University-wide exchange outside of Europe

International Relations Office | Student and Educational Affairs

Gaye Eksen & Rianne de Bree

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Topics

1. Introduction

2. Requirements for university-wide exchange

3. Destinations & Orientation

4. Application procedure

5. Contact

6. Questions

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Study on an exchange agreement

Study courses at a partner university

Advantages:

• No additional tuition fees, only at Leiden

• Compatible universities

• Credit transfer

• Scholarships available

• Assistance from IR office

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Where to start: faculty vs university-wide

• Faculty exchange

- Managed by faculty’s international office

- Open to students from faculty/programme only

- Usually for your specific field of study

- Inside Europe (Erasmus+)

- Sometimes outside of Europe

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• University-wide exchange

- Managed by central International Relations Office (IR) of Student and Educational Affairs (SEA)

- Generally open to all students

- Possible to study outside your field of study at different faculties

- Only outside of Europe

- ISEP programme

Contact: International Relations Office Student and Educational Affairs

Contact: International coordinator of your own faculty or programme.

Requirements

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• Minimum GPA of 7.0 (for ISEP 6.5) • Minimum 60 ECTS • Language requirements

Check faculty

requirements!

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Orientation

Faculty session

Study Abroad Festival

Meet & Greet

Website

Blackboard

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Overview University-wide partners

UNI-WIDE PARTNERS - 2019-2020 – application deadline 1 December 2018

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https://www.leidenuniv.nl/soz/buitenland/search-exchange-agreements.html

Where can you find the exchange agreements

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•Blackboard

Leiden Application Procedure

• Online application

• Max 10 Choices

Combining faculty and uni-wide partners?

2 separate applications.

Required documents:

• Certified transcript with GPA

• Motivation letter (in English)

Selection criteria:

• GPA & motivation letter

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Deadline 1 december 23:59

for 1st ánd 2nd semester

Certified transcript • Certified: signed and stamped

• Grade point average (GPA)

• We do NOT accept print screens of uSis!

• Order at Education administration office

• Apply on time!

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Motivation letter – What is important?

Motivation letter – What does help…

•Enthusiastic and personal letters

•Well-considered and specific academic motivation

•Short (max 2 A4)

Questions that might help:

What would you like to do? (Academics)

Why there? (Selection of universities)

Which field of study

NB: Letters should be written in English!

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Motivation letter – … and what does not?

•Non-academic related motivations

•Statements such as.. “If you do not select me, I can not pursue my dreams”

•Practical questions in your letter

•Naming specific courses

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Leiden selection process

1. Who selects?

• University – wide agreements: IR mobility team

• Faculty – international coordinators / studyadvisors / exam commitees

2. Based on

• GPA & first choice

• Motivation

• Study plan, language skills, study progress and completed ECTS

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Selection Process

Keep in mind the following: - Limited number of places per semester (see world map) - We receive a lot of applications, especially for very popular destinations.

How do we select:

- GPA (we start with highest GPA)

- We read all motivation letters

- We try to place you at your first choice (when places are filled, then 2nd, .. 10th)

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Chances of placement

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Depends on: - Available spots per semester - Number of applicants - Popularity of destination - Your GPA & motivation - Your flexibility

Important considerations: - Do your research before you apply - Adding more choices increases chances of placement - Make sensible choices - Start in time and meet our deadlines - Incomplete applications are not considered

Application to partner university

• More information follows after accepting our offer

• Follow specific procedure and deadlines for your partner university

• You might need additional documents!

• Updated certified transcript

• Recommendation letter from a member of staff

• Language test result (start in time!)

• Accept offer of admission from partner university

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Exchange timeline university-wide

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Check eligibility & Orientation September – November

Application at Leiden From 12 October - 1 December 23:59

Selection & placement offers From 2 December until the last week before Christmas

Accept/decline your offer Within 2 weeks after you received your offer

Nomination & application instructions

Take Language test (if required)

January - March

Application to partner university

Course approval BoE

Apply for scholarships

January - June

Acceptance

Apply for housing & visa

Insurance etc.

March – July

pre-departure meeting April/May

Study abroad period July/Sept – Nov/Jan

Share experience Meet & Greet in April of next year

Questions about uni-wide exchange? Ask your IR - coordinators Rianne de Bree and Gaye Eksen

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Walk-in office hours: Mondays, 13:00 – 17:00, Leiden, Plexus Wednesdays, 9:30 – 12:00 Den Haag, Service desk Wijnhaven Facebook studyabroad@sea.leidenuniv.nl ea.leidenuniv.nl