Before you go abroad, consider your own budget carefully and discuss it with relevant people (i.e. your sponsors/parents).
Understanding your own financial position and the cost of living in your chosen country may well have an impact on whether a study placement or work placement is feasible. Remember that in many countries, students on a work placement are often unpaid or are paid below the standard living wage.
It is particularly important that you research the following:
All year abroad students are required to register for free travel and personal accident insurance* arranged by the University of Kent with leading travel insurer Chubb Insurance. Students will receive instructions how to register for this a few months before going abroad.
N.B. In the case of the USA, the approved insurance policy may not cover all expenses incurred, e.g. for counselling or regular blood tests or medical treatment, so students must be prepared to cover those costs themselves. In serious cases, costs could reach tens of thousands of dollars.
*As part of registering for cover, students will need to complete the online travel notification form no later than 10 working days before leaving. Details on the full benefits available to you can be found on the University's Travel Insurance webpage. Students should keep the Chubb emergency assistance number in a safe place, ready for use in an emergency.
In addition to general student funding, there are specific sources of funding available if you're spending a year or term studying or working abroad:
Open to all UK full-time undergraduate applicants. You must apply at the same time as you make an application through UCAS.
Loans are available for eligible students who spend a year studying or working abroad as part of their degree course.
You may be eligible for a Travel Grant which reimburses some of your travel costs. See the UK Government's website for more details.
Turing funding offers additional support to students who plan to study and work abroad.
