[462Kb] (campus only) 
Find further study: studying overseas
Essentials | Finding
courses and institutions | Advice | Tests
Funding
for study abroad
Essentials
If you want to study abroad, you'll need to:
- Start preparing early; some applications need to be sent off in your penultimate year. Postal delays, the need to take preliminary tests, lengthy procedures including getting a visa, and sometimes differences in the academic year, all have to be allowed for.
- Accept that arranging it will be very time-consuming.
- Be a good candidate academically - entry is almost always competitive, and academic achievement is key.
- Be linguistically competent - could you cope with being taught in the language? An increasing number of courses in other European countries are run in English, but certainly not all.
Finding courses and institutions
We hold some paper-based information on postgraduate study overseas, with most of it centred on Europe, the USA and Commonwealth countries. There is also substantial web-based information on overseas institutions and courses. Our own resources, along with some useful websites, are listed in our catalogue of information resources for further study & funding. You could also do your own web search.
Advice
- Staff at Bath who have been to the institutions/countries you are interested in can be really helpful - they know the culture and methods of applying, and can support you or recommend you.
- For USA applications, the Fulbright
Commission runs an advisory service specifically to help
candidates get into postgraduate study in the USA.
The Fulbright Commission also administers the Fulbright Awards Programme for UK students to study in the USA and for USA students to study in the UK. - Peterson's is a key publisher of information on studying in the USA. Their website includes information on US institutions, funding for studying in the US, and entry tests such as GRE and GMAT. You can also use some of their publications in the Information Room.
- For Australia, IDP Education Australia offers free information and advice on study at all levels, including a database of postgraduate courses.
- The Association of Commonwealth Universities' office in London can help with enquiries about study in the commonwealth, and the British Council answers general questions.
- UKCISA (UK Council for International Student Affairs) provides information for international students on studying and working in the UK, and for UK students on studying abroad.
- You can see a Careers Adviser to discuss your postgraduate study options. Call in or ring us on 01225 386009 to book an appointment.
Tests
- You might need to sit an entry test (e.g. GRE or GMAT) and include your results in your application, particularly if you are applying to the USA. For the latest information see the Fulbright Commission's pages on tests for US study or ETS (Educational Testing Service) and mba.com. The Fulbright Commission supplies information bulletins about the tests.
- We have reference books in the Information Room to help you prepare.
Funding for study abroad
- The standard sources of postgraduate funding apply only to the UK. (Courses which involve overseas periods can be covered, but not those based abroad.)
- A few scholarships for UK students are available for study at:
- College of Europe in Bruges and Natolin
- European University Institute in Florence
- Bologna Centre of the Johns Hopkins University.
- Commonwealth graduates who want to study in another commonwealth country might be eligible for a scholarship or bursary through the Association of Commonwealth Universities; some schemes are for any nationality, a few awards are tenable in any country.
- In the USA it is very common for postgraduates to pay their way by working part-time, and the universities themselves often offer some teaching or clerical work... but it sometimes isn't certain until you are there. The universities also have more scholarship support available than we have in the UK.
- The Higher Education section of the UNESCO site includes scholarships. Hard copy directory available in the Information Room.
- All funding for postgraduate study abroad which is notified to us is advertised online in MyFuture - see funded postgraduate opportunities for details.