Going abroad

Why go abroad?

Studying abroad often means a huge boost to your academic and personal development. The Faculty of Humanities is therefore happy to help you take part in study activities abroad. The period and purpose of your stay abroad may vary. Think about taking courses at a university abroad via an exchange, find an internship abroad, or participate in a summerschool. Below you can read more about the different possibilities.

Exchange

Utrecht University collaborates with universities worldwide. The faculties have exchange agreements for specific areas of study, while university-wide agreements are open to students from all faculties (unless stated otherwise). During your exchange, you remain enrolled at Utrecht University and you do not have to pay tuition fees at the university abroad.

Internship Abroad

 

Other activities abroad

Besides an exchange or internship, there are several other possibilities to go abroad within the framework of your studies. The main difference with exchanges and internships is that there are no fixed contact persons within the Faculty of Humanities to whom you can turn for questions. The possibilities depend on your own initiative.

  • Summer or winter schools. Many universities offer summer- or winter schools. The website about summer- and winter schools offered by our exchange partners contains an overview, but it is not exhaustive. There are many possibilities worldwide.
  • Dutch Scientific Institutes Abroad (NWIBs) (Dutch website). The Dutch universities run five institutes abroad. These institutes offer courses on location and can help with research or internships on site. There are many possibilities within the field of Humanities.
  • Source- or field research within the framework of your thesis. Some students choose a subject for their thesis that requires them to carry out source- or field research abroad.
  • Study trips with your programme. Some study programmes offer the opportunity to go on an excursion or study trip abroad as part of the regular courses.

Study trips are also sometimes organised by study associations. Because you do not receive any study credits for these study trips, they are not considered part of your study. Nevertheless, it can be very instructive.

Request approval

Do you want to have the credits you obtain abroad count towards your degree? If so, you can submit a request for approval by the Board of Examiners via Osiris Case, under the heading 'Approval of subjects from outside the UU'. Request approval as soon as you are sure about the content of your activities abroad. 

Registration for approval to travel

Please note! You must have approval from the faculty before you travel abroad for all trips within the framework of your studies (see below).

When are you (not) permitted to travel abroad?

Utrecht University's policy is based on the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs' travel advice. In principle, you are not allowed to travel abroad for an exchange, internship or other study-related activity in a region for which the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has issued travel advice of the classification orange or red. You may therefore only travel if there is a green or yellow travel advice.

The colour-coded advice is categorised as follows:

Green

No particular safety risks

Yellow

Caution, safety risks

Orange

Essential trips only

Red

Do not travel

Please note! Students who travel abroad despite the orange or red travel advice will not receive any credits for the study components in question.

Do you want to travel abroad despite a negative travel advice from the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs? Then you must submit an official request for an exemption (see below).