Language student are able to participate, but they must ensure that they study in a country relevant to their degree.

Transcription

1 International Exchanges Programme Guidelines

2 Contents What is Exchange? 3 The International Exchange Programme 3 Is the programme an option for me? 3 Direct Entry Students 3 GIC- Glasgow International College Students 3 Widening Participation and Students with specific support needs 4 Mature Students 4 Honours-Not sure whether to study Joint or Single? 4 Who does what? 4 How does International Exchange Work? 5 Exchange Timeline 5 Does the Exchange count towards my degree? 6 Overseas Subjects/Courses/Classes 6 What does it cost? 7 What funding is available? 7-11 Where can I go? 11 How do I apply- The 4 Step Process? Assessment Criteria 18 Online Application Form Compulsory Information Session 21 Academic Criteria 21 Allocation of Exchange Places 21 Reserve List 22 What Happens Next? 22 Exchange Sessions 23 Overseas Partner Acceptance 23 Final Subject Approval Check at the end of the Academic year 24 Pre-Departure Event 24 2

3 What is Exchange? Often referred to as going on exchange, exchange is the process where registered Glasgow students apply to study with one of our overseas partner institutions. Student's essentially swop/exchange places with a student coming to study in Glasgow from one of these partners. Partner institutions have been carefully selected to participate in the programme and have signed an exchange agreement with us. Students study overseas while earning credit for their Glasgow degree and paying tuition only to Glasgow. The International Exchange Programme For over 30 years the University of Glasgow has been offering students the opportunity to spend part of their degree abroad at one of our many International Exchange partners. The Exchanges Programme at Glasgow is second largest in Scotland and the International programme now has over 60 International Exchange agreements with leading institutions across the world, from Australia to Singapore, Chile to the USA - a whole world of opportunity! The purpose of this handbook is to guide you through your International Exchange application, from your first thoughts of where you might like to go through to the application process both to the University of Glasgow and, should your application be successful, to the partner institution as well. Is the programme an option for me? The programme is open to all students who are registered at the University of Glasgow, in the Colleges of Arts, Social Sciences, Science & Engineering, the School of Life Sciences, and the School of Nursing. In this programme the students in the Schools of Medicine, Veterinary Medicine and Dentistry are not eligible, but there are different international opportunities available to students in these Schools so please contact your College or School Office for more details. Language student are able to participate, but they must ensure that they study in a country relevant to their degree. IMPORTANT Please note that the application process for International Exchange is extremely competitive and no student is guaranteed a place. Direct Entry Students If you entered directly into second year it may still be possible for you to apply for an International Exchange, though the process may be different depending on which School you study in. Please ensure that you read the information below carefully and speak to your Subject Coordinator(s). 3

4 GIC-Glasgow International College Students Students who have attended GIC and are now Glasgow registered students are eligible to apply with Subject Coordinator approval Widening Participation and Students with Specific support needs We support the participation of students with a diverse range of backgrounds and academic or other support needs. Mature Students There are no age restrictions on the programme and mature students are welcome to apply. Honours- Not sure whether to apply as Joint or Single? All students are advised to apply to the Exchange Programme with the two subjects they are thinking of studying in Honours. This will mean that students must liaise with two Subject Coordinators and get approval from both. If you later decide to study single honours then this will be less of any issue as you will have already received full, double approval. If you apply with only one subject approval and then decide to study joint honours this becomes problematic and may jeopardise your Exchange. Always apply for joint subjects and seek approval form the two relevant Subject Coordinators. Who does what? Student Researches partner options; liaises with Academic subject coordinators to confirm suitability and degree requirements Applies to International Exchange programme, meeting all application requirements and deadlines Applies to the partner university, meeting their requirements and deadlines Responsible for submitting all documentation required of them by the Study Abroad and Exchanges Team in order to maintain programme eligibility Study Abroad and Exchanges Team (Level 2, Fraser Building) General programme advice, first point of contact for questions on the application process and programme regulations/eligibility criteria First point of contact for any non-academic issues that may arise during mobility Manages application processes; confirms allocations & make overseas nomination Assists students with overseas application process Provides, manages and tracks all documentation for outgoing students Academic Subject Coordinator (see below also) Provides all academic advice and course approvals before and during mobility Approves your course choices & credit loads at the partner institution First point of contact for any academic issues that may arise during mobility First point of contact for queries about grade conversion/transfer 4

