While tackling a variety of tasks and learning about office life is already useful for any future career, the fact that the office is in Brussels is an incredible bonus. This job gave me the chance to visit the places where European policy is debated and implemented, as well as to meet the people who make things happen in Europe.

Chris White
Stagiaire Placement,
Kent County Council
Brussels Office

If you are studying at another university, the marks from your year abroad will count towards your final degree result. Students taking single or joint honours modern language degrees or European Studies (Humanities) will also be assessed through an oral exam on their return to Kent.

If you are on a work placement, the way your year is assessed will depend on your degree programme. Assessment may be through written work (for example, an essay or report), an evaluation provided by your supervisor, an oral presentation on your return to Kent, or a combination of all three. The academic school will provide further information about this before the start of the placement.

Some courses require you to have language skills before you arrive but for others, you don’t need to have any prior knowledge at all.

• Some courses require an A level or a high-level qualification in the relevant language.
• Some courses specify GCSE or a basic-level qualification in a language.
• Some courses allow you to learn your preferred language from scratch (ab initio), although they may also require a GCSE or a basic level qualification in a relevant modern European language.
• Some courses do not require language skills as many of our our partner universities abroad teach in English.

Students undertaking an industrial placement have the flexibility to choose a placement in the UK or abroad.

You could undertake a placement in your home country, whether this is in the UK or elsewhere, in which case language skills would not be an issue. Alternatively, you may choose to find work in another country, in which case employers might require certain language skills or offer placements for English speakers.

In the latter case, you may have the opportunity to take classes in the language of the host country or during the placement.

For a full list of language requirements, see the Undergraduate Prospectus

My year abroad was fantastic. I taught in a comprehensive school; it was a bit scary at first, but the kids were very pleased to have a native speaker teaching them and were so receptive that I really enjoyed myself.

Sophie Wetheridge
German

You get both academic and administrative support from Kent during your year abroad. Staff are available to offer advice throughout your degree – before, during and after the year abroad.

At Kent, academic support comes from your academic school.

Administrative support for students on Year Abroad degrees is provided by International Development.

Support for students on industrial or sandwich placements is provided by the University of Kent’s Student Placement Officer and the Placement offices in the academic schools. In addition to this, students undertaking placements in the EU should contact the Erasmus Team for advice and assistance.

International Development:

• deals with application and accommodation forms for the partner universities
• produces preparatory guides
• provides information on partner universities and countries
• organises preparatory meetings
• is open throughout the year to deal with queries.

The Student Placement Officer and placement offices within the academic schools provide advice and support on:

• finding a suitable work placement abroad
• the application and interview process
• organising accommodation
• making the most of the work placement abroad
• practical and financial matters.

Advice and support will also be provided by academic and administrative staff at the partner universities (study placements) or by the placement supervisor at the organisation (industrial/sandwich placements).

In order to spend a year abroad either studying or doing a work placement, you need to be registered on a degree programme with the relevant option written in.

If you are not already registered on such a programme - it can be quite straightforwed to change especially if you don't need to change subject too!

For instance, if you are currently registered for a degree in 'English and American Literature' and would like to spend a year studying that abroad, you would need to change to 'English and American Literature with an Approved Year Abroad'. That would open up the chance to study in the Czech Republic, Denmark, France, Germany, Italy, The Netherlands, Spain or the USA .

For a full A-Z of what year abroad and year in industry programmes are available, please see:

• Courses and countries

Other more complicated swaps may be available and our advisors can help you through the process. For more information see:

• Contacting us

Kent has partner universities across Europe and around the world. In addition, work placements can be possible in most countries as long as a business/company can be found to offer a placement. Some Schools already have connections abroad with placements available.

For full details of the courses, countries and years industry, see:

• Courses and countries

The majority of subjects taught at Kent have a varient with either a study or work abroad option.

For a full list see:

• Courses and countries

In summary, no tuition fees need to be paid to our partner universities while you are away and on many Erasmus funded programmes, no tuition fees are owed to Kent for that year either. Kent tuition fees are also normally reduced on any non-Erasmus funded programme. A page of information about the financial implications is available:

• Fees and funding

and our staff are always please to help explain or advise:

• Contacting us

There is a general enquiry form and a goabroad@kent.ac.uk mail address if you are not sure which Kent department to talk to.

For those and further details of who to talk to, please see:

• Contacting us

If you are already on a programme with a year abroad, year in industry or sandwich year then you will be contacted by your School and/or one of the Go abroad support departments.

See:

• How to apply
• Contacting us