Abroad

Study abroad provision at the University of Leeds is amongst the best in the UK. Each year, a number of our students take advantage of this fantastic opportunity and spend a year either in another EU country or at a worldwide university further afield (in North America, Australia or Asia). Once you have started your geography course with us at Leeds as a single Honours or a Joint Honours student, the options for studying abroad will be presented to you.

Why study abroad?

Studying abroad brings many benefits, academically, socially and personally. Here are a few:

Gain international experience to enhance your CV and increase your employability.
Step outside your comfort zone, develop your skills, your maturity and your confidence.
Broaden your perspectives by experiencing a different culture.
Further your studies in a new context and learning environment
Make the most of a fantastic opportunity to travel and make new friends.
Benefit from the financial incentives including full or partial fee waivers, the Erasmus grant, and often a lower cost of living.
Take advantage of a life-changing opportunity which may not be possible in the future.
In your final year of study reap the benefits of greater maturity and a deeper knowledge of your subject.

Where can I go?

We have established partnerships with a number of overseas universities, where there are places available each year specifically for Leeds geographers.

European (Erasmus) destinations

Students applying for either Spain or France are required to have competence in the language, but at the University of Utrecht teaching takes place in English.

Benefits of the Erasmus programme Erasmus programme include a full fee waiver at both Leeds and the partner university in Europe, and receipt of a non-repayable Erasmus maintenance grant.

Worldwide destinations

The University of Waterloo, Ontario, Canada.
The University of McMaster, Ontario, Canada.
The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia.
The University of Adelaide, Australia.
The National University of Singapore.
The Chinese University of Hong Kong

Teaching takes place in English at all the above universities.

Students going to worldwide destinations pay a reduced fee to Leeds, but no fee to the overseas university.

Further worldwide destinations through the Study Abroad Office

In addition to the above options, Geography students may enter the university-wide competition for a place at a university partnered by Leeds through the Study Abroad Office.

Two models for study abroad

1. Transfer from the three-year to a four-year ‘International’ programme and study abroad as an extra year after Leeds level 2.
2. For some destinations you may replace the Leeds level 2 with a year abroad, thereby remaining on a three-year programme.

For some universities, we offer ‘grade conversion’ – i.e., your overseas grades are converted to Leeds equivalents when you return and these contribute directly to your degree, very often with a positive impact.

Study China Programme

"At the start of last year I didn’t imagine I would be spending a month of my summer at a top Chinese University, learning mandarin and soaking up the culture, almost entirely government funded with 100 other students from different UK universities. Perfect for the geographer!

The UK and Chinese governments are funding a programme called Study China which sends over 200 UK University students to Chinese Universities twice a year. I was lucky enough to be accepted onto this programme having heard about it through an email sent from the department.

Many of my preconceptions about the country and the culture were really challenged and I learnt so much; it was an invaluable opportunity to travel, learn, make good friends, acquire a few new skills and not break the bank!"

Anna Matus, BA geography, 2009

Further profiles

For more information

Student Support Manager

School of Geography - Faculty of Environment

STUDY ABROAD