UK Students Studying Abroad

Sources of funding

Support from the host country or institution

Enquire about sources of financial support from the relevant embassy, consulate or education office and from the universities to which you apply. Remember that competition for most scholarships is intense, and that it is usually necessary to apply a year or so in advance of the proposed date of admission. Most internationally mobile students have to fund their study from their own (or their family’s) resources.

Do not assume you will be able to fund your studies by working during your degree. You will need to check whether and to what extent you are permitted to work if in the country on a student visa, and also to check the availability of work. It may be a condition of entry that you are able to demonstrate your ability to support yourself (and any dependants) from your own resources.

Support from UK sources

The Department for Innovation, Universities and Skills (DIUS) produces a guide to opportunities for Higher Education in Europe entitled “The European Choice” (although this is mainly aimed at students taking a degree in the UK and choosing to spend a year or less abroad as part of their degree).

Although the UK has signed up to a commitment to making educational loans and grants portable, this has not as yet been implemented, so you are unlikely to be able to access the same entitlements you would have if studying in the UK.

A small number of grants are available from UK research councils and professional bodies for postgraduate study overseas. Contact the relevant body for your subject area to find out whether they offer anything suitable.

A small number of educational trusts and charities based in the UK may provide support for UK students studying overseas. In most cases these will only cover a small proportion of the costs involved, and funding from other sources will be needed. Information can be found in directories of educational grant-making bodies.

If I don't want to do a whole degree abroad, what options do I have for going abroad as part of a UK degree?