Summer research abroad
Participating in a research programme abroad is a great way to develop your research skills and knowledge in a specific area of interest, and gain valuable experience that can boost your professional profile.
If you are successful in gaining a place independently at any of the following programmes, please complete the following form to notify the Outgoing Study Abroad Team who will provide you with further support prior and during your placement. We will also assess your eligibility to access additional funding through the Turing Scheme. Funding is limited so please complete this form as soon as you secure a place.
For more information about any of the research opportunities listed below, please contact the Outgoing Study Abroad team at outgoingstudyabroad@leeds.ac.uk.
University of Alberta Research Experience | Canada
For the sixth time, the University of Leeds has partnered with the University of Alberta to provide an exciting research opportunity for Leeds students. If you submit a successful application, you’ll get paid to spend summer 2023 in Edmonton, Alberta, conducting your very own research project.
Open to all second and penultimate year students, this 12-week internship is a fantastic opportunity to gain hands-on, practical research experience and boost your employability. To complete the project, you’ll receive a stipend of $6,000 CAD which is approximately £3,400. You will need to cover the cost of your Visa and flights, but you’ll be supported with the Visa process by the University of Alberta.
There are over 40 different projects available ranging from computer science to nursing. You can view the available research roles by going to the University of Alberta’s Horizons Website, clicking the button at the top right of the page that says ‘CSC/UARE Programs’, then clicking ‘no’. Go to the ‘Search Programs’ tab and include ‘UARE 2023 Summer’ in the keywords search. Please contact workplacements@leeds.ac.uk if you have any problems finding these roles.
Applications for summer 2023 are now open and the application deadline is midnight 23 November 2022. To find out more and apply online, please visit the Alberta Summer Research Exchange page in MyCareer. You will need to submit: a completed application form, your results from year one and year two, a cover letter for each project you apply for, a CV and two academic references.
KAIST Individual Research Programme | South Korea
The Individual Research Programme is a funded 4-week research programme in July for undergraduate students studying Engineering and Computing, and a fantastic opportunity to spend the summer working on a research project at KAIST, South Korea. KAIST is ranked in the top 50 universities in the world (QS World University Rankings).
The University of Leeds will select students to take part in this research exchange. There are a small number of places available to Leeds students and the exchange is open to Undergraduate students studying Engineering and Computing. Applicants must have achieved a 2:1 or above in the previous academic year to take part (not applicable to first-year students).
Details on programme dates, selection/availability of projects and costs covered by the University for the 2023 KAIST Summer School will be updated here soon.
RISE Germany
Rise Germany offers summer research internships in Germany for undergraduate and PhD students studying and researching in the fields of biology, chemistry, computer science, physics, earth sciences, engineering or a closely related field. All participants receive grants from the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD).
RISE Germany – Research Internships for undergraduates: For the undergraduate programme, students are carefully matched with doctoral students and researchers whom they assist and who serve as their mentors which offers unique opportunities for students to work with research groups at universities and top research institutions across Germany for a period of 2 to 3 months during the summer. For more information please see www.daad.de/rise-germany. Applications close on December 15, 2022 (11:59 pm CET – Central European Time)
RISE Professional – Research Internships for PhD students: RISE Professional offers summer research internships of three months to PhD students at companies and research instituions with strong relations to Germany. RISE Professional is funded by the German Federal Office and students will recieve a stipend from their host company/institutions in addition to the grant from DAAD to help cover living expenses. For more information please visit www.daad.de/rise/en/rise-professional.
Summer Undergraduate Research Programme, Chinese University of Hong Kong | Hong Kong
CUHK offers a Summer Undergraduate Research Programme (SURP) which enables students from a wide range of academic disciplines to develop research skills and knowledge in a specific area of interest, join a world-class research team and build networks with leading experts in the field. Students participating in SURP will conduct a research project under the supervision of a CUHK faculty member for eight weeks. Participating students will also be immersed in the local culture through a series of orientation and cultural activities.
The 2023 programme will run in-person from 24th June – 19th August. More information is available on the programme website. There is no tuition fee charged, but travel, visa, accommodation and living costs will need to be covered.
You will need to apply independently and if you are successful in gaining a place, let the outgoing study abroad team know by completing the form at the top of this page.
The application deadline for Summer 2023 is 28th February 2023.
