How to apply
Eligibility and Changing Programme
- To be eligible for Study Abroad you must attain a grade average of 60% or above in your first year. Modern Languages students are exempt from this rule as their Year Abroad is a compulsory element of their programme.
- Places are allocated competitively so the higher your grade average, the better chance you have of going to one of your favoured locations.
- If your grade average is not high enough to secure one of your desired places, you will be invited to consider other locations.
- Competition for places can be very strong, with many applications having very high grade average marks. Consequently some specific locations may only be viable considerations for students who gain an average in the high 60s. This is likely to be particularly so (but not exclusively) for North America, Australia and New Zealand.
- If a student on a four-year Study Abroad degree programme does not achieve the minimum 60% grade average to be eligible to study abroad they will be required to transfer back to the equivalent three-year degree programme (see below).
- If a student who has been allocated a placement based on their first year grade average goes on to achieve less than 60% in their second year they will be required to withdraw their application to the host university.
- In addition to achieving an average weighted mark of 60% in Stage 2, students may only progress to Stage 3 and their year abroad if they have completed and passed a minimum of 90 Exeter credits. It is important therefore when considering deferring credits during Stage 2 to consider that a maximum of 30 deferred credits is permitted in order to continue with the year abroad.
- Other considerations at Stage 2 – referrals are capped at 40%, students with referrals must ensure they can meet the 60% requirement; students that are already abroad at the time of results release in September that do not achieve 60% may be required to return from their placement; any questions regarding referred or deferred assessments should be directed to the relevant hub in the first instance.
- For students of combined honours programmes, including Flexible Combined Honours, please see this page for more information.
- Students who arrive at Exeter on a four-year with Study Abroad degree programme are prioritised in the allocation of placements. Other students - on three-year degree programmes - can still apply for a Study Abroad placement but they are allocated only if there are placements remaining after the four-year with Study Abroad students have been allocated. As the number of placements are limited, we cannot guarantee that every student on a three-year programme who applies will be allocated a placement.
Changing Programme
- For students on three-year degree programmes, please note that it is not possible to add with Study Abroad to your programme after entry into Exeter until Semester Two of your second year, and only then on the condition that you have applied for, been allocated and have accepted a Study Abroad placement.
- If a student on a with Study Abroad programme does not apply for a placement, does not attain the minimum grade average requirement, or does not meet the application deadline, they will be required to transfer back to the equivalent three-year degree programme.
- Changes of programme are managed by each department and it is the student's responsibility to make any such request with their own department.
Application form
The 2025/26 Study Abroad Application is now open.
If you are a current second year student at Exeter and wish to apply to study abroad in 2025/26, then you will need to submit a Study Abroad application. The 2025/26 Study Abroad application period will open on the 1st November 2024 and close at midday UK time on Friday 6th December.
You will need to have researched up to 12 institutions, be aware of potential module choices, and looked at the financial costs for your choices.
Your subjects may by referred to as a different name at the host university which is something you need to be aware of:
- English look under "Language & Literature"
- Criminology look under "Justice" or "Criminal Justice"
- Politics look under "Political Science", "Government & Politics", "Political Studies"
- International Relations look at the Politics entries
- Geography look under "Environmental Sciences", "Ecology", "Biology", "Sociology", "Anthropology", "Social Sciences"
Most host institutions will provide guidance for the cost of living on their incoming exchange student webpages. The easiest way to get to these pages is to search for the partner university + incoming exchange. This will take you directly to the relevant webpages for you as an exchange student.
If you have any questions about your application please contact the Outbound Study Abroad team.
Managing your expectations
As indicated in the Eligibity tab, competition for places at the most popular destinations can be incredibly high: as demand grows the grade averages that are awarded places at these institutions also grow. Approximately 40% of students receive their first choice of institution but you should not assume that [X] grade average guarantees you a placement at [Y] destination.
Each year we are asked if a particular grade average will mean a student is guaranteed a placement in, for example Canada. The answer is no, we simply cannot and will not guarantee you a place at a particular institution or country until the allocation process has been completed.
Approach your choices with a flexible and open mind, diversify the institutions you list on your application and be amiable to a wide range of possible destinations for your time abroad.
Mitigation
The Study Abroad application is competitive and places are offered based on first year grade average. The Outbound Team will use students’ overall stage 1 weighted grade average (as confirmed by the College Assessment, Progression and Awarding Committee) available on SRS in December to determine their eligibility for the Study Abroad programme and priority for placements at partner universities.
The University requires that all mitigation applications are made at or before the point of assessment, therefore all mitigation should have already been applied and included in the stage 1 weighted grade average prior to the Study Abroad application period, which takes places during the first semester of stage 2. Therefore, it is generally not possible for late mitigation applications to be considered as part of the internal Study Abroad application and internal selection process.
If you feel you have valid extenuating circumstances, which you did not submit to the Mitigation Committee earlier in the year, but which may affect your eligibility for Study Abroad, please contact outbound@exeter.ac.uk for advice. It is essential that this is done in advance of the internal Study Abroad application deadline. These requests cannot be considered after the internal selection process has begun.
Any consideration of mitigation would only relate to the student's eligibility for a Study Abroad placement, not their priority in the allocation process. Priority for a place cannot be given on the basis of mitigation of one student over another student with higher proven marks.
What happens next?
Below you will find information on applying to your host university. Please also see the Researching your placement section of our website which includes links to the University of Exeter insurance policy, information on the upcoming Pre-Departure conference and resources to help you prepare for your time abroad.
- The Outbound Team will nominate you to your host university - there is no need for you to do this.
- We will then contact you with further information about the application to your host university. This will be done in order of host university application deadlines. Please note: you will be contacted about your application but this may be at a different time from your friends and peers who are going to different institutions. Do not be concerned: it simply means their application deadline is before yours and you will be contacted in due course. We ask that you remain patient and refrain from emailing us to ask when you will be contacted about your application.
- You will be sent information relating to your application. You are reminded that it is your responsibility to complete this application and gather any supporting documentation. Make a note of any deadlines and ensure you meet these as failure to do so may impact upon housing and visa applications. If you fail to submit your application and documentation on time you will be liable for any financial penalties issued by your host university and/or the authority issuing your visa.
- Most students studying abroad will be required to obtain an appropriate visa or permit to allow you to study in the host country as an international student. Please note that the Outbound team is not qualified to offer visa advice. Please be aware that immigration legislation changes frequently and without warning, so please check the relevant embassy and immigration website for the most up-to-date information. You should be aware that taking the necessary steps to acquire your visa is your own responsibility and you may incur costs, for example TB blood tests or medicals, in order to obtain your visa. If your visa is refused you will be responsible for any costs incurred.
