Fees, funding and budgeting for a year or semester abroad
Consider and plan for all the costs for a year or semester abroad. Find out more about tuition fees, funding options and what you need to budget for.
On this page:
Tuition fees
While you study or work abroad, you are still registered as a University of Bristol student. You will continue to pay tuition fees to the University of Bristol. You do not need to pay tuition fees to the partner university abroad or your work placement.
Year abroad placements
If you spend the full year studying or working abroad, you pay a reduced tuition fee to the University of Bristol.
Check the cost of tuition fees by year.
Fees are subject to annual review, so they may be liable to rise each year in line with UK government policy.
Semester abroad placements
If you spend a semester studying or working abroad, you pay the full tuition fee to the University of Bristol.
Check the cost of tuition fees by year.
Fees are subject to annual review, so they may be liable to rise each year in line with UK government policy.
Funding your placement
Find out what financial support is available to study or work abroad
Budgeting
To help you plan and budget for costs before and during your time abroad:
- Download our Budget Calculator (Office document, 23kB). Select on the drop down boxes to see what you should budget for.
- Use a website such as Numbeo to compare the cost of living abroad, with Bristol or your home city.
Accommodation
Costs vary depending on the area and type of accommodation. For example, in France staying in Paris will be more expensive than in Montpellier.
You may be able to stay
- On-campus
- In private accommodation
- At a homestay or housing co-operative (which can be cheaper)
Find out about accommodation and living costs for each university abroad on our list of study abroad university places.
Travel
You need to cover the cost of your own travel. Budget for:
- costs of getting to and from the university abroad or your work placement throughout your stay.
- any additional travel within your host country or to other countries while you are abroad.
Do not buy flights or make travel arrangements until you have:
- received your acceptance from your host university abroad or work placement;
- have valid travel insurance;
- obtained your visa;
- know the dates you need to arrive by.
Check your eligibility to claim back travel costs from the Student Finance travel grant.
Insurance
You must have valid travel insurance to cover your time abroad. With an approved placement, you will be eligible for the University's business travel insurance. We will give you details on how to apply, before you go abroad. If you need additional cover, you must buy this separately.
Medical insurance and fees
In addition to travel insurance, you may need to buy local medical insurance for certain destinations such as Australia, South Africa, New Zealand and the USA.
Your host university or work placement abroad may also need you to buy a specific medical insurance policy. Costs vary but can be as high as £1000 per semester for some US universities.
You may need a medical check and/or additional vaccinations for certain destinations abroad. As above, some specific partners may also require you to provide health insurance which is in addition to the free Travel Insurance you must register for with UoB. Please find some examples below that previous students have reported. Note: this is not an exhaustive list, and can change year-on-year:
- Japan (Certificate of health, X-Rays)
- Argentina (Certificate of health)
- Australia (Overseas Student Health Cover)
- Singapore (Health Insurance)
- South Africa (South African Medical Insurance)
- South Korea (Mandatory national health insurance)
- Taiwan (Certificate of health, X-Rays)
- USA (Vaccination requirements dependent on state)
Check NHS Fit for Travel, Travel Health Pro and State Vaccine Requirements for College Entry (ncsl.org) to find out which vaccinations you may need before you travel.
Visas
You will need a visa to study or work abroad in most destinations.
You may need to budget for:
- cost of the visa
- application costs
- travel to the embassy
- translation or legalisation of official documents
- criminal record certificate
- medical certificate
- additional insurance cover
If you are a UK citizen, you can refer to the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FDCO) for more information.
Proof of finances
In order to get a visa, embassies or consulates will require you to demonstrate that you are able to cover your living costs for the duration of your placement.
Evidence of proof of finances may include your Student Finance maintenance loan, personal saving and/or financial support from your parents or guardians.
Examples of the minimum finances often required are*:
- Europe, minimum £5,000 per semester or £10,000 per year.
- Asia, minimum £5,000 per semester or £10,000 per year.
- North America, minimum £8,000 per semester or £16,000 per year.
*These amounts are indicative and can change year-on-year and differ between each university abroad or type of visa.
Emergencies and unexpected costs
Although you can't predict all costs which may arise while you are abroad, budget for emergencies and unexpected events as best you can. It is best to over-estimate costs at the planning stage.
You should also consider how you can access financial support in an emergency.
Contact us
If you have a question, or for more information about going abroad.