Durham has two exchange programmes: Non-European Exchange and European Exchange. All undergraduate degree programmes (including combined / joint honours) allow students to apply to these programmes. The type of year abroad on these programmes will depend your degree course:

How and when to apply?

Most* students apply for a year abroad during Michaelmas term in their second year. You apply to Durham to go (and not directly to the partner university). The application process explained on the "How to Apply" page. You do not have to apply through UCAS, and you don’t have to declare their interest during first year.

*The only exception to this is students on integrated masters in the Department of Physics, who may apply in Year 3 and go abroad in Year 4.

What will I study?

Students should look at the modules offered partner by the partner university and select enough modules to study a full workload with them. Exactly how many modules this is will depend on the size of each module. This gives students the opportunity to deepen knowledge in an area that they have already done some modules at Durham, or expand their knowledge to areas unavailable at Durham. The choices of modules will need to be approved by your Departmental Exchange Coordinator in Durham to ensure that they are academically appropriate. A majority of modules will thus be in your main degree subject area(s), however, this does allow some flexibility. E.g. if you go to Japan it is likely that you will be permitted to study some beginners Japanese language modules.

General Information & Requirements 

• All exchanges are for the full year, due to Durham’s academic structure. It is currently not possible to go abroad for just one term;
• The required academic level for students going abroad is 55% minimum in second year (60% if studying Law). You need to achieve this before going (e.g. if you have to sit resit in year 2 you may not be able to go abroad);
• Students can apply to both the European and Non-European Exchange programme;
• Anyone who has already applied at UCAS to ‘x degree with year abroad’ at Durham are guaranteed a place at a departmental (i.e. European) partner university, e.g. a student on ‘Theology with Year Abroad’ would be allocated a place at one of the specific Theology links. However, students on these courses would not be guaranteed a place on the Non-European Exchange programme but are welcome to apply;
• Students selected to go abroad will be required to complete a pre-departure process to ensure that they are a) registered with the partner university and b) that they are safe to go. This is covered in step four below: Preparing to go.   

Must I speak a foreign language?

You do not have to speak a foreign language to take a year abroad:

• Most non-European Exchange partners teach in English;
• European Exchange universities teach in either a) English, b) the language of that country or c) a mix of English and the language of the home country.

The languages requirements for each university is listed on the Where Can I Go? partner pages. The Go Languages page gives further details about language requirements and support, along with the opportunities that the Centre for Foreign Language Study gives to students to learn a language alongside their degree.

Funding?

Please visit the Go Funding page for more information, but to summarise:

Student Finance

• Student finance should continue as normal. Students would receive maintenance loans as well as additional means-tested grants;
• Means-tested travel grant available from Student Finance England; currently allows students to pay the first £303 of flights, visas and health insurance and then claim the rest back;
• Students would pay for their own accommodation, flights, visas and health insurance whilst on exchange at their host.
• The Student Immigration and Funding Team (internal link)  deal with Student Finance England, Student Finance Northern Ireland, Student Finance Wales, and Student Awards Agency Scotland and can be contacted for specific questions about student loans.

Turing funding

Each year the University applies to the UK Government Turing funding scheme to support study abroad placements. The University is awaiting results of the 2025/26 application. No all students will receive Turing funding. The University prioritises funding to Widening Participation (e.g. students from disadvantaged backgrounds) . Previously all years students who have met the university's definition of Widening Participation have been funded. Please note: Turing is a funding scheme, not an exchange programme.

• Any student of any nationality can express an interest in Turing funding. However, it is not unlimited and thus means tested.
• Turing funded students receive funding of approximately £350-450 per month depending on which country they are going to;
• A means-tested top up of approximately £100 per month is available for some ‘Widening Participation’ students;
• Students are eligible to receive the funding provided they complete all paperwork and their placement meets Turing criteria;
• Students who receive Turing funding can still receive maintenance loan from Student Finance;
• Paid in 2 instalments (NOT monthly) – 80% at the start of the placement, and 20% at the end.

Please visit the Turing page for more information.

Tuition Fees

• All European Exchange or Non-European Exchange students only pay 15% of UG fee to Durham. This works out at roughly £1,385 for the year for Home students. This amount will change year on year and depends on the exact fee rate of your Durham programme;
• Students do not pay fees to their host university – the exchange works on a reciprocal fee waiver basis;

Accommodation 

• Most Non-European Exchange partners will try to offer campus accommodation; for European Exchange some partners do but most students would be responsible for sourcing their own accommodation. You should be prepared to find accommodation if none is available and be prepared to live off campus in this situation.
• All partners are obliged to assist students with finding accommodation.

Support

We believe that all students should be able to gain an international experience while at Durham. As well as the International Office, GO support includes a Departmental Exchange Coordinator each academic department. In addition, please visit our pages about: funding-, languages-, access for all-, and SEND support packages.