Study and work abroad guide

The checklist below provides a list of priority tasks to complete before you leave for your host country.

If you are working, studying or volunteering abroad as part of an assessed module (for example, a sandwich placement) and/or participating in an initiative run by UWE Bristol (for example, Study Abroad or Think Pacific), you will need to complete all the application and approval processes that are required by UWE Bristol.

Without this approval, you will not be able to undertake the activity with the support of UWE Bristol. The relevant UWE Bristol team will make you aware of any actions required and when these need to be completed. Once completed, you will be granted approval in principle, which means we will support you throughout your activity providing you adhere to any conditions stipulated, such as completing and keeping your UWE Bristol Overseas Travel Form up to date.

All overseas activity will be assessed on a case-by-case basis, with consideration of the transport, medical and communications infrastructure in place, as well as the financial impact of support that might be required through the duration of your overseas activity. UWE Bristol staff responsible for approving overseas activities in principle will be considering current Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) Foreign travel advice and Crisis24 Horizon risk rating, alongside our own internal risk assessment.

Crisis24 Horizon provides helpful country-specific travel advice within the Fact Box and Travel Risk Advice sections. From practical information like currency used and if the tap water is drinkable, to what to do at your hotel and when in the street.

You can find more information on how to complete the UWE Bristol Overseas Travel Form and access Crisis24 advice on InfoHub (log in required). Please be aware that student travel will not normally be approved in principle if any of the following apply:

• FCDO advise against all travel to that country (or to any regions you would have to visit or transit though).
• FCDO advise against all but essential travel to that country (or to any regions you would have to visit or transit though).
• Crisis24 rate the overall country risk as High or Extreme.
• Students are unable to meet the entry requirements for that country (for example, entry not permitted to UK nationals).

Overseas placement students

Please be aware that in some cases, due to the risk profile of the activity you are looking to undertake, your proposed activity may have to be escalated to your college or school for expert input and approval. As a result, this may affect the time it takes to have your activity approved in principle. Therefore, we recommend that you submit your activity forms at least six to eight weeks before your intended departure. Failure to do so might result in your departure being significantly delayed. Ideally, all overseas placements should be submitted three to four months in advance.

Whether travelling within or outside of the EU, it’s important to understand the UK government travel safety advice for your host country. You should also know how to access help and support through your personal travel insurance and UWE Bristol’s travel cover if things go wrong.

We continue to urge caution in planning any overseas activity. Please be aware that countries may close borders, restrict movement or bring in new quarantine rules with little warning. You may also be required to return home and/or quarantine at your own expense. It is therefore essential that you stay up to date with the latest UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) travel advice.

The FCDO has a range of specific advice that may apply to you. They offer living in country guides for most countries, which contain advice for UK nationals living abroad, including information on residency, health and benefits. This country-specific insight may also be of use to non-UK nationals.

In addition to the FCDO, Prospects.ac.uk have a range of country specific guides for study abroad and work abroad students. This includes general study or work abroad advice, as well as specific country advice on course fees, where to find opportunities, visas, language requirements and lots more.

For students undertaking UWE Bristol-approved work and/or study abroad, we would ask you to take out your own travel insurance that is appropriate for your specific needs, including the type of activity you are due to undertake. This insurance needs to cover the full duration of your planned travels, including any additional time spent abroad before or after your approved activity.

Students who undertake a study exchange or work placement that is a compulsory and credit-bearing aspect of their UWE Bristol degree can access a level of cover through the UWE Bristol travel cover provided by UMAL. Those undertaking electives may also be able to access this cover. However, for all students, this is subject to formal approval of your activity, including the completion of a suitable risk assessment, and continued adherence to the control measures agreed.

UWE Bristol travel cover provides students travelling abroad with medical, personal property, personal injury and accident cover. However, this is not travel insurance, as UMAL is not an insurance provider, and cover is discretionary. Please note that there are a number of cover exclusions, therefore, we advise you to carefully review the cover summary to ensure it provides you with the appropriate level of cover for your personal circumstances.

For information on UWE Bristol travel cover, please read the UWE Bristol Travel cover summary 2024/25 (PDF) or UWE Bristol Travel cover summary 2023/24 (PDF) depending on when you are travelling.

The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) Foreign travel insurance guidance is helpful when considering appropriate levels of cover based on your activity and personal circumstances.

