If you budget well, and you really watch what you’re spending, you can enjoy your year abroad for the same cost as a year here. But to be on the safe side, we suggest budgeting for roughly £1,000 more than staying in Bristol. So, what do you have to think about? What costs do you need to keep in mind?
If you have questions about your Bristol tuition fees, you should talk to your Faculty Office. We’ve put together some information for you, but this should be used for guidance only. Full tuition fee information can be found on the Income Office website. You may find that in some instances, as you are considered to be working, your LEA will reduce your grant and loan entitlement. We'd suggest looking into this well in advance. That way you can budget accordingly. For further advice about LEA grants and Loans, visit the Student Funding Office.
Currently those students spending more than six months working on an Erasmus placement will enjoy a full tuition fee waiver. If you’re away for a whole year, and it’s outside Europe, you’ll receive a 50% Bristol tuition fee reduction. If you’re away for less than six months, and you’re spending the rest of the year in Bristol, you’ll have to pay your tuition fees as normal.
If you are an overseas fee-payer, you'll pay your normal tuition fees to Bristol.
Of course, you’ll need somewhere to live, and you’ll have to pay for accommodation. As you’d expect, costs will vary, depending on where you work. For example, Paris will be much more expensive than, Montpellier. Mind you, some students have found that accommodation is cheaper than what you pay in Bristol.
This is where the extra costs can really add up. You’ll need to cover the cost of your return flight – and these can vary wildly depending on your destination and how cunning you can be when it comes to finding cheap flights. Some LEAs will offer additional financial support to cover travel costs, so be sure to ask.
If you're a non-EU national and require a visa, make sure to budget for this, which can include an interview at the Embassy.
It’s also important that you take out adequate travel and health insurance. Of course, full information about insurance will be provided in your pre-departure meeting. Information on University of Bristol travel insurance can be found on the following website
It’s also well worth thinking about travel costs during holidays, at weekends and if you want to come home. Talk to your colleagues and try to find out about the cheapest, easiest ways to travel around.
The first thing to say is that the Erasmus grant isn’t a full maintenance grant. It’s intended to be a contribution to the additional costs of living abroad.
Whether you’re a home or international fee paying student, you’ll be eligible for an Erasmus grant, funded by the EU commission. The amount you can receive will vary from year to year, but it’s usually around £2,000 for a full academic year or £1,000 for one semester. You’ll receive a certain amount of Euros for every month that you have taken part in an Erasmus work placement (three months being the minimum). If you receive a bursary from the University of Bristol then you may also be eligible for an additional grant.
You’ll receive your grant in two instalments. The first one will be paid at the start of your placement (once we’ve received your Training Agreement and you’ve completed the Health & Safety Survey). The second instalment will be paid around June. To receive the second half of your grant, it’s essential that you’ve completed the online work survey and you’ve sent us your employer letter confirming the exact dates of your placement.
The Erasmus grant will be paid in Euros onto your Travelex cash passport which you will need to collect from the Study and Work Abroad office by 24 June 2011.
It’s really important that you’re aware that your first grant payment will not come until after you've started your work placement, and that your second instalment won’t be paid until after you’ve finished. That’s why careful, considered budgeting is so important, taking into account travel, accommodation and initial living costs.
As long as your host company agrees, you’re free to make changes to the length of your placement. Mind you, it’s best to get the duration of your placement right in your Training Agreement. That way, you avoid any nasty surprises regarding your grant. If you do make any changes after you have submitted your Training Agreement get in touch with us as soon as possible and we’ll help you with the adjustments.