Foreign travel information

Birkbeck is a global institution and supports foreign travel, which can support the education and the experience of students.

Whether travelling as part of your Birkbeck studies or travelling independently, our information and resources can help make the most of your travel.

Travel as part of your Birkbeck programme

The government confirmed that the UK will no longer be a partner in Erasmus now that the UK has withdrawn from the EU. Support for students undertaking international student mobility will be through The Turing Scheme. Find out more by visiting Birkbeck's International Study Mobility page or The Turing Scheme website.

It is vital to make sure that you have travel insurance for your trip.
If you are travelling as part of your Birkbeck course, Birkbeck has a travel insurance policy that will insure Birkbeck employees and students who are normally resident in the UK. To be covered by the insurance, you must register your trip.
If you are not travelling as part of your course, make sure that you have sufficient travel insurance before you leave.

Vaccinations
- Ensure that you have up-to-date vaccinations to travel to certain countries or regions. Check the NHS’s vaccination advice or discuss with your GP or private travel vaccination clinic, or pharmacy offering travel healthcare services.
Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC)
- A UK Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC) gives you the right to access state-provided healthcare during a temporary stay in the European Union (EU).
- If you're planning to study in an EU country, a regular GHIC will not be valid. You need to apply for a GHIC that's time limited to the length of your course. You cannot apply for this online. An application form is available on the GHIC website. Birkbeck will supply a letter confirming that the visit is part of your study.
- You can use a GHIC to get 'necessary healthcare' from state services when you're visiting an EU country.
- Necessary healthcare means healthcare which becomes medically necessary during your stay, and you cannot reasonably wait until you're back in the UK to get it.
- The GHIC is not an alternative to travel insurance. It will not cover any private medical healthcare or costs, such as mountain rescue in ski resorts or being flown back to the UK.
- Make sure you have both a GHIC and a travel insurance policy that includes healthcare in place before you travel.

If you are travelling abroad as part of your studies with Birkbeck, and you have a disability or long term-health condition, you will need a completed risk assessment. This will ensure that you and the College have considered how your condition is likely to affect you during your time abroad, and that appropriate support is in place for you where required.
To conduct a risk assessment, contact your Birkbeck Disability and Dyslexia or Mental Health adviser.

Make sure you research the country you’re visiting, and plan how you will travel around, access money, and ensure that you have a means to communicate.
Money
- Consider whether you will take local currency with you or if you plan on accessing funds when you arrive.
- Inform your bank that you will be travelling, to make sure that your bank cards are not blocked.
Mobile phone
- Depending on the country you’re visiting and the length of stay, consider buying a local SIM card. Data use in the EU currently counts towards your existing UK plan, but can be very expensive in other countries. Buying a local SIM may be cheaper.
Travel and safety
- Research the best way to travel in the area you’re visiting. Keep to official transport options and registered taxi operators to stay safe and so that you are not over-charged. Consider downloading apps for local trains and taxi operators before you arrive. Book your accommodation and plan how to get there before you arrive.