How do I apply?

Applications for the 2024/25 Masters Beyond Borders programme are now closed.

Read the information below for guidance on what to expect and what documents you need.

Before you begin, make sure you have the following information available:

Your personal details including your name, student ID number and contact details.
Your passport's expiry date and nationality.
A list of up to five destinations in order of preference.

You will also need to upload the following supporting documents:

A 500-word (maximum) personal statement answering the following three questions:
1. How will this experience benefit you personally and professionally?
2. How will this experience help you to develop a greater appreciation and understanding of different cultures?
3. How do you intend to act as a positive ambassador for Leeds University Business School whilst studying abroad?

Please do not include any sensitive or confidential information in your supporting statement. If you would like to discuss any personal circumstances that may impact your semester abroad, please contact us directly at studyabroad@lubs.leeds.ac.uk.

A budgeting plan. Please complete our budgeting plan template for the most expensive destination on your list - you do not need to complete a plan for each of your choices.

Budgeting plan template (xlsx)

A copy of your CV in Microsoft Word or PDF format.

FAQs for students

What are the entry requirements for MBB?

Applicants to the 2024/25 MBB programme should have achieved a minimum average of 60 in the 2023/24 academic year. If you achieved a slightly lower average you may still be able to apply if you have the support of the Business School. Please contact studyabroad@lubs.leeds.ac.uk before applying to ask whether we will support your application.

Can I list less than 5 destinations on my application?

Yes - you do not have to list 5 destinations if there are not 5 at which you would be happy to spend a semester. Listing less than five will not jeopardise your chances of being placed at one of your preferred choices, but neither will it increase them. You must be prepared to spend a semester at any of the destinations listed on your application, as you could be allocated any of them. This includes your lowest-ranked choice.

What if I want to apply for MBB and the Graduate Route Visa?

Students who want to apply for MBB and the Graduate Route Visa will need to:

Extend their existing UK visa until the MSc International Business (with Study Abroad) end date (UKVI will automatically add 4 months beyond the course end date). Information on extending your visa inside the UK can be found on this page.
Return to the UK from their respective host country and institution after their semester abroad has ended.

Once we have received a student’s host university transcript, the student has been awarded and the student has met all the University and UKVI requirements they will become eligible to apply for the Graduate Route Visa. Information on applying for the Graduate Route visa can be found on our website here.

Please note that you will need to extend your current UK visa from inside the UK before starting your MBB semester abroad if you want to apply for the Graduate Route Visa. Please note that it can take up to 2 weeks to receive a CAS and 8 weeks to receive a new visa. Please be aware that you may also need to apply for a visa to study in your MBB host country (for example, you may need to apply for an Italian visa if you are studying in Italy for your MBB study abroad semester). You will therefore need to plan ahead to ensure you can apply to extend your UK student visa and apply for your host country visa if required. We recommend that you begin researching this as soon as you have accepted your MBB offer.

Please note if you need to take any resits at the host university this could delay the host university issuing the transcript to Leeds and therefore delay the award date. If your award is not published before your visa end date, you will not be eligible for the Graduate Route Visa.

If you are not planning to apply for MBB you can follow the usual work route options. See more information here: For Students | University of Leeds If you do not wish to work in the UK on completion of your course you should leave the UK before the expiry of your student visa.

If you have any questions about your current UK visa and/or the Graduate Route Visa please see the above links and if you have further questions email studentvisaadvice@leeds.ac.uk

What happens after I apply?

Cyntia Vilasboas Calixto Casnici, the Module Leader for LUBS5999M Postgraduate Study Abroad, and the LUBS Study Abroad Team will review your application. Where possible, we will place you according to your choices. However, in the event that destinations are oversubscribed we will use your semester 1 grades (70% weighting) and your personal statement (30% weighting) to decide where you are placed. Please note that the selection process for MBB is competitive, and you are not guaranteed a place at one of your choices.

Though your budgeting plan and CV hold no weighting towards your allocation, we have certain standards that these documents must meet. Your budgeting plan must demonstrate that you have researched the overall cost of your semester abroad, and your CV must contain your education history and work experience.

How will I know if my application was successful?

We will contact you by email with the outcome of your application within 2 weeks.

If you are successful:

Your email will inform you where you have been allocated.
You will be invited to a series of pre-departure events taking place throughout Semester 2.
At some point during Semester 2, you will be asked to submit a formal application to your host institution.
You will not need to accept or decline your place - we will assume you will be taking up your place unless you notify us of your withdrawal.

If you are unsuccessful:

Your email will inform you whether you were deemed ineligible, or eligible but unplaced. Eligible but unplaced applicants may receive further information on how to re-apply for destinations with places remaining after the initial selection process.

Important notes:

Please check your University of Leeds email account every weekday during term time after submitting your application, as we may contact you if we have any questions about your application or choices.
After selection has taken place, we cannot change your allocation without demonstrating exceptional circumstances in writing. This is due to the complex nature of the selection process.
Prior to selection results being released, if you have decided that you no longer wish to study abroad, please email us at studyabroad@lubs.leeds.ac.uk to let us know so that we can reallocate your place to another applicant. We are unable to reallocate places once a student withdraws after the selection results have been released.

How is my semester abroad assessed?

After completing all the elements of your MSc International Business programme, you will be enrolled on a 60-credit module known as LUBS5999M Postgraduate Study Abroad. During your semester abroad, you should look for opportunities to improve your personal development. You will then reflect on these experiences in two video presentations, a 7-minute presentation worth 70% of your formal assessment and a 3-minute presentation worth 30% of your formal assessment.

You must also gain the required number of credits at your host institution. This is equivalent to 80% of the workload for a full-time student at that institution.