Global opportunities

Student in New Zealand countryside — Biomedical Sciences student Henry Finnigan spent his Professional Training Year at Otago University in New Zealand.

Students at the School of Biosciences can take advantage of a number of opportunities to work or study outside the UK.

International experience can be hugely beneficial, helping you to develop key skills, grow in confidence and gain valuable work experience. Working or studying abroad offers an exciting opportunity to become immersed in a different culture, make new friends and improve your language skills.

It's also a wonderful opportunity to enhance your CV, helping you stand out in a global graduate recruitment market. Students who take up international opportunities show that they have the qualities that employers are looking for: taking on new challenges, adapting to new environments and demonstrating flexibility.

Professional Training Year

As part of your degree, you have the option of completing a Professional Training Year (PTY), which is spent away from the School gaining relevant work experience. Our students are placed in a range of organisations including pharmaceutical and biotech companies, hospital laboratories, private and governmental research organisations, zoos, wildlife trusts, environmental organisations and universities.

Many placements are in the UK but, in recent years, an increasing number of students have found placements outside the UK in locations such as Southeast Asia, South Africa, Germany, Italy, Australia, Madagascar and the USA.

You may carry out your PTY anywhere in the world as long as your proposed project is approved by the School of Biosciences. Students who complete a placement in Europe may qualify for an Erasmus+ grant, and University bursaries may be available to students completing placements outside Europe.

Field courses

The School of Biosciences runs a range of field courses to give students essential hands-on experience of modern techniques and practical skills in field biology. These field courses take place both in the UK and in more tropical locations such as Tobago and Borneo.

Find out more about our field courses.

Summer opportunities

Cardiff University students are able to take advantage of a wide range of study, work and volunteering opportunities abroad during the summer break. These short-term placements, organised by the University’s Global Opportunity Centre, take place in a variety of locations around the world and last a minimum of four weeks. Bursaries are provided to students to help cover the costs of going abroad. Erasmus+ funding may also be available for 2-3 month research placements.