International work experience

If you are looking to undertake work experience abroad, here are some resources you might find helpful when searching for opportunities.

• Go Global at the University, promotes overseas opportunities, such as study abroad, research, work and volunteering. Visit the Go Global main webpage. For a list of global opportunities, please visit My Global Story Canvas. Funding may also be available, e.g. Turing funding. For further enquiries, email goglobalsummer@contacts.bham.ac.uk. The Go Global Summer opportunities are available for all undergraduate students to apply for. There are no academic requirements to participate unless specific pre-requisites are set by the host institution/organisation. International undergraduate students must be present on campus in Edgbaston during term-time, including the University’s Summer term (8 – 26 June 2026), to ensure compliance with UK student visa regulations. Please select Go Global Summer opportunities that begin from the end of June onwards. Postgraduate home/UK fee paying students can apply once they have approval from their School/College’s academic team for their absence during the length of the programme. Unfortunately, international students on a postgraduate taught degree programme are not eligible to take part in Go Global opportunities. Visa compliance regulations mean you must be physically present on campus during the full academic year, including whilst writing your dissertation.
• Student Circus is a resource, for international students, provided by the University, which helps you explore opportunities in 30+ countries that value the global experience of returning students. On the website you will find customised guides, tools and information to boost your career.
• The British Council is the UK’s international organisation for cultural relations and educational opportunities, offering a variety of programmes to allow UK-based students and graduates the opportunity to study, work or volunteer abroad. It is an executive non-departmental public body which supports peace and prosperity by building connections, understanding and trust between people in the UK and countries worldwide.
• Some of the more popular jobs boards for finding work experience opportunities in the UK may also be advertising jobs and internships abroad, for example Prospects. Please note that the University cannot advise on the reliability or accuracy of job board websites or any third-party provider websites.

There are a variety of organisations that offer overseas volunteering opportunities. There are usually fees / payment required. Your attention is required to research and delve into the detail for due diligence purposes and to assess your budget. The Government website offers quality advice on Gap years, volunteering overseas and adventure travelling webpage. You should also seek foreign travel advice before travelling abroad.

Please view the third party organisations that are advertised via the Go Global team at the University, searching summer opportunities on their webpage: Go Global: Study, work, research or volunteer abroad. Funding may be provided.

International opportunities listed on Careers Connect and via Go Global which seek payment from students are restricted to UK Edgbaston campus students only (not Dubai campus).

Should you decide to independently research third party providers who require a fee for volunteering and internships, we have compiled a list of questions, with the advice to explore any other factors that may be relevant to your individual circumstances. Please note that the University cannot advise on the reliability or accuracy of job board websites or any third-party provider websites. Do your due diligence before providing any payment.

Due diligence questions

Financial due diligence

• What is the payment policy and how much is it?
• What do you get included for the fee?
• Are fees in GBP£ or local currency and what exchange rate will be used?
• Are there any additional fees you need to pay later on?
• Are you required to pay a deposit and is this refundable? 

General due diligence

• Do you know what support you will receive from the organisation prior to going on the experience?
• Is travel insurance included? 
• What detail is provided regarding your experience, accommodation, airport transfers, translators etc.?
• What insurances are in place for your health and safety, for example whilst at the work experience and outside of the work experience?
• What are the visa requirements?
• What are the immunisation /vaccination requirements?
• What support is in place whilst you are there? 
• What is the accommodation like?
• Where is the accommodation located?
• How safe is the accommodation, the area and work experience itself?
• Is it safe to travel to the country?
• Is there clear information on how you can raise issues and ask questions? 

Legal due diligence

• Is the work experience observational or hands on? What protections and insurance are in place for your safety? 
• What are your options for terminating the internship early should you wish to?  
• Is there a written contract in place confirming the rights and obligations of both parties? Have you read it carefully?
• Are you comfortable with any requests that have been made for disclosure of personal data? Is it necessary and relevant?
• What is their refund policy if the internship does not happen? 

Reputational due diligence

• Are their fees in line with other internship providers? If their fee is much higher, why is this?
• What are the reviews? Try and speak to other students who have used the same organisation if possible. 
• You could reach out to your UoB alumni community to find someone who could tell you more about being on this particular experience.

Why not make the most of your time abroad by undertaking work experience in your host country. As an exchange student, you should be able to access the employability services at your host university. Once you have settled into your new environment, reach out to your local careers team for advice on how to find work experience while you’re there.

And don’t forget - you can still access all our Careers Network services remotely while you are abroad.   

• Apply for funding through the Careers Network work experience bursary scheme to support your own international work experience
• Check out the government's advice on travelling overseas

• Travel Health Pro For country specific information, latest news and factsheets.
• Foreign travel advice from the UK Government, including warnings about certain travel abroad, entry requirements, safety and security, health risks and legal differences.