Study Abroad Opportunities
Study abroad with UON partners
The University of Northampton partners with prestigious institutions across the world to offer students various short-term study abroad and cultural exchange opportunities. Listed below are the opportunities available to current students.
International short study programmes at UON
Are you interested in in Studying in the UK? Each of the modules included in our International Short Study Programme has specific aims and learning outcomes, allowing you to apply the skills and knowledge you develop with us to your degree at your home university. Find out more on our webpage.
Study Abroad Programmes in Japan
Why should I apply for this Study Abroad Programme in Japan?
Studying in Japan through a student exchange programme offers unparalleled cultural immersion, fostering cross-cultural communication and global understanding. Students will gain invaluable insights into Japan’s rich history, advanced technology, and unique societal traditions. This experience can enhance your adaptability as a student, along with brushing up on your language skills, broadening your global perspective, and boosting your personal and professional development.
Am I eligible to apply for this Programme?
Please view the eligibility terms and conditions for each opportunity on the partner institution’s website to see whether you would be eligible to apply. If you have any further questions about a specific programme, you can find a list of contact email addresses for our partner institutions in the Key contacts’ section. Students must organise a study break with their course tutors if the dates of the exchange programme clash with their course.
Listed below are the institutions we are partnering with in 2026:
Please check back soon for more information on 2025 opportunities and application dates.
Kansai University is one of the leading private universities in Japan. With a history of over 130 years, KU has 13 undergraduate faculties, 13 graduate schools, and 2 professional graduate schools. There are over 30,000 students enrolled at KU, with 5 campuses located in Osaka, the second largest city in Japan.
Fees
Tuition fee between 250,000-450,000 Yen. Travel, accommodation and expenses are not included but funding is available to put towards these costs via the Turing Scheme.
Programme type: Summer Programme
- Duration: 4 weeks in July and August
- Start date: TBC
- Number of student places available: Up to 2.
- Fees: Tuition fee between 250,000-450,000 Yen. Travel, accommodation and expenses also not included.
Key contact: short_term@ml.kandai.jp
Applications for the 2024 summer school are now closed. Please keep checking back for opportunities at Kansai in summer 2025.
Showa Women’s University (SWU), founded in 1920, is one of the most globalized women’s colleges in Japan. It is a liberal arts college with approximately 6,000 students studying across 6 undergraduate faculties, and more than 120 students enrolled in 2 graduate schools. Since 2019, SWU shares its campus with Temple University Japan Campus, realizing a real global campus. With its motto ‘Be a Light to the World’, SWU continues to nurture female graduates who play significant roles in the global society.
Applications for the 2026 Summer School are now open.
Thanks to our partnership with Showa Women’s University, we have four places on the 2026 Summer School available to female UON students. Please see below for details and how to apply for a place!
Please note if your studies clash with the dates of this Summer School then you may need the approval or sign off from your tutor if you are still in term time.
Programme type: SWU Summer International Programme (SSIP)
- Duration: 3 weeks
- Start date: 6 June 2026 (Arrival on 15 June)
- End date: 1 July 2026 (Check out 2 July)
- Number of student places available: 4
- Fees: Free tuition and accommodation (travel and expenses not included but students may be able to apply for financial support through the Turing Scheme)
Student Story – Lubna Al Tadmuri
“SSIP is one of those rare programmes that genuinely lives up to the experience you imagine it might be. Spending a summer in Japan isn’t just about attending lectures — it’s about actually living there. From navigating Tokyo’s transport system to exploring areas like Shibuya and Shinjuku, you slowly become more confident and independent without even realising it. Every day brings something new, whether it’s discovering a quiet neighbourhood, trying a new café, or seeing the city from a different perspective.
Alongside this, the academic side of SSIP is genuinely engaging. The lectures cover a wide range of topics, from Japanese education and traditional arts like calligraphy to anime, media, and popular culture. What makes them special is how interactive and thoughtful they are — they encourage discussion, reflection, and comparison with your own experiences and background. You’re constantly learning, but in a way that feels interesting rather than overwhelming.
What really makes SSIP stand out is how much personal growth happens naturally. You meet people from all over the world, form meaningful friendships, and find yourself stepping outside your comfort zone in ways that feel exciting rather than intimidating. By the end of the programme, you don’t just leave with new knowledge of Japan — you leave with more confidence, a broader worldview, and a real sense of connection to the country. It’s the kind of summer you look back on and realise it changed you in the best way.”
To express interest in the SWU Summer International Programme (SSIP) 2026, please complete the application form.
Global opportunities – funding
Erasmus+ Programme – UK Association from 2027
The UK and the European Union have reached an agreement for the UK to associate with the Erasmus+ programme starting in 2027.
Erasmus+ is the EU’s flagship initiative supporting international placements and partnership projects across education, training, youth, and sport. It provides grant funding to help individuals enhance their studies, gain valuable work experience, and develop personally through opportunities to study, learn, and work in participating countries.
The UK previously took part in Erasmus+ from 2014 to 2020, as well as in earlier predecessor programmes. Rejoining from 2027 will open up new opportunities for students, staff, and organisations to engage in international collaboration and mobility.
More information will be posted on this page in due course, so please keep checking back for updates. In the meantime, further information about the programme can be found on the official Erasmus+ programme – GOV.UK.
The UK Turing Scheme
The UK’s Turing Scheme now offers funding opportunities to UK universities to support global study and placements (including volunteering) of between 28 days – 12 months for their current students and recent graduates.
All outward mobility is subject to the availability of funding, for which UON bids on an annual basis.
Full information can be found on the Turing Scheme website.
Please email international@northampton.ac.uk if you would like to find out more about the Turing Scheme or international student mobility at the University of Northampton.