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Study Abroad and Student Exchanges

At Aberystwyth we offer our own students the opportunity to take part in student exchanges in Europe under the Erasmus scheme. We also have a number of student exchanges in North America and a few other countries around the world.

In addition, we welcome direct applications from students from both Europe and around the world to study with us a for a short period (e.g. a semester or full academic year) under our fee-paying  Study Year Abroad (SYA) programme.

Student Exchanges:

In Europe

When you graduate you will be competing in a huge employment market with people from other member states of the European Union and beyond. All academic disciplines at Aberystwyth are committed to working in an European and international context. We take seriously our responsibility to prepare you to be competitive in seeking employment throughout Europe. We are helped in this aim by participating in the mobility programme Erasmus.

The aim of the Erasmus programme is to help improve the quality and relevance of education for children, young people and adults by enhancing European co-operation and increasing access to the range of learning opportunities available across the Union. It seeks to provide learners of all ages and social groups with insights into the European dimension of the subjects which they are studying, to increase opportunities for personal experience of other European countries, to develop a stronger sense of sharing a European identity, and to foster the ability to shape and adapt to the changes in the economic and social environment.

We currently have links, under the Erasmus programme, within the subjects of Rural Sciences, Biological Sciences, Education, English, European languages, History, Information & Library Studies, International Politics, Law, Mathematics, Physics, Management and Business, Welsh & Celtic Studies. The University is linked with institutions in Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic, Denmark, Eire, Finland, France, Germany, Italy, The Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Spain and Sweden.

Language Courses

The successful participation in European exchange schemes is greatly facilitated if you are fluent in the relevant European language. At Aberystwyth you are able to pursue a number of European Languages at a beginners’ level alongside or as part of your main degree subject. This provides you with a valuable preparation for your exchange visit. The benefits to you of a period abroad, either working or studying, include a working knowledge of the language and culture of another country and greater self-confidence. In addition employers are increasingly conscious of the value of the skills and attitudes which result from such experiences.

Outside Europe

North American Exchange Programme

Most people agree that a period of study abroad provides an opportunity to gain new perspectives, both on the subject matter of your own degree course and on the life and culture of the other country. We have an exciting programme of undergraduate exchanges with North American universities through which you could spend your second year (or for some subjects, a semester only) of your degree at an American university.

The exchange involves a simple one-to-one student swap with an American university, where you will enjoy the same rights and privileges as full-time students at the American institution. The period of study in the United States is considered an integral part of your Aberystwyth degree. American course assessments will be converted into their British equivalents.

Currently we have exchanges with the University of Pittsburgh, Washington State University, the University of Montana, Boise State University and Carroll College, Wisconsin (for computer science students only), Purdue University, Indiana (for rural sciences students only), and Bowling Green, Ohio (for theatre, film and television studies students only).

Emma Woodhall, BA French and Spanish, Caernarvon

It's the friendly atmosphere that I like most about Aberystwyth, I’ve been away for a year and I feel as if I’ve never been from here. I went abroad as an Erasmus student, to France in the first term, and Spain in the second term. It was a really good experience. I had plenty of support, because of the links there are between universities, and that was a big help.

Urszula Dominska - BA Modern Languages with Business and Management Poland

The University provides the chance for studying abroad, in the third year. It was a great opportunity for me, I achieved practical skills and knowledge about other countries, which is very important. I am happy and satisfied that I chose Aberystwyth University.

Study Year Abroad (SYA) Programme

The Aberystwyth SYA programme is an opportunity for students to study academic courses and English Language (EFL) for a period of up to one academic year. You will receive an official transcript indicating the number of Aber credits that you have earned and which your home institution may agree to count as credits towards your qualification. You will also have the opportunity to take the IELTS English examination (if needed) which is an internationally recognised qualification like the American TOEFL.

The SYA programme has two routes:

1. Direct entry onto the academic programme for native speakers of English or students who have a high level of English Language fluency of at least IELTS 6.0 or TOEFL 550 (213 CBT). The closing dates for Direct Entry are as follows:
   
   Semester 1 entry (mid September): 19th June       
   Semester 2 entry (late January): 30th October 
   
2. An initial programme of intensive English Language (EFL) support if you have a level of English lower than IELTS 6.0 or TOEFL 550 (213 CBT)

If you are interested in applying for the SYA program will need to return a completed SYA application form together with formal transcripts showing what you have studied, a letter of recommendation and a 200 word essay saying why you wish to study abroad at Aberystwyth University. Further information is contained in the SYA information pack which is sent out to student enquirers.