Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
General FAQs about studying abroad
Who can study abroad?
We have exchanges at undergraduate and postgraduate level. Students of almost any subject area can apply and this is based on the specific agreements with your department. Students will only be considered to study abroad if they have passed all the modules in their principle subjects.
Where can I study abroad?
Many of the agreements we have are department-specific and we are continually in the process of expanding our exchange partners. The University of Bradford currently has exchange agreements with Australia, Austria, Belgium, Canada, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Hong Kong, Iceland, Italy, The Netherlands, New Zealand, Poland, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, Taiwan, and the USA. See our full list of partners here.
Will the international exchange count towards my final degree?
In most cases yes but this depends on the course you are enrolled on. However, as a minimum the academic recognition from a study abroad placement will be included in your Diploma Supplement, as an addition to your degree transcript.
I am an international student and already studying abroad in the UK so does that mean I am not eligible to apply?
Home, EU and International students may apply to study abroad.
If I arrange a study abroad placement independently and not through an exchange scheme what happens about tuition fees?
This is something that you will need to research with the host institution. You may be required to pay for tuition fees and bear it in mind that fees for international students can be quite expensive.
Can part-time students participate on study abroad placements?
Yes but you will be required to study on a full-time basis
Is there any financial assistance to study abroad?
Yes. Home/EU students who study abroad for one academic year do not pay tuition fees to the University of Bradford. International students who study abroad for one academic year will pay 25% tuition fees to the University of Bradford. However, students who study abroad just for one semester would continue to pay their normal tuition fee to the University of Bradford.
Erasmus FAQS
What is the Erasmus Scheme?
Erasmus is a European Union initiative and the programme specifically promotes the mobility of students, teachers and staff in Higher Education. Erasmus is a sub-section of the Lifelong Learning Programme for the period 2007-2013. Further details of the Erasmus programme are available on the British Council website.
Is there any financial assistance available?
Yes particularly for students who study on the Erasmus programme. There are grants available which are intended to offset the additional costs of living and studying abroad. Students who are eligible for an Erasmus grant should continue to be entitled to receive a national grant or loan where appropriate. Students who are eligible to receive the University of Bradford bursary will still continue to receive this whilst on an exchange. In addition to this the University of Bradford has a number of travel awards.
How much grant will I receive?
In 2011/12 eligible students will receive £197.37 per month as the initial payment. It is likely that there will be a top-up to this and a second payment will be announced by the British Council during April. The amount of the second allocation is not yet known. Grants are provided as a contribution towards the costs of the planned Erasmus mobility period. Students who are eligible to receive loans and grants should still continue to do so.
How long is an Erasmus exchange for?
This depends on the particular agreement reached in your department and host institution. However, the normal period of study would be for one semester or one academic year. The minimum length of study for an Erasmus student is 3 months and the maximum is 12 months.
What if I can’t speak a foreign language - must I be fluent in another language?
You do not necessarily need to speak another language as there are many opportunities to study in a foreign country and be taught in English. Therefore, do not let the lack of language skills prevent you from considering a study abroad experience. However, the University of Bradford is very proactive in promoting its Languages for All programmes, tandem learning and language circles. In addition to this students can attend Erasmus Intensive Language Courses (EILC) and support classes at the host institution if required.
Do all countries participating in the Erasmus programme run an Erasmus Intensive Language Course (EILC)?
Not Spain, France and Germany. The specialised courses are in the less widely used and less taught languages of the countries participating in the programme, which specifically assist students to prepare for their Erasmus period abroad.
How much does it cost to attend an Erasmus Intensive Language Course (EILC)?
There is no fee for participation in an EILC. However, fees may be charged for excursions or other services for which Erasmus students are normally asked to pay.
How long is an EILC?
The duration can be between 2 to 6 weeks.
Does the EILC take place prior to the academic course?
Yes in most cases, although occasionally some run at the same time as the academic course.
If I attend an EILC which extends my period abroad by 2 to 6 weeks do I receive the Erasmus grant for this period too?
Yes. The University of Bradford has recently introduced travel awards to help students with the cost of travel.
If I study abroad how does this affect my student loan?
The Erasmus grant does not affect your eligibility for a national or state loan.
Do I have to pay tuition fees to the host institution abroad if I go on an exchange?
No.
If I do not pay fees abroad does that mean I still pay tuition fees to Bradford?
Students who study abroad for one semester on an exchange would continue to pay their normal tuition fee to the University of Bradford. However, UK/EU/EEA students who study abroad for one academic year will receive a tuition fee waiver and therefore do not pay any fees at all!
I have heard that there are different types of Erasmus mobility is this correct?
Yes during the course of a student’s higher education period a student may receive one Erasmus grant for study, one for work placement and one for participation in an Erasmus Mundus course. The total duration of all grants may not exceed 24 months. Please note that the University of Bradford does not have any Erasmus Mundus programmes at the current time.
Can I combine a study and work placement?
A. Yes this is acceptable providing the two activities are consecutive or at least in the same academic year. For combined periods the placement activity must take place under the auspices of the inter-institutional agreement between the sending and receiving institutions and be supervised by the host institution.
If I combine a study and work placement in one year does that mean that it is regarded as two separate placements?
Not if it is consecutive and supervised by the host institution.
I would like to study at host institutions in different Erasmus countries is this allowed?
