Go Global 2024/25 Semester Abroad Guide
Start your conversation with the world
Hello!
With this guide you can start to discover Bath Spa’s Go Global Semester Abroad opportunities.
Studying abroad might be something you’ve been planning for a long time or have never considered before. Either way, we’re here to support you along the journey.
You will experience unforgettable times in a different country and gain valuable life skills, including confidence, resilience, and problem-solving abilities. Your experiences will also help you stand out in job interviews and help to improve your career prospects.
There are a number of funding options available to help with travel and accommodation, and in most cases you don’t even need foreign language skills.
XIA SMITH
SEIAN UNIVERSITY OF ART AND DESIGN (JAPAN)
This guide is designed to direct you through the initial steps of deciding on the right Semester Abroad location for you, and how to apply. If you have any questions, please call into our Go Global Office in Main House (Newton Park, MH.G02). Find our full contact information on page 5.
What is a Semester Abroad?
Our Semester Abroad Programme gives you the opportunity to do part of your degree at one of our partner universities abroad.
Instead of the teaching and learning at Bath Spa, you would study and take the assessments at one of our international partner universities for one semester. Doing a semester abroad is an excellent opportunity to experience education in a different country, immerse yourself in a new culture, and have a life changing experience! To be eligible you need to:
Have achieved a minimum grade of 55% at application stage, and 60% (2:1) average grade at the end of your first year of studies.
Apply by Friday 21 February 2025 at midday.
Your placement will be for one semester during the second year of your undergraduate degree. The semester at your host university is usually around 4 - 5 months.
The application form can be found on the Bath Spa webpage: www.bathspa.ac.uk/students/international/ go-global/semester-abroad
Apply here
Who we are
The Go Global Team provides opportunities to study, work, and undertake research worldwide throughout your time at the University. We are here to provide support from start to finish!
▶ LULU RICHARDS COTTELL (SHE/THEY)
Send your pictures and postcards to Lulu from your time abroad.
BETHANY YATES (SHE/HER)
Chat with Bethany about Semester Abroad and Turing funding.
◀ GIN DARCY (THEY/THEM)
Speak with Gin about Global Citizenship, Summer Schools, and funding opportunities.
Andy Lulu Gin
◀ ANDY BOYNS (HE/HIM)
Pop in and see Andy if you are an inbound exchange student.
◀ LIZZIE BRYANT (SHE/HER)
Talk to Lizzie about our Partner Universities and anything Go Global!
Where to find us
The Go Global Office is in Main House, room G02, on Newton Park Campus. We are open Monday - Friday from 10am to 4pm, no appointment required!
There will also be a member of the team at Locksbrook each Monday 10am-4pm in either the Café or The Street to chat with.
Alternatively, if you would prefer to arrange a set time, just email us to book a one-toone meeting on either campus!
Semester Abroad, Summer Schools, and general enquires
BSUexchange@bathspa.ac.uk
Global Citizenship globalcitizenship@bathspa.ac.uk
Global Academy of Liberal Arts
GALA@bathspa.ac.uk
Go Global Office G02
Look for our stickers in the West Wing windows, under the clock
Timeline
TalktotheGoGlobal research,Team,dosomeandattendan informationsession
Wewillsendyour nameandcontact detailstoyourhost calleduniversity(thisisthenomination process)
Attend predeparture session with the Go Global Team
Complete and submit your application by Friday 21 February 2025 at midday
Attend an interview withearlytheGoGlobalTeam March2025
Meet other students taking part in a Semester Abroad at our Go Global mixer on 18 March 2025
Completeyour risk assessment and other mandatory paperwork
Getresultsof applicationand interview.We willletyouknow wherewecan sendyou
Attend returners session and Go Global social, relive your experience with other students, and provide advice and guidance for future exchange students
Bizzy Loffet, Biology with PPY, Oklahoma City University (USA)
Rebecca Farrell, Music (Jazz), Columbia College Chicago (USA)
Xavier Lock, Fine Art, ABK Stuttgart (Germany)
Our partner universities
To study abroad, you must apply to one of Bath Spa's approved partner universities. Please note that the exchange partners listed are subject to change and cannot be guaranteed.
We advise that you research a range of destinations when choosing where you would like to study abroad; when you apply you will be asked to select your top three choices. Please check the host university's admissions requirements for up-to-date information, as subjects and modules are always subject to change.
