At Durham students have a number of study abroad options. These are broadly split between full-year study abroad options and short-term summer placements. The sections below set out the options available, along with why you may wish to consider spending a period abroad. If you are looking for (Masters) options outside of Durham after graduation, please visit GO Alumni.

Who can go on a Global Opportunity?

All degree programmes allow for students to do an exchange (including combined / joint honours).

Do I have to speak a foreign language?

You do not have to speak a foreign language to GO abroad. Short term summer schools are often taught in English. Almost all Non European Exchange partners and many European Exchange universities teach in English. Some universities will teach in the language of that country and we list language requirements for each university on the Where Can I Go? partner pages.

If you do want to learn or maintain a language at Durham, the Centre for Foreign Language Study offers the option to learn a language alongside your degree.

When can I go abroad?

Short: Generally summer schools and global citizenship programmes take place during the summer, with partners advertising places from January onwards.

Long: Typically full-year study abroad takes place in your third year, with a final fourth year in Durham thereafter. Applications for full-year places are made in your second year.

Can I do a work placement?

Durham offers a range of international work opportunities. Please visit our GO Work Abroad pages for more details.

Fair Access

Study abroad is open to any Durham student who meets the eligibility criteria above.  Expressions of interest are particularly welcomed from students from backgrounds where participation in study or work abroad is traditionally low. This includes students who: have received or are eligible for the Durham Grant Scheme; have participated in the Supported Progression Scheme or Sutton Trust Summer school at Durham University; are from a minority ethnic group; have a home address in an area of low progression to higher education (i.e. your postcode is listed '1' or '2' in the Polar checking tool.

Widening Participation Funding

The University prioritises Turing funding for Study Abroad to support Widening Participation students. For the purposes of funding, the University's definition of Widening Participation includes:

• Students with a low (parental) household income or low socio-economic status (including those with an annual household income of £25,000 or less)
• Students with a medium-low (parental) household income or low socio-economic status (including those with an annual household income of £25,001 to £47,200)
• Students receiving Universal Credit or income-related benefits because they are financially supporting themselves or financially supporting themselves and someone who is dependent on them and living with them, such as a child or partner
• Students who are care-experienced
• Students who have caring responsibilities
• Neither of the students’ parents can be found or it is not reasonably practicable to get in touch with either of them (estranged students)
• Refugees and asylum seekers

More Information

Studying abroad may seem daunting, however, there is a range of support available. These include:

• Funding opportunities
• Languages courses with the Centre for Foreign Language Study
• Pre- and in-placement support for widening access students and students with extra needs.

Please click the links below for further details.