Although we try to make the process as straightforward as possible, there are obviously going to be things that we may not have covered or may not be clear.  Below are some of the most frequently asked questions we receive in the Study Abroad office.

Is studying abroad very expensive? Is it only for wealthy students?

Studying overseas will ultimately cost more than studying at Keele.  You don’t pay any extra fees; you just pay your usual tuition fees to Keele University. You do have to buy an airfare (or other) to get there and purchase insurance.  Accommodation costs can be higher at some universities and some places will require you to purchase a meal plan. Students wishing to apply to North America, Australia, Asia and South Africa, who are in receipt of a maintenance grant, are eligible to apply for a Widening Participation Bursary (£500) to assist with the costs of studying abroad. If you opt to study at another European University (in Sweden, the Netherlands, Iceland….), then you will be eligible for an ERASMUS grant, which will cover a large proportion of the additional costs associated with studying abroad.

If I study overseas, will it delay my graduation?

NO. You will choose your modules/courses carefully, in consultation with your Subject Tutors, in order to replace the courses you would otherwise take at Keele for that semester. Course/module selection is done prior to your departure.  All credits gained at a Partner University will be converted to Keele grades.

I don’t speak a foreign language, are there opportunities for me?

Most of our exchange partners are in English-speaking countries.  The Partner Universities in Europe and Asia offer many courses in English and are open to everyone.

I’m receiving a student loan. Could I afford to go on exchange?

This will not hold you back.  If you are eligible for the Student Loan, you can still receive it while you are overseas.  In fact you may well receive extra funds for studying abroad and Student Finance England may partially refund flight and medical insurance costs if you are in receipt of a grant.

Will it be difficult to find somewhere to live?

You will be able to live on-campus at the majority of Partner Universities.  On-campus housing is usually readily available and is a fantastic way to meet people and get immersed in the overseas culture and university lifestyle. If you apply to a Partner University that does not offer on-campus accommodation, then the Accommodation Office at your university should provide some assistance in finding housing off-campus.

Am I eligible for on-campus accommodation on my return from abroad?

Most second year students (Study Abroad or not) will live off-campus in their second year. You will be able to find lots of potential housemates via the Study Abroad module and could potentially share a year-long contract with students going abroad in the opposite semester to yourself.  There may be very limited on campus accomodation available in January, but this is far from guarenteed, and is in very small quantities.

Is it OK to go overseas later in my course?

NO. You must plan, do the research and decide during your first semester at Keele, and apply before Christmas. You then continue working on planning, applying, and choosing classes, etc during the second semester at Keele, ready to go abroad in the first semester of your second year. (One semester later for those going abroad in second semester of second year).

If you have any further questions, please feel free to email them to us at studyabroad@keele.ac.uk and we will respond to them as soon as possible.