5 Confirms Honours or equivalent year progression & final approval for exchange overseas. A full list of all Subject Coordinator(s) can be viewed on our website: #/step3:consultyoursubjectareas Student Services (Level 2, Fraser Building) Issues HEAR s (will be required for your application to the partner university.) International Student Support Team (Level 2, Fraser Building) Visa and immigration advice How does International Exchange Work? In general students apply during second year, study abroad during in third year and returning to Glasgow for fourth year. Life Science and Science students will generally apply in first year to study abroad in second year. Engineering students usually exchange in 2 nd, 3 rd and 4 th year depending on their degree. Your Subject Coordinator(s) can advise when students in your subject go on Exchange. Exchange Timeline October Promotional events held including the annual Study Abroad Fair, Peer Advising appointments and the Compulsory Information Sessions Applications Open November Compulsory Information Sessions Appointments December Appointments Applications Close Mid-February Nominations offered to students by mid-end of February 24hrs given to accept or decline nomination Applications made by students to partner institutions (overseas deadlines apply). Instructions and support provided. March to June Applications made by students to partner institutions (overseas deadlines apply). Instructions and support provided. Students apply for visa Students apply for accommodation (overseas deadlines apply) Students book flights Students must attend compulsory Pre-Departure Event FINAL SUBJECT APPROVAL CHECK- end of year grades/next year progression June to October Depart for Exchange Notify Exchange Coordinator (Seonaid Dodds) you have arrived Confirm overseas classes with Subject Coordinator (s) when confirmed at overseas institution 5

6 Does the Exchange count towards my degree? Yes, providing that you successfully complete your time abroad with the courses and grades required for progression to your next year of study at Glasgow. This means that if you successfully complete your approved studies overseas then the work that you have undertaken at the Partner institution will be credited towards your Glasgow degree, and the grades you achieve will be converted into Glasgow equivalent marks. This grade transfer process takes place within each School and Subject Coordinator(s) can advise on this. If you are undertaking a study abroad period which is a compulsory part of your Glasgow degree programme, other arrangements may apply, and you should check these with your Subject Coordinator(s) Overseas Subjects/Courses/Classes While you are abroad you are expected to take equivalent courses to those you would have taken had you remained in Glasgow. Not all of our partners offer courses in all subject areas, or enough courses in one subject to meet your GU requirements. It is very important that you research the different options. IMPORTANT It is your responsibility to ensure that you select institutions where appropriate courses are available and ensure these are approved by your Subject Coordinator(s) The partners information pages clearly state if a subject is available or not available for Exchange students. If courses are available this does not necessarily mean that there are enough options available to meet your GU requirements or that they are appropriate for your degree. It is vital that you research your choices carefully. It is also vital to be aware that our International Exchange agreements DO NOT guarantee you entry to any particular course, so it is important that you select a partner that can provide you with a number of different alternatives. This is especially important for students studying on degrees with very specific requirements for progression into the next year. Many overseas subjects have pre-requisite requirements to ensure you are studying at the correct level and are fully equipped to manage the workload. Students MUST ensure they meet these requirements to ensure they have a successful academic outcome Be aware: If a student applies for a class and knows they do not meet the pre-requisites this will always be identified by the partner. If this happens later in the process, perhaps at class enrolment (which can be anytime from May to the start of semester) or even when the student is in country (usually after flights have been bought and accommodation paid for) there may financial implications as well as academic ones. Please see partner web sites, for researching pre-requisite requisite requirements. For the University of California make sure you meet these listed here; eap.ucop.edu/documents/reciprocalexchanges/prerequisites.pdf 6

7 What does it cost? Tuition Fees As you will continue to be a registered student at the University of Glasgow and do not pay tuition fees to the university overseas (host university). You pay your fees to the University of Glasgow. You are also entitled to continue to receive any student loans, grants or bursaries that you are eligible for while studying at Glasgow. For more information on your fees see the website: Other expenses You will also need to cover other associated costs such as: Travel Visa fees Accommodation Insurance Vaccinations Personal expenses Administrative fees at the partner institution (if applicable) *It s also worth noting that some countries such as the USA or Canada require you to prove that you have sufficient funds for your year abroad in advance, often at the time of overseas application. The amount you need to show varies between institutions, but can be as high as $25,000. Evidence can include things like copies of either your own or your parents /guardians bank account; a notification letter of a scholarship/grant, and proof of accessible savings/investments. It often excludes things like your parents salary; as it has to be funds you have readily available. What funding is available? International Exchanges scholarships New scholarships for Study Abroad are available for students going on exchange in Asia Study Abroad Scholarships 2. North American Study Abroad Scholarships 3. Boston College Study Abroad Scholarships 4. Edward & Mark Conroy Travel Scholarships 5. Henry Baxter Travel Scholarships 6. Professor Alan Ervine Travel Scholarship 7. Santander Mobility Scholarship. 7

