The following is a broad overview of general procedures for the Year Abroad and is intended as a guide only. Application procedures and required documents vary considerably between institutions, so pay careful attention to all instructions once you begin the application process for your Year Abroad.  

Your UEA School of Study will draw up provisional allocations of candidates to study abroad at host institutions. This is based on a preference list of destinations which you must provide to your Year Abroad Coordinator and is dependent on spaces being available at overseas partner universities.

[NOTE: space at all partner universities is NOT guaranteed every year.]

For academic issues, you should consult your Year Abroad Coordinator in conjunction with the  host institution's course unit/module catalogue or website to ensure coursework requirements will be met by your selected institutions.

After being informed by Year Abroad Coordinators of student allocations, the Study Abroad Office sends out the nominations to all the host institutions.

Host institutions provide application information to the Study Abroad Office, who passes these instructions and relevant deadlines to students via Blackboard, Facebook or the Year Abroad Coordinator. 

Students MUST retain copies of ALL application documentation as neither the School nor the Study Abroad Office retains copies.

Applications typically require the following documentation:

• completed and signed (if paper) application form
• statement of purpose
• letter(s) of recommendation
• statement of financial support -- this is particularly important for US universities/colleges and the requirement can be met by proof of personal funds, parental support, Student Finance awards or university funding. For more information click here
• copy of passport (must be valid for at least 6 months after completion of the period abroad)
• module request form
• marks statement (provided by the Study Abroad Team)

When you have completed all forms and provided relevant copies of other documents (e.g., passport, funding proof), all paperwork should be returned to the Study Abroad Team, who will issue official marks statements and send the completed application to the institution abroad.

NOTE: Only complete applications will be processed.

An acceptance letter will be sent directly to you confirming your place on the programme. From that point onwards you are responsible for communicating directly with the contact person at your host institution.

Course enrolment selections should have been submitted by this point according to regulations and instructions from the host institution abroad. Naturally, this should be done in consultation with your UEA adviser and/or Year Abroad Coordinator. It is crucial that you meet any deadlines that the host institution may have (e.g., housing, financial documentation, etc.).

Some universities send each student a handbook of courses and other useful information; others send only one to UEA for multiple consultations. Course information is certainly available on each institution's site.

During this period, you will start to receive the necessary immigration documents/information from your host institution (eg USA will be I-20 for an F-1 visa or IAP-66 for a J-1 visa, Canada will get a ‘student authorisation’.   

After receiving this you should apply for your visa.  For more information about visa for your host country please visit our Visa Information page and consult the Year Abroad Guide section on visas.

Take especial care with Financial Support Forms, especially for the USA. These are extremely important for the issuing of immigration paperwork by your host institution. Similar proof will also be required for the processing of your visa application by the relevant Consulate or Embassy, so it is recommended to keep copies. You must demonstrate financial support for the exact amount, or greater, than the amount listed by your host institution as the cost of attendance; this amount will be sent to you with your acceptance letter.

Proof of financial support is typically comprised of documentation from the following sources: personal funds, parental contribution, university funding or Student Finance awards.

• All bank or building society information must be in original form on headed paper (e.g., bank statement).
  
• Any sponsor (e.g., parent) must sign the statement of support form or write a letter agreeing to contribute the stated amount, supported by the relevant bank letter showing that they have the means to meet this commitment. The letter must state a particular amount of money -- a statement of "have adequate funds" or "is a customer in good standing" is not acceptable.
  
• Student Finance award letters are rarely available for the next academic year before application deadlines, so you will need to provide the current year's documentation.