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Study at Lincoln as an Exchange Student

Information for incoming exchange students

Are you considering studying at the University of Lincoln as an exchange student for a semester or a full academic year? You’re in the right place! This page includes all the essential information you need to study at Lincoln as an exchange student.

Being an exchange student is a fantastic opportunity to broaden your academic horizons and experience a new culture. The Global Opportunities team is here to support you throughout your journey, offering advice and assistance to current and prospective exchange students who have general questions or need help.

Nomination process

The University of Lincoln welcomes nominations from our Exchange Partner Institutions. The deadlines for receiving nominations are:

· 15 April for the Autumn semester (Full year and SEM A)

· 15 September for the Spring semester (SEM B)

Please use the nomination form to nominate your students. Nominations sent by email or after the application deadline will not be accepted. Additionally, we kindly request that you nominate exchange students based on the agreed numbers in the bilateral agreement. For partnership and student exchange number enquiries, please email GO@lincoln.ac.uk.

Apply for a student exchange programme

We collaborate with Exchange Partner Institutions that have mobility agreements with us. Our partner university submits the nomination. However, if your home university does not have an agreement in place with us, you can still apply for a study exchange. In this case, you will need to pay full tuition fees for the duration of your exchange. Information on tuition fees can be found on each course’s webpage.

For all general and partnership enquiries, please contact us at incoming@lincoln.ac.uk or GO@lincoln.ac.uk

English language requirements

All incoming exchange students must have sufficient English language skills to succeed in their study programme. If they study in the UK for less than 6 months, we require them to submit an English proficiency letter from their home university (level B2). However, we need them to supply us with an English language certificate if they stay longer. For more information visit our English Language Requirements page.

Find available modules

The Study Abroad Coordinator will email you modules once we process your nomination and send you the welcome email. However, if you want to learn more about your subject, please contact us at incoming@lincoln.ac.uk. We will connect you with the relevant School and your Study Abroad Coordinator.

Students are expected to get 30 ECTS, equal to 60 UK credits for each semester, but they can take more modules, provided they have approval to do so from their home institution. We encourage exchange students to choose modules within their nominated subject to avoid any timetable clashes and facilitate the administration. However, we try to accommodate students’ preferences if they select subjects within the same college. Still, we can’t guarantee this will be possible as this is subject to the school’s approval.

In addition, exchange students should select at least 50% of the modules in the subject for which they have been nominated. The respective school will contact students with the available modules. Most modules chosen by incoming exchange students do not require any examinations, but please check with the school before making travel arrangements.

Submit your online application

We look forward to welcoming you as an exchange student! Please try to remember important dates and deadlines so you can prepare for your exchange in advance.

Please submit your application as soon as possible and no later than the following deadlines:

· 15 May for the Autumn semester (Full year and SEM A)

· 15 October for the Spring semester (SEM B)

Once your nomination has been accepted and processed, you will receive the application link and instructions on how to apply by email. Please note that late applications will not be processed. If you require an extension, please notify us before the deadline.

Check your email for the Study Abroad Offer

Once you have submitted your online application form, you will receive an offer letter via email from our Admissions Team. You must 'Accept' your offer by logging into your account.

If you have any questions regarding your application or offer letter, please contact the Admissions Team.

· For EU students, one semester only: Admissions admissions@lincoln.ac.uk.

· For Non-EU: International Admissions Team intadmissions@lincoln.ac.uk.

Apply for student housing

Choosing where to live while studying is a big decision, and it is important to take the time to find out what is available and what would best suit your needs. Most accommodation at the University of Lincoln is en-suite with a small double or single bed and a shared kitchen. All utility bills and Wi-Fi are included in the weekly fee. Each year, a number of rooms are reserved for semester-only students (most UK student housing is rented on a full academic year basis). You can find more information on our accommodation pages.

For further details, please contact the Accommodation Office on +44 (0)1522 886 300 or accommodation@lincoln.ac.uk.

Enrolment and student ID card

Find out how to enrol.

The entire enrolment process can be completed online; however, we recognise that some students may experience difficulties. If you still need support to complete your enrolment, university staff will be available to help you in the enrolment suite on campus during the welcome week. The Enrolment Suite is by appointment only, and appointments can be booked via lncn.ac/appointment.

