Inbound Exchanges
This section of the website is designed for exchange students from outside of the UK who wish to study at the University of Chichester, usually as part of a degree at their home university.
Information on inbound exchanges
Choosing your exchange
- You can study with us for one or two semesters (half an academic year or one full academic year).
- Look at our subject areas to decide which topics interest you.
- Check there is a valid exchange agreement for your course. You will need to make sure that your university has an agreement set in place with the University of Chichester before you can proceed. Please speak to your International Office at your home institution for further details.
- Please note, medium of instruction is wholly English and if English is not your first language you will need to provide evidence of your language level. A list of our recognised English language tests can be viewed on our requirements page.
- If you have any questions regarding our courses or the university, please contact us at exchange@chi.ac.uk or speak to your International Office at your university.
How to apply
Exchange nomination and application process
- Speak to your international office and ask them to nominate you by sending a nomination email to exchange@chi.ac.uk.
- If your nomination is successful, the University of Chichester will send you the link to our application portal.
- When selecting your modules, check that they are available in the semesters you wish to study here and the credits for these modules add up to the recommended total for the time you will spend at Chichester. Your home institution will need to approve your module selection, if you have any questions about these modules please contact exchange@chi.ac.uk.
- Complete your application on our portal here. Once you have registered on our platform as an incoming exchange applicant, you will be able to upload your supporting documents, including a recent transcript, evidence of suitable English language qualifications (for students whose native language is not English), your personal statement and an academic reference for international exchanges. If applicable to your subject area, you will also be able to provide us with your audition video.
- The exchange tutor at the University of Chichester will consider your application and if you are successful, the University of Chichester will email you with your offer.
Application and nomination deadlines
Our deadlines for incoming student nominations and applications are as follows.
Fall semester 2025 or full year 2025/2026 exchange:
- Nomination by Sunday 25 March 2025
- Application by Sunday 27 April 2025
Spring semester 2026:
- Nomination by Sunday 05 October 2025
- Application by Sunday 02 November 2025
All nominations must be sent to exchange@chi.ac.uk with the following details:
- first name
- surname
- pronouns
- nationality
- email address
- course name
- course level
- current year
- exchange period
Students must complete at least one year at their home institution before studying at the University of Chichester.
You must be nominated by your home university before you apply. All applications will be reviewed after the application deadline.
Programmes at Chichester
You will join our British and international students taking full degree programmes and you are sure to have an immersive, exciting and rewarding experience.
Our course search shows the range of departments available and you can discover the wide range of classes available in our module guide.
Do I need a visa?
Visa information for Exchange and Study Abroad students
Unless you are a British or Irish national or an EU national with settled status in the UK, you will need a visa to study in the UK. The type of visa you need depends on how long you intend to stay in the UK. Our “Which Visa?” flowchart will help you understand the different scenarios and visa types available to you.
Study in the UK for up to 6 months:
If your study does not include a work placement and you do not wish to work while studying in the UK, you will need to apply for a Visitor Route visa. Whether you need to apply for this visa in advance or not, depends on your nationality. Please see below.
Non-visa nationals:
If you are considered a non-visa national e.g. USA, Canada, Japan, South Korea, EEA and Switzerland etc. you do not need to apply for this visa in advance. You can enter the UK through eGates using your biometric passport and you will be registered as having entered the country as a visitor. You will not receive a stamp in your passport*. You may be asked to show additional evidence at the border and should carry the following documents in your hand luggage just in case:
- Evidence of the purpose of your stay in the UK i.e. your offer letter from the University of Chichester.
- Your bank statements to show that you have enough money to cover your living costs during your stay.
- Your return ticket to show that you intend to leave the UK at the end of your stay.
*When using eGates, it is important to keep evidence of your date of arrival in the UK. You should be prepared to show your e-ticket or boarding pass when you are invited to register onto your course at the University of Chichester.
Electronic Travel Authorisation
Please note that most non-EU/EEA non-visa nationals will need to apply for an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) from January 2025 onwards. EU/EEA national are required to apply for an ETA from 2 April 2025 onwards. More information regarding the Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) can be accessed via the UK Government website. You can also find a helpful UK Home Office YouTube video about the application process here.
Visa nationals:
You are considered a visa national if you are from one the countries listed here. You will need to apply for a Visitor Route visa in advance of your visit to the UK.
Please check gov.uk to see what documents you will need to provide and how to submit your application online.
Please note the following restrictions:
- Visitors are allowed to study in the UK for up to 6 months.
- Visitors are not allowed to take part in work placements, take up employment or volunteer
If you hold an Electronic Visa Wavier (EVW) document you don’t need to apply for Entry Clearance before you travel. Please ensure that you meet the criteria for this.
Stay in the UK for longer than 6 months:
If you are coming to the UK for longer than 6 months, or if your course includes a work placement or if you wish to work while you are studying in the UK, you will need to apply for a Student Route visa in advance. You will need a Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS) document from the University of Chichester in order to apply for this visa. For more information on the Student Route visa and how to apply, please visit our website.
If you are an Exchange or Study Abroad student already in the UK and you wish to extend your stay and your visa, you will need to leave the UK to apply for a new visa.
Please note that it is not possible to switch from the Visitor Route to Student Route visa inside the UK.
Who to contact:
If you need visa advice, please contact the International Advice team.
Email: international@chi.ac.uk
You could also find it useful to browse our BePrepared pages.
Useful websites:
https://www.chi.ac.uk/study/international/visa-and-immigration/
https://www.gov.uk/standard-visitor
https://www.gov.uk/student-visa
https://www.ukcisa.org.uk/Information--Advice/Visas-and-Immigration/Visitors
