
Global opportunities

Study beyond borders
The University of Birmingham has over 350 university partners across the world, offering students a wealth of opportunities to study, research, work or volunteer abroad. These range from a year overseas, to shorter-term programmes, including summer schools, volunteering opportunities and internships.
Opportunities include:
- Semester and year-long study abroad programmes.
- International work placements linked to your degree.
- Short-term and summer opportunities overseas.
- Funded and supported options through University programmes.
These opportunities provide students with the chance to develop new skills and forge connections that extend beyond your graduation.
Gain international experience that makes a difference
Working abroad can be an enriching and rewarding experience. Here at Birmingham, we offer a wide range of international opportunities for students to work with and engage with people from other countries.
International internships and volunteering allow you to apply your skills in real-world settings whilst gaining valuable insights into working across cultures.
- Go Global at the University, promotes overseas opportunities, such as study abroad, research, work and volunteering. These are available to both undergraduate and postgraduate students.
- Student Circus can help you explore opportunities in 30+ countries that value the global experience of returning students. Here you can find customised guides, tools and information to boost your career.
You can benefit from:
- Internships overseas
- Volunteering projects with global impact
- Short-term and summer placements
- Support with finding opportunities, funding and preparation
Grow in confidence, resilience and independence
Living away from home is a transformative experience, helping students gain a strong sense of self while learning how to navigate new environments and challenges.
Through these global opportunities, you will gain a greater sense of independence, and self-confidence, as well as emotional intelligence and resilience, and you will be supported throughout your journey with our careers services, guidance and advice.

Connect, communicate and immerse yourself
We also offer a range of language and cultural exchange programmes such as the Erasmus scheme, where approximately 350 University of Birmingham students travel abroad and 225 participate in an international exchange programme.
These programmes will help you develop language and communication skills, intercultural understanding and confidence in interacting across cultures.

University life
University life
My year abroad in Canada as a Psychology student
2 December 2025
Rachel reflects on her incredible year abroad in Canada, studying psychology at the University of New Brunswick (UNB).

University life
University life
How studying abroad changed the way I see the world
4 December 2025
PhD student Asma describes how studying in another country has widened her view of the world.

Careers and alumni
Careers and alumni
My month on an exchange at the Indian Institute of Heritage
10 October 2025
Charlotte (MA in Art History and Curating) spent a month on a student exchange that she found transformative.