For combined courses, please look at both of your subject options for information on where you can study on your Semester Abroad. If your host university teaches both your subjects, you may be able to study both. Otherwise, you can split the year so that you study one subject during your semester abroad, and one subject during your semester at Bath Spa.
We recommend that you also speak to your Academic Advisor to find out where previous students have gone on exchange for your subject. Your Advisor may also be able to offer specific guidance on what to look out for in a good course fit for your subject.
MEXICO
Tecnológico de Monterrey
Tec de Monterrey recommend you don’t leave without doing:
• The Lucha Libre experience
• The Xochimilco & CoyoacanTours
• The Vallede Bravo Weekend
México City
• The Cablebús has the longest public cable car line in the world, and Line 2 goes above the Itzapalapa Mural trail, with beautiful views from above Guadalajara
• Director Guillermi Del Toro was born and raised in Guadalajara, and co-founded the Guadalajara International Film Festival Monterrey
• Cerro de la Silla is a mountain to the east of the city with a striking saddle-shaped silhouette. The climb isn’t easy, but the view is worth it
Querétaro
• The city’s well-preserved historic centre was designated a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1996
Sante Fe
• Santa Fe is an edge city within México City, which has six university campuses including Tec’s
• Number of spaces of available: 4 (total not per campus)
LAUREN WHALEY
ENGLISH LITERATURE AND PUBLISHING CONCORDIA UNIVERSITY (MONTRÉAL)
“I liked how diverse the culture was in Montreal, Old Montreal being about a 10 minute walk from where I was staying. If you are a fan of cities then I would 100% recommend Montreal to study abroad in, just maybe touch up on a little French before you go!”
USA
Bennington College
• Vermont is very rural, with only about 70 people per square mile (compared to more than 700 in the UK)! There are many parks where you can camp, swim, hike, fish, or sail
• Number of spaces available: 5
Columbia College Chicago
• Chicago is the birthplace of the chocolate brownie (debuted at the World’s Columbian Exposition in 1893)
• Number of spaces available: 10
Montana State University Billings
Concordia University
• Montréal has more bike paths than any other North American city
• Number of spaces available: 2
Huron University College
(affiliated University College of the University of Western Ontario in London, Ontario, Canada)
• Ontario has more than 250,000 lakes
• Number of spaces available: 2
• There are more cattle in the state of Montana than there are people (3:1). Deer, antelope, and elk also outnumber the people
• Number of spaces available: 4
Oklahoma City University
• The city is known for its ‘cowboy culture’ and is a popular tourist destination. It’s home to the National Cowboy and Western Heritage Museum
• Number of spaces available: 4
Penn State Dickinson Law
• Penn State Dickinson Law is the oldest law school in Pennsylvania, founded in 1834. The law school is said to be haunted by a previous dean, Prof. Walter Harrison Hitchler
• Number of spaces available: 2
SUNY Geneseo
• Only an hour and a half from Niagara Falls (and Canada)
• Number of spaces available: 3
Huron University College, SUNY Geneseo, Columbia College Chicago, and Concordia University are all within an easy distance of each other, which enables visits between friends studying at any of these!
CHINA
Shanghai Lixin University of Accounting and Finance
• Shanghai boasts the world’s fastest train, the Shanghai Maglev, which connects Pudong International Airport to downtown Shanghai
• Number of spaces available: 1
JAPAN
Seian University of Art and Design
• Ōtsu was once Japan’s capital (although that only lasted 5 years)
• Number of spaces available: 3
Shinshu University
• Matsumoto Castle is one of the grandest castles in Japan. Its five-storey main tower, built in the late 16th century, is the oldest surviving castle tower in the country
• Number of spaces available: 1
TAIWAN
National Taiwan University of Arts
• Taipei has one of the most extensive public transport networks in Asia, which makes getting around relatively convenient and cheap
• Number of spaces available: 2
Taipei National University of the Arts
• It is extremely green - all single-use plastics are planned to be phased out by 2030
• Number of spaces available: 2
AFRICA
University of Namibia
• The population of Namibia is similar to Wales (2.7m vs 3.2m), but Wales fits into Namibia 40 times (8000sqm vs 318000sqm)
• The locals have a lot of power over conservation issues, and money from tourism (both “eco” and hunting) goes directly into local communities in many cases
• Namibia has the world's tallest sand dune and is home to the oldest desert in the world
• More cheetah live here than anywhere else
• Number of spaces available: 4
IMAGES BY DR RALPH THOMPSON (PROGRAMME LEADER) AND DR MIRIAM THAVARAJAH (LECTURER) FOR WILDLIFE CONSERVATION
SUMMER 2023
SOUTHERN EUROPE
SPAIN
Escuela de Arte 10
• Madrid's name means 'place of abundant water', and it is known for its seafood
• Number of spaces available: 2
Universitat Rovira i Virgili
• Known for its Roman architecture, beautiful beaches, and amazing culinary scene
• Number of spaces available: 4
University of Vic - Central
University of Catalonia
Vic campus
• Once a year in December, the town of Vic leaps back in time and transforms into a medieval market town
• Number of spaces available: 8 (for this campus)
Manresa campus
• The historic library used to be a slaughterhouse back in the day!
