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The University of Southampton
Southampton Business School

Student exchange

Why should I study abroad as part of my degree?

During your degree, you'll learn about how organisations can function in a global environment, but studying abroad can give you a chance to experience different countries and cultures first hand.

Our student exchange will give you the chance to:

  • raise your employability prospects
  • gain a unique perspective on other cultures, politics and education
  • develop critical skills such as adaptability, resilience, communication and international collaboration
  • learn other languages

A report from Universities UK International shows that students who go abroad during their degree are 20% less likely to be unemployed, 10% more likely to be in graduate level jobs 6 months after graduation, and earn 7% more within 6 months (Universities UK, 2017).

What are my options?

You can select a study abroad option that works best for you. They differ depending on the length of time you want to be away for.

Year-long Exchange

Students on each of our undergraduate programmes have the option of converting their three year degree into a four year programme with study abroad. You can study for a whole year at one of our many partner universities across the world.

You can study anything that you like, which provides total flexibility, and your ‘marks’ will not count towards your overall transcript average. So long as you pass the year, you will benefit from having BSc “with year abroad” added to your degree classification.

Short-term Exchange

All students will also have a chance to undertake short-term periods (1-6 weeks) abroad, normally during the summer period. These will be promoted to students throughout the year and will often also be available at one of our partner Business Schools.

These short term exchanges may be physical or virtual. Please note; our Summer Schools change every year so please check regularly to see the latest opportunities.

Where can I study?

Being a top Business School, we partner with some of the best universities in the World to offer reciprocal, bilateral student exchanges. That means that you continue to get a first-class education in lots of different locations.

We currently offer students the year long study abroad option at 34 top Universities in Australia, Austria, Belgium, Canada, France, Germany, Greece, Hong Kong, Italy, Japan, New Zealand, Singapore, Slovakia, South Korea, Spain, Sweden and Switzerland, subject to availability.

Most of our partners hold at least one of the big three International Business School accreditations (EQUIS, AACSB, AMBA).

Short-term exchange options Year abroad study options

What do our students think?

When we speak to our students after studying abroad, they highlight how the experience has been transformative and life changing. Emmet Caslin (BSc Marketing with Study Abroad) spent a year in at triple accredited Business School, Singapore Management University in 2019-20. This is what he had to say about his time there:

"Studying in Singapore has not only given me the opportunity to be challenged academically but also the chance to explore new cultures. The teaching style at Singapore Management University aims to prepare students for life after university. Outside of university Singapore has a lot to offer, from exploring the city and nature reserves to the nightlife. One of the best things about Singapore is how convenient it is to travel around South East Asia, a must do when in the region."

Do you offer virtual exchanges?

The School promotes a number of virtual internships and exchange options. We hand pick these opportunities that we know are great experiences for our students. For example, each year our students take part in the famous Hacker Exchange Challenge.

What are the practical considerations?

You may find that student exchange with one of our partner universities is less expensive than you might think. However, cost is an important consideration. You may also need to think about Visa requirements in the destination country.

Read a review of the financial implications of student exchange (year-long).

There will be many opportunities to learn more about Study Abroad options when you arrive in Southampton.

You'll have access to a dedicated Exchange Coordinator (Dr. Dorrie Chao, Y.Chao@Soton.ac.uk) who will provide support and guidance for selecting where you want to study, and the International Office’s Study Abroad and Exchange Team are available to assist with practical questions.

Contact Dr. Dorrie Chao for any question relating to study abroad.

What opportunities are there for incoming exchange students?

You'll find that Southampton Business School has an extremely diverse and multicultural environment. Our students originate from over 100 different countries, bringing together some of the brightest minds in business education.

We welcome students for a semester or full year visit.

Incoming students will be allocated a personal tutor for academic matters and a buddy to help them integrate into the university and navigate the new culture.

Assistance with learning and language support is always on hand. A number of organised events (e.g. international food festival, international student forums, and many more) help our incoming exchange students to make social connections with their peers.

Exchange students

Students can undertake a semester or full year of study on an exchange (fee waiver) basis if they come from one of our exchange partner institutions.

You'll need to be nominated by your home University. To find out if you are eligible and your institution is a partner, check with your home University or search our online list.

Find out more about being an exchange student.

Study abroad students

Students can visit us for a semester or full year as a fee-paying study abroad student. This pathway is for students coming from institutions that do not currently partner with our School or University but meet our entry requirements.

Find out more about our study abroad programme.

For more information about what it means to be an international visiting scholar in the Southampton Business School on one of these two pathways, then please visit the Faculty International Office site .

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