Why Study Abroad?

Study abroad provides students with a unique opportunity to spend a year of their degree studying at a partner institution overseas. Spending a prolonged period of time in another country can be both challenging and rewarding, and for many students it is the highlight of their university experience.

At a time when the graduate job market is becoming more and more competitive, studying abroad sets you apart from the crowd. The ‘International Student Mobility Literature Review’ which was commission by the British Council and the Higher Education Funding Council of England (HEFCE) reports that ‘study abroad can significantly boost your chances of success in later life and bring benefits to the UK’s knowledge economy’.

Students on the BASc have to take a foreign language as part of the Core of their degree. Studying abroad allows students to develop language and communication skills which are also of great importance and can also be linked to future employability. According to recruitment agencies, languages can help you earn between 8 and 20 per cent more in your job. This report in The Independent highlights how being multilingual can boost your career.

In addition to enhancing employability, studying abroad also allows students to:

• Hone existing skills and develop new ones
• Add value to their UCL degrees
• Experience a different education system and approach to learning
• Immerse themselves in a different culture
• Meet new people, make friends and create international networks
• Improve their confidence
• Expand their world view and become true global citizens

Read what other UCL students thought about their study abroad experiences.

The BASc students abroad also launched a blog to share their experiences. Read more on https://bascabroad.wordpress.com/.