• Number of spaces available: 4 (for this campus)
PORTUGAL
University
of Lisbon
• Lisbon is home to the oldest bookstore in the world still in operation: Bertrand Books, which opened in 1732
• Number of spaces available: 3
Please note: the widely spoken language in this region is Catalan, not Spanish. As an exchange student at this university, you can sign up for the free Introduction to Catalan language courses.
LUCIE LECLERC FASHION MARKETING AND MANAGEMENT NUOVA ACCADEMIA DI BELLE ARTI (ITALY)
The sparkling blue waters of the Mediterranean sea are home to over 700 varieties of fish and almost 10 per cent of the worlds marine species.
ITALY
Nuova Accademia di Belle Arti
Milan campus
Rome campus
• Risotto alla Milanese is Milan's signature dish
• The word 'Palace' originated in ancient Rome
• Number of spaces available: 2 (total not per campus)
University of Rome Tor Vergata
• Rome the city is older than Italy as a country, and it wasn’t always the capital
• Number of spaces available: 2
CENTRAL AND WESTERN EUROPE
THE NETHERLANDS
Rotterdam University of Applied Sciences
• Rotterdam is filled with modern and surreal architecture
• Number of spaces available: Business Institute: 3 Institute for Teacher Education : 2
Radboud University, Nijmegen
• Nijmegen is the oldest city in the Netherlands and the first to be recognised as such in Roman times. In 2005, it celebrated 2,000 years of existence
• Number of spaces available: 4
GERMANY
Kassel University
• Kassel is as famous for being the long-time residence of the Brothers Grimm and is at the heart of the Fairy Tale Route
• Number of spaces available: 4
ABK Stuttgart
• Stuttgart is the only municipal German city with a wine estate, which is known as the Weingut der Stadt Stuttgart
• Number of spaces available: 2
POLAND AUSTRIA
SWPS University
Warsaw
• Warsaw's symbol is a mermaid or siren
Poznań
• Poznan used to be the capital city of Poland
• Number of spaces available: 2 (total not per campus)
University of Art and Design Linz
Please note: Linz offers a free German language course as a part of your semester
• Linz has Austria's largest central square, surrounded by an impressive ensemble of Baroque architecture
• Number of spaces available: 3
The Paris Lodron University of Salzburg
The Sound of Music was filmed at various locations in and
SWITZERLAND
University of St Gallen
Please note: spring semester only
• Open Air St. Gallen is Switzerland’s biggest and longestrunning open-air festival, attracting over 11,000 people every year
• Number of spaces available: 2
Thurgau University of Teacher Education
• The German border is only a ten-minute walk from the campus
• Number of spaces available: 3
OCEANIA
AUSTRALIA
University of Adelaide
• Adelaide is the only capital city in Australia that was not settled by convicts
• Number of spaces available: 2
Queensland University of Technology
• Gondwana Rainforest is one of the oldest rainforests in existence, located in the outer regions of the city
• Number of spaces available: 2
University of Technology Sydney
• UTS is home to 10,000 native bees
• Number of spaces available: 4
ADELAIDE UNIVERSITY (AUSTRALIA)
“My time in Adelaide was cut short by Covid-19, as it was for the rest of my group, but the few weeks I was there were enough to change my life for good. Believe me, if I can do it, anyone can!”
OLIVIA TUCK CREATIVE WRITING
KATY TORRANCE BUSINESS AND MANAGEMENT
ADELAIDE UNIVERSITY (AUSTRALIA)
“I would 100% recommend the study abroad programme and can honestly say that the worst part about the exchange is leaving.“
The Australian Alps get more snow than the Swiss Alps. 80% of Australian animals are unique to the continent.
