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European and Study Abroad Office

Erasmus+ and Study Abroad Student Handbook

January 2017

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Contents

What is study abroad? 2

Why? 3

When? 4

Partner universities and schools 5

Eligibility 14

Finance 15

Student loans 15

Erasmus grants 16

Scholarships 17

Insurance 17

How to apply 18

Recognition of study abroad 23

Keeping in contact 24

Staff contacts 25

PLEASE NOTE

Whilst every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of the information in this handbook, you

are strongly advised to check all details before committing yourself to a period of study abroad.

European and Study Abroad Office, October 2016

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What is study abroad? The University encourages students to take the opportunity of studying abroad. By spending part of your degree at a partner university in another country, you can benefit from the challenges and rewards of living, working and studying in another environment, different horizons, different approaches and different encounters which can only enrich you both personally and educationally and improve your future career prospects. The University has a number of well-established partnerships with universities and business schools in mainland Europe as well as Australia, Canada, Singapore and USA. It has also developed partnerships in Brazil, Chile, India, China, Hong Kong, Japan, Korea, Malaysia, Mexico, South Africa, Kenya and Uruguay. Most students will follow taught courses, but others will often combine a study period with a work placement. You can gain many advantages from studying in another country: You will become more confident about mixing with people from different backgrounds

and cultures; You will demonstrate that you can cope with the challenges of living in a different

environment; You will improve your employability after graduation; Your time abroad will develop your ability to be independent and self-reliant; You will experience different ways of working in another country, which will give you a

broader outlook and perspective on the world; Your will improve your language skills, or can take the opportunity to learn a new

language; You will make useful contacts and lasting friendships. You can choose to take a semester or a full academic year at one of our partners depending on your programme requirements. In Year Two (a ‘Replacement Year’), you will need to study an equivalent of 60 UH credits per semester and in English. In an additional Placement Year (an ‘Intercalated Year’), you must study a minimum of 45 UH credits per semester. You will gain academic recognition for your study abroad at all partners. In Europe, credit transfer is based on the European Credit Transfer and Accumulation System (ECTS). You can find out how study abroad is recognised on page 24. The University, through the Erasmus+ Programme, obtains funding from the European Union to assist UH students, whatever their nationality, with travel and living costs for study and work in another European country. It is a grant which is not repayable. This funding is secure for study and work in 2017-18, but is not know beyond that, which will be subject to negotiations on the UK exit from the European Union. You do not necessarily need a foreign language to participate in an exchange. In Europe, all of our partners offer modules in English, and many of our partners offer whole programmes taught in English.

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Why? Students who have already studied abroad are probably best able to answer this question. However, here are a few impressions of returning students:

‘I am having the time of my life; I'm exhausted but have never felt so alive. It is amazing here and the people are so friendly I have made some really good friends already …… I just know I'm going to hate leaving here….’

(Exchange student, Oklahoma State

University, USA)

‘I firmly believe that as a result of my year in Spain I have changed both in my personality and my general outlook on life. Being placed in a situation where my only means of communication was through a language other than my mother tongue has definitely boosted my levels of confidence and social skills. I consider this an asset not only in my university career but also in my life outside my studies’

(Exchange student, Madrid, Spain)

Studying and working abroad during my degree was a brilliant experience. Friends for life and treasured memories. I learnt so much about the world and really blossomed. Excelling in my studies, thriving from my language skills and work experience. It’s always a subject of interest for employers!’ (Exchange student, Seville, Spain)

‘To experience life in this beautiful country is one of the best opportunities I’ve had so far… I would recommend going abroad to every student at UH. To study in another part of the world broadens one’s view greatly and it is a great chance to make friends with people from all over the world’

(Exchange student, Western Sydney

University, Australia)

‘My exchange year was the best thing I ever did and it was the first step on my amazing journey around the world!’ (Exchange student, Universidad

de Montevideo, Uruguay)

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When? Students who study abroad usually either do so in Year Two (a ‘Replacement Year’) of a 3-year degree or a Placement Year (an ‘Intercalated Year’) of a 4-year degree. Early planning is vital to ensure your mobility is successful and that you get the most out of your time abroad. It is especially critical in these three aspects:

Financially; how will you fund your time abroad as you will still need to pay for accommodation, living expenses, travel costs and other items which may be specific to the partner you wish to study with.

