Study abroad

Find out if you are eligible to study abroad, where you can go and when you are able to go on your exchange.

What is a study exchange?

A study exchange is when Surrey students study at one of our partner universities for one or two semesters (depending on their degree programme) and in exchange, students from our partner universities can come and study at Surrey.

You will study modules offered at the partner institution in English (unless you are a languages student) and earn credits which will count towards your degree. Grades earned while abroad will not be used to calculate your degree classification. Module results from your host institution will be recorded by Surrey on a pass/fail basis and the experience will be noted on your HEAR (transcript).

Student experiences

Read our student blogs, listen to our Explore More podcast and follow @SurreyAbroad on Instagram to hear from our students!

Find out more on Surrey Abroad

Damian Shumilov

Damian, BSc (Hons) International Business Management

Study exchange at Nanyang Technological University

“My semester abroad in Singapore was a transformative experience that broadened my horizons, challenged my assumptions and helped me grow as a person. I returned home with a newfound appreciation for the richness and diversity of the world and a deep gratitude for the opportunity to study and learn in one of the most exciting and dynamic cities on the planet.”

Study abroad students

Keziah, BSc Computer Science

Study Exchange at Hong Kong Polytechnic University

“HK changed my perspective on a lot of things as I interacted with different people. You learn without even trying. You grow and become a better you.

I realised how big the world is and how much it has to offer me. I started focusing on what matters and stopped being disappointed by little failures here and there. This is probably the best thing living abroad has done for me.”

Eligibility

You can study abroad if you are a full-time undergraduate student at the University of Surrey or on a 15-month masters programme with Study Abroad. You need to be able to cover the cost of your study abroad including travel, living expenses, accommodation, and visa documentation.

You need the support of your department, to pass all modules at first attempt in the year of application and you need to be in good academic standing:

  • Students going abroad during their second year must have a minimum 65% grade average upon application.
  • Students going abroad during their PTY or masters must have a minimum 60% grade average (some course requirements may be higher) upon application.

When you can study abroad

Find out how long you can study abroad for and when you are able to do this.

Faculty of Arts, Business and Social Sciences
Discipline Year of study* Length of time abroad
Accounting and Finance Professional Training Year (PTY) One or two semesters (PTY year)
Business Analytics Professional Training Year (PTY) One or two semesters (PTY year)
Business

Second 

Professional Training Year (PTY)

Masters (15-month

programmes with study abroad)

Autumn semester (second year)

One or two semesters (PTY year)

One semester after the first year

 

Economics Professional Training Year (PTY) One or two semesters
Literature and Languages Professional Training Year (PTY) One or two semesters
Law Professional Training Year (PTY) One or two semesters
Music and Media:
Bachelor in Music and Bachelor in Creative Music Technologies
Professional Training Year (PTY) Two semesters
Politics and International Relations Professional Training Year (PTY) One or two semesters
Sociology, Criminology and Media and Communication Professional Training Year (PTY) One or two semesters
Hospitality and Tourism Management

Second

Professional Training Year (PTY)

Autumn semester (second year)

One or two semesters (PTY year)

Year of study

Second year: You can study abroad for one semester in the autumn, depending on your degree.

Professional Training Year (PTY): You can study abroad during your Professional Training Year. If you spend one semester on exchange you will then need to work in the UK or abroad for the other semester.

For further clarification, please refer to the Course Catalogue and select your course. 

Faculty of Engineering and Physical Sciences
Subject area Year of study* Length of time abroad
Aerospace Engineering

Second

Professional Training Year (PTY)

Two semesters

One or two semesters

Astronautics and Space Engineering Professional Training Year (PTY) One semester
Biomedical Engineering

Second

Professional Training Year (PTY)

Two semesters

One or two semesters

Chemical Engineering

Second

Professional Training Year (PTY)

Two semesters
Civil Engineering Second Two semesters
Computer Science

Second

Professional Training Year (PTY)

Two semesters

One semester (50/50 work/study)

Electrical and Electronic Engineering

Second

Professional Training Year (PTY)

Two semesters

One semester (50/50 work/study)

Electronic Engineering

Second

Professional Training Year (PTY)

Two semesters

One semester (50/50 work/study)

Environment and Sustainability Professional Training Year (PTY) One or two semesters
Mathematics

Second

Professional Training Year (PTY)

Two semesters
Mechanical Engineering

Second

Professional Training Year (PTY)

Two semesters

One or two semesters

Physics* Professional Training Year (PTY) One or two semesters

Year of study

Second year: You can study abroad internationally for one or two semesters, depending on your course.

Professional Training Year (PTY): You can study abroad during your Professional Training Year, depending on your course. 

*If you are an MPhys Physics student you can do your research year as part of the MPhys Physics course.

For further clarification, please refer to the Course Catalogue and select your course. 

Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences
Subject area Year of study* Length of time abroad
Psychology Professional Training Year (PTY)

Full-year undertaking a laboratory placement at a partner institution

Full-year study exchange

Sports and Exercise Science Professional Training Year (PTY)

Full-year or one semester undertaking a placement at a partner institution

One or two semesters on study exchange

Year of study

Professional Training Year (PTY): Psychology students can study or work abroad at one of our partner universities during your Professional Training placement.

For further clarification, please refer to the Course Catalogue and select your course. 

Where you can study abroad

Find out where you can study abroad using our search tool. Locations of our partner universities include Australia, South Korea and Hong Kong.

Explore where you can go

Next steps

  1. See Surrey Abroad for guidance on financial support available, what to research and the application process
  2. Meet with your Academic Exchange Coordinator
  3. Attend our events and chat to students who have been abroad
  4. Follow @SurreyAbroad on Instagram.

How to apply

Apply by 23:59pm Tuesday 4 February 2025 for AY25/26.

Pre-departure

All current students can access Surrey Abroad, where you will find information on academic requirements, travel, accommodation, health and safety, wellbeing and cultural preparation.

Surrey Abroad

Privacy statement

Any data provided as part of your application will be treated confidentially and will be used by members of the University to record and process your application and stay at the partner institution. The data is available to appropriate University staff, as detailed in our privacy notice. Guidance on general university data protection and privacy notices can be found our data protection pages.