8 Asia Study Abroad Scholarships Description: Scholarships are available to current students of the University of Glasgow participating in the Study Abroad and Exchange programmes. Eligibility: To be eligible students must be a current student of the University of Glasgow be accepted on the Study Abroad and Exchange programmes at one of the University's partner institutions in Malaysia, Singapore, Korea, Japan, and China (excluding Hong Kong). Level of study: Undergraduate Value: 10 scholarships worth 1,000 each How to apply: Candidates will automatically be considered for the scholarship when they are accepted onto the International Exchange Programme and have accepted their overseas allocation in February. Candidates will be informed of the outcome in July, when the final academic approvals are made after the end of term exams. North American Study Abroad Scholarships Description: Scholarships are available to current students of the University of Glasgow participating in the Study Abroad and Exchange programmes. Eligibility: To be eligible students must be a current student of the University of Glasgow be accepted on the Study Abroad and Exchange programmes at the following institutions: State University of New York-Alban Albany, University of Massachusetts-Amherst, University of North Carolina-Chapel Chapel Hill, University of Alaska- Fairbanks, and University of Alabama. Level of study: Undergraduate Value: 5 scholarships worth 1,000 each How to apply: Candidates will automatically be considered for the scholarship when they are accepted onto the International Exchange Programme and have accepted their overseas allocation in February. Candidates will be informed of the outcome in July, when the final academic approvals are made after the end of term exams. Boston College Study Abroad Scholarships Description: Scholarships are available to current students of the University of Glasgow participating in the Study Abroad and Exchange programme at Boston College. Eligibility: To be eligible students must be a current student of the University of Glasgow be accepted on the Study Abroad and Exchange programme at Boston College 8

9 Level of study: Undergraduate Value: 4 scholarships worth $2,000 each How to apply: Candidates will automatically be considered for the scholarship when they are accepted onto the International Exchange Programme and have accepted their overseas allocation in February. Candidates will be informed of the outcome in July, when the final academic approvals are made after the end of term exams. Edward & Mary Conroy Travel Scholarships Description: Scholarships are available to current students of the University of Glasgow participating in the Study Abroad and Exchange programmes. Eligibility: To be eligible students must be a current student of the University of Glasgow be accepted on the Study Abroad and Exchange programmes at the following institutions: Hong Kong University (HKU), McGill University, University of Connecticut, University of Maryland, Tecnologico de Monterrey (TEC), University of Queensland (UQ), University of Auckland, National University of Singapore (NUS). Level of study: Undergraduate Value: 8 scholarships worth 1,000 each. How to apply: Candidates will automatically be considered for the scholarship when they are accepted onto the International Exchange Programme and have accepted their overseas allocation in February. Candidates will be informed of the outcome in July, when the final academic approvals are made after the end of term exams. Henry Baxter Travel Scholarships Description: Scholarships are available to current students of the University of Glasgow participating in the Study Abroad and Exchange programmes. Eligibility: To be eligible students must be a current student of the University of Glasgow be accepted on the Study Abroad and Exchange programmes at the following institutions: Waseda University and University of Alberta. Level of study: Undergraduate Value: 2 scholarships worth 800 each How to apply: Candidates will automatically be considered for the scholarship when they are accepted onto the International Exchange Programme and have accepted their overseas allocation in February. Candidates will be informed of the outcome in July, when the final academic approvals are made after the end of term exams. 9

