Funded opportunities abroad
All Solent students have the opportunity to work, study or volunteer abroad during or after your studies.
At Solent, we want to give students the opportunity to have an international experience – these come in the form of course specific exchange opportunities, summer schools, course trips and international work placements.
There are many opportunities available to you - take a look below!
Solent University received Turing Scheme funding to financially support students who want to take up this opportunity. It might not cost as much as you think!
Turing Scheme funding
This is a contribution of between £335 and £650 a month towards your time abroad. It's available for all full-time students, with additional funding (such as travel and costs) for under-resourced students.
To be eligible for Turing Scheme funding you must spend a minimum of four weeks studying, working or volunteering abroad.
Find out more about funded opportunities abroad
There's more information about Turing Scheme funding at the bottom of this page too.
Summer schools
Current Solent students interested in experiencing new cultures and ways of learning in another country can participate in a summer programme offered by our partner universities.
For some summer schools, current students are offered places without programme fees. Sponsorship may also be available for successful applicants as a contribution towards the cost of travel and accommodation.
Please note: There is no Turing Scheme funding available for summer schools, unless they last for more than four weeks, but there may be funding available from the funding team.
For more information, please contact international.mobility@solent.ac.uk.
International Marketing Weeks
Fancy a week in a European city, working on a real-life business project? Solent is the only UK university in the International Marketing Week Network, which offers students the choice of 10 different destinations for these projects. Funding is available from the Student Funding team.
Volunteering abroad
Would you like the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to volunteer abroad and gain unique skills and experience that will stand you apart from other graduates when applying for jobs?
We have opportunities for you to volunteer in Fiji, Uganda and Malawi:
Want to know what volunteering abroad is like? Read T'anna's blog from when she volunteered in Fiji.
Study abroad or work abroad
Studying in another country could be the experience of a lifetime. Enhance your degree by developing important global skills such as knowledge of other countries, language skills, intercultural awareness, adaptability and confidence.
Broaden your horizons by adding an international dimension to your CV – essential to achieving success in today’s fast-changing, global environment.
Who can go?
Solent University is seeking to support as many students as possible to have an international experience.
Study
- BSc (Hons) International Business Management students will study abroad in the Spring semester of level 5 and can study a wide range of subjects, as long as they achieve the required 60 credits.
- Students on any three-year degree course can study abroad at level 5, but the modules studied need to match the modules and learning outcomes on the course at Solent with the approval of their course leader.
- Students on a four-year degree course will be able to study during their placement year and will have flexibility on the course of study they chose.
Work
- Any student with a placement as part of their course can work abroad.
- Funding is also available for up to 12 months after graduation for any internships abroad.
Where can I go?
Solent University has bilateral agreements with 20 universities in Europe and North America, most of which teach in English. You can see the full list of partner universities and exchange opportunities by country here.
Fees and funding
Turing funding is available to support you during your time abroad.
You do not have to pay any tuition fees to the host university - annual tuition fees are paid as normal to Solent University.
You will continue to receive your student tuition fee loan and/or a maintenance loan throughout your period of study abroad.
Students who spend a full academic year abroad will pay 15% of Solent tuition fees and no fees to the partner.
How much is the funding?
The amount of funding available depends on the destination country and the length of placement.
Placements of four to eight weeks will receive:
- £545 per month (for group 1, high cost of living countries)
- £480 per month (group 2 and 3, medium and low cost of living countries)
Placements of nine weeks to twelve months will receive:
- £380 per month (for group 1 countries)
- £335 per month (for group 2 and 3 countries)
An additional £110 per month may be available for the cost of living grant for those students from widening participation backgrounds.
A travel grant may also be available for these students.
How to apply
Before you apply:
- Check our list of partner universities.
- Self-enrol on to the SOL page, Funded Opportunities Abroad.
- Make an appointment.
- Talk to your course leader.
What our exchange students say
Here's what some of our students had to say about their time abroad:
The exchange student life has been full of joy as we became close to one another and I have understood that diversity brings us closer.
Lenka went to Finland
It has completely changed me as a person. Being given the opportunity to place myself in another environment in another country, along with many other international students is something I will never forget.
Leanne went to The Netherlands
I can now say I have friends from every corner of the world! Having all of these friends enabled to pick up a new language as well! It was such a valuable experience.
Toby went to Canada
Aaron Wallace
BA (Hons) Graphic Design student, Aaron Wallace spent a semester studying at Kristiania College in Oslo, Norway - this is what he had to say about his experience.
"Norway is an adventurous place with nature and outdoor activities. The university course was flexible, and I appreciated the feedback I received for my work. The Norwegians I met were friendly and seemed to be interested in other cultures. My favourite places in Oslo were the Viking ship museum, Sognsvann Lake and the ski jump. It has been an adventurous experience for me - one that I'll remember for years to come."
Anushka Monteiro
BSc (Hons) Web Design and Development student, Anushka Monteiro studied at Hogeschool Rotterdam, The Netherlands, as part of her second year.
"I had various opportunities to meet Dutch students, but also many other international students living there, and learned about their cultures. The programme was fun! We worked on designing an innovative solution for a real-world problem, and also enjoyed study trips to Barcelona, Antwerp and Dusseldorf. I have learned many things - the most important being how to apply what I've learned in the real world."
Turing Scheme funding information
Under the Turing Scheme, we have received receive funding towards delivering placements and exchanges. This includes providing students with grants to help cover travel expenses and costs of living.
An amount of funding will be provided to go towards the direct costs of travel for placements from disadvantaged backgrounds. This will be dependent on distance between the sending and destination provider and will support the cost of the round trip. All amounts available have been outlined below:
- 10 to 99km: £20
- 100 to 499km: £165
- 500 to 1999km: £250
- 2,000 to 2,999km: £325
- 3,000 to 3,999km: £480
- 4,000 to 7,999km: £745
- 8,000 to 12,000km: £905
- 12,000km+: £1,360
In exceptional circumstances, the scheme will also provide a financial contribution towards the costs of expensive travel for disadvantaged participants. If the selected travel rate does not cover at least 70% of the actual costs of travelling between the sending organisation location and receiving organisation location, up to 80% of the those actual costs will instead be covered.
Cost of living
An amount of funding will be provided to go towards the general cost of living for each participant. This will vary depending on sector and/or destination country/territory.
Destination countries/territories are grouped into three categories: Group 1 (high cost of living), Group 2 (medium cost of living), Group 3 (lower cost of living). Check the full list of destination countries/ territories within each group on the Turing Scheme website.
Higher education student placements with a total duration of four to eight weeks will receive:
- £545 per month (equal to £136.25 per week for Group 1 destinations)
- £480 per month (equal to £120 per week for Group 2 and 3 destinations).
Higher education student placements with a total duration of nine weeks to 12 months will receive:
- £380 per month (for Group 1 destinations)
- £335 per month (for Group 2 and 3 destinations)
Additional support for students from disadvantaged backgrounds
Higher education participants from defined disadvantaged backgrounds will receive actual costs for additional travel expenses, including costs of visas, passports, and health insurance. We see this as crucial because travel-related expenses can often be a deterrent to potential participants. To find out more about what we define as disadvantaged groups, visit the widening access page on the Turing Scheme website.