NORWAY
Volda University College
• You can see the Northern Lights from Volda
• Number of spaces available: 2
Number of spaces available: 2
Roskilde University
• Roskilde was the capital of Denmark until the 15th century, when Copenhagen became the capital
• Number of spaces available: 2
University of Southern Denmark
Odense
• Odense is the birthplace of Hans Christian Anderson
Sønderborg
• Sønderborg is a city divided by water. The main part of the city is situated on the island Als, while the other side is on Jutland. Als is the small island that looks suspiciously like a dinosaur
• Number of spaces available: 2 (total not per campus)
FINLAND
University of Turku
• Turku is the oldest city of Finland and was founded in 1229
• Number of spaces available: 4
University of Eastern Finland
• Joensuu is sometimes referred to as the Forest Capital of Europe. 80% of the area is forested, and there are 778 lakes in the city of Joensuu
• Number of spaces available: 2
SWEDEN
Linnaeus University
Växjö
• Växjö - Pronounced vek-ra, they also have a castle on their campus (a little bigger than ours)
Kalmar
• Kalmar is home to Europe’s biggest dinosaur exhibition – housing some 200 dinosaur skeletons
• Number of spaces available: 5
Stockholm University
• Stockholm is the biggest Nordic city, and the city stretches across 14 islands
ELLA MOORHOUSE
• Number of spaces available: English Department: 2 History Department : 2
Hygge (pronounced hue-gah) refers to a sense of cosy togetherness or feeling content with the present momentalmost all our students who come back from Scandinavia talk about this!
Where can I study for my subject?
“To other students, I feel that going abroad and experiencing this opportunity would be greatly beneficial as they would get to see some amazing places and do some great activities along with meeting some great people from across the world. In relation to their academic studies, going to a different university would offer students a different perspective on their studies and give them different skills from the modules other places offer that may not be on offer at Bath Spa.”
Aarhus University Denmark
Bennington College USA, VT
Columbia College Chicago USA, IL
Concordia University Canada, QC
Huron University College Canada, ON
Linnaeus University Sweden
Maynooth University Ireland
Montana State University, Billings USA, MT
Nuova Accademia di Belle Arti Italy
Oklahoma City University USA, OK
The Paris Lodron University of Salzburg Austria
Penn State Dickenson Law USA, PA
Roskilde University
Rotterdam
Lixin University of Accounting and Finance
SWPS University
Tec de Monterrey
BATH SPA UNIVERSITY LONDON
UNIVERSITY
Aarhus University Denmark
Bennington College USA, VT
Columbia College Chicago USA, IL
Concordia University Canada, QC
Huron University College Canada, ON
Linnaeus University Sweden
Maynooth University Ireland
Montana State University Billings USA, MT
Oklahoma City University USA, OK
Queensland University of Technology Australia
Radboud University Netherlands
Roskilde University Denmark
Rotterdam University of Applied Sciences Netherlands
SUNY Geneseo USA, NY
Tecnológico de Monterrey
University of Adelaide
University of Eastern Finland
University of Southern Denmark
Shanghai Lixin University of Accounting and Finance
SWPS University
University of Rome Tor Vergata
Universitat Rovira i Virgili
University of Technology
University of Vic - Central University of Catalonia
and Management (Tourism Management)
and Management (Tourism Management) with Integrated Foundation Year
OLIVIA
GIANNAKOUDAKIS BIOLOGY AND BUSINESS AND MANAGEMENT
QUEENSLAND UNIVERSITY OF TECHNOLOGY (AUSTRALIA)
“The advice I would give to others embarking on a semester aboard or anything similar, is that you must leave yourself time at the beginning to adjust and settle in. This takes time and you must first establish yourself within your new surroundings. Even when you have been in your new location for a longer period of time, everyone has up and down days; it is necessary so you can appreciate the extreme highs you will experience on your amazing journey.”
BATH SCHOOL OF ART, FILM AND MEDIA
DAPHNE XULU
CREATIVE WRITING AND FILM AND SCREEN STUDIES WITH PPY
SUNY GENESEO (USA)
“My semester abroad improved my confidence as an individual. I was able to prove to myself that I can enter a new situation and make friends. I also gained the skills of adapting and overcoming, which were prevalent in persevering through culture shock and homesickness.”