Academically; check that you will have access to the modules that you want to study at the partner institution. Take some time to think about what you want to get out of this experience and make sure that the partner you choose will be able to offer appropriate modules. Remember that your Programme Leader will need to approve your selection of modules but also that this is an opportunity to broaden your learning and knowledge beyond your immediate field of study. In Year Two, you will need to match the modules at the partner with those on your home programme. You will need to complete a learning agreement for a programme of study at your chosen partner. This must be signed off prior to departure and at the latest by 31st July for study abroad in Semester A.

Language; if you intend to live and study in a country where English is not the official language, you will need to consider whether you possess, or can acquire, the necessary language skills. In some circumstances, you may need to provide evidence of proficiency in that language. However, in Year Two, you can only study in English.

Most students have the opportunity to include study abroad within their programme of study. You are advised to check with your Programme Leader or Departmental Erasmus/Study Abroad Coordinator (a list on the last two pages of this handbook) what the study abroad options are on your degree.

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Partner universities and schools See Study Abroad Studynet site for partner university websites. Australia

Bond University Gold Coast, Queensland All subjects

Curtin University of Technology Perth, Western Australia All subjects

James Cook University Townsville/Cairns, Queensland All subjects

RMIT University Melbourne, Victoria All subjects

Southern Cross University Lismore, NSW All subjects

University of Canberra Canberra, ACT All subjects

University of New South Wales Sydney, Australia Astronomy

Victoria University Melbourne, Victoria All subjects

Western Sydney University Sydney, Australia All subjects

Austria

Upper Austria University of Applied Sciences Hagenberg Computer science; Engineering

Brazil

FAAP Sao Paulo All subjects

Pontifícia Universidade Católica do Rio de

Janeiro

Rio de Janeiro All subjects

Bulgaria

Canada (Anglophone)

Bishops University Lennoxville, Quebec All subjects

Capilano University Vancouver, BC All subjects

Concordia University Montreal All subjects

Memorial University of Newfoundland St John’s, Newfoundland All subjects

Okanagan College Kelowna, BC All subjects

University of Guelph Guelph, Ontario All subjects

University of Windsor Windsor, Ontario All subjects

National Academy of Arts Sofia Art and design

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Vancouver Island University Nanaimo, BC All subjects

Canada (Francophone)

*École Nationale d’Administration Publique Montreal Business

*École de Technologie Supérieure Montreal Engineering

*École Polytechnique Montreal Engineering

*Université de Montréal Montreal All subjects

*Université de Sherbrooke Sherbrooke, Quebec All subjects

*Université du Québec à Chicoutimi Chicoutimi, Quebec All subjects

*Université du Québec à Montréal Montreal All subjects

*Université du Québec à Outaouais Gatineau, Quebec All subjects

*Université du Québec à Rimouski Rimouski, Quebec All subjects

*Université du Québec à Trois Rivières Trois Rivieres, Quebec All subjects

*Université du Québec en Abitibi-

Témiscamingue

Rouyn-Noranda, Quebec All subjects

Université Laval Quebec All subjects

* BCI Cooperation of Quebec universities

Chile

Universidad Mayor Santiago All subjects

China

ESSCA Shanghai Business

Cyprus

University of Nicosia Nicosia Art and design; Business;

Computer science; Health education; Humanities; Law

Czech Republic

Brno University of Technology Brno Engineering

Ostravska Univerzita v Ostrave Ostrava Social work

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Denmark

Aalborg Universitet Aalborg Computer science; Engineering

University College of Northern Denmark Aalborg Computer science

Finland

JAMK University of Applied Sciences Jyväskylä Business

Metropolia University of Applied Sciences Helsinki Business; Engineering

Mikkeli University of Applied Sciences Mikkeli/Savonlinna Nursing; Social work

Saimaa University of Applied Sciences Imatra Art and design

Satakunta University of Applied Sciences Pori Art and design

University of Eastern Finland Kuopio Social work

France

Ecole Nationale Superieure d'Architecture de Grenoble

Grenoble Architecture (doctoral)

