Lancaster Environment Centre

For over 20 years the University of Lancaster has operated a successful exchange scheme with Universities in the USA and Canada. The scheme has now expanded to include exchanges with Universities in Australia and Hong Kong.

The year abroad is not an add-on to your degree, it is fully integrated so that you can complete your BSc in just three years. More than 80% of our exchange students get an upper second or first class degree. In addition to enhancing your job prospects, the experience broadens your academic horizons and provides you with an understanding of another culture and society.

Where can you go?

From a range of overseas universities with whom Lancaster has links, Biology staff have selected a manageable group for our students to choose from.

These Universities have equivalent standards of excellence, in both teaching and research, as Biology at Lancaster. They have also received excellent reports from our students with regards to course variety and the level of student support.

In the United States, our students can spend their second year at the Universities of California, Colorado, Florida, Illinois, Iowa State, Maine, Miami, Michigan State, North Carolina Charlotte, North Carolina State, Oregon State and Purdue.

In Canada, we have links with the University of British Columbia (Vancouver), Carleton University (Ottawa), University of Alberta (Edmonton), University of Western Ontario (London), and the University of Calgary.

Six partners are available in Australasia; Griffith University (Brisbane), Queensland University of Technology (Brisbane), Macquarie University (Sydney), Wollongong University (Sydney) and Monash University (Melbourne) in Australia, along with Waikato University in Hamilton, New Zealand.

An opportunity also exists to study at City University, Hong Kong.

NB: The choice of destinations varies slightly from year to year as places are not available at each partner every year. We therefore cannot guarantee a place at a specific partner. The number of places in Australia normally varies from one to three per year.

If you have a burning desire to spend your second year at a University not listed above, this is still possible as long as the University has an existing exchange agreement with that University, the study abroad advisor can approve the Biology department there, and a place is available for that specific year.

What help do you get before and during your year abroad?

The University's International office takes care of your logistical needs while LEC's study abroad advisor takes care of your educational needs.

After a series of briefings with advisers, and informal get-togethers with students who have just returned from their year abroad, you choose 3 preferred places where you would like to study.

We cannot guarantee that everyone will get their first choice of destination. However, past experience has convinced us that, wherever you are placed, you will have an excellent educational experience and a fantastic time socially!

LEC's advisor will help you select appropriate courses to take, while the International office will help you fill out all the relevant paperwork (accommodation, visas etc).

During your year abroad, the International office at the Partner University will take care of your welfare via meetings, social events and excursions.

Your Lancaster University advisor will remain in close contact with you, via email and a virtual tutorial group, to ensure that your academic studies are progressing satisfactorily.

What will it cost?

Whilst there are clear financial implications in living abroad for a year, the study abroad scheme does not cost as much as you might think. The experience of past students suggests that they typically spend £1500-£2000 more than students staying in Lancaster.

There is financial help available in the form of (i) reduced fees to Lancaster University, (ii) an enhanced student loan, (iii) a Lancaster University bursary (for the University of California) and (iv) your Local Education Authority (LEA) will normally fund your flights, and sometimes medical insurance, although this is worth checking now as different LEAs have different policies.

There are also opportunities to earn extra money whilst abroad. In North America, the student visa allows you to work on campus only, but there are many positions available. In Australasia, the student visa allows you to work anywhere, and you have a three-month summer break (November to February), in between the two semesters, in which to do this and/or travel. In fact, travelling around your host country is the most significant 'extra expense' incurred by students during their year abroad…but it has to be done!

Entry requirements

Because study abroad places are limited, competition is high and thus placements are conditional upon getting good grades in both your A-levels and within the first year of study at Lancaster. Current entry requirements (A-level) are as follows:

Biological Sciences/Study Abroad (C102)	AAB
Conservation Biology/Study Abroad (C153)	AAB
Ecology/Study Abroad (C182)	AAB
Environmental Biology/Study Abroad (C151)	AAB

We will also automatically consider you for the 'standard' degree scheme (for which the entry requirements are typically ABB at A-level) and therefore you do not need to list both courses on your UCAS form.

Changing your mind

If, at any time during your first year, you decide that you no longer want to study abroad, you can simply switch to the 'standard' degree scheme.

More Information

If you require further information, specifically about the year abroad, then please feel free to contact our Study Abroad Advisor:

Dr Roza Menendez
Biology Study Abroad Adviser
Lancaster Environment Centre
Lancaster University
Lancaster LA1 4YQ

Tel: 01524 593721

Still undecided?

Here are some examples of typical answers from students when asked about their year abroad:

"Wonderful best year of my life. I discovered new interests, met loads of incredible people, and took part in activities and events that I would never have had the opportunity to do in England."

A.W. attended the University of Maine

"Absolutely brilliant! Worth every dollar!"

C.A. attended the University of California, Irvine

Georgina Key, PhD student (graduated 2008)

"When I came here on the open day, I knew that I wanted to study at Lancaster because of the relaxed atmosphere on campus and friendly staff. Don’t let the relaxed atmosphere fool you though, there is a lot going on throughout campus with enough societies, sports clubs and events as well as several bars, to satisfy everyone’s tastes. With so much expertise available, studying Ecology at Lancaster was exciting, so much so that I’m staying on here to complete my PhD. The Lake District is on your doorstep, so the fieldtrips are great and there is also the opportunity to study abroad for a year. I spent my second year in Sydney, Australia, which was fantastic, and I was able to complete my final year and graduate with my friends. An ecology degree at Lancaster covers a wide range of topics and will help fuel anyone with an interest in how the environment works."