Internationalise your DMU degree! As part of your undergraduate degree, you can spend a year studying abroad at one of DMU’s partner universities across the globe, in Europe, North America and Asia. As well as experiencing a new culture and enhancing your studies, receiving formal recognition as part of your degree title will help you stand out in the job market. We offer two unique opportunities to study abroad, and you can find out more by clicking the boxes below…
Student exchange information sessions
Sign up here to attend one of our weekly virtual sessions to learn more about DMU student exchange opportunities and destinations. Our sessions will also cover topics such as finance, accommodation and the application process.
Eligibility
Most full-degree students at DMU, including international students are eligible to participate on student exchange. Student exchange takes place after the completion of the second year, and depending on your programme of study you can choose to study at a range of universities globally for a full academic year.
Application dates
Current second year students looking to study on exchange in the 2021-2022 academic year can apply between the following dates:
- Application launch: Monday 5 October 2020
- Application deadline: Monday 18 January 2021 at 9am
Application Guidance
To help you make the best possible application to study on exchange we have prepared some hints and tips that will guide you through the process.
What do I need to do before applying?
- Start researching about student exchange (application process, host universities, finance etc.) as early as possible. We recommend that you do this six to twelve months before applying.
- Contact your personal tutor and programme leader for advice, and to check that you can study abroad as part of your degree.
- Meet with us! We want to speak with all interested students, so that we can advise you about the opportunities and destinations on offer. Email studentexchange@dmu.ac.uk to book a virtual 1-1 appointment.
- Attend information sessions organised by DMU Global, to hear from former and current DMU exchange students and learn more about student exchange.
How do I write a good application?
- You will need to choose two preferred host universities in your application, and we recommend that you research these choices and can demonstrate this in your answers.
- Be specific in your responses, and avoid making general comments about why you want to study abroad. Instead, focus on your why you want to study at that particular university.
- Talk about what you will do to be a good representative of DMU whilst you are on exchange. This may include getting involved in societies and student life, volunteering and your study interests.
- Click here to find out more about the application form and find further tips. Please note, this guidance is applicable to all DMU Global opportunities.
- Prepare, draft and revise your answers before submitting the application form. There is no need to rush the application submission, but also try to avoid leaving it to the last minute.
How does the selection process work?
- The Global Mobility Office will review your answers alongside feedback about your academic performance and attendance.
- In cases where we receive many applications (usually International Exchange) you may be invited to attend a short interview with our team. This will allow us to find out more about your motivations, interests and suitability.
- You will receive the outcome of your application within two weeks of the deadline passing.
- The application process is competitive as there are limited places available at each partner university. This means that not all applicants who meet the criteria will be offered a place to study on exchange at their preferred university. Where possible, we will try to offer you an alternative destination.
- If you are successful, we will provide you with more details about the next steps in the process. This can also be found on page 8 of the Student Exchange Guide.
Recognition
All participants that successfully pass their year abroad receive formal recognition and will graduate with the degree award ‘BA/BSc [degree programme] with year abroad’. For further details, students can refer to the Student Exchange Year Abroad Recognition Guidance.
Fees
To study abroad, you do not pay tuition fees to the host university; instead you pay a small fee to DMU. This fee includes the ongoing support from the Student Exchange Team, and all other services offered by DMU such as the Library, DSU, Student Services, Counselling and Welfare. The current fees for 2020-21 are:
Financial support
Any loans, grants or scholarships you are entitled to are not affected by taking part in International Exchange or the Erasmus+ programme. This includes the Tuition Fee Loan, Maintenance Loan, and Maintenance Grants. Further grants are available for International Exchange and Erasmus+, therefore please visit those pages to find out more.
Visas and Insurance
All students will require a visa for International Exchange. EU nationals will not require a visa to travel or study in another EU country; however non-EU nationals will require a visa to study in Europe and are responsible for obtaining this. Once accepted, should you require visa advice, please contact the Student Exchange team.
All students are recommended to purchase travel insurance for the duration of time overseas to cover personal possessions and healthcare. EU nationals can apply for a special European Health Insurance Card (EHIC), prior to leaving the UK. Please see here for the validity of EHIC cards post-Brexit.
Why study abroad?
Studying overseas is an unforgettable experience that can offer you a wide range of benefits. Students that spend time abroad report personal growth, cultural learning and language skill development as some of the positive outcomes. Research conducted by various bodies such as UUKi also indicates that…
Students who go abroad are 9% more likely to gain a 1st or 2:1 degree
Students who go abroad are 20% less likely to be unemployed, compared to those who didn’t go abroad
Those in work six months after graduation are 10% more likely to be in a ‘graduate’ job earning on average a 7% wage premium
What DMU students have said about studying on exchange…
“ Taking part in this programme changed me for the better. I live at home while I am studying at DMU so it was a big step for me to travel overseas. It helped me become more confident, independent and gain a better understanding of cultural differences.”
Maria Bouazzouz
EXCHANGE YEAR AT Charles university, prague
“Studying in the US was a life changing experience! I enhanced my knowledge, learnt new concepts and developed my passion for Psychology. Aside from my studies, I became more confident, made friends for life and learnt more about myself.”
Kajal Patel
EXCHANGE YEAR AT Francis Marion university, USA