Where can I study?

Abertay offers exchange opportunities for undergraduate students aged over 18 in Year 2 or Year 3* (for Faculty of Design, Informatics and Business students Year 4 could also be an option - please check with us for details). As part of the exchange, students from our partner universities in Europe come to study at Abertay.

* Year 3 not available in Psychology, except in very limited circumstances.

Most students study abroad in Years 2 or 3* (for Business Management students, Year 4 could also be an option). You could go for either a full year or a single semester depending on your course structure, the modules offered at the partner university and your personal preference.

The exact timing of the exchange depends on the host university. Generally, Semester 1 modules begin in September and end in December or January. Semester 2 modules begin in January/February and end in May/June.

Please note that in some cases different semester times lead to overlaps between teaching at Abertay and at the host university, particularly if the host university is located in Germany or Malta and you are going abroad for Semester 1 only. If this affects you then we will advise on appropriate arrangements.

* Year 3 not available in Psychology, except in very limited circumstances.

As part of the exchange agreement between Abertay and the partner university, you will not be liable for paying tuition fees at the host university. You will continue to pay tuition fees to Abertay through your normal arrangements. If you usually apply for SAAS tuition fee support, a student bursary or loan, you will be able to do this as if you were studying at Abertay.

You can find information on additional costs on the FAQs page.

No, almost all of our partner universities teach in English. There are a few exceptions where we offer an exchange but proficiency in the country’s main language is needed. These are indicated in the list of partner universities.

We encourage you to start learning key words and phrases in the language of your host country before you go abroad. You may also be able to take classes in your host country either before or during your stay. Along with using online tools such as Duolingo and Babbel. 

Credits earned whilst studying abroad are counted towards your degree and recognised on your transcript. Your study abroad experience will also be recognised in your Higher Education Achievement Report (HEAR).

Please note that your grades achieved abroad will not be converted and will not be taken into account for calculating your degree classification. This means, for example, that if you study abroad during your entire Year 3, only grades achieved during your Year 4 will count towards your degree classification.

Before participating in an exchange, you must document the modules you intend to take at the partner university in a Learning Agreement and seek your Programme Leader or Study Abroad contact's approval. If you then proceed to complete the approved modules, the credits earned will be added to your Abertay transcript after your return.

Our European partners use the European Credit and Transfer System (ECTS) while Abertay is part of the Scottish Credit and Qualifications Framework (SCQF). One SCQF credit point is the equivalent of 0.5 ECTS credits, so a full workload of 60 SCQF credit points per semester equates to 30 ECTS credits.

Email international@abertay.ac.uk for more information.

Also, make sure to check out these resources to help you prepare for your study abroad adventure:

• Erasmus student guidebook published by the Erasmus Student Network

• Student Minds has a page all about studying abroad.