EM Normandie Caen/Le Havre Business

ESC Dijon Bourgogne Dijon Business

ESPEME (EDHEC) Lille/Nice Business

ESSCA Angers Business

ESTACA Levallois-Perrer Engineering

IESEG Paris/Lille Business

IPAG Nice/Paris Business

Kedge Business School Bordeaux/Marseille Business

Novancia Business School Paris Business

Université Cergy-Pontoise Cergy-Pontoise Physics

Rennes Business School Rennes Business

Université Jean Monnet St Etienne Business; Humanities

Université Jean Moulin, Lyon 3 Lyon Business

Université Joseph Fourier Grenoble Geography

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Germany

Cologne Business School Cologne Business

EBS Universität für Wirtschaft und Recht Wiesbaden Business; Law

Fachhochschule Frankfurt am Main Frankfurt am Main Computer science

HAW Hamburg Hamburg Engineering

Hochschule Bremen Bremen Business

Hochschule Esslingen Esslingen Engineering

Hochschule für Technik und Wirtschaft des

Saarlandes

Saarbrücken Business

Hochschule für Wirtschaft und Recht Berlin Berlin Business; Law

Hochschule Harz Wernigerode Business

Hochschule Mannheim Mannheim Art and design

Katholische Fachhochschule Nordrhein- Westfalen

Cologne Social work

Otto-von-Guericke University Magdeburg Business

Stiftung Universität Hildesheim Hildesheim Humanities

Technische Universität Darmstadt Darmstadt Psychology

Universität Osnabrück Osnabrück Psychology

Hong Kong

Lingnan University Fu Tei, Hong Kong All subjects

Hungary

Budapest Business School Budapest Business

ESSCA Budapest Business

Pecsi Tudomanyegyetem

(University of Pecs)

Pecs Art and design; Humanities; Music

India

IILM New Delhi/Gurgaon Business

Ireland

IADT Dublin Art and design

National University of Ireland (NUI) Galway Galway Business

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Italy

Japan

Aoyama Gakuin University Tokyp All subjects

Nagoya Zokei University of Art and Design Nagoya Art and design

Oita University Oita All subjects

Ritsumeikan Asia Pacific University Beppu All subjects

Sophia University Tokyo All subjects

Kenya

Maasai Mara University Narok All subjects

Korea, Republic of

Dong-A University Busan All subjects

Yonsei University Seoul All subjects

Latvia

Stockholm School of Economics Riga Riga Business; Economics

Lithuania

Accademia Belle Arti di Macerata Macerata Art and design

Libera Università Carlo Cattaneo (LIUC) Castellanza, Milan Business

Università de Catania Catania Engineering

Università degli Studi de Padova Padova Pharmacy

Universita degli Studi di Cagliari Cagliari, Sardinia Geography

Università degli Studi di Modena e Reggio Emilia Modena Humanities (doctoral)

Università degli Studi di Roma La Sapienza Rome Business; Law; Psychology

Universita degli Studi G d’Annunzio Chieti, Pescara Psychology

Università del Salento Lecce Engineering

Università Tor Vergata Rome Business; Engineering; Midwifery; Nursing; Physiotherapy

University of Vilnius Vilnius Business

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Malaysia

INTI International University Kuala Lumpur Business; Humanities

Universiti Malaysia Sarawak (UNIMAS) Kota Samarahan, Sarawak All subjects

Mexico

Tecnológico de Monterrey Querétaro All subjects

Universidad Anahuac Mayab Merida, Yucatan All subjects

Netherlands, The

Hogeschool Utrecht Utrecht Business; Media

Hogeschool van Amsterdam Amsterdam Business; Computer science

Radboud Universiteit Nijmegen Nijmegen Biosciences; Business; Education;

Humanities; Psychology

Technische Universiteit Eindhoven (TU/e) Eindhoven Computer science

Norway

Høgskolen i Narvik Narvik Engineering

Høgskolen i Oslo og Akerhus Oslo/Lillestrøm Business; Midwifery; Nursing; Nutrition; Paramedical science;

Radiography; Social work

Høyskolen Kristiania Oslo Business; Tourism

Universitetet i Agder Kristiansand Business

Universitetet i Bergen Bergen Business

Westerdals School of Arts, Communication and

Technology

Oslo Art and design; Computer science

Poland

Adam Mickiewicz University Poznan Biosciences; Computer science

Akademia Sztuk Pieknych w Poznaniu

(Academy of Fine Arts in Poznan)

