How study abroad works

The Expression of Interest process

• Once you’ve decided you’d like to study abroad, take a look at your options and where you can go. You can find this information on our partner universities page. We strongly recommend you speak to your Internationalisation Lead for guidance before submitting your application.
• If you are planning to study abroad please ensure that you have not committed to private rented accommodation for a full year as you may not be able to withdraw from this for your time abroad. More information on accommodation if you are planning to study abroad can be found in our How Study Abroad Works presentation above. 
• Research our partner universities and destination countries, making sure you’re aware of the cost of living, accommodation and travel requirements, as well as any visa or health insurance costs.
• At this point you might want to get some advice by making an appointment with the International Experience Team or your Internationalisation Lead.
• When you’ve made your choice, complete an Expression of Interest form. You are advised to choose three institutions (if available) to increase your chances of being selected. Some partner universities are oversubscribed. Please ensure you select only one non-European partner as part of your three choices unless your course has no European study abroad options. The Expression of Interest submission deadline for study abroad in 2026/27 is Monday 23 February 2026 at 3pm. 

Disability should not be a barrier to study abroad. We welcome Expressions of Interest to study abroad from disabled students. We strongly encourage all students who have disability support needs to contact Disabled Student Support as early as possible in the process to discuss any requirements. Our disability specialists can answer all types of disability enquiries, assess support needs, and provide support packages. Where we consider appropriate and necessary, we will facilitate communication with your host partner university to enable reasonable adjustments to be made. There may also be Turing funding available for students to support additional costs incurred. However, please note that reasonable adjustments at your host partner university will be subject to its available resources and approval.

How allocations are made

Study abroad places are allocated on the basis of your Expression of Interest form, which includes a personal statement of no more than 1000 words providing information on the following: 

1. For each partner university choice, tell us why you have chosen this partner university to study abroad and selected their courses/modules
2. How you feel study abroad will support your future studies and personal development
3. Three qualities you possess that you think will make you a strong ambassador of Sheffield Hallam University during your study abroad

Please also note the following:

• You must be fully engaged with your current course of study, have good attendance and have successfully completed Level 4 of your undergraduate course prior to going abroad (the semester abroad takes place at Level 5 in Semester 2).
• Following your Expression of Interest submission, you will be notified whether you have been approved to study abroad and at which partner you have been provisionally allocated a place. If successful, you will be notified of your allocated university during the week commencing 23 March 2026.
• You will be asked to accept or decline your allocation by Monday 27 April 2026.

Applying to your Partner University 

You will be sent information about the application procedure and deadlines for your allocated partner university. You must submit an application to the partner university prior to their application deadline. You won’t need to do this until the September/October ahead of your Semester 2 studying abroad. You can get further information and guidance from your Internationalisation Lead.

Once you have applied you must:

• continue to research your partner and host city/country
• attend any study abroad support sessions you are invited to
• complete a number of pre-departure tasks on UniHub including a travel briefing and checklist, a University travel insurance request form and an in-depth risk assessment form requiring verification from your Internationalisation Lead (or equivalent) - details will follow
• in the meantime, you are advised to read our prepare to travel guide before you go abroad which will help you with your planning and preparation.

Learning Agreements

When instructed, you will be required to submit a Learning Agreement which outlines the courses/modules you will be taking at the partner university. You will receive guidance about this by email nearer the time. 

Please contact erasmus-exchange@shu.ac.uk with any questions.