UC Santa Cruz, International Summer Research Programme | USA
The International Summer Research Program (ISRP) provides both undergraduate and postgraduate students from partner universities with an opportunity to engage in a research internship under the guidance of a faculty mentor at UC Santa Cruz during the 8-week UCSC Summer Session. The dates for the programme are the June 25 to August 19, 2023.
To be eligible for this opportunity, you must be in good academic standing, and currently enrolled in and pursuing a degree at the University of Leeds. You will return to Leeds to complete your degree following participation in the internship and the internship will fulfil objectives for your current degree programme.
There are a range of research internships available in the fields of:
- Biomolecular Engineering (PG only)
- Chemistry and Bioochemistry
- Computational Media
- Computer Science and Engineering
- Electrical and Computer Engineering
- Economics
- Environmental Studies
- Molecular, Cell and Developmental Biology
You can find more details about 2023 research projects here. You may apply for up to three projects, and an order of preference should be indicated during the application process.
You should apply by midday on Friday 13th January 2023 to give the Leeds outgoing study abroad team time to endorse your application before UCSC’s own application deadline. Once you have submitted your application(s), please email outgoingstudyabroad@leeds.ac.uk so the team can ensure they have received the invitation to endorse your application. UCSC’s deadline to apply for the summer 2023 programme is Monday 16th January 2023.
Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München (LMU) Amgen Scholars Program | Germany
The LMU Amgen Scholars Program offers up to 19 undergraduate students with the opportunity to work for 9 weeks in laboratories at the life science campus Grosshadern-Martinsried and beyond.
Students will be involved in hands-on research guided by leading scientists and their teams, using state-of-the-art methods and addressing the latest scientific topics.
Possible research topics are within the fields of biochemistry, structural-, molecular-, cell- and developmental biology, cellular and organismic neurobiology, computational neuroscience, and physiological sciences. The opening retreat, the social group activities, and the international composition of the participants will make this programme a memorable experience.
The programme includes lab research, workshops and weekly seminars, a lecture series, excursions and a final symposium.
Housing costs are organised and fully covered by the programme. Amgen Scholars at LMU will receive a stipend of €1,700 to cover living expenses during the programme.
Applications will open in November 2022 and will close on February 1, 2023. You will need to apply independently and check the dates of the programmes to make sure that they do not clash with your studies. You can find more information about the programme on the LMU Amgens Scholars website.
Summer Research Experience for Undergraduates in Physics or Mathematics at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem | Israel
To enquire about a fee-waiver for this opportunity, please contact the Outgoing Study Abroad team at outgoingstudyabroad@leeds.ac.uk.
The Summer REU programme offers a unique, stimulating summer research experience, including one-on-one mentoring by some of Hebrew University’s leading researchers. Students will have the opportunity to delve into a specific research topic, and to present their findings in a mini-symposium at the program’s completion. They’ll also enjoy a series of social and academic activities tailored to their internship schedules, and designed to get them acquainted with Jerusalem, their Israeli and international peers, and Hebrew University’s Faculty of Science.
Summer REU is flexible—participants can stay for a minimum of 9 weeks and a maximum of 12. All will be awarded a living stipend of approximately $225 per week, as well as free housing for the duration of their stay. You can find out more on the Physics REU and Mathematics REU websites.
You will need to apply independently and check the dates of the programmes to make sure that they do not clash with your studies.
Physics REU have not yet published information for 2023 (at 11/01/23), but the deadline for Mathematics applications is February 15 2023 (late enquiries may be considered).
Summer Down Under: Research Internship and Research Skills Fundamentals at the University of Western Australia | Australia
Research Internship: The Summer Down Under Research Internship is a unique 8-week intensive research training program. It provides an opportunity for high-performing international students, who are considering an UWA postgraduate degree, to get an insider's look at the University’s research specialities, meet and work with a potential future supervisor and experience the richness of Australian culture. This opportunity is open to high performing "research ready" 3rd or 4th year undergraduate or Masters students. For more details including eligibility and how to apply, please visit UWA's website.
Research Skills Fundamentals: This three week course provides research skills training to equip students with the fundamentals to conduct research. Through a range of feature talks focusing on global issues, students are exposed to the theory and practice of research across different disciplines. Interactive workshops develop students' information literacy, writing and communication skills, and introduce them to the principles of ethical research conduct. For more information please see the Research Skills Fundamentals page.