Poznan Art and design

Medical University of Lodz Lodz Engineering

Politechnika Lodzka

(Lodz University of Technology)

Lodz Computer science; Engineering

Warsaw School of Economics Warsaw Business

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Romania

Universitatea ‘Alexandru Ioan Cuza’ Iasi Social work

Universitatea Tehnica Cluj-Napoca Cluj-Napoca Art and design

Russian Federation

British Higher School of Art and Design Moscow Art and design

Russian Presidential Academy of National

Economy and Public Administration (RANEPA)

Moscow Business

Singapore

Nanyang Technological University Singapore All subjects

Slovenia

University of Ljubljana Ljubljana Business

South Africa

Ruth Prowse School of Art Cape Town Art and design

Spain

Escola Universitaria Politecnica de Mataro Barcelona Engineering

Universidad Camilo José Cela Madrid Business; Sports studies; Audio

visual

Universidad Complutense de Madrid Madrid Business; Computer science; Mathematics; Psychology

Universidad de Alcala de Henares Madrid Biosciences; Environmental science

Universidad de Granada Granada Art and design; Business

Universidad de Huelva Huelva Business

Universidad de la Laguna Tenerife Astronomy; Computer science

Universidad de Las Palmas de Gran Canaria Las Palmas de Gran Canaria Business

Universidad de Malaga Malaga Health education (doctoral)

Universidad de Sevilla Seville Nursing; Pharmacy; Physiotherapy;

Tourism

Universidad de Valladolid Valladolid Humanities

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Sweden

Jonköping International Business School Jonköping Business

Linköpings Universitet Linköping Biosciences; Nursing

Linnaeus Universitet Växjö Computer science; Humanities

Mälardalens Högskola Västerås Business

Switzerland

ZHAW School of Management Winterthur (Zurich) Business

Turkey

Bahcesehir Universitesi Istanbul Art and design; Business; Computer science; Mathematics

United States of America

California State University, Long Beach Long Beach, CA All subjects

Central Connecticut State University New Britain, CT (Hartford) All subjects

College of Charleston Charleston, SC All subjects

Hawaii Pacific University Honolulu, HI All subjects

Hofstra University Hempstead, NY (New York) All subjects

Kansas State University Manhattan, KS All subjects

Lawrence Technological University Southfield, MI (Detroit) Engineering

Northern Kentucky University Newport, KY (Cincinnati) All subjects

Oklahoma State University Stillwater, OK All subjects

Universidad Europea de Madrid Madrid Business; Engineering; Event

management; Tourism

Universitat d’Alacant Alicante Business; Environmental science; Geography

Universitat de Barcelona Barcelona Business

Universitat de Valencia Valencia Business; Computer science;

Tourism

Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya

(UPC)(Barcelona Tech)

Barcelona Engineering (Aerospace/

Telecommunications)

Universitat Pompeu Fabra Barcelona Business

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San Diego State University San Diego, CA All subjects

