For the two exchange programmes: Non-European Exchange and European Exchange:

• All degree programmes allow for a student to do an exchange (including combined / joint honours);
• Students can do one of two options, depending on their course:
  • Additional year (go in year 3 and will add a year in to their programme i.e. 3 to 4 year);
    • This is a pass/fail year and the grades do not affect the final degree classification;
    • The final degree programme will be BA/BSc XXXX with Year Abroad and they will receive a transcript from their host university to prove what they did whilst abroad;
    • 90% of exchanges are additional year 
  • Replacement year (go in year 3 and grades count towards final Durham degree)
  • This is offered by some 4 year courses in the Science Faculty - please check with your Departmental Coordinator for details;
  • Not an option for students on a 3 year course;
  • Modern Languages (MLaC) students have a compulsory 3^rd year abroad. They can take multiple placements for a maximum of 12 months, e.g. they could work for 3 months over the summer in France, and then do a 6 month study placement in Spain;
• Most students apply for a year abroad during Michaelmas term in their second year. They don’t have to apply through UCAS, and they don’t have to declare their interest during first year.

What will I study?

Students should look at the modules offered partner by the partner university and select enough modules to study a full workload with them. Exactly how many modules this is will depend on the size of each module. This gives students the opportunity to deepen knowledge in an area that they have already done some modules at Durham, or expand their knowledge to areas unavailable at Durham. The choices of modules will need to be approved by your Departmental Exchange Coordinator in Durham to ensure that they are academically appropriate. A majority of modules will thus be in your main degree subject area(s), however, this does allow some flexibility. E.g. if you go to Japan it is likely that you will be permitted to study some beginners Japanese language modules.

Must I speak a foreign language?

You do not have to speak a foreign language to take a year abroad. Almost all Non-European Exchange partners and many European Exchange universities teach in English. However, some universities will teach in the language of that country. The languages requirements for each university is listed on the Where Can I Go? partner pages. The Go Languages page gives further details about language requirements and support, along with the opportunities that the Centre for Foreign Language Study gives to students to learn a language alongside their degree.

Funding?

Please visit the Go Funding page for more information, but to summarise:

Student Finance

• Student finance should continue as normal. Students would receive maintenance loans as well as additional means-tested grants;
• Means-tested travel grant available from Student Finance England; currently allows students to pay the first £303 of flights, visas and health insurance and then claim the rest back;
• Students would pay for their own accommodation, flights, visas and health insurance whilst on exchange at their host.

Turing funding

The University will bid to the UK Government Turing funding scheme to support study abroad placements in all locations in 2025/26, however, the Turing funding call has not opened and we cannot guarantee full funding from Turing. Within the Turing [funding] Scheme, priority is given to Widening Participation. Please note: Turing is a funding scheme, not an exchange programme.

• Turing funded students receive funding of approximately £350-450 per month depending on which country they are going to;
• Means-tested top up of approximately £100 per month is available for some ‘Widening Participation’ students;
• Students are eligible to receive the funding provided they complete all paperwork and their placement meets Turing criteria;
• Non repayable and non means tested – can still receive maintenance loan from Student Finance;
• Paid in 2 instalments (NOT monthly) – 80% at the start of the placement, and 20% at the end.

Please visit the Turing page for more information.

Tuition Fees

• All European Exchange or Non-European Exchange students only pay 15% of UG fee to Durham. This works out at roughly £1,385 for the year for Home students. This amount will change year on year and depends on the exact fee rate of your Durham programme;
• Students do not pay fees to their host university – the exchange works on a reciprocal fee waiver basis;

Accommodation 

• Most Non-European Exchange partners will try to offer campus accommodation; for European Exchange some partners do but most students would be responsible for sourcing their own accommodation. You should be prepared to find accommodation if none is available and be prepared to live off campus in this situation.
• All partners are obliged to assist students with finding accommodation.

General Information 

• All exchanges are for the full year, due to Durham’s academic structure. It is currently not possible to go abroad for just one term;
• Recommended academic level for students going abroad is 55% minimum in second year (60% if studying Law);
• Students can apply to both European and Non-European Exchange;
• Students applying to ‘x with year abroad’ at Durham would be guaranteed a place at a departmental (i.e. European) partner university, e.g. a student on ‘Theology with Year Abroad’ would be allocated a place at one of the specific Theology links. However, students on these courses would not be guaranteed a place on the Non-European Exchange programme (although they are welcome to apply);
• Students going abroad will be required to complete a pre-departure process to ensure that they are a) registered with the partner university and b) that they are safe to go. This is covered in step four below: Preparing to go.   

Support

We believe that all students should be able to gain an international experience while at Durham. As well as the International Office, GO support includes a Departmental Exchange Coordinator each academic department. In addition, please visit our pages about: funding-, languages-, access for all-, and SEND support packages.