Yes.
I would like to study in one Erasmus country and then work in a different Erasmus country, is this allowed?
Yes. This will be recorded as two placements.
Can students with disabilities participate on the Erasmus programme?
Yes and additional grants are available for students with disabilities wishing to participate in the Erasmus programme. These allowances are offered in cases where disability leads to mobility costs which exceed the maximum grant allocations.
Do I still need to enrol at the University of Bradford if I study abroad?
Yes - you can do this on-line via e-vision. All students will be notified by e-mail from Student Administration Support when the facility is available to enrol on line.
A. Erasmus is a European Union initiative and the programme specifically promotes the mobility of students, teachers and staff in Higher Education. Erasmus is a sub-section of the Lifelong Learning Programme for the period 2007-2013. Further details of the Erasmus programme are available: http://www.britishcouncil.org/erasmus [ Return to top of page ]
Q. Is there any financial assistance available?
A. Yes particularly for students who study on the Erasmus programme. There are grants available which are intended to offset the additional costs of living and studying abroad. Students who are eligible for an Erasmus grant should continue to be entitled to receive a national grant or loan where appropriate. Students who are eligible to receive the University of Bradford bursary will still continue to receive this whilst on an exchange. In addition to this the University of Bradford has a number of travel awards.
Q. How much grant will I receive?
A. Eligible students receive a minimum of 245 Euros per month as the initial payment in 2008/9. A second allocation is announced by the British Council during March. The amount of the second allocation is not yet known. Grants are provided as a contribution towards the costs of the planned Erasmus mobility period.
Q. How long is an Erasmus exchange for?
A. This depends on the particular agreement reached in your department and host institution. However, the normal period of study would be for one semester or one academic year. The minimum length of study for an Erasmus student is 3 months and the maximum is 12 months.
Q. What if I can’t speak a foreign language - must I be fluent in another language?
A. You do not necessarily need to speak another language as there are many opportunities to study in a foreign country and be taught in English. Therefore, do not let the lack of language skills prevent you from considering a study abroad experience. However, the University of Bradford is very proactive in promoting its Languages for All programmes, tandem learning and language circles. In addition to this students can attend Erasmus Intensive Language Courses (EILC) and support classes at the host institution if required. Further details about the above mentioned schemes are available at: http://www.brad.ac.uk/study/support/languages.php and http://ec.europa.eu/education/programmes/llp/erasmus/eilc/index_en.html
Q. Do all countries participating in the Erasmus programme run an Erasmus Intensive Language Course (EILC)?
A. Not Spain, France and Germany. The specialised courses are in the less widely used and less taught languages of the countries participating in the programme, which specifically assist students to prepare for their Erasmus period abroad. Details are available at:
http://ec.europa.eu/education/programmes/socrates/erasmus/eilc/index_en.html
Q. How much does it cost to attend an Erasmus Intensive Language Course (EILC)?
A. There is no fee for participation in an EILC. However, fees may be charged for excursions or other services for which Erasmus students are normally asked to pay.
Q. How long is an EILC?
A. The duration can be between 2 to 6 weeks.
Q. Does the EILC take place prior to the academic course?
A. Yes in most cases, although occasionally some run at the same time as the academic course.
Q. If I attend an EILC which extends my period abroad by 2 to 6 weeks do I receive the Erasmus grant for this period too?
A. Yes. The University of Bradford has recently introduced travel awards to help students with the cost of travel.
Q. If I study abroad how does this affect my student loan?
A. The Erasmus grant does not affect your eligibility for a national or state loan.
Q. Do I have to pay tuition fees to the host institution abroad if I go on an exchange?
A. No.
Q. If I do not pay fees abroad does that mean I still pay tuition fees to Bradford?
A. Students who study abroad for one semester on an exchange would continue to pay their normal tuition fee to the University of Bradford. However, UK/EU/EEA students who study abroad for one academic year will receive a tuition fee waiver and therefore do not pay any fees at all!
Q. I have heard that there are different types of Erasmus mobility is this correct?
A. Yes during the course of a student’s higher education period a student may receive one Erasmus grant for study, one for work placement and one for participation in an Erasmus Mundus course. The total duration of all grants may not exceed 24 months. Please note that the University of Bradford does not have any Erasmus Mundus programmes at the current time.
Q. Can I combine a study and work placement?
A. Yes this is acceptable providing the two activities are consecutive or at least in the same academic year. For combined periods the placement activity must take place under the auspices of the inter-institutional agreement between the sending and receiving institutions and be supervised by the host institution.
Q. If I combine a study and work placement in one year does that mean that it is regarded as two separate placements?
A. Not if it is consecutive and supervised by the host institution.
Q. I would like to study at host institutions in different Erasmus countries is this allowed?
A. Yes.
Q. I would like to study in one Erasmus country and then work in a different Erasmus country, is this allowed?
Yes. This will be recorded as two placements.
Q. Can students with disabilities participate on the Erasmus programme?
A. Yes and additional grants are available for students with disabilities wishing to participate in the Erasmus programme. These allowances are offered in cases where disability leads to mobility costs which exceed the maximum grant allocations.
Q. Do I still need to enrol at the University of Bradford if I study abroad?
A. Yes - you can do this on-line via e-vision. All students will be notified by e-mail from Student Administration Support when the facility is available to enrol on line.