Stetson University De Land/Daytona Beach, FL All subjects

Stony Brook University (SUNY) Stony Brook, NY All subjects

University of New Mexico Albuquerque, NM All subjects

University of North Carolina Wilmington Wilmington, NC All subjects

University of North Florida Jacksonville, FL Arts; Business; Sciences

University of Oklahoma Norman, OK All subjects

University of Texas at Tyler Tyler, TX All subjects

University of Toledo Toledo, OH All subjects

University of West Georgia Carollton, GA All subjects

University of West Virginia Morgantown, WV All subjects

University of Wisconsin-Stout Menomonie, WI All subjects

University of Wisconsin-Whitewater Whitewater, WI All subjects

Weber State University Ogden, UT All subjects

Uruguay

Universidad de Montevideo Montevideo All subjects

Vietnam

RMIT University Ho Chi Minh City All subjects

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Eligibility The opportunity to study abroad is open to the majority of UH undergraduate full-time students, including international students. It is also open to part-time students, but only on a full-time basis. Language Some of our partner universities may ask students whose first language is not English to provide evidence of their competence in English. Partners asking for proficiency in European languages may refer to the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages. http://europass.cedefop.europa.eu/en/resources/european-language-levels-cefr/cef-ell-document.pdf Capacity Participation is also subject to there being sufficient places available at partner universities and suitable programmes and modules on offer. If demand for places at a particular partner cannot be met, students will be selected on their academic current and previous performance at UH. Academic performance You must pass sufficient modules for progression to be allowed to take a period of study abroad, and in some schools you may need to achieve certain grades to be allowed to study abroad. You are advised to check with your Departmental Erasmus/Study Abroad Coordinator what the requirements are in your particular case. A list of coordinators can be found on the last two pages of this handbook. You are therefore advised not to book flights until such time that you know you have satisfied academic and departmental requirements, including the outcome of any referred assessments, and that the school has confirmed you can go. Also, you are not allowed to go unless you have a completed learning agreement duly approved by both UH and the partner institution.

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Finance You will not be required to pay tuition fees at your host university. However, there may be additional fees which host university students pay that you may incur. For example, society membership, accommodation deposits, equipment hire, health insurance and semester fee (which includes free public transport). This is different for each university and you will need to research this when considering where you want to apply. Fees payable to Hertfordshire are as follows:

UK/EU students studying abroad for two semesters in Year Two

15% tuition fees

International students studying abroad for two semesters in Year Two

Full tuition fees

UK/EU/International students studying abroad for one semester in Year Two

Full tuition fees

UK/EU/International students studying abroad in Placement Year of 4-year degree

Nil fees

Details of the fee regulations in force during your period abroad will be confirmed at the pre-departure meetings. These will take place on Wednesday 19 April and Wednesday 26 April 2017.

Student loans If you are in receipt of a student loan, you will continue to be eligible for this whilst studying abroad. You may also be eligible for an SFE travel grant to help with travel insurance and visa application costs if the period of study abroad is a necessary part of your programme, for example, where the opportunity to include a Placement Year is offered. Contact your local Student Finance Office for further information. We will inform SFE that you are studying abroad, to help us with this we ask you to provide your customer reference number in the application form. If you know you will be studying abroad next year we advise you to apply for next year’s student loan as soon as possible.

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Erasmus grants

If you study in Europe under the Erasmus+ Programme, whatever your nationality, you will receive an Erasmus grant as a contribution towards the additional cost of studying abroad. The grant is also payable to students undertaking an approved work placement in Europe. This funding is secure for study and work in 2017-18. However, it is not known beyond that, and will be subject to negotiations on the UK exit from the European Union. The amount of grant varies each year and depends on the country in which you are studying and the length of the study period. In 2016-17 the rates of Erasmus grant were divided into two bands:

Country Mobility grant

Monthly

supplement for

students from

disadvantaged

backgrounds

Higher cost of living countries:

Austria, Denmark, Finland, France, Ireland,

Italy, Lichtenstein, Norway, Sweden

€430 (work)

€330 (study)

€100 (study only)

Lower cost of living countries::

Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech

Republic, Estonia, Germany, Greece,

Hungary, Iceland, Latvia, Lithuania,

Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Poland,

Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain,

Turkey, former Yugoslav Republic of

Macedonia

€380 (work)

€280 (study)

It is anticipated the grant will be paid in November 2017, with an adjustment payment in October 2018 on submission of the necessary paperwork and completion of the EU online feedback survey. A minimum of three months of study or two months of work abroad is required to qualify for funding. It is not a full cost grant, but is intended as a contribution towards your additional travel and accommodation expenses. It does not need to be repaid.

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Scholarships

Global Scholarships The University awards 20 scholarships each year (currently £500) to students studying abroad outside of Europe. These scholarships are awarded on the basis of academic merit. Santander Universities Scholarships We also offer 20 Santander Universities Scholarships (currently £1,000) to students studying abroad in Brazil, Chile, Mexico, Singapore, Uruguay and USA. These scholarships are awarded on the basis of academic merit, though students studying in Latin American countries will be considered a priority. INTI International University Scholarships There are 5 scholarships of £1,500 for students exchanging to INTI International University in Malaysia.

