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Summer Research Internships Abroad

Summer research internships enhance students’ employability and broaden their horizons through research experience in a different setting from the University of Liverpool and the UK institutions.

A collage featuring diverse individuals engaged in various project activities, showcasing teamwork and creativity.

Take your academic journey with our research placements abroad. These summer internships provide a unique opportunity to work on real research projects in an international context, available as both credit-bearing and non-credit-bearing placements. The placements are offered to students in addition to the usual study abroad opportunities coordinated by the University. We make this international experience accessible through free University travel insurance and available grants. 

Enjoy the chance to conduct research in internationally respected institutions, including:

  • Chulalongkorn University – Bangkok, Thailand
  • XJTLU (Xi’an Jiaotong-Liverpool University) – Suzhou, China
  • Cyprus University of Technology – Limassol, Cyprus
  • Tribhuvan University – Kathmandu, Nepal

These placements do not just build your CV. You will

  • Work collaboratively with international teams
  • Develop critical thinking and real-world problem-solving
  • Gain research experience in a professional setting different from the UK institutions
  • Enhance cultural understanding and adaptability
  • Improve communication skills
  • Build confidence, resilience, and independence
  • Improve employability through international mobility

Opting for a credit-bearing research placement during the summer between your second and third year means that 22.5 credits of your final year modules are replaced with the Chemistry Research Internship module. This allows you to gain valuable international experience while lightening your Year 3 workload—giving you more time to focus on remaining modules and potentially improve your overall degree classification. The Chemistry Research Internship Module (CHEM309) is available to the following programmes:

  • BSc Chemistry
  • BSc Medicinal Chemistry
  • MChem Chemistry

Please see below for some case studies from 3 of our undergraduates who took part in our summer placements abroad.

Kyron Webbe

Bangkok, Thailand

“Taking part in the CHEM309 Summer Internship in Bangkok, Thailand was honestly one of the most rewarding experiences I’ve had so far. Getting the chance to study and work in such a lively and inspiring environment really opened my eyes to what research can look like beyond the UK. My project was called "Analysis of Phthalates in Commercial Perfumes Using a Low-Cost Solid Phase Microextraction (SPME) Technique with 2D GC-MS." I looked at how we could detect potentially harmful phthalates—chemicals sometimes used in fragrance products—using more affordable and accessible analytical techniques. It was exciting to apply what I’d learned in lectures to real-world challenges and to get hands-on with advanced equipment like GC-MS. Plus, living and studying in Bangkok brought so many new experiences—culturally and academically—and gave me a real boost in confidence for pursuing chemistry in the future.”

Kyron Webbe in lab

Shannon Nicholson

Kathmandu, Nepal

“Researching abroad was the best choice I made that summer, as I got to meet so many interesting people and learn about their wonderful culture, all whilst gaining significant skills and experience that makes my CV stand out. It has also meant that my third-year workload is dramatically reduced, meaning that I can give more time and attention to my final project.”

Shannon Nicholson

Harry Palmer

Suzhou China

"Studying in China for two months as part of the international summer internship programme was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. During this experience, I made new friends from both Liverpool and Suzhou, tried some of the tastiest food I’ve ever eaten (mala xiang guo was my favourite), and travelled across China on my days off, visiting places such as Shanghai and Nanjing. Moreover, the placement allowed me to develop my research and synthetic organic chemistry skills, which have been invaluable in the later years of my MChem degree, where research is the primary focus. Overall, I would recommend doing a summer abroad to anyone!!"

Harry Palmer