How to apply?

Compulsory study abroad students

If your degree programme has a potential compulsory year abroad (i.e. Modern Languages, Law (with a year in Europe), Chemistry, Meteorology) your academic department / school will inform you about possible host institutions and the relevant application processes. They will also help you formulate a suitable programme of study. Please contact your departmental /school study abroad coordinator.

Non-compulsory study abroad students

Please note that there are application deadlines and potential limits to the number of participants, therefore the earlier you start the process the better.

Pre-application

• Check your departmental website and notice-boards to find out about study abroad opportunities
• Contact your departmental /school study abroad coordinator to find out if and where you could study.
• Research each desintation to work out where it is that you would like to study, the type of experience you would like and which institution would be the most appropriate desintation for you.
• If you are not on a compulsory study year abroad you will need departmental / school approval to study abroad and you should submit the following documentation to Reading International Office in Blandford Lodge: 

- Permission to study abroad form (word version, 60.0 KB), which needs to be countersigned by your departmental / school study abroad coordinator (NB - if a joint-degree student we will require the signature of both coordinators).

- A Personal Statement of no more than 500 words outlining why you want to study abroad. This can include information about why you have selected the particular institution(s), how studying abroad will benefit you, your studies and your future. (This statement might be used as part of a decision making process in cases where we have more applicants than spaces at a particular institution).

Notification

Students wanting to study in Europe as part of the ERASMUS programme will be informed by your departmental / school study abroad programme as to whether or not you will be able to study at your chosen destination. Students wanting to study outside Europe at one of Reading's partner institutions will be notified by Reading International Office by email confirming which institution has available space and therefore to which you are able to apply to.

Application stage

• Your departmental / school coordinator (or Reading International Office) will send you the relevant application forms and documentary requirements in order to apply to the institution. Please note that every institution has different processes, but i is likely that it could include:

- Copy of transcript (grades achieved so far)
- Letter of motivation
- Financial guarantees (for non ERASMUS exchanges)

• Your departmental / school  study abroad coordinator should assist you in finding appropriate modules and ensuring that any programme of study will be acceptable as part of your degree programme at Reading.
• Complete a learning agreement, indicating the modules you want to study and the credits you will achieve whilst abroad.  The learning agreement needs to be countersigned and approved by your departmental coordinator before permission to allow you to study abroad will be given.
• Provide a copy of your application material and Learning Agreement to the Reading International Office.