Insurance During your time abroad you will be covered by UH Travel Insurance and a summary of the cover is available from the European and Study Abroad Office. You will not however be covered during the long vacation or if you participate in high risk activities so you will need therefore to make your own arrangements for these periods/activities. Please note that some partner universities require you to take out their health insurance. If your study period abroad is a necessary part of your programme, you may be eligible for help to cover this cost. Your Student Finance Office will be able to provide further information. If you are national of an EU or EEA member state and are planning a study period in a European Union country, you are advised to apply for a European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) so that you can receive medical treatment whilst abroad. Further information on EHIC, and an application form, can be downloaded from the NHS website at: www.ehic.org.uk

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How to apply

You will need to decide at which university you would like to study (a list of partners is on pages 5-13). Information can be found on partner university websites, from the European and Study Abroad Office and from your own research. You may for example wish to contact UH students already studying abroad or meet with incoming exchange students currently at UH. You can contact students directly on our Facebook site (facebook.com/uhstudyabroad) or through the European and Study Abroad Office which can provide you with contact details for both groups of students. Research your options You need to make sure you select universities that are right for you and your degree. To help you with this we have collated a list of questions (research sheet) you need to ask yourself and find out before you submit your application. The list of questions and answers is part of the application form. In selecting your universities, you need to take account that they offer modules in your subject area. In particular, if you are planning to study abroad in Year Two (Replacement Year), you must provide your Programme Leader with information for them to ascertain a sufficient module match to your home programme. You must study in English in a Replacement Year, but are not restricted to English in an additional Placement Year (Intercalated Year). Learning agreement Part of this stage of your application is setting up a learning agreement. You need to agree a programme of study at the partner university which is set out in the learning agreement prior to departure. This is your study plan for your exchange period which your Programme Leader must approve. The European and Study Abroad Office must also confirm that you are taking sufficient credit equivalent to a full time student at the partner institution. In addition, for Year Two (Replacement Year) applications, your Associate Dean of School (Academic Quality Assurance) or nominee will need to approve the learning agreement. You are not allowed to go unless you have a completed learning agreement duly approved by both UH and the partner institution. You need to make sure that during your exchange you only study approved classes. You must obtain further approval should you wish to change modules prior to or whilst studying at the partner university. Academic requirements You will be expected to undertake studies equivalent to 60 UK credits or 30 ECTS (European Credit Transfer and Accumulation System) credits per semester. An ECTS credit equates to two UK credits. In the USA, the equivalent workload will be 12-15 credit hours per semester. Please be aware that when taking a study period abroad you will need to comply with the partner university’s regulatory framework in terms of assessments. In Year Two (Replacement Year) you must study all modules in English. In the Placement Year (Intercalated Year) you may study in a foreign language provided you have sufficient proficiency, and indeed you may be encouraged to do so in certain programmes. You must satisfy progression rules within your School, which may also require a grade point

average that you must achieve in the academic year prior to departure. Module failure may

prevent you taking up study abroad.

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Application procedure flow chart

1 Complete an application form. See Point 1 overleaf. Your Programme Leader must sign the form to give their approval of your application. The application deadline is 3rd February 2017. There is a late application deadline is 31st March 2017. However, the choice of destinations will be limited at this stage. Hand your completed application form into the European and Study Abroad Office.

2 Applications are sorted by preferred partner (1st choice) and ranked by a weighted average based on available academic results. Places are allocated at each partner university based on these results. If it is not possible to offer you a place at your 1st choice then your 2nd and 3rd choices will be considered.

3 You will be notified to which partner university you have been allocated and a nomination will be sent to that partner on your behalf. If you decide to proceed (and are accepted) you will be sent application details (online or paper-based) for you to make a direct application to the partner. See Point 2 overleaf.

4 Where applications to partners are paper-based, you may need to return these to the European and Study Abroad Office where they will be copied and sent to partners.

5 You are required to attend a pre-departure meeting which will be held on Wednesday 19 April and Wednesday 26 April 2017. Here the European and Study Abroad Office will provide further information about your time abroad and there is the opportunity to meet with fellow students going to the same partners as yourself.

6 You must complete a Learning Agreement, listing the modules that you propose to take whilst studying abroad in conjunction with your Programme Leader. You need to make an appointment with your Programme Leader to agree your programme of study. In addition, if you are taking a Replacement Year, you must supply the Programme Leader with module information so that they can confirm that you will be following a matched programme. Note: There is a new learning agreement template in 2017 for those undertaking a Replacement Year.

