Important considerations to take into account when deciding to apply for the BU Study Exchange Programme include accommodation, health and travel insurance, flights and visa requirements.
Accommodation
While all our partner institutions either provide university accommodation to exchange students or assist students in securing housing, it is your responsibility to ensure all the necessary steps are followed and you meet the accommodation deadlines. Normally the host university website would be the best place to start finding out about accommodation options available to exchange students.
You will also need to consider your accommodation arrangements in the UK for the semester that you will remain in the UK. If you have entered into a year-long rental contract, you may wish to consider shortening your contract or transferring your let for the time you are abroad; check with your landlord if this is a possibility and whether costs will be involved.
Health and travel insurance
BU offers comprehensive BU travel cover to all outgoing students. Additionally, you can apply for a GHIC card which enables you to obtain medical assistance either for free or at local rates in some European countries. If you are an EU passport holder you will be able to use your EHIC card when travelling to another EU country. If you are a UK passport holder and/or do not have an EU passport, please read the information about how to apply for a UK GHIC card and which countries it can be used in. As a BU student, you can apply for your GHIC card using the BU Letter Request Form.
Please note that some non-European partners request that incoming students purchase additional medical health insurance to comply with their immigration and institutional requirements. Similarly, after reviewing BU's travel cover, and depending on personal considerations or specific health issues, some students might decide to purchase an additional insurance policy on top of the BU travel cover.
Flights or other forms of travel
Travel arrangements to your host institution are your responsibility. To benefit from lower prices we suggest you book your travel as soon as you receive your official acceptance letter. Please note this might mean purchasing your flights before you receive Turing Scheme funding. Turing Scheme is designed to cover specific costs related to your exchange. Students from disadvantaged backgrounds will receive a Travel Grant from the Turing Scheme. Find out more about Turing Scheme Funding and the eligibility requirements on our Turing Scheme webpage.
Visa (if applicable)
Depending on your nationality and your exchange destination, you may be required to obtain a visa. Please check the Embassy for the country you intend to travel to, to make sure that you have the right permission documents to enter the country legally. The host university’s web pages for incoming students often give key information on visas and border control entry requirements. Further guidance is normally offered by your host institution during the application process, and the host university Exchange Coordinator should be your first point of contact for any visa related questions, as they will have the latest information regarding legal and immigration matters in their country.
Make the most of your time abroad
Prepare for your semester abroad by joining a range of online language courses offered by the Language Centre. Please check online information on available courses and contact the Language Adviser for further information.
Your study exchange can also count towards achieving the Graduate Skills Programme, which can help you develop your skills and enhance your employability.
All students accepted onto the BU Study Exchange Programme will undertake a pre-departure session which includes essential information to help you during your time overseas such as cultural considerations and intercultural skills as well as practical and academic considerations.
Students are also encouraged to complete Global Citizenship Skills units which are available for all students via Brightspace and part of the Graduate Skills Programme.
