Studying abroad should not and cannot be a last minute decision. It requires careful consideration and preparation on both a personal and academic level. Whenever possible you should start your investigations no less than one calendar year prior to the start of your intended exchange.

Year 1

Learn about exchange opportunities by:

• Attending a Global Opportunities Fair;
• Reading the resources on the study abroad hub as well as further external resources;
• Thinking about potential locations and reading the Considering where to GO study guide;
• Contacting the Departmental Exchange Coordinator in your department to inquire informally about exchange and other placement opportunities available during your degree;
• Discussing your plans with your parents and friends;
• Learning or maintaining a language with the Centre for Foreign Language Study.

Michaelmas term of Year 2

• Attend the Global Opportunities Fair held usually mid October of each year;
• Speak to the Departmental Exchange Coordinator as they will be required to approve your exchange.
• Apply for an exchange through the process below.

Applications are made in the Michaelmas Term of your second year.

• Non European Exchange applications are made in late-October to mid-November.
• European applications are made early the following year, from mid-January to late-February.

Depending on the programme you are applying for, the application and submission will be different. For example, Non European Exchange applications are submitted to the International Office for scoring and European Exchange applications are submitted to your Departmental Exchange Coordinator.

Before you apply

Step 1- Get general information about the exchange opportunities available to you. Speak to the Exchange Coordinator in your department and to the Exchanges & Study Abroad Team. Visit the Study Abroad Hub and find out how an exchange period fits into your degree and how it is accredited in Durham.

Note that some of our partners may require proficiency is their national language(s) to be eligible to take part. Please see CEFR for further details on the different levels requested by partner.

Step 2- Speak to your Departmental Exchange Coordinator to find out about the universities are available to you. Make a shortlist. Try and speak to other students from your department who have previously studied abroad.

Step 3- Apply! Non European Exchange is an online form will be available from 18 October. You may be required to submit a number of documents with your application form so please be prepared to spend some time on the application. The European Exchange online application form will be made available in January.

Apply