Students in general find that going abroad gives them valuable experiences, both academically and personally, and often employers value if a job applicant has studied or worked abroad. Learn more about why going abroad may be a good idea
Start in good time!
Studying abroad is very popular, and therefore it’s a good idea to start preparing early on in your course of study. You can attend one of SDU International’s info meetings to learn more.
Study or internship abroad?
You do a lot of different things during your stay abroad. Read about your options below.
Do you want to study abroad?
Your programme is often constructed in such a way that there is a specific time with elective elements where it would be most suitable to go abroad. In your process model you can see if there is a specific semester, when it would be suitable to place a a stay abroad.
Perhaps you already have an idea where you want to go? Or perhaps you’re open to consider more options? SDU cooperates with a number of foreign universities, but you may also find a host university and arrange your stay abroad yourself.
Studying abroad through SDU
If you are interested in obtaining an exchange place through one of SDU’s partners, you must apply for a nomination through SDU International. Make sure to start the process in good time – it may be a good idea to check out the options as early as 18 months before.
Check deadlines for applying for exchange places through SDU.
Staying abroad in Europe and list of partners.
Staying abroad outside Europe and list of partners.
Self-arranged stay
The advantage of a self-arranged stay is that your options are not limited to the exchange options that SDU presently offers. The disadvantage is that you will be responsible for handling both the contact, application and the admission to the foreign university. On top of that, you must also pay the tuition fee yourself. However, if you are eligible for SU, you can apply for grants through the Internationalization Fund to cover (some of) your expenses.
Remember to check the application deadlines early on in the process – other universities may have other deadlines.
When you have found the university you’d like to study at, you need to determine if the university offers courses that match your programme.
The courses should match the following:
- your programme’s academic profile
- number of ECTS points required – check your curriculum.
- and, of course, you must make sure that the courses are offered on the semester (spring/autumn) you’re planning to go abroad.
Apply to the foreign university that you have either been nominated for or have chosen if you’re going on a self-arranged stay. (See section 2)
Remember that other universities may have other deadlines than SDU, just as they may have specific requirements to documentation in connection with your application, such as e.g. a language test. Therefore check the application deadlines and requirements to documentation early on in the process.
Apply to your Study Board for preapproval of the courses you want to take at the foreign university.
Find and apply for a few extra courses
It’s a good idea to apply for preapproval for more courses than you need to take because you may not get all your courses preapproved. At the same time, there may not be room for you on the courses, you apply for or they may not, after all, be offered.
Stay updated on deadlines for preapproval
Check deadlines for applications for preapproval under credits.
When you’re going abroad, you may apply for financial support such as grants.
You may apply for grants through various places
Among others through:
- SDU International
- Private companies, organizations, foundations etc. Check e.g. SDU Jobbank
When you have completed your stay abroad and have passed your exams, you must send the exam papers to:
The exam papers must be sent to the above departments through SPOC.
Then we make sure that you get credits for the exams you passed abroad.
Do you want to do a project oriented course abroad?
You can also choose to use your stay abroad to put your academic skills into play in a more practical setting by doing a project-oriented course.
Benefits from doing a project-oriented course
A project-oriented course in a foreign company or organisation gives you unique experiences, a stronger international profile and an international network, that you can gain a lot from in the future.
Your programme is often constructed in such a way that there is a specific time with elective elements where it would be most suitable to go abroad. In your process model you can see if there is a specific semester, when it would be suitable to place a project-oriented course.
If you want to do a project-oriented course abroad, you can take a look at the process for doing a project-oriented course.
There are multiple options to get help finding the right company/organisation:
- In SDU Jobbank you can find project positions abroad.
- You can also check where former students in your programme have done a project abroad. Ask your Study Secretary or Head of Studies.
- Seek out interesting companies/organisations and send an unsolicited application.
- Talk to the lecturers in your programme. They may have contacts both within and outside the university.
There are some practical circumstances, you should be aware of when you would like to do a project-oriented course abroad. Among others the option to get a scholarship.
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Do you need help planning your stay abroad? ➤ Contact SDU International. |
