Going Abroad
Each year, students from the School of Social Sciences and Philosophy spend part or all of their third year studying at leading universities across Europe, North America, Asia, and Australia. It is one of the most rewarding things you can do during your time at Trinity, offering a chance to experience a different academic culture, develop new perspectives, and build skills that go far beyond the classroom.
Overview
There are two types of exchange available to you: college-wide exchanges, which are administered separately through Trinity Global and open to all Trinity students, and departmental exchanges, coordinated through the School. Find out which applies to you below.
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College-Wide Exchanges
College-wide exchanges are open to all Trinity students and offer opportunities to study in North America, China, Singapore, Australia, and beyond. These are administered separately through Trinity Global, where you will find full details on eligibility, destinations, and how to apply.
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Departmental Exchanges
Departmental exchanges are coordinated through the School of Social Sciences and Philosophy. Places are with partner universities specifically selected for their strengths in the social sciences and philosophy, and are allocated by subject area.
Availability at each university is limited and exchanges work on a reciprocal basis, meaning we send the same number of students as we receive. Quotas are agreed as part of our exchange partnerships and cannot be amended unilaterally. We will do our best to accommodate your first preference, or at least a destination you will be happy with, but this cannot be guaranteed.
Am I eligible?
Departmental exchanges are open to students on BESS, PPES, Single Honours Philosophy, and Joint Honours programmes. Provisional offers are made on the basis of:
- Grades received in Junior Freshman year
- Proficiency in the language of instruction at any institution where you are applying for a place
- A minimum of a II.2 in Senior Freshman year is required before any offer can be confirmed.
Fees and Grants
Trinity students on exchange continue to pay Trinity fees and pay no registration fees to the host university. In exceptional cases, host universities may require administration or other charges.
If you are participating in an Erasmus exchange, you may be eligible for a grant from the European Commission to help with the costs of studying abroad. This is not guaranteed and amounts can vary. To apply, contact the Study Abroad desk in the Academic Registry.
Where can you go?
The School has exchange partnerships with universities across Europe and beyond, from Sciences Po in Paris and the University of Mannheim to Charles University in Prague and Umeå University in Sweden. Some programmes are taught through English; others offer the chance to study in the local language.
How to Apply
Applications for departmental exchanges are submitted online during a set application window each autumn. Offers are not made on a first come, first served basis - you have the full window to research your options and submit a considered application. Only complete applications submitted online will be accepted.
Before you apply, make sure you:
- Research your preferred destinations carefully as places are limited and preferences are not guaranteed.
- Check that your programme is eligible for the exchanges you are interested in.
- If you are on a two-subject programme where one subject belongs to another School, check that School's application process too.
- Familiarise yourself with your pathway requirements, including any capstone prerequisites, and check module offerings and academic calendars at your preferred destinations.
- If you study more than one subject, check how this affects the length of exchange you can apply for.
The application form asks for a personal statement of up to 100 words, focusing on the academic benefits of your chosen destinations, and up to five destination preferences. The selection committee will assume you are happy to go to any destination you list.
You can apply for both college-wide and departmental exchanges, but you cannot go to two destinations in the same year. If you receive more than one offer, you will need to choose one.
Questions?
For queries about the application form, contact the study abroad team at ssp_studyabroad@tcd.ie. For questions about specific destinations or eligibility, contact your relevant exchange coordinator.
Key Documents
Two documents are updated each year with the latest dates, deadlines and requirements. The Study Abroad Handbook covers every stage of your exchange in detail, from applications and module approval to fees, grants, grade conversion and progression. The slides from this year’s outgoing information session give an overview of the exchanges available, the application process and how offers are made.