What can I do?

Add an international dimension to your studies whilst travelling with your peers by taking part in a short-term overseas visit, designed and delivered by an academic member of staff. Here at the University you’ll find a wide range of staff-organised international trips, including educational field visits and other course-related opportunities.

To find our what opportunities are available to you contact your course tutor.

Studying abroad is an opportunity to see the world, experience new cultures and study at one of the University’s many partner universities as an integral part of your degree. At Staffs we have exchange agreements with over 80 institutions across the world so there has never been a better time to participate in a study exchange.

Many of our courses provide students with the opportunity to study abroad for 3 months or up to a year. Opportunities will vary depending on your course of study, but most subject areas across the University provide the option to study abroad. You don't need to worry about speaking the local language as all courses at our partner Universities will be taught in English.

If you’re considering studying abroad the Erasmus+ website has lots of useful information, as well as links to other helpful websites.

Contact

Should you wish to talk through your options contact our exchange co-ordinator at Wendy.Pollard@staffs.ac.uk.

A full semester or year abroad may not be for everyone. Many overseas universities offer courses in the summer or winter breaks, which are the perfect opportunity to experience studying abroad without committing to a full semester or year.

Attending a summer/winter school abroad shows potential employers that you’re willing to step out of your comfort zone and embrace new challenges.

Our students have attended summer schools across Europe and further afield including:

• Vietnam
• Japan
• China
• Spain
• Sweden
• Germany

Contact

Should you wish to talk through your options contact our exchange co-ordinator at Wendy.Pollard@staffs.ac.uk.

Taking up an internship or summer work abroad is a great opportunity to enhance your employability and gain valuable work experience in an international setting.

If you’re considering taking up an internship in Europe the Erasmus intern website has lots of useful information, as well as links to other helpful websites.

Europe

If you want to work in Europe over the summer you can take this opportunity to apply for additional funding through the Erasmus+ programme.

Eligibility

• You must have completed level 4 and be registered on a full-time course.
• Any work experience must be a minimum of 2 months in duration.
• Funding can be applied to paid or voluntary work in Europe.
• This funding cannot be used alongside any other EU funding.
• Previous participation in Erasmus funded work or study will be taken into account, as you can only claim up to a maximum of 12 months Erasmus+ funding per study cycle.
• European students can apply for funding to work within their country of origin

Contact

Should you wish to talk through your options or have any questions about how to access funding contact our exchange co-ordinator at Wendy.Pollard@staffs.ac.uk.

Without a doubt I would recommend to anyone to do an internship abroad. It gives you the opportunity to gain professional experience, experience a different culture and figure out what you enjoy doing in life

Sarah, Accounting and Finance BA (Hons)

As part of our International Pledge, we’re committed to supporting student mobility through placement opportunities . This means we’ll do everything we can to fulfil your dream of travelling, studying and working abroad. Our students experience bespoke work placements in international companies and organisations around the world.

If your course at Staffs includes a work placement, you can look to apply for a placement anywhere in the world.

Undertaking an overseas work placement shows potential employers that you’re willing to step out of your comfort zone and embrace new challenges.

We have placement opportunities with, among others:

• Airbus
• Cisco
• Amazon
• Juniper Networks
• UPF
• Radbound

To discuss placement opportunities relevant to your course talk to your Academic Practice Learning Manager.

Volunteering abroad can change your life. It puts you right at the heart of local communities, giving you the opportunity to immerse yourself in their culture while giving back in a meaningful way. You’ll strengthen your communication, team building and adaptability skills, learn another language and make new friends.

Volunteering abroad helps to develop your global awareness, something that graduate employers are increasingly looking for.

At Staffs we encourage students to volunteer globally, either as part of your studies or independently to help broaden your horizons and deepen your awareness of cultural and social diversity.

Volunteering opportunities are usually unpaid and not an integral or assessed part of your course. However, in some cases you can choose to volunteer abroad as part of an elective module. To find out if you can volunteer abroad and gain credits towards your course at the same time speak to your personal tutor.

To help get you started if you’re interested in volunteering abroad we’ve listed a number of providers, but before entering into any agreements with a third party we advise you to read all the information provided carefully. The companies listed are not affiliated with the University in any way, and if you decide to volunteer abroad with them, the contractual relationship will be between you and the company. We are also not responsible for the content of any external websites.

• International Service
• Gotoco
• Sporting Opportunities
• The Mighty Roar
• Think Pacific
• Travel Teacher

For further advice and support please see the  volunteering pages on our Students' Union website.

We’ve committed significant funds through the Student Success Fund to help students with the cost of volunteering. We can help with costs, such as travel, accommodation and insurance among others.