Study Abroad entry requirements

First you need to be sure you qualify to study abroad. The questions on this page will help you decide.

Would you like to apply for the 2025/26 study abroad programme?  

Applicants to the 2025/26 study abroad programme should have a minimum average of 60 achieved in the 2023/24 academic year. For most applicants, this will be the results of your 1st year at the University of Leeds. However, if you’re an Integrated Masters student with the option of doing an additional year abroad and you’re going into your 3rd year of study at Leeds, we will instead be looking at your 2nd year average to determine your eligibility. 

If you achieved an average between 57 and 59.9, you may still be able to apply if you have the support of your School Study Abroad Coordinator. If this applies to you, please contact your coordinator before applying to ask whether they will support your application. You can find a list of coordinators here. 

Important Points: 

• If you are successful in securing a place to study abroad, we expect you to maintain a minimum average of 60 throughout the 2024/25 academic year (or the minimum average required for your degree programme). If you fall below the 60 average during 2024/25, you may be withdrawn from the study abroad programme.

• Some of our partner universities require students to have a 60 average at application stage (if this is the case, there will be a note added to the host university's folder in the Host University Catalogue). If you have a current average below 60, we will not be able to place you at these institutions so we recommend you don’t include them on your preference list. 

• If study abroad is already a compulsory part of your degree course different eligibility criteria may apply. Speak to your School Study Abroad Coordinator to find out more. 

Can you study abroad on your degree programme?

Most undergraduate degrees offered at Leeds support study abroad opportunities organised by the Study Abroad office. However, it’s not possible for some courses, eg in the Schools of Medicine or Dentistry. If you are unsure, check with your School Study Abroad Coordinator or the Outgoing Study Abroad Team.

If study abroad is already a compulsory part of your degree course, different eligibility criteria may apply. Speak to your School Study Abroad Coordinator to find out more.

Do you have the necessary language skills?

Studying abroad can be a great chance to develop your language skills even if you don’t study a foreign language as part of your degree. However, if your chosen destination teaches in a foreign language, you will be asked to evidence some knowledge of the language as part as your application to study abroad. 

The language level you will need to show evidence for varies depending on the institution. Before submitting your application, make sure you research the language requirements for each university you’re interested in, using the Host University Catalogue on the Global Opportunities SharePoint Site.

A growing number of Leeds’ partner institutions teach in English even where it is not the main spoken language in the country, so you may not necessarily need to speak another language to study abroad in Europe or Asia. 

More information about required levels and ways to improve your language skills in Languages.