course.

Your time studying abroad will be recorded on your University of Portsmouth transcript when you graduate, and you'll also receive a transcript from the partner university for the period of time you spent there.

When you apply 

During your studies you'll apply to study abroad with one of our exchange partners by applying to us first. Your time abroad usually takes place in your third year (with the exception of BA (Hons) International Business), as an extra year before you return to Portsmouth to complete your final year of study and graduate. Exchange spaces at the partner universities are limited so your application is assessed by colleagues in your faculty, and you may be invited to attend an informal interview too.

You don't need to do any of this before you apply to the University of Portsmouth. You'll find out more about out study abroad options Welcome Week at Fresher's Fayre as well as throughout your first year of study. 

Funding

As an exchange student, you won't pay tuition fees to the partner university, but you would be expected to cover accommodation, travel and general living costs. 

You may be able to apply for external grants and support for your study exchange. These grants help to pay for any extra costs of living overseas, such as your rent, food or bills, but you shouldn't rely on it as your main budget, or to cover your initial costs.

You may also have access to other sources of funding, such as the Student Maintenance Loan, local and regional government grants or existing savings.

Where can I go?

We have study destinations around the world.

Where you can go will depend on what you choose to study: 

The below partner universities and destinations are accurate at the time of publication. However, please note that these are subject to change.

Current students should check with their Exchange Coordinator or the Global Mobility Team when choosing their destination.

Architecture

Area Studies, Sociology, History, Politics and Literature

Art, Design and Performance

Biological Sciences

Creative Technologies

Criminology and Forensic Studies

Computing

Environment, Geography and Geoscience

Film, Media and Communication

Education, Languages and Linguistics

Pharmacy and Biomedical Sciences

Psychology

Sport, Health and Exercise Science

Faculty of Business and Law

Faculty of Creative and Cultural Industries

Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences

Faculty of Science and Health

Faculty of Technology

University Wide Exchange Programme