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Undergraduate travel insurance

Find out more about University of Exeter Travel Insurance.

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Language assessment

Remember to look closely at the language of instruction for the modules you would like to take at your host university (see Where can I study abroad? for a list of institutions and their language requirements). 

When researching your placement ensure the institution you wish to study at has enough modules taught in English to cover the duration of your placement with additional reserve modules (in case of timetable clashes or modules not running). 

If you intend to study in a language other than English, Exeter require you to have taken the Advanced 1 (or higher) modules in that language through the Foreign Language Centre (FLC). In addition you must ensure you have the minimum required language competency as advertised by your host university for admission. 

If you are unsure of your language proficiency the Foreign Language Centre provides language tests for French, German, Italian, and Spanish.

In the event you are already fluent in the relevant language, you should contact your College Study Abroad coordinator who will arrange with the FLC for your language ability to be assessed.  If the FLC can confirm to your Academic  Coordinator that your language is at a level equivalent to Advanced 1 or higher, then you will be exempt from the requirement to study the FLC language modules.

Please be aware that if an official language test and/or certificate is needed for your Year Abroad then a fee may be payable. 

Erasmus+ Language Support

The Online Linguistic Support (OLS) is an online platform designed to improve the knowledge of the language you will be working or studying in before and during your stay abroad. The OLS offers online language assessment and, where applicable, language courses to any student participating in an Erasmus+ mobility activity with a duration in excess of two months.

OLS assessments are mandatory for students who are undertaking a mobility in a language that is not their native language. For example, if a UK student undertakes a mobility in France but will be working in English they are not required to complete the assessment. However, if the UK student intends to work in French they will then need to complete the assessment and could participate in a language course.

If an overseas student whose first language is not English enrolled at a UK institution is going to undertake a mobility in English, then they would be required to take the OLS assessment in English.

OLS Second Assessment

The second assessment is mandatory for students who complete the first assessment. The second assessment is linked to the original assessment and will automatically be issued to you when you reach the end of your mobility.

OLS Assessment for multiple mobilities

If you are undertaking multiple mobilities in the same language you must complete the OLS assessment for each mobility, regardless of whether you have previously completed the OLS language assessment in the same language for a previous mobility. For instance, if you undertake a mobility in French and complete the OLS assessment and then undertake another mobility in French you will need to complete the OLS assessment again.

Online language support course

The OLS course (separate from the OLS assessment) is aimed at various levels of proficiency. It is more beneficial to beginners and intermediates but there are sections for those with a better knowledge of the host language.

If you obtain a result between levels A1 and B1 in your first assessment you will automatically be allocated a language course licence. If in your first assessment you obtain a higher result than B1, courses are available in the following languages, at the following levels:

If you are not automatically issued with an OLS course licence you can request one by emailing outbound@exeter.ac.uk. Please note that we receive a limited number of licences each year - as such they will be issued on a first come, first served basis.