The UK FCDO (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office) posts up-to-date information and travel advice for over 200 countries on their website, including visa requirements for UK nationals. Avoid travelling to the country if the FCDO advises against it as your insurance may become invalid.

We also suggest reading the FCDO general travel guidance, which, although written primarily for British nationals, contains advice relevant to everyone.

International Students

Check your own country’s Embassy website for any additional advice and familiarise yourself with the services they can provide nationals abroad; you can usually find the location of your Embassy via a quick Google search.

Many Embassies will also have Facebook or Instagram profiles, so check out their social media presence, follow them and save their contact details in your phone.

Remember to check the visa requirements for the country you will visit well in advance of travel.

If you are going on a planned study abroad placement via the Student Mobility team, read over their pre-departure guidance. Your host university would usually provide useful visa related guidance and the necessary documentation for your visa application.

If you are going on an overseas trip organised by your academic department, they would usually provide visa related guidance and arrange the necessary documentation as required.

If you are going abroad for a period of short-term mobility opportunity arranged by yourself, or are travelling abroad for field study, data collection or independent research, you will usually make your own visa application. You may require a letter from your supervisor or host organisation when making your application.

There are third party companies who offer visa assistance. The University’s travel supplier Key Travel has a web tool which offers a quick check on visa requirements for any country. There will be a fee if you decide to use their personalised visa assistance service.

Research in advance for what your visa will permit you to do and ensure that you do not breach those conditions. For example, if you have been issued a tourist visa you may be limited to a set number of days, and study or work may be prohibited altogether.

If you have been issued a Schengen visa for a trip to Europe, you should stick to the travel itinerary which was provided as part of the visa application process and not be tempted to add a stay in another country, as this is likely to cause problems.

Please be aware that many countries are divided into different states or regions that may follow different laws and customs. If you are travelling between states or regions, be mindful of anything you might be carrying with you across the border and make your yourself familiar with the local laws.

You should always abide by the law of the country you are staying in or travelling through; consequences and penalties for law breaking overseas could be much harsher than the UK or your home country.

If you are a PGR student or a student going on a study abroad placement arranged through the University, you will be eligible to use the university’s Overseas Business Travel Insurance. Note that this only covers emergency medical treatment. It is not a comprehensive health insurance policy and won’t cover routine medical such as dental treatment, or loss of property such as mobile phones or luggage.

You should ensure that both you and your belongings are adequately covered by insurance for the duration of your trip.

If you are an international student and already have travel insurance for the UK, you may be able to extend the cover offered by your existing insurance provider. If not, depending on where you are travelling, try searching 'compare travel insurance’ for a list of comparison websites.

UK Nationals

If you a UK national or a UK permanent resident, you can apply for a UK Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC) which is free of charge but doesn’t cover things like being flown back to the UK or access to private care.

International Students

Check what healthcare will be available to you as a visitor overseas, then make sure that any insurance you do purchase will cover all medical expenses.

Healthcare preparations

If you have any pre-existing medical conditions, check what medicines you will be allowed to carry with you to your host country (sometimes prohibited medications can be surprising) and whether any related treatment, should you need it, will be available to you as a visitor.

Well ahead of travel, you should check whether you’ll need any immunisations and book these in with your doctor. If you wear glasses or contact lenses, make sure you pack spares.

Update your contact details

Before you travel, ensure that someone in the UK has a copy of your itinerary and up-to-date contact information, including details of where you will be staying; update your phone with emergency contacts in the UK and the details of your country Embassy.

Remember to check that your contact information is correct in your Student Records online.

Notify your department

It is good practise to inform a member of staff in your department, such as your personal tutor, if your trip overseas is not an integrated part of your course. Missing essential teaching or monitoring events could leave to unauthorised absences.

In general, you should avoid carrying large amounts of cash – some countries have strict limitations on how much money you can bring in, so remember to check in advance. Currency exchange shops and kiosks in airports may not provide the best exchange rates so consider using a local bank or bank ATM to change money instead.

Check if you need to tell your bank about your travel plans and if your credit or debit card can be used overseas and if so, whether you can expect any additional charges..

If you can expect extra charges using your account overseas, then consider setting up a new account just for travel. Digital bank cards are becoming more popular as they often offer more attractive exchange rate and lower fees for cash withdrawal.

When you're traveling abroad it’s important to remain vigilant to keep safe. Keep watch for any potential pickpockets and scams aimed at tourists. It’s best to stay clear of protests or demonstrations and be careful about who you let get too close to you.

This useful Scam Alert Infographic highlights some of the most widely used cons and where you might encounter them.

When you get there, don't carry your passport and UK visa around unless you really need to or the local laws say you have to. Keep your phone and bank cards secure. You could use a cross-body bag, wear your backpack on your front, or use a money belt hidden under your clothes. Also make sure you know how to cancel your bank cards in the event they are lost or stolen.

Make photocopies of your passport and UK visa and keep these separate from the original documents. If you are an international student and loses your passport or BRP when overseas, do not panic – read our guidance for support.

Consider taking a basic pay-as-you-go mobile phone or cheap tablet with you in case your original device gets lost or damaged. Make sure they are wi-fi enabled so that you can get in touch with friends and family via social media apps like WhatsApp or Facebook and share your travel schedule to keep them updated.

Doing this will help you manage any feelings of homesickness whilst you are overseas , as well as reassuring family members that you are well.

Before travelling, research your host country’s customs, history, and economy. This will help you improve your immersion and lessen the feelings of culture shock. Learn some local phrases and connect with other students through the Study Abroad Facebook page for advice and tips. Talking to them about their experience will help you prepare for your own adventure.