10 Professor Alan Ervine Travel Scholarship Description: Scholarships are available to current undergraduate students of the University of Glasgow participating in an international experience (including Study Abroad and Exchange programmes) in order to further their knowledge or experience in the field of civil engineering. Eligibility: To be eligible students must be a current undergraduate student of the University of Glasgow, be completing a BEng or MEng degree in civil engineering at any stage of their degree programme between, and inclusive of, second and fifth year, be undertaking an international experience in order to further their knowledge or experience in the field of civil engineering. Level of study: Undergraduate Value: The scholarship consists of a maximum annual payment of 1,000, however, the annual sum may be split in any given year and smaller awards made to multiple students. How to apply: Candidates will be considered for the scholarship if they have secured (or have applied for) an international experience in order to further their knowledge or experience in the field of civil engineering. Candidates should apply in writing ( ) to the Head of Discipline in Civil Engineering by the beginning of June each academic year, and will be informed of the outcome in July. Santander Mobility Scholarship Description: Scholarships are available to current students of the University of Glasgow participating in the Study Abroad and Exchange programmes. Eligibility: To be eligible students must be a current student of the University of Glasgow be accepted on the Study Abroad and Exchange programmes in Argentina, Chile, Mexico and Brazil at one of the University's partner institutions. OR be accepted on the Summer School Scholarships programme. Details of this programme are ed to eligible students in March. Level of study: Undergraduate Value: Variable, usually between 500-1,500 How to apply: Candidates will automatically be considered for the scholarship when they are accepted onto the International Exchange Programme and have accepted their overseas allocation in February. Candidates will be informed of the outcome in July, when the final academic approvals are made after the end of term exams. 10

11 Study Abroad Student Ambassador Scheme (SASA) Successful exchange students may also apply for the Study Abroad Student Ambassador scheme. Ten students are selected annually to assist with the promotion of the programme, for which they receive a Scholarship of 500. Students are invited to apply in April when they are on the programme. Other There may be other funding available to you based on your personal circumstances. There is the University of Glasgow's Scholarships website and the Directory of Grant Making Trusts is a good place to start. The Main Library will have a copy of the directory that you can look through. Students may also want to research what funding is available for incoming students at the Partner Institutions. This can be done via the Partner websites, the Returned Student Reports and SASA blogs. There may be other external funding bodies identified through websites like The British Council- UK Students Abroad, Third Year Abroad and Go International. and Where can I go? There really is a whole world of opportunity available to you. The following table shows some of our partner institutions and the typical number of places we have available each year. Please note these may be subject to change and the webpages contain the most up to date information. VERY IMPORTANT All Partnerships Are University Wide. If partners have applied subject specifications for Exchanges in then these are in the notes for column. While a Partner may offer classes in your subject, the full range of courses may not be available to visiting Exchange students. There are many reasons as to why specific Partners may not be suitable matches for your subject in a particular year including partner changes to course offerings, high local demand which may restrict class availability, and timetable clashes. When researching a partner, you will normally need to confirm which courses are available to exchange students in your subject, and will need to confirm that these are of a suitable level and frequency to meet your Glasgow course load requirements. Please read these carefully to see if these apply to your subject as this will help to guide your research and partner choices. Subject Coordinator(s) have this information and also lists of Partners where their students have had successful exchanges in previous years. Students should discuss these with their Subject Coordinator(s). The information below may be subject to change and if that happens the Subject Coordinator (s) will be notified to advise students accordingly. The webpages have the most up to date partner information and should be checked regularly. 11

12 PLACES AVAILABLE AT OVERSEAS PARTNERS Category A 7-10 (or more) Full Year Places / (or more) Semester places 4-6 Full Year Places / 8-12 Semester places 1-3 Full Year Places/2-6 Semester places Country Argentina Australia Azerbaijan Brazil Canada University Notes for Category Universidad del Salvador (USAL) Teaches in Spanish Macquarie University Queensland University of Technology (QUT) University of Adelaide University of Melbourne (U21) Law specific places available (2 full year+) in addition to University wide places Uni wide Law University of New South Wales (UNSW) University wide and accepts Law University of Queensland (U21) University wide and accepts Law Category A University of Sydney University wide and accepts Law University of Western Australia (UWA) University wide Law specific places available (2 full year+) in addition to University wide Law places Azerbaijan Diplomatic Academy (ADA) Politics and CEES only Universidad Estadual Paulista (UNESP) Teaches in Portuguese Dalhousie University McGill University (U21) Economics (sgl hons) classes will only be available from within Faculty of Arts Category A University wide Queen s University Simon Fraser University PENDING University of Alberta Avail for B&M (sgl hons) and B&M/Econ (joint hons).not suitable for Acc/Fin or Economics single honours students Arts & Sciences only Engineering- tbc. See website for updates Not suitable for Business School students * At time of publishing the agreement is being finalised. The webpage will be updated when the partner can be included in an application. Bus&Mgt Arts&Science Engineering TBC - 12