ABK Stuttgart Germany
Bennington College USA, VT
Columbia College Chicago USA, IL
Concordia University Canada, QC
Kassel University Germany
Maynooth University Ireland
Montana State University Billings USA, MT
Nuova Accademia di Belle Arti Italy
National Taiwan University of the Arts Taiwan
Oklahoma City University USA, OK
The Paris Lodron University of Salzburg Austria
Queensland University of Technology Australia
Roskilde University Denmark
Seian University of Art & Design Japan
SUNY Geneseo USA, NY
SWPS University Poland
Taipei National University of the Arts Taiwan
Tecnológico de Monterrey Mexico
University of Adelaide Australia
University of Art and Design Linz Austria
University of Technology Sydney Australia
University of Vic - Central University of Catalonia Spain
Volda University College Norway
*partners with modules from FTV and Media Communications which Creative Media students can take
BATH SCHOOL OF DESIGN
Please note that due to the accreditation of the degree, we are currently unable to run exchanges for students studying Architecture.
WILSON
TEXTILE DESIGN FOR FASHION AND INTERIORS
SEIAN UNIVERSITY (JAPAN)
“I decided to study abroad to put myself out of my comfort zone and experience brand new cultures and see a different way of living. I would absolutely recommend the experience to any student as being a brilliant personality-strengthening and mindexpanding experience you could not find anywhere else.”
HANNAH
Bennington College USA, VT
Columbia College Chicago USA, IL
Concordia University Canada, QC
Escuela de Arte 10 Spain
Kassel University Germany
Linnaeus University Sweden
Maynooth University
Nuova Accademia di Belle Arti Italy
National Taiwan University of the Arts Taiwan
Oklahoma City University USA, OK
The Paris Lodron University of Salzburg Austria
Queensland University of Technology
Radboud University
Roskilde University
Seian University of Art & Design
SWPS University
Tecnológico de Monterrey
University of Adelaide
University of Art and Design
University of Technology
University of Turku
University of Vic - Central University of Catalonia
Volda University College Norway
*only for students already strong in maths with the right subject background **not taught in English but students will be given assistance from academic staff
SCHOOL OF EDUCATION
Please note that we currently do not have any exchange opportunities for the Educational Psychology pathway
UNIVERSITY
Concordia University Canada, QC
Huron University College Canada, ON
Maynooth University
Montana State University Billings USA, MT
Queensland University of Technology
Rotterdam University of Applied Sciences
St. Gallen University College of Teacher Education
SUNY Geneseo USA, NY
Thurgau University College of Teacher Education
University of Eastern Finland
University of Technology
University of Turku
University of Vic - Central University of Catalonia
Please note: Students who study under the Swiss Mobility Programme will receive funding from the Swiss government to support their Semester Abroad
A placement in education is a part of this experience.
ISABELLE PALFREY EDUCATION PRIMARY AND EARLY YEARS
UNIVERSITY OF ST. GALLEN (SWITZERLAND)
"Switzerland is now my favourite country and I intend on travelling back there as soon as possible. The scenery is beautiful, and St Gallen was a lovely place to stay"
UNIVERSITY
GEORGE CALVER EDUCATION
OF STOCKHOLM (SWEDEN)
SCHOOL OF WRITING, PUBLISHING AND THE HUMANITIES
EDWARD BUCKTON
CREATIVE WRITING AND MEDIA COMMUNICATION
SUNY GENESEO (USA)
“The fantastic thing about SUNY Geneseo is that the location itself is a small college village, but it’s close to several major cities, meaning that students can get both the small town and big city US experiences."
SAVANNAH SQUAIR
ENGLISH LITERATURE
COLUMBIA COLLEGE CHICAGO (USA)
“Studying at Columbia College was a completely different experience from that of Bath Spa. I really enjoyed my modules as I felt like I was getting a good understanding of American literature, as well as Native and Asian-American literature, meaning I was broadening my understanding of the subject more than I thought I would."
Bennington College USA, VT
Columbia College Chicago USA, IL
Concordia University Canada, QC
Huron University College Canada, ON
Linnaeus University Sweden
Lisbon University Portugal
Maynooth University Ireland
Montana State University Billings USA, MT
National Taiwan University of the Arts Taiwan
Oklahoma City University USA, OK
The Paris Lodron University of Salzburg Austria
Queensland University of Technology Australia
Radboud University Netherlands
Roskilde University Denmark
Shinshu University Japan
Stockholm University Sweden
SUNY Geneseo USA, NY
Tecnológico de Monterrey Mexico
University of Adelaide Australia
University of Rome Tor Vergata Italy
University of Southern Denmark Denmark
University of Technology Sydney Australia
University of Vic - Central University of Catalonia Spain
Volda University College Norway
BATH SCHOOL OF MUSIC AND PERFORMING ARTS
ISABEL HENSBY CREATIVE WRITING/DRAMA
STOCKHOLM UNIVERITY (SWEDEN)
“The study abroad experience would significantly benefit others, it is an excellent opportunity to experience a different culture whilst living in a different country. It provides the chance to meet people from all over the world as well as explore a destination you may not have visited before. You will develop your academic skills as well as broaden your knowledge whilst studying at a different institution. Studying abroad will push you out of your comfort zone but in return, you will gain profound confidence and independence."
