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Global opportunities

Study, work or volunteer abroad as part of your degree for a life-changing experience. Discover other cultures, learn a new language and forge friendships to last a lifetime.

Find your next adventure

No matter what your degree choice, you can take advantage of time abroad while you're studying with us.

We have links with over 300 institutions and organisations, in over 50 countries, in Europe and across the world. Whether you choose to work, volunteer or study abroad, you will be making unforgettable memories.

We have had to make some changes to our placement and study abroad programmes due to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. But we’ve worked with our partner organisations to put in place arrangements while still following government advice.

A year abroad during your studies is a once in a lifetime opportunity and it is such a great one at that! You have help and guidance from the University and there is funding available. You have the chance to travel, and see new cultures, and it is all part of your degree. I can honestly say it was the best time of my life.

Lucy Hilton, BA German and Italian Erasmus+ traineeship in Austria and Italy

Get an insight into all the places you could go as a Cardiff University student.

The best decision and best year of my life. Some of the most incredible experiences and memories and I met some of the most important people to me through the exchange programme. Visited beautiful parts of Canada, tried things I’ve never done before and loved the whole experience.

Euan Bouteiller, BSc Business Management with Year of Study Abroad International exchange in Carleton, Canada

Challenge yourself

It's a fantastic opportunity to experience other cultures and viewpoints, make new friends and share unforgettable experiences. Depending on where you go, you may also have the chance to learn a new language which will personally enrich you for life and boost your career prospects.

I gained an insight into how people live in extreme climates, and I met amazing people. It made me grow as a person as I gained independence.

Lauren Rogers, BSc Environmental Geoscience Summer study at Svalbard Institute, High Arctic
Linnebreen Glacier in the Arctic
Linnébreen Glacier in the Arctic.

Receive a generous bursary

An international placement doesn't necessarily have to be more expensive than studying in Cardiff. There is a range of funding sources to make international placements more accessible to undergraduate students.

The typical bursary available for eligible Global Opportunities students on a summer programme of work, study or volunteering is £200 to £2000, depending on placement type, length and location.

There is also a range of bursaries available to successful undergraduate applicants taking part in our exchange and short-term programmes.

Students remain eligible for maintenance loans, grants and tuition fee discounts. There is additional funding available for students from a widening participation background and for disabled students.

The bursary was an incredibly influential factor in my decision, as it can often be a costly process, but the generous bursary from Global Opportunities meant that the cost was no longer such a limiting factor.

Sienna Adderley, BA Journalism and Communications Summer volunteering in Fiji
Rainbow over a game of volleyball, beneath palm trees next to the sea.
Rainbow over a game of volleyball in Fiji.

Boost your future career

It seems a long way off but you'll be graduating in no time. Spending time abroad will boost your chances of success, not only in your exams but also with potential employers.

Universities UK International ‘Rising Aspirations’ 2019 report showed that students who spent time abroad were 28% more likely to get a first in their degree.

It’s definitely something that stands out on a CV. Having already contacted certain companies regarding future employment I know that my year abroad is one of the things that they found most appealing.

Tomos Morris, LLB Law and French Erasmus+ study in Toulouse, France

Gaining work experience in the software industry and especially in Colombia, one of the fastest emerging markets in the world, has allowed me to gain insights on how it would be like to work in a real-life competitive, fast-paced environment where you would have to handle a lot of responsibilities.

Vince Mojares, BSc Applied Software Engineering Summer internship in Medellin, Colombia

Options available

Whatever your degree choice, our Global Opportunities Team can organise a summer programme of study, work or volunteering for you.

As part of your degree, you may be able to apply for placements across Europe, or to spend a semester or academic year studying at one of our many exchange partners outside of Europe.

These short-term placements take place in a variety of locations around the world and last a minimum of two weeks. Bursaries are provided to help you cover the costs of going abroad.

Study

Take the opportunity to explore a subject unrelated to your degree, or enhance your degree-related subject knowledge, whilst at the same time enjoying a brand new international experience.

Study programmes take place outside of term time during the summer holidays, making them ideal for students who don't have the opportunity to study abroad as part of their degree programme. You can study in a variety of locations around the world, including Asia, Europe, Latin America and the USA.

Work

Gain work experience abroad during your time at Cardiff. Our Global Opportunities Team can help coordinate and support international placements. We offer guidance on both summer placements and professional training years, with funding available for many programmes. Through these international internships, you will have the opportunity to work for a range of global and national companies.

Volunteer

Make a positive contribution to the world during your time at university by taking part in volunteering projects abroad. Join teams of students from across the University and volunteer in locations such as Fiji, Japan, Cambodia, India and more.

Studying, working or volunteering abroad will not only enhance your CV by demonstrating key skills such as cross-cultural communication, flexibility and collaborative working, but will also broaden your perspective and develop you personally.

Virtual

An international virtual programme is a great way to gain valuable international experience and enhance your digital skills and employability from the comfort of your own home.

You'll gain experience in working digitally and remotely, with flexibility to complete the programme around any other commitments you may have. We work with our partner providers to ensure programme content is varied and provides a genuine cultural experience.

You'll develop a range of skills, such as intercultural awareness, networking and independent working and with no travel required, associated costs remain low.

Read first-hand accounts from our summer-programme students in our Globetrotters blog

Exchange programmes

Depending on your programme of study, you may be able to spend a period studying or working abroad. The duration and destination of the exchange is dependent upon your degree programme. We have partners across Europe and globally, including institutions in the USA, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Singapore, Hong Kong and South America.

Taking part in a European or international exchange is a great way to immerse yourself in a new culture and make friends from around the world. As an exchange student, you'll get a chance to learn and develop an impressive skill set which will enhance your employability, helping you stand out in an increasingly competitive international graduate job market.

Generous funding is expected to be available through one of two new schemes:

The Turing Scheme

The International Learning Exchange Programme

Read first-hand accounts from exchange students in our Globetrotters blog

Support while abroad

We offer you dedicated support before and during placements, and we ensure you know who to contact should you have any concerns or issues.

View over mountains and lake
Hiking in New Zealand.

Reduce your carbon footprint

Our Regrow Borneo project allows you to offset your flight’s carbon emissions by making an affordable donation to support our tree-planting project in the Lower Kinabatangan rainforest, Sabah, Borneo.

Speak to us

The Global Opportunities Team provides a dedicated resource and source of expertise for all of the international opportunities available at Cardiff University. We can support you if you are considering a period of time abroad to study, work or volunteer and offer a range of international opportunities.

For more information, please contact us:

Global Opportunities

Our address is:

Cardiff University
Centre for Student Life
Park Place
Cathays
Cardiff
CF10 3BB