Travel cover

• Limited cover will be provided for any disruption arising out of COVID-19, but only if the traveller contracts COVID-19 themselves and is prevented from travelling on the initial outward or final return journey because of this.
• UMAL travel insurance cover only applies to those people under 80 years of age. If you are aged 80 years or over, and you are travelling on UWE Bristol activities, please contact the Insurance Manager at Neil.Humphreys@uwe.ac.uk.
• You are allowed to arrange more than one insurance policy, but if you are making a claim, you must not claim for the same expense from more than one insurer.
• If you have a pre-existing medical condition and the doctor advises you not to travel, the UWE Bristol travel insurance policy is invalid.
• Some partners or work placements may require you to buy additional insurance.
• Please ensure that you also take a hard copy of all travel cover or insurance documents with you, as well as leaving a copy with your family or friends at home.

For work placements, an additional agreement will be made with the employer on indemnity insurance as part of the placement approval process, known as the Health, Safety and Conduct agreement. This is completed through the Employability Activity Confirmation Process (InfoHub login required).

Going overseas can be an amazing experience, but it can also be daunting and may come with risks. Make sure that you research the country in depth before you apply to, and accept, any overseas opportunity.

Before you go, find out about the country’s culture, potential language barriers, visas, security issues and even practical things like which vaccinations you need, which electrical sockets are used and how to call the emergency services.

You can find the answers to all of these subjects and lots more through the Crisis24 Horizon online travel advice platform (log in required using UWE Bristol email address).

We want you to have a safe and enjoyable experience abroad, which makes the most of the social and cultural opportunities available to you.

Getting settled

Upon arrival, take some time to get to know your local neighbourhood. We recommend that you check with local university or company staff for expert knowledge about your community.

• Make sure you know where the closest hospital, police station and food markets are located. It is also good to note their opening hours as most countries have different schedules.
• Register with your host organisation and attend all possible induction or orientation sessions arranged by your host.
• Check and complete any actions relating to your visa requirements. For example, registering your visa with local authorities in order to validate your stay and access any services. Please check your visa paperwork or issuing embassy for details.
• If studying abroad, familiarise yourself with the student exchange or international office and find out how to access student support.
• Check your UWE Bristol email regularly.
• Keep in touch with friends and family.
• Register with a local doctor. Unsure how? Speak to your host work or university contact.
• Keep a journal or blog to record your memories.
• Act responsibly. Remember you are an ambassador for UWE Bristol.
• Provide us with feedback about your experience.
• Remember to use #UWEGoGlobal in your social media posts.

If you are struggling

The first few weeks in a new country can be a wonderful and exciting time. However, it can also be a stressful experience. Even for the most prepared student, it is normal to feel disorientation, homesickness, helplessness and frustration as you settle into a new community and host culture.

There are a number of things you can do to help yourself cope with these feelings:

• Get to know fellow international students and share your experiences.
• If studying abroad, speak with student services staff at your host institution.
• Get involved with your local community (for example, student societies or activities at your host institution or workplace, volunteering or your faith community in the area).
• Keep in touch with family, friends, and university staff back home.
• Seek support from relevant contacts.
• Read more about dealing with culture shock.

It is helpful to learn some basic greetings and phrases before going to a new country. If you're keen to enhance your language skills abroad, contact your host institution or employer to ask about inductive language classes or local language schools.

The UK government have a range of guidance on returning to the UK, which we advise students to review before leaving their host country. This advice could change at any point so please ensure you check immediately before you travel.

There is specific advice for those returning to the UK from specific destinations and any additional requirements you may have to adhere to. For example, you may need to provide proof of negative COVID-19 test, and there may be restrictions on items such as food, medication or plants that you plan to bring into the UK for personal use.

Before you return to the UK

• Ensure you have all of your required travel documentation ready.
• Check if there are any entry restrictions you need to plan for, and ensure you continue to check this right up until you leave.
• Make travel arrangements for pick-up upon your return.

Upon your return to UWE Bristol

• Let the relevant UWE Bristol team know you are home safely. For Placements, Study Abroad and Go Global, you can do this through the Overseas Travel form. We will continue to contact you until we have confirmation.
• Submit all college, placement and/or student exchange documentation where appropriate.
• Provide us with feedback about your experience to help us better prepare others.
• Participate in promotion and preparation activities for future study abroad students – just as previous students did for you!
• Get in touch with UWE Bristol Careers to discuss how you can include your experience within your CV.

Please make a note of the International Medical Group number and save it on your phone:

International Medical Group tel: +44 (0) 203 859 1492

When to call International Medical Group:

• In the event of an emergency whilst overseas
• Pre-trip advice
• Overseas support with lost or stolen luggage
• For any other travel advice or assistance