Bennington College USA, VT
Columbia College Chicago USA, IL
Concordia University Canada, QC
Maynooth University Ireland
Montana State University Billings USA, MT
Nuova Accademia di Belle Arti Italy
National Taiwan University of the Arts Taiwan
Oklahoma City University USA, OK
The Paris Lodron University of Salzburg Austria
Queensland University of Technology Australia
SUNY Geneseo USA, NY
Taipei National University of the Arts Taiwan
University of Adelaide Australia
University of Technology Sydney Australia
Volda University College
SCHOOL OF SCIENCES
Please note that due to the accreditation of the degree, we are currently unable to run exchanges for students studying Business Psychology, Educational Psychology, Forensic, or Psychology.
*Sociology students can only go abroad in semester one.
CHERITH WRIGHT HUMAN NUTRITION
UNIVERSITY OF VIC - CENTRAL UNIVERSITY OF CATALONIA (SPAIN)
“Studying abroad is a once in a lifetime experience that not every student partakes in. The ability to travel overseas offers lots of opportunities for personal growth, independence, and learning.”
Bennington College USA, VT
Columbia College Chicago USA, IL
Concordia University Canada, QC
Huron University College Canada, ON
Lisbon University Portugal
Maynooth University Ireland
Montana State University Billings USA, MT
Oklahoma City University USA, OK
The Paris Lodron University of Salzburg Austria
Queensland University of Technology Australia
Radboud University Netherlands
Roskilde University Denmark
Shinshu University Japan
SUNY Geneseo USA, NY
University of Adelaide Australia
University of Namibia Namibia
University of Technology Sydney Australia
University of Vic - Central University of Catalonia Spain
Volda University College Norway
What else do I need to consider?
Assessments
You'll study at your host institution on a full-time basis. You need to take the equivalent of 60 Bath Spa credits for the semester. Even though you take three modules per semester at Bath Spa, you may be taking five or six modules abroad. This does not mean double the amount of work, it just means the assessments at your host university may be smaller. You will need to calculate how many credits to take at your chosen university to determine the correct number of modules to take while abroad.
Due to the difference in grading systems between countries, your semester abroad will be graded as pass/fail only. You need to successfully pass all your exams and assessments in order to gain academic credits, and the actual grades you achieve will not count towards your degree classification here at Bath Spa.
Remember that your Year 2 grades (Level 5) are 30% of your Bath Spa degree. Please bear in mind that all grades you achieve
whilst completing the one semester at BSU count towards the 30%, i.e. this means you are unable to ‘drop’ your lowest average marks.
When studying abroad, you may notice differences in the academic culture compared to studying back in the UK. For example, there may be more or less contact time with your tutors, different types of assessments, higher level of difficulty in your subject, or different class types and sizes.
At some partner universities, semesters start at the beginning of January. This means there might be a crossover of dates if you're undertaking the exchange in Semester 2. If this is the case, we encourage you to speak to your module tutors to ask how this may impact on your participation and assessments at Bath Spa. You may need to submit your final assessments remotely, or submit earlier than your peers.
Visa
You will need to apply for a residence permit or a visa to study abroad. It is normal as part of this process to prove you have access to sufficient funds in a bank account. Your host university will support you throughout this process to ensure you're financially eligible to study in your host country.
JODIE PIERSON, FILM AND SCREEN STUDIES/MEDIA AND COMMUNICATIONS
Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion
When doing research into your exchange possibilities, don’t forget to consider your personal needs, for example reproductive health, LGBTQ+ rights, and access needs. The laws and customs in your host country may be very different to those in the UK, so it’s important that you familiarise yourself with them in advance.
Here are some useful sites to start you off:
Come and chat to us if you have any further questions or concerns.
What does it cost?
Regardless of where you study abroad, you'll continue to pay your tuition fees to Bath Spa University. No tuition fees are paid to your host institution, but there are other costs to consider.
