Things to know before you go

While abroad on a study exchange, you must complete a minimum of 60 Salford credits per trimester. Your Exchange Coordinator at Salford and your host institution will help you select the modules that best match what you would have studied at Salford. You need to ensure you pass your modules and assessments at your host in order to gain the required amount of credits. However, the actual grades you receive do not count towards your degree classification: they will show as a pass/fail. Please visit askUS for further information.

Please see our list of Exchange Coordinators. 

You will be assessed on the basis of the pass / fail rate grading system at the partner institution, i.e. if they grade 1-10 and grades 5-10 are a pass, if your average mark is 5 or above you will receive a pass. Please contact the International Opportunities team if you require further information on the pass /fail rates of our partner institutions.

In the unlikely event that this happens, you will be offered another opportunity to obtain the relevant credit by taking the level 5 modules at Salford as a second (reassessment) attempt. In the event that you also fail these modules, you will then be in a retake position, which means that you are required to study the required number of modules, attend classes, pay a fee for the modules and submit all assessments for these modules.

Your final award will be based solely on the marks you are awarded in your final year (level 6). The level 5 credits obtained at the host institution will be recorded as pass/fail and therefore would not contribute to the classification of your degree.

If you study less than 100 credits at Salford at level 5, our academic regulations include a non-standard 'programme mark' calculation for classification which is based upon fewer than 100 credits at level 5 or 6 for which module marks are given – ie., ((level 5 credits x level 5 mark) + (3 x level 6 credits x level 6 mark)) divided by (3 x level 6 credits).

If you study Salford modules at level 5, these will be assessed as usual and the non-standard programme mark calculation described above will apply. Your modules at the host institution will not be transferred back into your overall award but, as indicated above, you will be required to pass these modules.

If you undertake a period of study, as part of a programme of the University, which is assessed by another institution, the module mark(s) you obtain will normally be recorded as pass or fail, with no transfer of marks or grades.

If you are studying on a programme where modules which have been incorporated and approved as an integral part of the programme for which the module mark(s) may be recorded as a percentage mark, your grades will be obtained via a mark translation process aligned to the relevant marking scale (see Assessment and Feedback Policy). This last paragraph applies only to students studying on the following programmes:

MPhys Physics with Studies in North America;

BSc Biology with Studies in the USA;

BSc Biochemistry with Studies in the USA.

If you are unsure if your programme includes study abroad as an integral part of your programme, please check with your Programme Leader.

Upon receipt of your application, we’ll send your general information to your chosen host institution (name, course of study, etc.) for consideration. The partner institution will then assess this information and respond with either a rejection or a provisional acceptance. If your nomination is rejected, you will not be invited to send through an application.

If you are provisionally accepted by your chosen institution, you will be asked to complete Stage 2 Post Nomination on our Sharepoint site. Your nomination will be forwarded to the partner university and they will ask you to send them your application with any further details they might require. Your application at this stage may still be rejected for several reasons, such as there are no spaces left on your chosen course. If you are accepted, you will be provided with an acceptance letter and information on the next steps.

Some of our host countries will also require you to provide evidence that you are able to support yourself financially throughout your stay. Your host university will be able to help you with any visa queries.

If you are officially accepted by your host institution, you should complete Stage 2 Post Nomination on our Sharepoint site with your emergency contacts etc and details. If you are eligible for Erasmus+ funding, we will not generate your grant agreement until we have received your application form.

You must also provide us with details about the modules you are planning to study abroad. Please see our Sharepoint site for academic and credit information along with all other required documents.

Work placements are sourced by the students independently or via their school. Students are therefore responsible for completing all relevant steps in order to apply and secure their placement.

All placements must be approved by the relevant school via the Traineeship Approval Form. Schools remain responsible for confirming if a traineeship goes ahead and managing student experience from start to finish and must ensure that the traineeship is either accredited as part of their programme or subject-relevant if a voluntary summer placement or sandwich year. The International Opportunities Team will award funding ONLY if the traineeship is approved by the school and will liaise with the student regarding the documents required.

You will need to check your passport validity as early as possible; usually it must be valid for at least six months after the end date of your trip. Partner institutions may request a copy of your passport as part of their application process, so if it needs renewing, make sure you do this as soon as possible.

Some countries require a birth certificate for local documentation, so if in doubt, check with your host country’s embassy or consulate. In addition, some banks or phone companies may require a copy of your birth certificate, so we recommend you take a few copies with you.

Students are required to ensure they are aware of immigration requirements for all destinations whether for Erasmus+ within the EU or further afield. The process for visas is different for each country, and you must complete the application process by yourself. The International Opportunities team are not qualified to offer advice regarding your visa or apply on your behalf. 

In order to apply for a visa, most countries will require an invitation or offer letter from your host organisation as proof of admission. When you acquire a student visa, they will often have strict conditions such as attendance and grades. Other conditions may include restrictions on the amount of hours you can work while on the visa. Please make sure you do your research beforehand so you are aware of the dos and don’ts. 

Please note that immigration regulations and working regulations for UK students working in the EU have changed as the UK is no longer in the EU. Students should also be aware that there may be additional requirements as part of a traineeship and that individual countries will have their own country rules. For further information, please visit the Government website. 

