Study Abroad for undergraduate students

Studying abroad gives you great experience of international cultures, values and languages which can crucially enhance your professional skill set, especially when entering the international graduate job market.

Being able to demonstrate an understanding of other cultures, global politics, and the ability to communicate across languages and cultures is a huge benefit in any role and will really help set you apart during the recruitment process. Living and studying in a new country will naturally enhance your adaptability, cross-cultural communication, self-confidence, and resilience, and will stimulate creative thinking.

Studying abroad in a different country with students from all around the world is also a great way to build and expand your global network of friends and professional contacts.​

A report from Universities UK International shows that students who go abroad during their degree are 20% less likely to be unemployed, 10% more likely to be in graduate-level jobs 6 months after graduation, and earn 7% more 6 months post-graduation, compared to those who don't.​

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We have over 30 exchange partner universities around the world including Europe, North America, the Far East and Australia. An up-to-date list of ever-increasing partners may be found here: Where can I study abroad?​

All of our partners offer approved training in bioscience subjects and also include:​

• new opportunities (e.g. palaeontology, icthiopathology, volcanology)​
• programmes with specialisms (e.g. biochemistry, natural sciences)​
• courses with local expertise (e.g. shark biology, rock mountain ecology)​

Students are also encouraged to choose subjects outside science for a (programme-specific) fraction of each term. Scuba diving, comparative theology, photography, astronomy, performance, and classical music are a few recent choices by Exeter students.​

The choice of university is a personal one and depends upon your academic pursuits and what constitutes a character-building adventure for you. A near-complete list of considerations, along with collected information from past students are given on the Go Abroad website.

How to apply

All Bioscience programmes have a four-year Study Abroad counterpart programme.

To secure your place on a Biosciences study abroad programme, apply to it during your UCAS application. Alternatively, you may apply to a three-year Biosciences programme, then apply to transfer to a study abroad programme at the end of your first year. Please note that transfer is not guaranteed.  

Permission to take part in Study Abroad in all cases will depend on your academic progress and the places available in your chosen country.​

Finding a host university 

The selection of your host institution starts at the beginning of your second year. You should refer to the international office how-to-apply pages for more information. The international office works in collaboration with the study abroad tutors to manage the placement process.​

Your year abroad is assessed entirely by your host institution who provide a transcript of your studies. You should keep this as evidence of your study. Grades will be translated back to an Exeter percentage and classification according to a predetermined conversion.

The international office website contains up-to-date information on the choice of institution and application process. They may be contacted by email, telephone or 15-minute consultation on campus.​

For programme-specific information, current students should visit the associated ELE page or contact the study abroad tutor: Dr Sam Stevens.