Money matters
If you are studying abroad for a semester or a full year at one of our partner universities, you do not pay any tuition fees to them. You will continue paying your fees to Oxford Brookes University.
Students who are eligible for support through their national student finance service (e.g Student Finance England) will continue to be eligible whilst studying abroad. Students who are studying for a full academic year at an overseas institution may qualify for a partial tuition fee waiver.
Any student self-funding their tuition fees will need to make payment on the due dates stated in Student Information.
If you are an international student, you are advised to contact our Student Finance team for further advice regarding your tuition fee status.
Maintenance loan payments are usually paid in three standard instalments during an academic year. However, Student Finance England offers three types of “manual payments” for students studying abroad, should the standard automatic payments not be suitable.
| Payment type | When? | Why? |
|---|---|---|
| Early payment | You are studying abroad for more than 25 working days before the start of your official course date. | The first instalment is released early. |
| Payment in Two Instalments | The host university year runs across two semesters (e.g. USA, Canada, Australia) | You receive the first instalment as normal (or early, if requested). The second and third instalments are combined and paid on the standard second term start date. |
| Payment in One Instalment | The host country (e.g. China, Japan) requires proof of funds for the full year prior to granting a visa/entry. Students must be abroad for the full academic year. | The full yearly entitlement is paid out on the first instalment date (unless an alternative first date is requested). |
Please note: Student Finance Wales, Student Finance Northern Ireland, and SAAS may follow different payment arrangements.
If you apply for funding through Student Finance England, you may be eligible to receive a Travel Grant. This can contribute towards travel, visa and travel insurance costs. The amount you receive will depend on your household income, and grants are subject to funding availability. Grants are not guaranteed and will not reimburse full costs.
The costs you incur will depend on your individual circumstances and destination, but often include:
- Travel costs
- Accommodation
- Visa/Passport
- Medical insurance and expenses
- Any additional application or administration fees
The Turing Scheme is the UK government’s funding programme for study and work abroad experiences. The scheme is designed to contribute to the cost of a Global Mobility experience. It is not a guaranteed source of funding.
The University has been successful in its bid for funding through the new Turing scheme, and currently has funding for its International exchange programme, International work placements and Japanese Studies placement year.
Turing funding arrangements for 2024/2025 have not yet been confirmed, but the University will apply for further funding through the scheme, should it be able to do so.
Each year, the British Universities Transatlantic Exchange Association (BUTEX) awards a number of £600 scholarships to undergraduate students undertaking a study abroad experience for either a semester or a full academic year.
Eligibility is open to students who have been offered, are currently attending, or have completed their study abroad experience within the current calendar year. The application window for the BUTEX scholarship typically opens in May and closes in July annually.
Some international partners offer scholarships to students choosing to study abroad with them. Details and eligibility are managed directly by each institution.
To explore which of our partners offers scholarships, please see our Exchange Partners list or check the individual partner university websites.
The Santander International Experience Bursary provides funding for periods of international experience, such as attending a summer school at one of our partner universities, volunteering overseas, or participating in an internship abroad.
The award is open to any full-time student currently enrolled on an undergraduate degree course and planning an international experience, who has been assessed for a Brookes bursary.
Applicants should not have previously participated, or plan to participate in study or work abroad as part of their programme at Oxford Brookes.