13 University of British Columbia (U21) University of Calgary University of Quebec Not suitable for Business School or Politics students Law specific places available (1 semester ) in addition to University wide places Not suitable for Business School students Teaches in French University wide Category A Law University wide Chile Law specific places available ( 2 full year/4 semester ) in addition to Law University wide places University of Toronto Business School availability in Scarborough campus only Not suitable for Maths & Stats Pontificia Uni. Catolica de Chile (PUC) Teaches in Spanish China University ity of Nottingham-Ningbo Ningbo (U21) Category A HK University of Hong Kong (U21) Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK) High grade students only for Business School & Politics- other schools as per usual entry grade requirements Not suitable for Maths &Stats High grade students only for Business School &Politics - other schools as per usual entry grade requirements Category A University wide Japan Korea Malaysia PENDING Keio University Law specific places available ( 1 full year/2 semester ) in addition to University wide places * At time of publishing the agreement is being finalised. The webpage will be updated when the partner can be included in an application. Law Hitotsubashi University Social Sciences only PEND NDING Kyoto University PEND NDING Waseda University Korea University (U21) PENDING Seoul National University Uni. of Nottingham-Malaysia (U21) * At time of publishing the agreement is being finalised. The webpage will be updated when the partner can be included in an application. * At time of publishing the agreement is being finalised. The webpage will be updated when the partner can be included in an application. * At time of publishing the agreement is being finalised. The webpage will be updated when the partner can be included in an application. 13

14 Mexico Tec de Monterrey in Mexico (U21) Teaches in Spanish New Zealand University of Auckland (U21) University wide Singapore S Africa Switzerland USA USAUSA USA Law specific places available ( 1.5 full year/ 3 semester ) in addition to Law University wide places University of Otago University wide and accepts Law National University of Singapore (U21) Arts, Science, Engineering & Law only Not suitable for Social Sciences University wide Law specific places available ( 1.5 full year/ 3 semester ) in addition to Law University wide places Nanyang Technological University (NTU) Not suitable for BusSchool students Category A Not suitable for Economics students Not suitable for Sgl Hons Mathematics University of Cape Town in conjunction with Arcadia University NEW! University de Genève Law and Politics only Teaches in French NEW! University of Fribourg Law only Teaches in French and German Boston College Joint honours students only-all subjects Category A Not suitable for Business School students Miami University, Ohio Not suitable for Business School Category A students Northland College Wisconsin School of Interdisciplinary Studies only Radford University, Virginia State University of New York-Albany (SUNY) University of Alabama University of Alaska, Fairbanks University of California University of Connecticut PENDING University of Denver University of Illinois- Urbana Champaign University of Maryland University of Massachusetts-Amherst Not suitable for Business School students Not suitable for Business School students Business School availability for Acc/Fin only Not suitable for Business School students Business School availability for B&M and Economics only * At time of publishing the agreement is being finalised. The webpage will be updated when the partner can be included in an application. Not participating in Exchange this year Not suitable for Business School students Not suitable for Business School students Category A Category A Category A ` Category A 14

15 University of Miami, Florida PENDING University of Minnesota University of North Carolina-Chapel Chapel Hill University of Oklahoma PENDING University of Texas-Austin University of Virginia (U21) PENDING University of Wisconsin Madison Not suitable for Business School students * At time of publishing the agreement is being finalised. The webpage will be updated when the partner can be included in an application. Not suitable for Business School or Politics students Not suitable for Business School students * At time of publishing the agreement is being finalised. The webpage will be updated when the partner can be included in an application. Not suitable for Business School students Politics only available in Arts&Science * At time of publishing the agreement is being finalised. The webpage will be updated when the partner can be included in an application. ` Category A Studying abroad at an institution the University of Glasgow does not have a formal agreement with is strictly prohibited and students are not able to create new exchange agreements. NOTES: 15