For further assistance, please contact the Enrolment Team at Enrolment@lincoln.ac.uk or call +44 (0)1522 882000

Collecting your student ID card

Your student ID card can be collected on campus once you have formally enrolled. Please allow two days from the date you receive an email from the University confirming that you are fully enrolled in your course before collecting your card. You should carry your student ID card with you when on campus. Please find more information on our Student ID cards page.

Visa information

Following the UK’s withdrawal from the EU, students arriving after 1 January 2021 (EU and Non-EU) must consider visa implications before travel under the new ‘Points-Based Immigration System’:

Studying for less than six months

This information applies to semester-only applicants:

You will be able to apply for leave under the new Visitor route rules. Non-visa nationals can usually seek entry on arrival in the UK and enter via their e-passports.

Studying for more than six months

This information applies to full academic year applicants:

You will be able to apply for leave under the new ‘Student route (replacing the existing Tier 4 system). Please find more information on application fees and other visa and Immigration Health Surcharge costs via the links.

You must obtain a ‘Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies’ (CAS) requirement. See GOV UK information about arriving in the UK or speak to our International Advice Team for visa advice.

For further details, please click here, email our International Advice Team at internationaladvice@lincoln.ac.uk, or call +44 (0) 1522 837080.

Travel information

By air

Many international students fly to London Heathrow before making their way to Lincoln. Heathrow is the UK's main airport and is west of London. It is connected to central London by the Underground Tube system. Some students (mainly those flying from European destinations) also fly into other major UK airports, such as London Stansted, Manchester, and Gatwick, or arrive at regional airports, such as East Midlands near Nottingham. We have more information on routes and main roads to Lincoln, as well as other methods of transport, on our Maps page.

By rail

Lincoln Central Railway Station is in the city centre, just a few minutes' walk from the University of Lincoln's Brayford Pool Campus. The station is fully accessible for wheelchair users. Direct trains to/from London King's Cross take around two hours. There are also frequent rail connections to other major cities including Sheffield, Nottingham, Leicester, and Leeds.

You can book train tickets on several websites, including the National Rail website and Trainline (you can download the Trainline app). We recommend you book your tickets in advance; this can often be cheaper. Rail travel can be expensive in the UK. You may wish to purchase a 16-25 Railcard. It gives you a 1/3 off the price of train tickets for one year, which can be quite a big saving if you are planning to travel within the UK.

By taxi / car

Travelling by taxi or car hire from the airport to the University can be a convenient choice for students travelling with a large amount of luggage, but please note that this is the most expensive option. For taxis, consider using our local services, Handsome Cabs or Flight Links. Costs will vary depending on the airport you travel from.

Term Dates

Autumn (Semester A) Spring (Semester B)
22 September 2025 - 26 September 2025: Welcome Week 26 January 2026 - 30 January 2026: Welcome Week
29 September 2025 - 19 December 2025: Formal Teaching 2 February 2026 - 27 March 2026: Formal Teaching
22 December 2025 - 11 January 2026: Holiday 30 March 2026 - 12 April 2026: Easter Break
12 January 2025 - 17 January 2025: Formal Teaching 13 April 2026 - 15 May 2026: Formal Teaching
19 January 2025 - 30 January 2025: Examinations 18 May 2026 - 5 June 2026: Examinations

*Most modules chosen by incoming exchange students do not require you to sit any examinations, but please check with your School before making travel arrangements.

Arrival day and Welcome Talk

Arrival Day for exchange students is approximately one week before the official semester starts. We recommend that all exchange students arrive during this time to fully participate in Welcome Week.

In addition, the Global Opportunities team will host a welcome talk on Monday of Welcome Week. Invitations with event details will be sent to all incoming exchange students. During this talk, we will provide useful and practical information to help you make the most of your time here. We encourage students to attend this event and plan their arrival in Lincoln accordingly. It’s a great way to get familiar with the campus and engage in orientation activities before classes start.

Buddy system

The Welcome Week is designed for exchange students to meet University of Lincoln students who help them before and during their stay in Lincoln. The Global Opportunities Team will invite students to join the Lincoln Connect Platform to contact University of Lincoln alumni prior to their arrival in the UK.