Structure and funding opportunities
Below, we outline the different types of study abroad formats there are, and what funding opportunities available are linked to them. What is possible within your specific programme upi can checked either by contacting your departmental coordinator or by consulting the information published under "Exchange at your department" (please note that not all programmes are listed there yet).
SEMESTER ABROAD
(minimum 2 months or 60 days – maximum 12 months)
Studies within the EU/EEA funded by Erasmus+
Through the EU Commission’s Erasmus+ programme, University West can offer students study places at our partner universities across Europe. When you apply for an exchange place within the Erasmus+ programme, you simultaneously apply for financial support. The studies are free of charge, but you are responsible for covering your own travel and living expenses. If you are a tuition-fee-paying student at University West, you continue to pay your tuition fee as usual, but you do not pay any tuition fees to the partner university for your semester abroad.
Studies outside the EU/EEA funded by Erasmus+
The university has study places at a number of institutions outside the EU/EEA across the world. These studies are also free from tuition as we have exchange agreements in placents with partner institutions. You will need however to cover your own travel and living expenses. An exception to the tuition free setup exists in Australia, where we offer study places with a reduced semester fee.
For some of these partner institutions, funding through the Erasmus+ programme is available. We want to maintain and deepen collaborations with strategic partners outside Europe. For more information, please contact your departmental coordinator.
Internships within the EU/EEA funded by Erasmus+
The Erasmus+ programme also offers funding for internships abroad. This requires that you find your own internship placement abroad by yourself and then apply for Erasmus+ funding.
IAESTE (see below) may offer internship opportunities you can apply for, among others. University West cannot assist with contact information or similar, you will need to find this on your own.
If you have secured an internship placement and apply for funding, you are obliged to include information or documentation on any salary you may receive.
Internships abroad through IAESTE
IAESTE Sweden is a non-profit organization that offers internships in more than 80 countries, primarily within fields of engineering science, but also in other subject areas (IAESTE is administered by Chalmers). The internships can range from 2 to 18 months in length and are suitable for university-level students regardless of year of study. In some cases, it is possible to combine the internship with a thesis project.
Minor Field Studies – Field Studies in a Developing Country (for thesis work)
Each year, University West applies for a number of scholarships to enable students to carry out a field study in a developing country as part of their degree project. The programme is funded by SIDA, which is why focus is on development-related issues connected to your field of study.
SHORT-TERM MOBILITIES
(with a virtual component and a shorter physical component – minimum 3 ECTS, rarely more than 6 ECTS)
Blended Intensive Programmes
This gives you the opportunity to participate in a course offered by a partner university. The course consists of a virtual component and a physical mobility period (usually one week, either partway through the course or at the end). You participate in the virtual part free of charge, and you can receive funding from the Erasmus+ programme to cover part of expenses for travel and living during the stay abroad.