16 How do I apply? The 4 Step Process Step 1 Consult your Subject Areas Consult your Subject Coordinator(s) here in Glasgow to obtain approval in principle for your participation. Find out what courses you will need to take on your year/semester abroad. It is crucial that you have obtained approval to study abroad from your Subject Co-ordinator(s) here in Glasgow. You must confirm what courses you will be required to study overseas, the number of overseas credits you must study and how (if) your grades will be transferred Step 2 Do your Research and find out about the student experience It is up to you to research your chosen exchange universities and ensure that they offer courses that appear to be the equivalent of what your Subject Co-ordinator(s) have advised that you would need to study abroad Read the Exchange webpages carefully all essential programme information and FAQS are here nge/ Speak to other Exchange Students; no one can offer you better advice than those who have been or are currently on exchange. We therefore highly recommend you research and use the following resources; Peer Advisor Appointments; meet and speak to a returned student (Details on main web page) Study Abroad Student Ambassadors Blogs check out the blogs of current study abroad students and contact them with any questions you may have. Be sure to also check out the blogroll from as these are from students who have recently returned and are on campus just now. (Details on main web page) Study Abroad Facebook - Study Abroad Instagram - Returned Student Reports- information from the returned students on their experiences and what you need to know about the Partners they were at. (Details on main web page) Other good online resources we recommend to all students are; British Council- UK Students Abroad Third Year Abroad Third Year Abroad is written by returned students (and supported by the British Council) to provide information on everything you 16

17 need to know from deciding where to go, getting Insurance to coping with Health Issues and making the most of your time overseas. Go International All that you need to know about Study and Work Abroad' is a new website that aims to support UK HE by providing the latest policy and information including case studies and opportunities for study and work abroad. It also contains information on the benefits of international experience, as well as guidance on sources of funding and pages for parents to find out more about Study Abroad. Step 3 Attend ONE of the Compulsory Information Sessions nge/#/compulsoryinformationsessions Students should register online for one of the sessions and will then be sent an application link once they have attended. Step 4 Complete your Application and Get Academic Approval Complete your application and take details of the course matches you have made to the relevant Subject Coordinator(s) to obtain their approval. Ask the Subject Coordinator(s) to complete the academic approval section of the online application. Submit your application! Please note changes cannot be made after this point. Deadline for applications to be submitted online is Friday 4 th December, 2015, 12 noon. *Please take as much researched overseas course information as possible with you to ensure a productive meeting with your Subject Coordinator. Application submission and afterwards Once submitted all applications are assessed and ranked based on the Assessment Criteria. The Assessment Criteria will be used by the selection committee and can provide a guideline for application completion. You can receive an offer for both an International Exchange and an Erasmus Exchange; however YOU CAN ONLY ACCEPT ONE OFFER. Once you accept one offer, your other application will be cancelled. If you accept both an International and an Erasmus offer both applications may be cancelled. 17

18 Assessment Criteria Academic Performance (0-5 points) Assessment criteria: A grade average (5 points) B grade average (4 points) C grade average (3 points) Less than C grade average, any fails or re-sits (automatic rejection unless extenuating circumstances i.e. medical issues etc.) (0-2 points) Personal Statement (0-8 points) Assessment criteria: Demonstrates understanding of the programme, motivation to participate & the requirements of an exchange student including the personal attributes thought necessary for studying overseas. (3 points) Demonstrates research into Partners including the resources used for this (2 points) Ability to represent the University as demonstrated by extracurricular activity & interests (2 points) Prior relevant experience, travel or other (1 point) Budget Planning and Financial Commitment (0-5 points) Assessment criteria: Evidence of detailed budget planning with funding identified (5 points) Evidence of some budget planning with funding identified (4 points) No/minimal appropriate budgeting, no funding identified (0-3 points) Application Completion- Readiness to Participate in International Exchange (0-2 points) Assessment criteria: Appropriate selection of chosen Institutions(1point) GU subjects have been matched with equivalents at Partner Universities/Colleges (1point) 18

19 Online Application Form The application form is very straight forward and contains the following sections: Personal Details This is the basic personal information required for your application. Please always use your student address. Study in Glasgow Detail your planned future subjects and their Subject Coordinator(s) noting that all students studying on an Honours programme should apply to the Exchange programme as if they are going on to study Joint honours overseas, thus seeking the approval of both Subject Coordinators. If a student then decides to study single honours then there is less of an issue as it is easier to drop a subject that has been approved than try and seek approval for a new subject at a time of year when overseas deadlines may not allow time for this. Requested Partner Institutions IMPORTANT You MUST detail your three partner institutions and specify your preference with an optional fourth choice You MUST check that the institutions you select offer a full range of courses in your subject area(s) You MUST check that your Subject Coordinators approve each of these matches and then complete the online Subject Coordinator Approval. If no subject approval is given your application cannot be submitted. Please only list institutions you would actually like to attend. If you are offered a place at any of your three choices and decline that offer, you will not be added to the reserve list for any other and your application will be withdrawn. Students with a fourth choice will automatically be considered for this if their three choices are already full. If there is no fourth choice students will be added to the reserve list and allocated a place if any are available. (See Reserve List section) Please note: If you are thinking of applying to University of California it is ONE partner choice, but you must research, get subject approval and apply for three of the UC campuses. Personal Statement This section is more subjective and gives students the opportunity to explain why they are a good applicant and should be offered an overseas nomination. 19