You'll need to do some research about your financial position and the cost of living in your host country. As a budget starting point, you should factor in the cost of:
• Travel (airfare; train/bus/taxi within host country to university)
• Fees for passport and visas
• Health and travel insurance
• Local daily transportation
• Accommodation costs in host country (including refundable deposits and utility fees)
• Accessories for housing if not provided (bedding, kitchen supplies)
• The cost of meals
• Additional course fees, books, and supplies (not tuition fees)
• Additional living expenses (travel around the country, shopping, and going out)
Most of our partner universities offer help and guidance in estimating your living expenses prior to your departure, but we also encourage you to do your own research to ensure that you'll be able to fund your time abroad. For example, consumer prices in the USA are higher than in the UK. This means that staple items, such as eggs, bread, or pasta, could be considerably more expensive than you are used to!
Travel Insurance
You are automatically covered by Bath Spa's insurance while you're a student to cover your time studying. However, we also recommend that you purchase additional insurance to ensure you are appropriately covered. There are some countries where you will also need to purchase additional health insurance such as Australia, the USA, and Canada, where specific health insurance is required as either part of the visa application or by the partner institution.
Student Finance
You will continue to receive any loans and grants from Student Finance. You may also be able to apply for the Travel Grant to help towards your travel costs: gov.uk/ travel-grants-students-england
Double Funding
Please be aware that students who receive Turing funding are not allowed to receive funding from other pots for the same element of their trip (i.e. airfare, accommodation, etc). For example, students who apply for SFE Travel Grants will not be eligible for the Turing Scheme’s WP Travel Uplift or the additional ‘Readiness to Travel’ funding. If you’re unsure, reach out to the Go Global Team and we can talk you through it.
Other funding
Turing Scheme Grant*
A Turing Scheme grant, which Bath Spa applies for each year, is provided as a contribution towards the cost of living while undertaking a period of mobility abroad. It won’t cover all your expenses, but as it is a grant, you won’t need to pay it back. As it’s a grant, you do not need to pay it back. We'll let you know how much money you may be eligible to receive, but here’s a quick guide:
If your placement is between four to eight weeks you can receive:
• £19 per day for Group 1 destinations **
• £17 per day for Group 2 destinations
If your placement is between nine weeks to twelve months you can receive:
• £14 per day for Group 1 destinations
• £12 per day for Group 2 destinations
You will need to sign a Turing Scheme Grant Agreement before you travel. This process is completed through the Go Global Team, so you don't need to apply for this.
* This is subject to Bath Spa's successful bid for annual funding from The Turing Scheme. **Turing categorise different countries into groups. Please check their website for more information.
Other funding which can support your semester abroad:
Bath Spa’s Global Horizons Award
Up to £3,500 per student. You must meet certain eligibility criteria to apply.
Bath Spa’s International Travel Award
Up to £500 per student. Open to all students!
BUTEX scholarship
BUTEX offers the chance to receive an additional £500 through an annual competition.
The Royal Commonwealth Society scholarship (Bath Branch)
The RCS offers students living in the BA postcode £250-£500 to support a placement in a Commonwealth country.
Accommodation
In the host country:
Your host university will guide you through their accommodation options available for you. This varies from university to university. You could be offered on-campus accommodation, a shared student flat, a house in private rented accommodation, or living with a host family. You’ll receive further information from your host university once you have received an official acceptance letter.
Commuting Students
• As you are only at BSU for one semester, some students choose to commute to BSU during the semester they are in the UK to avoid being locked into a 12-month agreement with a private landlord.
Tenancy Takeovers
At Bath Spa University (before or after your Semester Abroad): Discord
• We will introduce you to other semester abroad students at the Go Global Socials after you have applied and been accepted onto the scheme. Through these socials you will meet other students also doing a semester abroad and could arrange for tenancy takeovers between you if you are away on opposite semesters. Please note that you will need written agreement from your landlord/letting agency to do this.
• We have our own server on Discord which students can use to find others who can either do a house-share with you or arrange to take over / split a 12-month contract (one person using the accommodation for semester 1, one person using it for semester 2). Join the Bath Spa and Uni of Bath House/ Housemate Finder Discord server.
BSU Accommodation
• BSU can sometimes offer semester-only accommodation, however we prioritise these rooms for our inbound students first and then offer any remaining rooms to outbound students. Please note that there are more semester-only rooms available in our accommodation in the second semester, so we strongly recommend that you do your semester abroad in the first semester if you want to potentially stay in university accommodation.
