Exchange opportunities
Adding a global dimension
While studying at Bristol, you may have the option of spending some time abroad as part of your degree. This gives you an exciting opportunity to experience a different culture, learn a language, make new friends and enhance your CV. Many employers, keen to expand in the global marketplace, are increasingly looking for graduates with cross-cultural experience and those students who have studied or worked abroad are in the perfect position to take advantage this.
Every year, over 500 Bristol students go abroad as part of their degree, to destinations ranging from Paris and Copenhagen to California and Singapore. Depending on your degree, you have the choice of working and/or studying abroad for anything from three and 12 months.
The Study Abroad team will provide practical advice before you leave for your placement and support you while you’re abroad. Just look for degree courses that include 'with Study in Continental Europe' or 'with Study Abroad' in the title, or talk to your prospective University school about the opportunities they offer.
Studying abroad
The University has over 150 exchange links with outstanding universities around the world such as the Sorbonne, the University of Chicago and the University of Toronto. Depending on which degree course you choose, it is possible to study at an English-speaking university as well as those requiring a language.
Within Europe you would apply to study through the European Commission-sponsored Erasmus programme, spending either half or a full academic year at a respected EU university, and receiving a generous grant to help with travel as a fully integrated part of your degree course. Full academic credit is earned during your time abroad and an EU grant is provided to each student to contribute towards travel and living costs.
Exchange opportunities are also available outside the EU, in countries such as the USA, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Chile, Bolivia, Brazil, Singapore, Japan, Hong Kong, Korea, Mexico, Columbia and China. Full academic credit is earned during your time abroad and will contribute towards your final degree.
Work abroad
Some students have the option of taking part in a work placement of between three to 12 months in an EU country. Again, this forms an integrated part of your degree course and you can apply for a grant to help with any additional costs involved in working abroad. In the past, Bristol students have worked for companies such as Sotheby's in Madrid, Vogue in Paris and Credit Suisse in Milan.
Students who are unable to take up the opportunity to study or work overseas can still benefit from the network of exchange partnerships. There is a constant flow of international exchange students arriving at the University, who bring with them their own cultural and educational experiences, enhancing the university environment for all our undergraduates.
For more information about study and work abroad, please visit the Study and Work Abroad Placements (SWAP) website.