20 Particular consideration will be given to applicants who may be expected to benefit most significantly from the opportunities provided by an exchange experience and who evidence the most research. Understanding, Motivation and Requirements (100 words) Tell us what you know about the Exchange Programme and why you want to participate. Detail what personal attributes you think are required by a student participating in the Exchange and if you have these. Research and Resources (300 words) Demonstrate why you have chosen these Partners detailing what you have discovered in your research about studying in a new education system, what an overseas workload entails, how you will be assessed and why is this is good choice for your subject. We are looking for students to demonstrate thorough research and reasoning for partner selection, for details of how they have been preparing to study overseas and how you will cope with the hard times as well as the good times. Representing the University of Glasgow (100 words) Provide details on when you have represented a school, club, organisation (or something similar) and what skills this has given you that will benefit you on Exchange. Prior Relevant Experience (100 words) If you have spent time overseas please tell us more about what you were doing, how you prepared for this, how you overcame any hardships and what your time overseas taught you. If you have not spent time overseas please provide an example of when you have been in a difficult situation and how you resolved the issues you were faced with. How you went about this, who did you ask for help, how was the situation resolved and what did you learn from it? In addition to this please feel free to provide details of other experiences you have had that you feel are relevant to your participation in the Exchange. These do not need to be exclusively travel related. For example have you lived or worked away from home or have you always wanted to, do you have friends or family who are on/have been on Exchange or live abroad. Financial Planning Students must demonstrate budget plans for each of your chosen destinations. Please note: This section plays an important part in the selection process. Applicants who demonstrate careful and thorough planning increase their chances of being selected. Areas that should be addressed in your budget include: Accommodation Living Expenses; food, utilities, books etc. Insurance and Visa costs 20

21 Flights and Travel/Trips Other expenditure not listed above You should enter the amount calculated for each section, a quick justification of each amount that reflects your research and a total of funds needed for each partner. Readiness to Participate Students can demonstrate this by fully completing the appropriate selection of chosen partners and showing that all UG required subjects have been matched with equivalents at partners. Compulsory Information Sessions All students must attend ONE Compulsory Information Session to have their application considered. Registration will be taken and students cannot apply online until you have attended a session. When students have attended they will be invited to apply via an link. nge/#/compulsoryinformationsessions Academic Criteria For participation in the International Exchange programme students must have at least a C grade average across all subjects. Some Exchange Partners and Subject areas at Glasgow will require a minimum of a B average. Students with any failure in their record (even with successful resit) can normally not be considered, however if they have Subject Coordinator (s) approval they may be considered but should be aware they will rank lower than students with no re-sits/fails. All grades on MyCampus at the end of January 2016 will be taken into consideration for academic assessment. To proceed with your Exchange you must pass all your courses and end of year exams as final approval to proceed with your exchange from Glasgow is contingent upon appropriate progression of your degree. Allocation of Exchange Places Each student application is ranked by the Study Abroad & Exchange Office and the College Mobility Coordinator. When both parties have ranked their students, the Study Abroad & Exchange Office will allocate exchange places. Students, who have been successful, will receive an when allocations are complete which will offer them a place at a partner institution. This will usually take place from the middle to end of February and students will have 24hours to accept or decline the nomination. If students are not nominated for any of partner choices, but have confirmed during nomination communications that they would consider other options, they will be added to the reserve list and offered a place at another institution, should any places be or become available. Please note: Once you have been made an offer you will not be considered for any other places, even if a place becomes available at one of your choices later on. 21