Here’s a message from a Bath Spa student letting the Go Global team, and you, know how they organised their tenancy takeover.
Hi Lulu!
Hope you're well, I did in fact manage to find somebody to take my room for semester one. Charlotte sent me a list of the names of everyone going on exchange & I sent a mass email to everyone asking if they were looking for a room (focusing on the fact I am leaving in Semester One, so they would have to be on a Semester 2 exchange).
It was pretty easy as thankfully someone did need the room and pretty urgently, so we exchanged Instagram handles and did a call the next day just to clarify everything. Then she came to meet me and some of the other flat mates in person over coffee, and it went really fantastic! I think I got very lucky and she has signed the lease now with our landlord, who was also very understanding.
How do I apply?
To apply, please download the application form from our website (www.bathspa.ac.uk/ go-global) and once completed, send it as an attachment to BSUexchange@bathspa.ac.uk by Friday 21 February 2025 at midday.
After we've received your application, you'll be invited to attend a short interview (approximately 15 minutes) with members of the Go Global Team to discuss your application further. Meeting each applicant individually will help us to allocate students to our partner institutions.
After your successful application, we will nominate you to your host university, which will then be likely to communicate directly with you from then on. The application process differs from institution to institution but the host will usually provide you with full guidance notes.
We recommend that you stay in regular communication with your Academic Advisor to update them of your progress.
There will be paperwork to complete, and a pre-departure session to attend before you go abroad. The Go Global Team will be on hand to support you throughout your study placement abroad, and we hope that you will have a fantastic time!
Top tips for writing a personal statement. Consider the following:
• Why do you want to study abroad?
• Why have you chosen the universities in your preference list?
• How is studying abroad relevant to your past experiences and your future plans?
• What would you need to do to prepare to study abroad?
• Meet the word limit and do not write the bare minimum
• Use structured paragraphs and proof-read for spelling, punctuation, and grammar
“The friendships I’d initially made that I had convinced myself ‘probably wouldn’t last’, became everything to me, and as a group we travelled even further afield. These spontaneous excursions with my friends from all over the globe eventually gave me the confidence to reach out to some old friends of mine who lived in Norway!" Apply here
PHOEBE RIDGWAY CREATIVE WRITING AND PUBLISHING
STOCKHOLM UNIVERSITY (SWEDEN)
Important stuff to keep in mind!
• The programme requires students to travel overseas, and you must be in possession of a valid passport prior to this travel period with at least 6 months left after the date of your return.
• You are responsible for sourcing your own accommodation for the semester that you are in the UK.
• Applying for the Semester Abroad Programme does not guarantee you a spot at your chosen university - you will also need to apply directly to them at a later date.
• To support your semester abroad, attendance at the pre-departure and returners sessions is compulsory.
• You are required to be achieving a minimum of 55% in your first year at the point of application and then be achieving a minimum of a 2:1 (60% or higher) overall during your first year. Please note that your space on the programme may be withdrawn if you do not meet these grade requirements.
• You must complete the equivalent of 60 Bath Spa credits during your semester abroad and they are counted on a pass/fail basis. Your second-year grade will be based on all the modules you take during the semester you are at Bath Spa University.
• The experience may incur additional costs and you are responsible for meeting these costs (see page 40).
• It is your responsibility to thoroughly research your host country and university, including local laws and medical requirements, to fully prepare for this experience.
• Your contact email address may be shared with other students on the Semester Abroad Programme as part of our buddy scheme.
KATHRYN SYMONDS CONTEMPORARY ARTS PRACTICE
UNIVERSITY OF ART AND DESIGN LINZ (AUSTRIA)
The interview
This is a good chance for you to gain more information and get excited about going abroad. Don't worry, this will be a friendly interview with the Go Global Team.
Ask questions
Your interview is a great opportunity to ask questions about going abroad, so make sure to think of any questions you might have before your interview.
Lots of detail
Try to avoid one word answers to your interview questions. Go into lots of detail and share relevant experiences where you can.
Your chosen university
You may be asked about your reasons for choosing to study abroad, and why you have selected your chosen institutions. It is a good idea to research your chosen university courses, teaching styles, and available modules before your interview.
Top Tips for your interview Good luck!
Take your time
Take a moment to think before answering your interview questions. Don’t rush; ask for clarification about a question if you need it.