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In addition, if taking a Replacement Year, your School Associate Dean (Academic Quality Assurance) or nominee must countersign the Learning Agreement. The European and Study Abroad Office must also confirm that you are taking sufficient credit at the partner which would normally be expected of a full time student at the partner.

7 Where the European and Study Abroad Office receives offer letters/ confirmation from the partner, you will be contacted once they arrive. You will require these documents to apply for visas. You are advised not to make travel plans until you have met academic and departmental requirements and you have permission from the school to go. You must satisfy progression rules within your School, which may require a grade point average that you must achieve. Module failure may prevent you taking up study abroad.

8 When you arrive at your host university, you must ask the study abroad coordinator to sign and stamp your Confirmation of Arrival and countersign your Learning Agreement.

9 It may be on arrival (or later) that you need to amend your Learning Agreement. All changes must be approved by your Programme Leader, and in the case of a Replacement Year the School Associate Dean (Academic Quality Assurance) or nominee as well.

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Points to note 1. Our application form

Once you have decided where you wish to apply, you will need to complete the initial application form listing your choice of three partner institutions in order of preference. This is not included in the handbook but is available as a hard copy and can be downloaded. If you have particular personal or academic reasons for your choice, please provide details. Every effort will be made to allow you to apply to your first choice, but it cannot be guaranteed as the number of places at any one partner is limited. If a selection has to be made, places will be allocated on the basis of academic performance to date at UH. Please note your Programme Leader must approve your application. Your application MUST contain:

Completed application form (signed off by your Programme Leader) Personal statement Completed research sheet

The deadline for submitting this application is 3rd February 2017. The late application deadline is 31st March 2017. Please note the full choice of destinations may not be available at the late application stage.

2. The partner application form

You will then need to complete an application for your host institution. The relevant forms will be available from the European and Study Abroad Office or on the website of the host institution. Many of our partners will require you to complete or provide some or all of the following: Note: Each partner has different application requirements and deadlines. Application for admission; Application for accommodation; Learning agreement, approved by your Programme Leader; Notification of results from UH; Descriptions of modules taken and currently being taken at UH; Evidence of financial means to support yourself for the duration of your time

studying abroad.

Completed forms MUST be handed in at least two weeks prior to the deadline specified by the host institution.

3. The European and Study Abroad Office will forward your application to your host university. Note that some universities use online application forms which you will need to submit yourself.

4. Your host university will let you know whether you have been accepted. They will send you an offer letter, pre-arrival information and housing application information (if not already completed) and also include the documentation needed for your visa application.

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5. Apply for appropriate entry documentation. Note that you need to have passed sufficient credit (and sometimes grades) for

progression at the time of departure to be allowed to go even if this is before referred results are confirmed.

Please note that you must also fulfil any language competency requirements. When taking study abroad in Year Two (Replacement Year), you must study in English.

You need to hold a learning agreement duly signed off by both institutions. You are advised not to make any travel reservations until receiving this

confirmation. Please note that you are responsible for making your own travel arrangements,

visa application and, if required by your host university, medical checks and immunisations.

Please note: Wherever you are planning to study, failure to meet deadlines may

result in you being excluded from the study abroad programme.

