School of Mathematics

Study abroad

Overview
In all our single honours mathematics degrees and joint honours programmes, parented by Mathematics, you have the option of spending your third year studying mathematics at a host institution overseas. Leeds partners with a range of partner institutions both in Europe and further afield. You will then return to Leeds to complete your degree in your fourth year. Please see our Study Abroad leaflet for further details.

Students who take part in the programme are awarded a 'European' or 'International' degree which is added to their degree title e.g. ‘BSc Mathematics (International)’, something employers can instantly appreciate as being of added value.

Spending a year living and studying in another country is a unique experience. Unlike the passing tourist you have the chance to totally immerse yourself in another culture. You will gain unforgettable experiences and memories that you will draw upon in your working and personal life for years to come. In addition to this, the proven ability to live and work in an international context is an asset that employers actively seek. Watch a mathematics student talking about their year abroad experience.

What does a study year abroad involve?
You transfer to this scheme during Year 1 or 2, subject to grades and availability of a place. Our academic links enable us to select courses at partner institutions that are compatible with the modules offered in Leeds.  You spend Year 3 studying mathematics at a foreign university and return to return to study your final year in Leeds. You are awarded a degree (International, or similar), on successful completion.

For BSc students, the year abroad is assessed on a pass/fail basis, and does not contribute to the final degree class. For MMath students, your final report for the year abroad and examination results will count towards your final degree.

If you wish to study at institution where the course is taught in a foreign language, such as French, you don’t need to be fluent in the language before you go. We will help prepare you with a specialist language module at Level 2 which introduces you to scientific vocabulary and enhances your conversational and comprehension skills.

Study in Europe is part of the Erasmus/Socrates programme of the European Union. Students who spend a year in Europe through this programme currently receive a maintenance grant for their year away and pay no fees for the year abroad. Students spending a year studying outside Europe currently receive a substantial discount to their fees.*

For further information please visit the University Study Abroad website. You can also contact our Year Abroad Co-ordinator at socrates@maths.leeds.ac.uk

Benefits of studying abroad
The University of Leeds is committed to internationalising the experience of its students as it recognises the key benefits of studying abroad for its graduates both on a personal and professional level. In short, we offer you a great opportunity, backed with strong support and guidance, wherever you spend your year abroad. The School of Mathematics strongly recommends these schemes. They have been an enormous benefit to almost all students who have taken part in them.

Studying in European will consolidate and improve your foreign language skills and you will grow in confidence and maturity. Major companies put a premium on this type of skill in their recruitment. In fact, information from graduates and employers indicates that, when recruiting, most employers look favourably upon a year spent abroad.

Studying abroad can benefit you by:

• Giving you an experience of living in a different social and cultural environment
• Helping you improve your language skills (depending on study destination)
• Building up your self-confidence and resilience
• Broadening your horizons
• Helping with your self-discovery
  
  

Foreign universities
The School of Mathematics has exchange links with range of universities including:

• Bonn, Germany
• Copenhagen, Denmark
• Heidelberg, Germany
• Lisbon, Portugal
• Lund, Sweden
• Madrid, Spain
• Paris, France
• Patras, Greece
• Reykjavik, Iceland
• Rome, Italy
• Rouen, France
• Saarbrucken, Germany
• Toulouse, France
• Utrecht, The Netherlands
• Vienna, Austria
• Penn State University, Pennsylvania, USA
• University of California (various campuses), USA
• University of Illinois at Urbana-Champagne, USA
• University of Waterloo at Ontario, Canada
  

Students sometimes also study at other institutions that the University has links with, including universities in Australia.

Financing a year abroad*
When thinking about a year abroad, there are a number of costs to consider: insurance, flights, visas, living costs, and costs for study materials. There are lots of ways of helping to finance your study. For example, you will still be entitled to a maintenance loan, and students studying in Europe under the Erasmus scheme currently receive a grant of around €360 per month from the European Union. You may also be able to receive help from your local education authority, and there are many possibilities to apply for bursaries and scholarships.  For more information on sources of funding, see the University Study Abroad pages. 

Currently, students studying in Europe under the Erasmus scheme are exempt from all tuition fees for their year abroad.  Students studying outside of Europe  currently receive a substantial discount to their fees.*

*Fee and support arrangements for students entering in 2012 may change as a result of the government’s review of university tuition fees, and are dependent on continuing support of the Erasmus scheme by the European Union.