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Kent's links with prestigious universities and leading business organisations around the world open up a range of possibilities for our students.
From a period of study at a top university in France or the USA, to an exciting work placement at a high-profile business in Japan, Kent literally offers a world of opportunities to internationalise your education.
For a list of courses, including study abroad placements in Europe, see www.kent.ac.uk/goabroad
Adding an international placement is an excellent way of enhancing your CV and gaining valuable skills that will impress future employers. According to the Council for Industry and Higher Education (CIHE) and i-graduate, 'A third of UK employers view a graduate with any overseas study experience as more employable. Sixty-five per cent of international employers indicate that having overseas professional work experience makes graduates more employable'.
Stand out in the job market
The valuable international work or study experience you gain while abroad will help you to stand out when applying for your first job. The fact that you've spent time in another country shows prospective employers that you're adaptable, resourceful and independent, with cultural understanding and confidence all the key skills they are looking for. In today's international job market, you will be competing with people from all around the world so demonstrating that you have an international perspective enables you to compete more effectively.
Gain new skills and experience
There is no doubt that living and travelling abroad broadens your outlook. Studying or working abroad teaches you lots of new skills and you'll never forget the amazing experiences you have. Many students tell us that their time abroad was the best part of their course.
Improve your language skills
A year studying orworking in a foreign country will improve your language skills significantly. Even if your placement is one where the teaching is in English, you will absorb some of the local language. Students following degrees where the study abroad element is in the local language are given language preparation as part of their course.
A different way of doing things
Studying abroad gives you the chance to learn in a different environment and context at one of Kent's partner universities. By approaching your subject from the point of view of a different culture you gain new insights which will help you in your further study.
Financial benefits of studying or working abroad
Students studying abroad do not pay fees to the host University and if you are studying or working abroad for a full academic year under the Erasmus programme and are classed as a UK or EU student, you are likely to be eligible for an Erasmus grant for the period spent abroad. Under current arrangements, these students do not pay tuition fees while they are abroad.
For periods abroad not covered by the Erasmus scheme, such as those outside Europe, students pay reduced tuition fees for the period abroad (currently 50% of the tuition fee you would normally pay to Kent). Students taking a term abroad on a non-Erasmus programme pay the normal tuition fees to Kent but do not pay fees to the host university.
If your course offers you the opportunity to study or work abroad, this will be highlighted within the course pages.
For information about Argentina, Canada, China, Hong Kong, Japan, Malaysia, Peru, Thailand, Uruguay and the USA.
T: +44 1227 827994 or +44 1227 824904
F: +44 1227 823247
E: international-office@kent.ac.uk
The European Union's Erasmus programme* gives you the opportunity to do your study or work placement in one of the EU or EEA member states and, if you are from the EU, receive an Erasmus grant for the period spent abroad. On study placements, depending on your degree, courses are taught either in English or in the local language. Where the teaching takes place in the local language, you are given language preparation as part of your degree before you go.
If you are taking a single or joint honours degree in one of our modern languages, or European Studies, there is also the possibility of working as an English language assistant in a school abroad.
For more information, see www.kent.ac.uk/european or contact International Development.
*Funded by the EU, whose support the University gratefully acknowledges.
A number of programmes offer the chance to study for a term or a year in the USA, China, Hong Kong, Japan, Peru, Malaysia, Thailand, Uruguay, Argentina and Canada. Kent offers language courses in Chinese, Japanese and Spanish, which you can take in the year before you go.