During the study abroad year our students get to experience new cultures and activitiesStudy abroad
All of the programmes across the School have a limited number of places available to spend a third year living and studying abroad, experiencing another country, university and lifestyle. We have established links with a number of universities in America, Canada and Australia: view a complete list of International Exchange partner universities.
Each university offers an excellent training in natural sciences with some local specialities usually associated with their local geography. The School of Natural and Applied Sciences at Coastal Carolina, for example, has its own wetland marsh facility with a Wetland Ecology module associated with it. Other expertise at Coastal leads to courses in Marine Biology and Shark Biology in particular. The University of Southern Mississippi provides a range of courses in Biochemistry, Chemistry and Polymer Science for Study Abroad students from the Molecular Biology and the Biological and Medicinal Chemistry programmes. Montana State University is in the beautiful Yellowstone National Park which produces courses in Rocky Mountain Ecology and volcanology.
In addition to scientific subjects, students are encouraged to use the American Minor System allowing a student to study a minor subject in any course offered by the host university. In this past this has included courses in: golf, scuba diving, comparative theology, photography and astronomy. The student is allowed to choose one module per semester in a non-science minor balanced with 3 science modules (or equivalent). Students are given module choice advice by the Study Abroad Tutor before leaving.
Transferring to a Study Abroad programme
If you are not sure about studying abroad when you apply for your degree, it is possible to apply to transfer to a four-year programme at the end of the first year of a three-year programme. Permission to take part in Study Abroad in all cases will depend on your academic progress and the places available in your chosen country.
Further information
For further information on where you can go and all the issues surrounding study abroad, including fees and funding, view the International Exchange website.
One of the best ways to find out what studying abroad can be like is to read about our students' experiences:
In my 3rd year I went to Canada to study at the University of Victoria on Vancouver Island in British Columbia. I can honestly say that it was the best thing that I have ever done, there just aren’t words that can describe the most amazing time that I had. Being given the opportunity to live, study and become a part of another culture truly was an ‘awesome’ experience. I found the approach to study was different to what I have experienced at Exeter, classes were a lot more intimate, involving a great deal of discussion. Their whole work ethic was to work hard and take full advantage of their natural surroundings and facilities. Whilst living in Canada I took part in a wide range of subjects that aren’t offered at Exeter and was able to draw on the experience and enthusiasm of the academic staff and students, enabling me to become more passionate about my studies. Canada opened up many new opportunities, the facilities they had were endless and when you are surrounded by snow-capped mountains, stunning scenery and enthusiastic people you can’t help but smile and embrace every opportunity; be it skiing or sailing, looking at breeding habits of grizzly bears, whale watching or just living in a foreign country, meeting people from all over the world and sharing the experience of a lifetime. I have done things I would never have done otherwise - my first ever ice hockey game, skiing in the Rocky Mountains and experiencing pumpkin pie for Thanksgiving, meeting people - both Canadian and from across the whole world, who have now become some of the best friends I have. I had the most incredible time and would recommend the experience without any doubt or hesitation.
Hannah Ogilvie, BSc Biological Sciences with study abroad
For me, the exchange was the opportunity of a lifetime. It opened my eyes to everything that’s out there... It was great being part of an overseas community meeting new people, making friends, discovering new interests and learning along the way. I loved the hands-on approach, getting close to the wildlife was a real highlight.
Laura Madden, Exeter student who studied at Coastal Carolina University
I dived with catfish in Florida, and participated in shark tagging, dolphin photography and identification. I have now also eaten pumpkin pie at Thanksgiving in Maryland, watched and partied after a college football game, and even been to homecoming! It was as much about socialising and American culture, as it was academic opportunities. I met some of my best friends out there, experienced some of the most amazing things and loved every single minute of it!
Hannah Giddens, Exeter student who studied at Coastal Carolina University
Having grown up in a small town in southern Mississippi, I always had big dreams but never really had the opportunities to pursue them. Living in Exeter, UK, for five months was my chance to realize that I could actually make it in the world on my own. The culture in the city was much more diverse than I imagined and I really felt welcomed and comfortable for my entire stay. Exeter is an unbelievably beautiful city as well and has an intriguing history. I loved having the freedom to finish my studies on my own time and also have time to simply relax and talk with fellow classmates, who were actually from countries all over the world! I have come away from this experience with a heightened sense of the global perspective on many issues and I now realize that it is possible to go into a completely new environment and function with ease and success.
Daniel Murin, from the University of Southern Mississippi, joined the School of Biosciences for the second semester in January 2006
