Accessibility statement

Year 4 Studying at an Overseas University

Companies have an increasingly global outlook. This is creating a growth in the demand for chemistry graduates with international experience, language skills and who have direct experience of living in another culture.

As well as the career advantages of the year of study abroad, it also represents an opportunity:

  • to explore a new city and country
  • to make new friends
  • to experience a different lifestyle

Student profiles

Alice, an MChem with a year in Boston

Lucy, an MChem with a year in Sydney

Bill, an MChem with a year in Mumbai

Our student exchanges bring students from continental universities to York, and give you the opportunity to spend an academic year in a range of countries listed below:  

During your year abroad you will have:

  • a University of York supervisor with whom you are encouraged to stay in regular contact
  • a supervisor at your host institution

The exact programme undertaken will vary according to which overseas University you attend, but all involve a research project. Dr Martin Bates, who has responsibility for all our student exchange programmes, can provide details (email: chem-ug-office@york.ac.uk).
If you wish to study in France or Germany, where we have exchange agreements with more than one university, your final choice of university can be left until the middle of year 3.

For information on Finances and Funding relating to study abroad, please refer to the information given by the Centre for Global Programmes. 

Language Requirements

Students applying for this course are generally required to have a minimum of GCSE grade 5 (B) in an appropriate European language if they are considering a placement at a European university. For placements in countries where the first language is English, or where English is widely spoken, there is no requirement for an additional language qualification. View further details of York study-abroad opportunities.

  • Further training in the language of the country in which you wish to study is also funded by the Department of Chemistry during the first three years of the MChem course through the "Languages for All" programme.
  • Note that in Helsinki and Tokyo courses are given in English, so knowledge of Finnish and Japanese is not required for studying. However, students intending to take a placement in Japan will find the Japanese "Languages for All" course helpful.
  • Additional language preparation is available immediately prior to a placement through the LFIM programme.

Other Opportunities to Study Abroad

Outside of the academic year there are opportunities for students to take part in International Study Centres, Summer Schools or apply for funding to help with independent summer projects. For more information on these opportunities please contact the Centre for Global Programmes global-programmes@york.ac.uk or visit their web pages.

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Further information

Download a prospectus

Research lectures

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Exploring everyday chemistry

I am really enjoying my year abroad in Boston, and I am very grateful that I can be the first from York to come to this placement

A‌lice, Year 4 MChem (Abroad)

Read full profile

Student with flask