A year abroad is undoubtedly one of the best opportunities that is available to you during your undergraduate career. It is a privilege and an experience to be proud of and remember throughout your university and professional life.
Tuition fees
If your entire year abroad in 2012/13 will be spent as an Erasmus student, we are awaiting confirmation of the final fee that you will be required to pay. We have been told that your Birmingham fees payable will be no more than a maximum amount of 50% of your Birmingham tuition fee.
If you are on an international year abroad in 2012/13, or your year abroad is split between an Erasmus institution and an international institution, you will be required to pay 50% of your Birmingham tuition fee
If you are taking your year abroad within the EU, you may be entitled to an Erasmus fee waiver. Students receiving this waiver will not need to pay tuition fees, either to the University of Birmingham or the host institution.
The Erasmus fee waiver is renewed annually. Students undertaking the study year abroad within the EU for the academic year 2011/12 will not be required to pay tuition fees for that year.
There may be a small enrolment or administration fee at the host institution. You will need to confirm this with the University you are travelling to.
Student loans and grants
UK students undertaking a year abroad are entitled to the normal student funding package (Tuition fee loan, Maintenance Loan and Maintenance Grants). Depending on how you spend your year abroad, you may receive a slightly higher rate of Maintenance Loan. You should apply for this funding the same way as in previous years, via Student Finance England or relevant agency.
For information and to apply online, visit the direct.gov website.
Erasmus Grant
Students planning a year abroad in an EU country are entitled to an Erasmus Grant from the British Council. The amount available varies each year but is normally the equivalent of around 225 euros per month.
The British Council release the figures in November each year. For more information visit the British Council Website.
The award is paid in 2 instalments into the students nominated bank account. The first instalment is paid in December and the second instalment is paid in June. Payments are made in pounds sterling.
This funding can be paid to a British or Euro account; however a euro account may incur additional charges.
The Erasmus grant has been confirmed by the British Council until 2013/14.
How do I apply?
There is an online application form available.
This form should be completed and then signed by the exchange tutor in your school and returned to the Study Abroad and Exchanges office:
Study Abroad & Exchanges Assistant (Outgoing)
University of Birmingham
Aston Webb Building
Edgbaston
Birmingham
B15 2TT
Other funding available
U21 Year Abroad Scholarship
There are 8 scholarships available worth £1000 each for students travelling to a Universitas 21 institution. Students who receive this award are expected to act as ambassadors for the University and will be required to attend an interview. For more information and a list of eligible institutions see the U21 website.
Application forms are available from the outgoing assistant in the Study Abroad and Exchanges Office.
JASSO Scholarships
There are awards available to year abroad students going to Japanese institutions.
For information regarding the value of these awards and the application procedure, please contact the Japanese institution you intend to study at or visit the JASSO website.
Alternatively you can contact the outgoing assistant in the Study Abroad & Exchanges Office.
DUO Award
There are a limited number of awards available for students undertaking their year abroad in the National University of Singapore.
There are a limited number of awards available for students undertaking their year abroad in the National University of Singapore.
Please contact the National University of Singapore for information.
Santander Scholarship
If you choose and are selected to attend an institution in one of the countries listed below, then you will also be eligible to apply for a Santander Scholarship. Santander provides a number of scholarships worth up to a maximum amount of £1000 each. Successful applicants will be expected to act as a student ambassador during their study period abroad and upon their return to the University.
Countries: Brazil, Argentina, Mexico, Chile, Spain, Portugal, China and Singapore.
BUTEX Scholarship
Each year the British Universities Transatlantic Exchange Association (BUTEX) offers a number of scholarships to students studying abroad in either the USA or Canada for either a semester or for a whole academic year.
For information regarding eligibility and for application procedures, please visit the BUTEX website.
The Scholarships for Excellence 2011-2013
We are pleased to announce that the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills has renewed the Scholarships for Excellence for a further three years, from 2011-12 to 2013-14. The scheme enables undergraduate students from higher education institutions in England to spend a semester or full year at a higher education institution in Hong Kong. A minimum of ten scholarships will be awarded each year, with each scholarship worth up to ￡4,000.
Applications for the 2012-2013 academic year will be open from 1 February 2012 to 6 April 2012. Applicants can visit the Scholarships for Excellence website to download an application form and obtain further details of the scheme.
Departmental Funding
Some Schools and Departments within the University of Birmingham offer awards specific to their students and subjects. These awards can change each year depending on available funding. You should contact the Department that you are studying with for information on awards available this year.
The Access to Learning Fund (ALF)
The Access to Learning Fund is a discretionary grant funded by the government to help students in financial hardship. It is open to any UK student studying with the University of Birmingham including students on a year abroad. For full information and application procedures, please visit the Access to Learning Fund website.