Funding for study exchanges
As part of the planning process you will need to consider how to finance your time away from Glasgow. You will need to make sure you have enough funding to cover the duration of your stay including living and travel costs.
Studying abroad does not have to be more expensive than studying in Glasgow if you budget. There are funding options that you may be eligible for to help with travel costs.
The University of Glasgow has some subject specific funded opportunities attached to a few of our priority partner universities at both undergraduate and post graduate level. Use the study exchange destinations tool to check what is available to you.
Tuition fees and student financial support
You will continue to be a registered student at the University of Glasgow and do not pay tuition fees to the host university abroad. You pay your fees to the University of Glasgow as usual.
You are also entitled to continue to receive any student loans, grants or bursaries that you are eligible for while studying at Glasgow.
If you are a US student in receipt of a federal loan you should contact Carol Barnett (Carol.Barnett@glasgow.ac.uk) to check out your continued eligibility.
European exchanges (Erasmus+)
The Erasmus+ programme is financed by the European Commission and provides funding for students to study abroad in Europe. The Erasmus+ grant is intended to be a contribution towards the additional costs of your mobility, not a full maintenance grant. The amount you receive is based on the duration of your exchange and is disbursed following the submission of mandatory Erasmus paperwork to the Go Abroad team.
Grant amount
Your Erasmus+ grant is calculated based on various criteria:
- The exact duration of your stay abroad; you are required to submit confirmation of start and end documents as evidence of your start and end dates.
- The country in which your host institution is based; below is a breakdown of monthly amounts for eligible countries.
- The type of Erasmus activity you are doing; rates vary for study exchange and traineeship.
- If you meet the criteria set by the UK National Agency for widening participation (additional funding supplement); all successful applications for this additional funding is automatically calculated and awarded in your Erasmus payments.
Study Exchange funding: all successful applications are automatically considered for funding and you do not need to submit a separate application. For Study Exchange the minimum duration to qualify for Erasmus funding is 3 months (90 days) at the rate determined by Erasmus. Duration and location will be taken into account when determining your maximum funding.
Traineeships funding: Erasmus+ traineeships provide grants to students and recent graduates to work, train or volunteer in Europe. All students who apply for Erasmus funding to support their traineeship will be considered. Minimum duration must be 2 months (60 days) to qualify for Erasmus traineeship funding and the maximum amount offered is dependent on location, duration and available funds.
2020-21 Erasmus+ grant funding
| Destination | Study | Study with supplement €120 extra/ month* | Traineeship | Traineeship with supplement €20 extra/ month* |
|
| Higher band countries | Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Ireland, Luxembourg, Liechtenstein, Norway, Sweden, United Kingdom | €420 / month | €540 / month | €520 / month | €540 / month |
| Lower band countries | Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Czech Republic, Cyprus, Estonia, France, Germany, Greece, Italy, Netherlands, Malta, Portugal, Latvia, Lithuania, Hungary, Poland, Romania, Serbia, Spain, Slovakia, Slovenia, former Yugoslav republic of Macedonia, Turkey | €370 / month | €490 / month | €470 / month | €490 / month |
Erasmus+ additional funding (disabilities; lower income)
Funding for students with disabilities
Additional grants are available for students with disabilities where Erasmus+ participation would not be possible without extra financial support. The allowances are offered when additional support needs would lead to extra costs to go abroad which exceed the normal grant allocations and which cannot be recovered from other sources. The grant covers approved actual costs.
Candidates should ensure they provide details in their application in the relevant section. The Go Abroad team will be in contact to discuss individual cases in confidence as soon as possible.
Funding for students with lower income
If you meet the eligibility criteria you can apply for a supplementary monthly grant of an additional €120 for study exchange and €20 for traineeships. Applications are assessed on an individual basis using the information in your declaration and the supporting documents you provide. Further information and declaration forms will be made available after you have accepted a place on the programme.
Eligibility criteria:
- UK students: in the UK this will normally apply to students from households with an annual income of £25,000 or less. Please attach the most up-to-date loan/grant letters e.g. from SAAS or Student Finance England in your possession at the time of application as any means-tested funding will be evidenced here.
- EU students (non-UK): you should provide evidence of your home country’s criteria for disadvantage and how your financial circumstances meet these criteria, i.e. income evidence for your household and confirmation of the make-up of your household. Original documents and their translation in English should be submitted with explanatory notes or declarations as required.
Applications will be assessed on a case-by-case basis using the information and documents included in your application. Further information on applying for this supplement will be provided after you apply to the programme.
Go Abroad Travel Scholarships (International exchange)
Go Abroad Travel Scholarships are available to support students undertaking study exchange for a full year or a semester at one of our partner institutions in destinations outside of Europe where Erasmus Funding is not available. These scholarships are generously funded by alumni donations.
Students meeting 1 or more of the University’s widening participation criteria are eligible to be considered for a Go Abroad Travel Scholarship of £2,000 for a full year abroad and £1,000 for a semester abroad. The University of Glasgow applies a range of criteria to identify students from a widening participation background. You can view how we define the criteria here
Most students meeting these criteria will receive an award however, this is not guaranteed. We reserve the right to request supporting evidence.
You can only receive a Go Abroad Travel Scholarship once during your studies with us.
How to apply
As part of the application for Go Abroad Study (full year or semester) you will be asked if you believe you are eligible for a Go Abroad Travel Scholarship. With your permission, we will then check your data with the University's Widening Participation Team who will confirm. You will be notified if you have been successful in March 2021.
Other scholarship opportunities
A range of scholarships are available from external organisations and charities to support student travel. Search by your criteria at scholarships and funding. This isn't an exhaustive list so make sure you do your own research.