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International Opportunities Broaden your experience Do you know that: up to 16% of recent UK graduates work outside the UK? the UK economy is becoming more and more international? the number of graduate level jobs requiring a second language is rising? there are increasing opportunities through the ERASMUS programme to study for a part of your UK course in a European university? many UK courses offer the possibility of studying languages alongside your major course? The labour market is becoming increasingly international. Many UK companies and organisations have customers, suppliers, partners and colleagues in countries outside the UK. Many companies are owned by foreign companies; equally UK companies have subsidiaries abroad. More jobs therefore need language skills. UK nationals have the right to live, work, study or train in any of the countries of the European Union. Many UK graduates also choose to work in countries across the world. To support this need there are increasing opportunities available for UK students to spend time studying, working, training or volunteering in countries around the world. There are also more opportunities to study languages. All students should consider the possibility of spending some time studying, working, training or volunteering outside the UK as part of their education. If you make the most of these opportunities you can develop skills and competences that will be of benefit not only within the UK labour market but also worldwide. It is also important to stress that this applies to students of ALL subjects. For example, engineers, lawyers, medical staff, accountants can all benefit from language skills and a knowledge of their subject or occupation in different countries.
European countries
The following are ways of studying and working abroad: Exchange programmes The most common way of studying abroad is through the ERASMUS programme. This programme (funded by the European Commission) allows students to study for between 3 and 12 months of their UK course in a European university. Credits gained during this period count towards a UK qualification. In some cases they can also lead to qualifications from the host country. In addition, exchange programmes may also be available from UK universities to universities worldwide. Ask universities for more information. Full–time study UK citizens are entitled to study in any of the various types of higher education institution in the EU Member States. In most cases qualifications which are acceptable for university in the UK will be acceptable for universities in Europe. In practice, there are two main difficulties which must be overcome prior to studying a full–time course in Europe. Firstly, courses will be in the language of the host country; and secondly, it is unlikely that a grant or loan will be available from the government or you LA. A small but increasing number of UK nationals are now choosing to study in countries beyond the EU, for example America, Canada and Australia. Work placements Other courses offer a period of work experience or employment of up to 12 months. The concept of an extended period of work experience in another European country is well known in Europe. The LEONARDO programme supported by the European Commission provides funding for work placements in Europe. The IAESTE programme can assist with organising placements for students of science and engineering. The AIESIC Work Abroad Programme can assist with organising placements in the fields of business, marketing, accounting, finance, IT, engineering or language studies.
EU members:
Voluntary work
Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, The Netherlands, and the United Kingdom.
Opportunities for voluntary work abroad are increasing. For example, the European Commission funds the European Voluntary Service (EVS) programme enabling young people aged 18–25 to work in another European country. Volunteers undertake projects lasting between six months and one year, and which could include work with the elderly, children, environmental projects, or theatre or arts projects with minority groups. For further information see resources mentioned on page 27 of this publication.
EEA members: Iceland, Liechtenstein, and Norway.
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