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Outgoing students

Eva in snowy Switzerland
Central Saint Martins student Eva Xiste on her placement in Switzerland | image courtesy of UAL

Why go abroad

Going abroad as part of your degree is an exciting, once in a lifetime, experience. As well as experiencing another culture, it's also a great chance to build a global network.  Studies have shown that students who study abroad were:

  • More likely to gain a 1st or 2:1 degree.
  • More likely to secure a graduate job 6 months after graduating.
  • More likely to receive a higher wage, upon starting work.

Source: Universities UK Gone International: rising aspirations report

Speak with one of our Global Ambassadors to find out how you can benefit from an international experience.

Who can go abroad

Not all degree programmes offer semester exchanges. Check with your College Mobility team if you can go on exchange as part of your degree.

To be eligible for a semester abroad, you must:

  • Be in your second year of study at undergraduate level by the time the exchange takes place. Note that you will apply in your first year.
  • Be registered, and in full time attendance at UAL.

If you don't meet the requirements to go on exchange, you can consider either a Summer Programme or a Placement Year (DPS).

When you can go abroad

Most exchanges happen in the second year of an undergraduate degree.

When you can go, and how long you can go for, will depend on your College and course.

Students applying for summer or other short term programmes will usually go throughout the summer months (June-September). The duration of summer opportunities vary from 5 days to 2 weeks.

How to apply

The application for UAL students to go on exchange is currently closed. Please check back in September 2024 for new application deadlines and any updates.

Before submitting your application, make sure you have:

  • Spoken to your College Mobility team and course lead first.
  • Checked you are eligible to apply for the exchange, including which semester you can apply for.
  • Attended or received materials from the information briefing explaining the international exchange programme from your College Mobility team.
  • Researched your destination.

Read through our application guidance and apply for the exchange.

Find out more about going abroad

  • 3 coin-like objects placed in a row
    Work by Liberty Lin, MA Designer Maker, Camberwell College of Arts, 2021.

    Fees and funding for your exchange

    Learn about the costs involved as well as funding UAL offers

  • Visible Justice Exhibition 2019, London College of Communication, UAL

    Where you can study on exchange

    Explore where you can go on exchange

  • Close up of installation by Abigail Adams, 2019 Painting BA (Hons), Camberwell College of Arts, UAL| Photograph: Alys Tomlinson

    Apply to go abroad

    Find out how and when to apply for an exchange

  • Illustration of yellow orange and blue hands reaching towards each other
    Ipsita Kurikala, Illustration for Summer Campus, 2023

    Summer and short-term opportunities

    If a semester exchange isn't an option for your degree, discover our summer opportunities.