22 Students whose applications were declined will be notified. IMPORTANT Once you accept a place and an overseas nomination is made this place is yours and cannot be used by any other student. You should think carefully before accepting an offer of a place on the programme. If you accept and then change your mind another student will lose out, the place will be lost and the Exchange balance affected. This can have repercussions on UoG s reputation and may impact the number of Exchange places offered in future years. Reserve List Once the deadline to accept or decline offers has passed, any places which have not been accepted or have been declined will be reallocated to students on the reserve list. If you have not accepted your offer within 24hours of receiving it your place is automatically forfeited and you will not be placed on the reserve list. Any students declining a place at one of their three choices will not be placed on the reserve list. Students placed on the reserve list cannot change their requested partner institutions or request to wait for a specific institution. Timescales for allocating reserve places can be very tight. It is essential that you keep a close eye on your s during the period of Mid-February to early March as we often require a decision and subject approval for the new partner within hours. If you do not accept an offer by the deadline the place will be reallocated. All students still on the reserve list will be notified by early April at the very latest that allocations have finished and that they were unsuccessful. What Happens Next? Overseas Nomination Subsequent to being selected to participate, exchange students are officially nominated to their allocated destination. Application Overseas Students then apply directly to the partner institution. All students will be sent full information about how to apply to their host institution from February onwards. This application process will usually include a request for a place in University accommodation (for which students pay directly). 22

23 Some institutions have later deadlines than others so don t panic if your friends receive information before you. All overseas nominations are made by end of March, however partner Institution deadlines run for several months and this will dictate when the partners get back to you with acceptance letters. Students are required to hand hard copies of overseas applications to the Study Abroad & Exchange Office before overseas deadlines. In many instances this is required as an authorisation step that MUST take place before the partner institutions will process your application. IMPORTANT To secure the overseas subjects you need and accommodation (there will be competition for both) APPLY AS EARLY AS POSSIBLE, ideally as soon as you receive instructions. We strongly advise you do not wait until the overseas deadline. Late applications will not normally be accepted overseas Incomplete applications to the partner institution means there will be a delay in your application consideration which may have knock on effects with class and accommodation allocation Please note that nomination does not equal acceptance. You are not accepted by the partner until you have received a formal acceptance confirmation from them. Due to volumes and individual overseas processes the Study Abroad & Exchange team are not able to check overseas application documents or advise on overseas admissions processing. The Partner Institutions should be the main point of contact for these enquiries Exchange Sessions Exchange sessions will be run directly after nominations to give students a chance to meet each other, find out more about their overseas application process and the specifics of preparing to study in their nominated country. Overseas Partner Acceptance Between April and June you should expect to receive confirmation from the partner institution that your application has been accepted. While it would be unusual for an exchange application to be declined (the partners are aware of the rigorous selection process to join the programme), they do reserve the right to turn down any applications they deem unsuitable, and so you should not book flights etc. until you have received this confirmation. You will then need to arrange your Flights Visa Insurance Accommodation 23

24 Travel Arrangements; If a student is accepted they will receive an acceptance/offer. When this is received students can then apply for their overseas visa and start planning their departure. We do not recommend students make travel plans until they have received an acceptance/offer from the partner. Visa Information; Each Glasgow student has an individual visa status and will be required to apply for a student visa for the country they are nominated to. All students should contact the Embassy/Consulates of the country they are travelling to and follow all instructions. The partner institution will also advise on the incoming student visa and immigration requirements. Please note: the Study Abroad & Exchange office cannot advise on any visa related matters and recommend students contact the relevant experts overseas or at the Embassy/Consulates. IMPORTANT-Tier Tier 4 Visa Students All Tier 4 visa students must identify themselves to the International Exchange Coordinator post nomination. Instructions will be provided as to how to do this. If you have Tier 4 status to study at Glasgow you will also be subject to the same checks overseas and are expected to be fully registered at both Glasgow and the overseas partner institution, ensuring you are enrolled and attending all classes. Final Subject Approval Check at the end of the Academic year To proceed with your Exchange you must pass all your courses and end of year exams as final approval to proceed with your exchange from Glasgow is contingent upon appropriate progression of your degree. If you are studying an Honours Subject you must correctly apply for an Honours place (as directed by your School(s)) and keep confirmation of this with your personal exchange documents. If you are not in an Honours Subject or in 1 st year you must have subject approval that you are on track to progress to second year and permission to continue with the Exchange. Keep confirmation of this with your personal exchange documents. The Study Abroad and Exchanges Team normally conducts a final progression check in June/July with your departments here; again, we would strongly advise you against making any final travel/accommodation arrangements, until you have clear confirmation of your progression. Pre-Departure Event All students who go on an International exchange MUST attend one of the Compulsory Pre- Departure Event which takes place on or around 1 st May. The Pre-Departure Event is designed to fully prepare you for your year abroad and it is at this event that you will receive a copy of the Pre-Departure Guide. 24