See the World While You Study

CAO Courses with a
Year Abroad

A year abroad — whether studying at a European university, doing a work placement in Germany, or completing a clinical elective in Australia — is one of the most transformative experiences available during an undergraduate degree. This guide lists every major CAO course that includes an international component, so you can plan this into your college choice from the start.

73
Courses listed
3
Types of year abroad
€300–450
Erasmus+ monthly grant
14
Universities covered
Understanding Your Options

Three Types of Year Abroad

MANDATORY YEAR ABROAD
Built Into Your Degree

You spend a full year (usually Year 3) studying at a partner university in another country. Most common in language degrees, international business, and law with a language. The year abroad is a requirement — you cannot opt out. Fully integrated into your degree classification.

OPTIONAL ERASMUS+ / EXCHANGE
You Choose to Go

Available at virtually every Irish university for almost any discipline. You apply through your university's international office (usually in 2nd year) for a semester or full year at a partner university. Erasmus+ grant of €300–€450/month helps cover costs. SUSI grant continues.

WORK PLACEMENT ABROAD
Earn & Learn Internationally

UL's Co-op programme (Ireland's largest — 2,000+ students/year, 30% go international) and DCU's INTRA scheme place students in paid work placements at companies abroad. Duration: 6–8 months. You are employed and paid a salary while gaining international experience.

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All Types Mandatory Year Abroad Optional Erasmus / Exchange Work Placement Abroad
CAO Code Course & University Type When Destinations Details
Practical Advice

Planning Your Year Abroad

Pick the right course from the start.
If a year abroad is important to you, choose a CAO course that has it built in (mandatory) rather than hoping to arrange one later. Mandatory year abroad courses guarantee the experience — optional Erasmus places can be competitive and are not guaranteed.
Understand the Erasmus+ grant.
EU students going on Erasmus receive €300–€450 per month depending on the destination country (higher-cost countries get more). This does not cover all expenses but significantly helps. Your SUSI grant continues while abroad. You pay no tuition at the host university.
UL Co-op is unique — and seriously impressive.
Every UL undergraduate does a mandatory 8-month work placement (Co-op), and roughly 30% do it internationally. You are paid a salary, gain real work experience, and build a CV that stands out. Destinations include the US, France, Germany, Japan, and Luxembourg. This is not a study exchange — it is a job.
Language degrees require a language — plan ahead.
Mandatory year abroad courses in language degrees require you to have studied the relevant language (usually to LC Higher Level). If you are interested in Commerce International or Law with French, make sure you are taking the language at Higher Level in your Leaving Cert.
Start housing research early.
Student housing shortages exist across Europe — not just in Ireland. When you receive your exchange placement, begin looking for accommodation immediately. University housing offices, student Facebook groups, and platforms like HousingAnywhere are good starting points.
Employers value international experience highly.
Students who have studied or worked abroad consistently report better career outcomes. The cross-cultural skills, independence, adaptability, and language abilities gained during a year abroad are among the most valued attributes in graduate recruitment. This is not just a holiday — it is a career investment.
Common Questions

Year Abroad FAQ

For mandatory year abroad courses (like language degrees or Commerce International), no — the year abroad is built into the standard degree duration (usually 4 years). For optional Erasmus exchanges, it depends: a semester exchange typically replaces one semester of your normal Year 3 and does not add time. A full-year exchange may add a year to your degree at some institutions but not others — check with your specific university. UL Co-op placements are part of the standard 4-year degree structure.

This varies by university and programme. For many mandatory year abroad courses, the grades earned during the exchange are converted and included in your degree classification. For some programmes (like UCD Law with French Law), marks obtained abroad do not affect your final degree class but satisfactory performance is required to progress to final year. For Erasmus exchanges, credit transfer ensures your modules abroad count toward your degree, but the weighting may differ. Always check the specific policy for your course.

Yes. If your year abroad is an approved part of your Irish degree programme, your SUSI maintenance grant continues during the period abroad. The non-adjacent rate typically applies. You also receive the Erasmus+ grant on top of SUSI — the two are not mutually exclusive. For UL Co-op placements, you are employed and paid a salary, so the financial model is different.

For language degree year abroad placements, yes — that is the whole point, and you will have studied the language for at least two years before going. For Erasmus exchanges in non-language degrees, many host universities offer modules in English, so you can study in countries like the Netherlands, Denmark, Sweden, or Germany without speaking the local language. That said, learning even basic phrases makes the experience much richer. For UL international Co-op placements, language requirements depend on the employer — English-speaking placements are available in most countries.

Erasmus+ is the EU-funded programme that provides grants for students studying at partner universities within Europe. A bilateral exchange is a direct agreement between your Irish university and a non-EU partner (e.g. in the US, Canada, Australia, or Asia). The key difference is funding: Erasmus+ provides a monthly grant automatically, while bilateral exchange students may need to fund the experience themselves (though SUSI still applies). Both types are available at most Irish universities.
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