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Recognition of study abroad You can study abroad in Year Two (level 5) in some programmes, that is a ‘Replacement Year’. In all programmes offering study abroad, you can take an additional year (‘an Intercalated Year’) between Years Two and Three (levels 5 and 6), or in Creative Arts also between Years One and Two (levels 4 and 5). Replacement Year If you study abroad at level 5 for one or two semesters, you will receive academic credit for the period, and you will receive a Pass or Fail grade for the modules taken at the partner institution not a grade equivalent to the partner institution. This will be recorded on an enhanced transcript from UH which will show the partner institution, the individual modules taken at the partner, the credit achieved for each module and whether a Pass or Fail. You will need to pass 60 UK (30 ECTS) credits at the partner institution for each semester. You will also receive a transcript from the partner institution which will detail your programme of study and academic performance. If you elect to study abroad at level 5 for one or two semesters, your degree classification will be solely based on your level of achievement at level 6. To be clear, it will not include any grades obtained at level 5 at UH or the partner institution. However, you will need to successfully complete the period of study abroad in order to graduate as outlined in the previous paragraph. Intercalated Year If you study abroad in an additional year, you will receive academic credit as a total for the period, that is, the semester or whole year, and as a Pass or Fail grade. So, for example, the achievable credit will be 60 UK (30 ECTS) credits for a semester or 120 UK (60 ECTS) credits for the whole year. To gain recognition of this study in your degree title, you will need to pass 45 UK (22.5 ECTS) credits per semester or 90 UK (45 ECTS) credits for the whole year. This will be recorded on an enhanced transcript from UH which will show the partner institution, total credit achieved and whether Pass or Fail. Credit achieved whilst studying abroad in an Intercalated Year will not contribute to your degree classification. You will also receive a transcript from the partner institution which will detail your programme of study and academic performance. Degree award title If you successfully complete a period of study abroad, it will be reflected in your degree title as follows: ‘With a Year Abroad’, where at least two semesters of study have been completed and at least 90 UK (45 ECTS) credits have been passed. One semester can be a work placement abroad (a minimum of 18 weeks), in which case at least 45 UK (22.5 ECTS) credits have to be passed. ‘With Study Abroad’, where at least one semester of study has been completed and at least 45 UK (22.5 ECTS) credits have been passed. Students on BA Hons International Business, who successfully complete two years abroad, can receive an award title ‘with Extended Study Abroad’. Further details can be found in the programme specification.

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Keeping in contact The most effective and convenient way of contacting you during the application process and when you are abroad is by e-mail or through Facebook. It is therefore vital that you check regularly for messages. Please inform the European and Study Abroad Office and your school/departmental exchange co-ordinator of any change in your contact details. We also advise checking StudyNet frequently. Of course we also want to hear how you are getting on!

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Staff contacts

European and Study Abroad Office

Jane Frost Room M016 Tel: 01707 285424 j.v.frost@herts.ac.uk

Alfie Jackson Room M016 Tel: 01767 285417 a.jackson21@herts.ac.uk

Lukasz Kwasik Room M016 Tel: 01707 286207 l.kwasik@herts.ac.uk

Hertfordshire Business School

Michael Rosier Room M339 Tel: 01707 285431 m.j.rosier@herts.ac.uk

Herminia Alonso-Bote Room M242 Tel: 01707 281076 h.alonso@herts.ac.uk

Computer Science Bernadette Byrne Room LC268 Tel: 01707 284360 b.m.byrne@herts.ac.uk

Creative Arts Howard Berry Room AB178 Tel 01707 284079 h.w.berry@herts.ac.uk

Laura Scurfield Room AB180 Tel: 01707 285175 l.scurfield@herts.ac.uk

Education Alison McLauchlin Room R234 Tel: 01707 285672 a.k.mclauchlin@herts.ac.uk

Engineering and Technology

Andy Lewis Room C135 Tel: 01707 284271 a.lewis@herts.ac.uk

Salvatore Livatino Room D418 Tel: 01707 284271 s.livatino@herts.ac.uk

Health and Social Work

Alan Walton Room 2F270 Tel: 01707 284434 a.g.walton@herts.ac.uk

Humanities Nicole Duplain Room R324 Tel: 01707 285735 n.duplain@herts.ac.uk

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University Joint Honours

Michelle Alexson Room R339 Tel: 01707 285656 m.alexson@herts.ac.uk

Life and Medical Sciences

Biosciences: Niall McMullan Room 1H163 Tel: 01707 284531 n.m.mcmullan@herts.ac.uk Pharmacy and Pharmacology: Madeleine Flanagan Room 2F415 Tel: 01707 286400 m.flanagan@herts.ac.uk Sport Science: Jarrod Lippiatt Room 1H270 Tel: 01707 284592 j.s.lippiatt@herts.ac.uk

Geography, Environment and Agriculture: Ronni Edmonds-Brown Room 1C110 Tel: 01707 285254 v.r.edmonds-brown@herts.ac.uk Psychology: Sue Anthony Room 1H270 Tel: 01707 285119 s.h.1.anthony@herts.ac.uk

Law Sophie Tarassenko Room R037 Tel: 01707 286253 s.tarassenko@herts.ac.uk

Physics, Astronomy and Mathematics

Carrie Ricketts Room C107 Tel: 01707 285986 c.ricketts3@herts.ac.uk