If you are studying at Salford on a visa, please contact the International Opportunities at the point of enquiry as there are different regulations required and we need to make sure in advance that the partner university can accommodate you. You will also need to inform the Home Office Compliance Team and there may be further steps you have to take in order to ensure your eligibility to study in your country of choice. 

While studying or working abroad, you are covered under the University’s insurance. For more information, please read our Insurance Cover Summary. If you would like any further information, contact our Finance Department.

If you are about to undertake a work placement abroad, we recommend that you check with your employer what insurance they provide.

Some of our partner universities and organisations will offer you accommodation, however this is not always possible. All institutions will have information about the type of accommodation available, so make sure you do your research and speak to your designated contact at your host institution who will be able to provide you with more information.

When you’re selecting your accommodation, you may want to consider the cost of the accommodation, the location in relation to your classes, how you will travel to and from your accommodation each day and the length of your tenancy agreement.

Most of our partner institutions teach in English, which is widely spoken across most developed countries in the EU, so language shouldn’t be a barrier. However, it’s also a great opportunity to learn a new language and immerse yourself in the culture of another country. Salford Languages run year-long modules which will help to improve your skills before you go, but please note: not all students will be eligible before they leave due to the duration of the course.

While studying or working abroad, you are covered under the University’s insurance. For more information, please read our Insurance Cover Summary. If you would like any further information, contact our Finance Department.

If you are about to undertake a work placement abroad, we recommend that you check with your employer what insurance they provide.

Healthcare varies from country to country, so it’s important that you check in advance of leaving whether you need to purchase health insurance. 

If you are travelling to the EU, please check the Gov UK website for more information. 

If you’re travelling outside of the EU, you may be required to have a check-up with your GP before you go. See the GOV UK website for more information. 

Make sure you also check the aircraft carrier regulations and insurance terms and conditions if you have a medical condition or disability before committing to any arrangements. You may be required to supply a letter from your GP to evidence your fitness to travel. 

Your safety while you study abroad is a top priority. As part of the Student Planning Document, you will need to make sure you check the emergency numbers of the country you’re travelling to, and find out where the British Consulate or Embassy is based in your host country, just in case. 

Even while you are studying or working abroad, you are still a student of our University, and you’ll still have access to the same support facilities, including the services of askUS. It may also be useful for you to read our information on crisis support, which provides details of out-of-hours contacts and support systems in place to help you.

It is also a requirement that download and activate the Safezone app whilst you are away from campus. This allows the University to communicate to everyone securely in the event of an emergency. It means that if you are travelling outside of campus, we can pinpoint your whereabouts if an emergency situation arises. You can also use this app to quickly contact the University in an emergency situation.

Studying abroad is an exciting experience, but it’s also normal to feel nervous or homesick once you’re there. We encourage you to join in any international student welcome activities at the host university, to help you meet new people and settle in. 

You are also a student at your host institution and will be entitled to their support services. 

If you require any academic support during your time abroad, contact either your Exchange Coordinator or your personal tutor. Your tutors can help you with study-related queries, such as module choices and any paperwork required. The International Opportunities team are here to support you with anything that your host institution and personal tutors may not be able to assist with. 

For more information on health, safety and wellbeing, please visit our SharePoint site.

Please have a look at our Outgoing Student Handbook. All students should familiarise themselves with the information on our Sharepoint site

All students will be invited to attend our Pre-departure Briefing as part of their preparations.

• Make sure you have all medication that you will require for the length of time you will be away.
• Make sure friends and family know where you are going and that you have left contact details for them.
• Travel with other friends, if at all possible.
• Try to arrive during the day and have somewhere to stay booked in advance.
• Only take licensed taxis to your onward destination.

• Carry with you emergency telephone numbers (hard copies). Know who to call locally in an emergency. A charged mobile phone with a local plan is critical during an emergency.
• Learn basic survival phrases in the local language (e.g., “I need help”, “call the police” and “I need a doctor”).
• No matter where you travel, keep these basic tips in mind.

• Stay in touch. Inform family and friends of any travel plans, and any changes to your itinerary.
• Have alternate ways of sending and receiving messages (e.g., e-mail, cell phone, SMS, FB, etc.).

• Keep your head up! Walk with confidence and purpose like a local, checking your map and phone discretely. When you focus on your mobile phone or wear headphones, you will be less aware of your environment and put yourself at risk. Cell phone theft is one of the most frequent crimes world-wide.
• Protect your personal information. Do not reveal personal matters (such as where you live, study, family members, e-mail address, phone numbers, or your travel plans) to anyone you don’t know and trust. Be friendly but cautious.
• Be discreet on social media about yourself and your plans. Media do not provide “secure” communications.
• Maintain a “low profile.” Make an effort to blend with local people through how you dress and your behaviour.
• Learn about local laws and customs, and be aware of cultural differences. While traveling, you are subject to the local laws. Foreign laws and legal systems can be very different from your own. It is very important to know what's legal and what's not. As a guest in a foreign country, it is important that you be respectful of others’ opinions, lifestyles and politics.
• Avoid civil disturbances or demonstrations of any kind, as they can turn violent without warning. Understand the risks of attending large public gatherings. Choose public activities carefully.
• Avoid carrying cash and use major credit cards instead (but make sure they are accepted at your destination before departing on your trip).