The University is committed to providing a range of international opportunities to its students during their degree programme.

The UK can continue to participate in the Erasmus programme until the end of the current cycle of the programme, up to 31 May 2023. Erasmus exchange opportunities and work placements in Europe are continuing for most of the 2022-23 academic year, subject to the approval of your international placement by your School.

Although the UK government has announced that the UK will not be participating in the next Erasmus programme, options for student exchanges and work placements in Europe and worldwide remain available for 2023-24 and future years.

The University has some Erasmus funding remaining for placements in 2022-23, which can be used for activity up to 31 May 2023.

In addition, the UK government introduced the Turing Scheme, a new national funding scheme to support international study and work placements.

Eligible students will be invited to apply for either an Erasmus or Turing mobility grant.

The UK’s participation in the Erasmus programme will come to an end on 31 May 2023.  This is due to the UK government’s decision not to associate to the new Erasmus programme following Brexit.  As a result, 2022-23 is the final academic year in which Queen’s will be able to offer Erasmus mobility grants to its students.

Queen’s students will still be able to participate in study exchanges at our partner universities and in work placements in European Union countries and beyond. 

The UK government has introduced the Turing Scheme, a new national funding scheme to support international study and work placements.  Funding is limited and is awarded to UK universities on an annual basis, following a competitive application process.  Universities are normally notified of the outcome of their application in late summer.

Based on its applications in the first two years of the Turing Scheme, the University anticipates that it will have a limited amount of Turing funding available for students in 2023-24 and expects, therefore, to prioritise specific student groups, in line with the funding guidelines.

For 2023-24, we expect to prioritise students in the following order:

1. Students undertaking a compulsory international study or work placement as part of their degree programme.
2. Students undertaking an optional international study or work placement, who meet specific widening participation (WP) criteria.
3. Students undertaking an optional international study or work placement, who do not meet WP criteria.
4. Students undertaking study placements in the Republic of Ireland.
5. Students undertaking work placements in the Republic of Ireland.

Other criteria may also be applied.

Please note that the University Management Board has made a commitment to provide Turing or equivalent funding to all students who have a compulsory international study or work placement in 2023‑24.  We also expect to provide some funding to students undertaking an optional international study or work placement – the exact amount will depend on demand.

There is no guarantee at this time that students in group 5 above will receive a mobility grant and students are, therefore, encouraged to consider how they will finance their placement. 

Please also note that Turing and/or University mobility grants are only intended to provide a contribution towards the additional costs associated with an international study or work placement, and will not cover all living expenses.  Students undertaking semester or year-long study placements are normally eligible to receive their student loan, at the same or a slightly higher rate to that received when studying in Belfast.

Eligible students will be invited to apply for either a Turing or University mobility grant.

The UK left the European Union on 31 January 2020 and the transition period ended on 31 December 2020.

New rules on travel to the EU came into effect from 1 January 2021 for UK nationals. Living, studying and working in an EU country depends on the rules in that country. You may need to apply for a visa or residency, especially if your visit will be for a duration of more than 90 days. Information on the requirements for your host country are available on the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) website in their detailed information for each country. Information about healthcare is also available there.

Holders of an Irish or other EU passport may continue to move and reside freely within the European Union.

Nationals of other non-EU countries may require a visa to live, study or work in the EU.

Whether you have a compulsory year abroad as part of your degree or are considering an optional international placement, you should continue to apply through your Queen’s School in the normal manner. Please contact your School International Exchange Adviser or Placement Co-ordinator for guidance on the application process. Their details and other useful information is available here.

Queen's currently has student exchange agreements with a large number of universities all across Europe and is committed to those relationships. We will continue to accept incoming exchange students that are nominated by our partner universities. Please contact your home university for guidance on their selection process and the availability of funding. Information on applying to Queen's as an exchange student is available here.