Coventry University has again topped the Higher Education Statistics Agency’s international mobility ranking, after providing a total of 3,482 international students experiences in 2016/17.
Coventry has continued to provide the most overseas opportunities among the UK universities for the past three years. Compared with 2015/16, Coventry has increased travel and study opportunities by more than 23%.
“International trips are definitely a highlight of my time at university”
The figure includes all study trips and year-long Erasmus+ exchanges undertaken by students, as well as volunteer placements and field work visits lasting at least for five days.
The mobility opportunities facilitated 436 students to study or live abroad for between three months and a full year, and shorter stays of up to one month for almost 3,000 students.
The top ten overseas destinations offered by Coventry include the US, China, the Netherlands, Turkey, India and Malaysia, with many students also traveling to major European destinations where Coventry has long standing ties.
The international experience opportunities are open to UK, EU and overseas students. Students can receive financial funding for up to £500 depending on the trip duration.
“International trips are definitely a highlight of my time at university. I had an opportunity to take part in the Paris Air Show, International Winter School in Switzerland, and a course field trip to Hong Kong,” Klaudia Kordowska, an aviation management student, said.
“Acquiring personal and professional skills necessary for the global world of work is invaluable for our students,” David Pilsbury, vice chancellor for international development said.
He said he believes the ongoing effort by Coventry to improve overseas opportunities can help to boost employability and personal development, while preparing them for the global world of work.
“Our plan is by 2020 more than half of our students will take advantage of the opportunity to study abroad with all the benefits it brings,” he added.