There are many factors to consider when deciding if Study Abroad is for you. Here you will find the answers to the most frequently asked questions we receive. There is also information on the competitions that you can enter whilst abroad to enhance your experience. If you have any further queries please contact us.
Current students should submit an enquiry via the 'Help and Support' section of your Student Portal. You are current student if you have recently enrolled or have been sent an email about enrolment. To access your Student Portal you will need to have enrolled on your programme first.
The Erasmus + exchange programme offers excellent opportunities among EU member states. We have a range of partners across the EU and, in partnership with the British Council, are able to offer a wide range of financial assistance to our students studying in Europe. The majority of our Erasmus partners teach in English however there will be the opportunity to learn a second language should you wish.
A bilateral exchange refers to studying abroad at one of our partner institutions with whom Northumbria exchange a specified number of students. For example, if two students from RMIT Melbourne come to study at Northumbria for a semester then two students from Northumbria will be able to study at RMIT Melbourne for a semester. As part of an exchange agreement you will pay a reduced tuition fee to Northumbria, but don't pay tuition fees at your host university. There are several scholarships available to students studying abroad outside the EU.
Easter and summer opportunities across the world are available for all students. These usually take place at a Partner Institution and last around two weeks. There is a fee for most of these programs which must be met by the students.
Whilst the fees for exchange programmes (including Erasmus+) will be covered by the fees you pay to Northumbria University, you should still consider the additional living costs that you will incur.
Please be aware that all students applying for a study visa in certain countries (mainly USA/Australia) will need proof of the equivalent of between $6,000USD - $9,000USD or $9,305AUD per semester to cover your living expenses prior to your departure from the UK. This can consist of a certified bank statement from your account or your parents, or a stamped & signed memo from your bank confirming the amount currently in your or your parents’ account showing the necessary amount. You can usually use your statement from Student Finance as proof of finance too.
Other costs that will need to be considered are:
The Study Abroad programme is self-funded - however there are a few different streams of funding that you can apply for;
The majority of our Erasmus partners teach in English however there will be the opportunity to learn a second language should you wish.
For students studying in locations where the local language is French, German, Spanish, Italian, Dutch, Polish, Czech, Danish, Greek, Portuguese or Swedish we can offer (depending on availability) an Online Linguistic Language Support package to help with your day-to-day language requirements.
Different universities will provide different levels of assistance when it comes to private housing. Some may provide you with a list of local hostels, others may give general advice on the local housing market, while others may be able to provide more practical help in house hunting. You may also be able to find information on the accommodation pages of the university’s website and on general international student pages.
If you choose to rent private accommodation we advise that you familiarise yourself with the landlord and tenant legislation and obligations in the country as it can be very different from UK law. You may also wish to book yourself into a hostel for a week prior to your start date and use this time to ‘house hunt’ in person.
Individual university websites will list information on the cost of living in that particular country. Most will include fees for accommodation in halls of residence, meal plans and/or ad hoc board arrangements. Staying in university accommodation will likely be easier to arrange, will be organised and ready for your arrival and you will meet more students during your time abroad.
Do not sign up for a year-long private tenancy agreement in the UK unless you can afford to pay accommodation both here and on the exchange. Whilst re-letting is possible, Northumbria University cannot guarantee that you will be able to re-let for the time you are away. If you have any concerns that you wish to discuss please contact the Accommodation Office at Northumbria. If you are spending a single semester overseas and need Newcastle accommodation for a semester, the majority of Northumbria's accommodation is available - please contact the Accommodation Office for further information.
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