General Information

Many students find that they gain a great deal from the experience of studying abroad. Living and studying in another country is often a challenge, but overcoming obstacles and learning to cope in another culture and language brings maturity and confidence and can help students to develop qualities and skills that employers look for, in addition to enhancement of language skills.

Undergraduate students doing Single Honours Philosophy, Philosophy and Literature and the Philosophy with Degree programmes can apply for placement abroad for a full academic year. Students apply in their second year for a third year of study at a European or North American institution, and then return to Warwick for their final year. Students in their first or final year of study are not eligible to apply.

Maths and Philosophy and PPE students may also choose to take a placement year abroad and can either contact the Philosophy Department Exchange Co-ordinator or may prefer to talk to the co-ordinator in the relevant other department(s) about their partner institutions.

PLEASE NOTE: As of the 2024/25 academic year, the UK no longer participates in the Erasmus programme.

Key points of the current programme

• UK as well as non UK students are eligible.
• As you are part of a reciprocal exchange programme, you do not pay any academic tuition fee to your host university during your year abroad, but you do continue to pay tuition fees to Warwick (usually 15% of the standard tuition fee - further details can be found by following this linkLink opens in a new window)
• Eligibility to apply for a bursary via the Turing Scheme for students who meet the scheme criteria.
• Students would be registered at both the University of Warwick and the placement university so would still be eligible for maintenance grants.
• You would normally be expected to follow the pattern and terms and conditions that a typical student in the University you are attending would with respect to workload (CATS requirements) and assessment although any results obtained during this year abroad would not contribute towards your final degree classification. Credit would be noted on your transcript for the work undertaken whilst on your year abroad. Students are not advised to exceed the equivalent of a 120 CAT workload during their year abroad.
• Although it is recommended that you have a minimum of A-level standard of language ability in the native language of the host country you are visiting, many partner institutions teach some of their modules in English. Many host institutions do provide intensive language training courses in the period immediately before the academic year starts and students are strongly advised to take advantage of these courses where available.
• It is expected that you will currently be at a 2.1 average level and will maintain this level throughout your second year examinations.

• China
  • Tsinghua University, Beijing
    • NB: This post is not open to Chinese nationals
• Europe
  • Universität Salzburg, Austria
  • Univeristät Wien, Austria
    
    
  • Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB), Belgium
    
    
  • Université de Bourgogne (Dijon), France
    
    
  • Friedrich-Schiller-Universität Jena, Germany
  • Univeristät zu Köln, Germany
    
    
  • Univeristà degli Studi di Torino, Italy
  • Univeristà degli Studi Roma Tre, Italy
    
    
  • Erasmus University Rotterdam, the Netherlands
    
    
  • Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, Spain
  • Universidad Complutense de Madrid, Spain
    • NB: B2 Spanish language CERTIFICATE equivalent at time of nomination
• Canada
  • McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario
    
    
• Australia
  • Monash University, Melbourne
• Singapore
  • Nanyang Technological University
    • NB: Applications possible, but unlikely that we will receive places; you are advised not to make it your first/only choice.

If you are interested in a year abroad at an institution not in the above list please do discuss this with the Departmental Exchange and Placement Coordinator as soon as possible as other departments may have links of interest. A full list of the University's Partner institutions can be found here.

Process for Applications/Nominations:

Once 2024/25 applications open, you will be sent an application link. You will be able to choose up to four universities in a preferential order. There will be a box for your personal statement explaining why you want to take a year studying abroad. There will be a 4000 character limit for your personal statement. The deadline for application will be communicated once determined.

You should address the following questions in your personal statement:

a) Why do you want to study in the host country you have chosen?

b) How will you adapt to life in the host country and cope with being away from Britain?

c) What benefits will you receive by spending your an intercalated year abroad?

d) What previous experiences have you had that make you suitable for the exchange?

e) Why should you be selected for the exchange?

Candidates may be invited for an interview prior to formal nominations being submitted. Please ensure you are available for interview in weeks 11-12.

Indicative Applications/Nominations Timeline:

• Mid-Late November - Applications Open
• Mid-December - Last day to submit application
• Mid-Late of December - Selection process
  • You might be invited to a Teams Interview as part of your application
  • If selected for your first choice, you will be offered a place - please respond ASAP
  • If not selected for your first choice, you might be offered an alternative choice - please respond ASAP
• Early January - selected students nominated to Student Mobility
• Between February and Easter - Student Mobility confirms nominations and starts the integration process
  • For more details see Student Mobility FAQ - 'When will I hear regarding the nominations'Link opens in a new window

What must you provide on your return from Year Abroad out in order to be considered for an intercalated year degree?

• You must provide a transcript of results from the host University for the modules taken.
• You must provide a report at the end of terms 1 and 2.

  The report should include details of the modules that you are taking and how you are finding them. Beyond this, you are free to include whatever you consider to be of most importance to you, such as specific challenges that you have faced and overcome, memorable experiences that you have had, and specific non-academic skills that you have developed.

• You may also be requested to provide a 3,000 word written summary of your experiences including contextual information on the host institution, the cultural and academic environments, any skills you have developed and how they relate to personal, academic or career development. If applicable this should be submitted in your final year.

All required documentation must be submitted to the departmental office in good time for the final year board of examiners meeting (no later than beginning of May of your final year).

Further Information

For further information please contact:

Dr Eliza Little
Exchange and Placement Co-ordinator
Eliza dot Little at warwick dot ac dot uk