Go Abroad
Queen's Business School encourages all students to spend a period of study or work abroad during their time at Queen’s University Belfast. A fantastic opportunity to experience other countries and cultures, time abroad gives you a chance to develop a global outlook and perspective, and valuable skills to improve career prospects. Global experiences create global leaders.
The adventure starts here
Keen to explore the world? Every year over 900 Queen's students take the opportunity to go outside Northern Ireland to study or gain work-related experience – why not be one of them? Find out more about these opportunities during Go Global Week which takes place in October every year.
Go Global91.6% of students who go abroad obtain a first-class or upper second-class degree
(Gone International: Rising Aspirations, 2022)
Students who go abroad get better degrees and better jobs
(Gone International: Rising Aspirations, 2022)
Students who go abroad are more likely to be in a graduate job six months after graduating
(Gone International: Rising Aspirations, 2022)
Students who go abroad earn 5.5% more six months after graduating
(Gone International: Rising Aspirations, 2022)
Studying abroad is an academic experience that enables students to develop independence, gain new skills, and become a global citizen. Students will gain the professional and personal skills and competencies needed to meet the demands of working and thriving in a globally connected business world.
Living and studying in a different country is a great way to build and expand a global network of friends and professional contacts. Benefits include enhanced adaptability and resilience, cross-cultural communication, and an increase in confidence.
Stand out on the competitive graduate job market, by drawing on international experiences.
-
How does studying abroad work?
All undergraduate students at Queen's Business School have the opportunity to spend a semester or a full academic year studying abroad at one of our partner institutions in Europe, North America, East Asia or Australia (usually in the second or third year of your degree). There is also the opportunity to combine a semester of study abroad with a shorter work placement.
You can learn about other students' international experiences living, studying, and working abroad by reading the Queen's Global Opportunities blog.
- Where can I study abroad?
Please see our list of QBS Exchange Partners here.
Other Study Abroad opportunities include Study USA.
- How do I apply to study abroad?
1. Select a destination
After choosing the university you would like to study at, go to that university’s Erasmus / Exchange webpage and look for modules that you would like to study. If you are going on exchange for one semester you must pick modules worth 30 ECTS covering topics that you would have studied at Queen's University Belfast.
Try to find out as much as possible about the university in advance of making a decision. It pays to be well-informed. Most universities have webpages dedicated to incoming international students. You should look for information on admission procedures and how to apply for accommodation, as well as course information.
2. Consult Exchange Coordinator
Dr David Jordan is the Exchange Coordinator for QBS, and should be contacted with any Exchange or Study Abroad queries.
After speaking with the Exchange Coordinator, forward your module choices (your Study Plan) to be approved by your QBS Programme Director.
Note: If there is competition for a limited number of places at any particular partner university, the Exchange Coordinator may decide to interview interested candidates.
3. Nomination to host university
Once module choices have been approved, the QBS Exchange Coordinator will nominate you as an Exchange Student to our Global Opportunities Office and your chosen host university. Note that host institutions will have a deadline for the receipt of applications.
Make sure you send your completed Learning Agreement Form to the QBS Exchange Coordinator who will arrange for School sign-off and forward the forms to the Global Opportunities team.
After you have been nominated, you may receive an email from the host university outlining the procedures to apply for admission and accommodation. Chase these up if there seems to be a delay.
Note: Typical deadline is end of February for full year and single semester study abroad.
- What does it cost to study abroad?
While you are abroad you continue to receive in full the normal funding (e.g. grant or loan) that you would have received if you had been spending that period in Belfast. In addition, you may be eligible for an Turing Grant. Please see financial aspects of studying abroad for full details.
Undertaking a global opportunity can be a fantastic and life changing experience. However, we understand that the cost can be a barrier for a lot of students. Some programmes provide funding but if you are not eligible you should consider these sources of funding.
Please speak to our Global Opportunities Team for the latest information on sources of funding for Exchange/Study Abroad.
- Do I need to speak another language?
Most of our partner institutions will teach modules in English, and many will allow you to study additional language classes alongside your core modules choices if you like. For some host universities and module options, you will have to be fluent in the language of the host country, at least by the time you come to take examinations.
Except in the case of students who already have very strong language skills (e.g. language students undertaking study placements as part of their degree, such as International Business with French), it is unlikely that you will be proficient enough to undertake a study programme taught and examined in a foreign language. It is important that you bear this in mind when selecting a destination and choosing modules.
In advance of your placement, you are encouraged to attend the Queen's Language Centre in the Library. Even if your classes will be taught in English, it is a good idea to learn some of the language of your host country to use when socialising or in shops, etc.
You can also apply to take part in short summer schools at one of our overseas partner institutions. A summer school is a great way to fit a short academic experience in another country around your studies. It can allow you to deepen your knowledge in a particular subject or study new topics.
The ‘JETSET YOUR DEGREE’ scholarship can significantly reduce the cost of a summer school
View Summer School options available on our Global Partnerships search tool.
All of our undergraduate students have the opportunity to spend a full academic year abroad doing a work placement. Talk to our dedicated Placement Office about securing an overseas placement.
View other Work Abroad options available through Queen's University Belfast.
Queen's Students' Union provide an excellent set of questions to consider when thinking about volunteering overseas.
View Volunteer Abroad options through Queen's University Belfast.