(UCL) School of European Languages, Culture and Society (SELCS) About UCL Data sheet 2016-17 UCL was established in 1826 to open up education in England for the first time to students of any race, class or religion. UCL was also the first university to welcome female students on equal terms with men. Academic excellence and conducting research that addresses real-world problems inform our ethos to this day. UCL s history, reputation and academic standing are a guarantee of quality. Assessed as one of the top five universities in the world, a period of study at UCL will enhance any CV or résumé. UCL s estate combines beautiful historic buildings with modern, state-of-the-art facilities. Our dedicated humanities and sciences libraries boast two million books and subscriptions to 12,000 journals. UCL s mission to create and disseminate new knowledge is supported by the latest scientific and IT facilities, creative learning spaces and diverse museums and collections all underpinned by the UK's greatest concentration of professors. UCL is one of the top two universities in the UK for the number of professors, which means that our students are taught by the most highly qualified experts in their field. UCL attracts students from 150 countries and has active exchange and research links with nearly 300 overseas universities. 25% of undergraduate students spend time studying abroad as part of their degree. About SELCS The UCL School of European Languages, Culture and Society (SELCS) is a cosmopolitan and exciting environment for students from abroad. The School comprises six language departments: Dutch, French, German, Italian, Scandinavian Studies and Spanish, Portuguese & Latin American Studies. Students are able to choose from a wide range of courses covering literature, linguistics, history, sociology, philosophy, art, film and other aspects of the cultures associated with the languages taught in the School. Study abroad is at the heart of academic study in SELCS, providing a welcoming environment for all new international students who will be joining a diverse and international staff and student body. The School has over 50 exchange programmes across the world, both within Europe and on a wider international scale. As an Affiliate (Erasmus, Exchange or JYA/Independent) student, you will: Study alongside regular UCL and international students, benefiting from UCL's world-class teaching system and renowned academics. Have the flexibility to take courses, where space allows and where pre-requisites are met, across a range of UCL subjects and departments, tailoring your course to your own particular interests. Have access to your own academic tutor (known as an Affiliate Tutor ). Be encouraged to integrate into UCL student life, with access to events, societies and clubs both within your department and across UCL as a whole.
1. Main contacts NOMINATIONS AND INCOMING STUDENTS AT SELCS: (Departmental Erasmus Coordinator) Ms Ania Gasiorek Undergraduate Year Abroad and Affiliates Officer UCL School of European Languages, Culture and Society (SELCS) 33-35 Torrington Place, London, WC1E 7HG (Room 1.2) E-mail: selcs.affiliates@ucl.ac.uk Tel.: +44 (0)20 7679 4339 INCOMING STUDENT APPLICATIONS: UCL Admissions Office E-mail: affiliatestudents@ucl.ac.uk ERASMUS PARTNERSHIP AGREEMENTS: Mr Conor Rickford Partnership Manager (Europe) UCL Global Engagement Office E-mail: c.rickford@ucl.ac.uk Tel.: +44 (0)20 3108 7785 GENERAL ERASMUS QUERIES: (Institutional Erasmus Coordinator) Ms Lucy Gaunt Student Mobility Manager UCL Study Abroad Team E-mail: l.gaunt@ucl.ac.uk Tel.: +44 (0)20 3108 8944 (ALL UCL) OUTGOING STUDENTS: (UCL SELCS) OUTGOING STUDENTS: UCL Study Abroad Team E-mail: study-abroad@ucl.ac.uk Tel.: +44 (0)20 3108 8937 Ms Ania Gasiorek E-mail: selcs.yearabroad@ucl.ac.uk
2. Entry Requirements Academic Admissions Tutors need to be confident that incoming students have enough knowledge to take classes alongside regular degree students at UCL: - All students should have completed, or expect to complete, 2 years of study at university level prior to entry to UCL. - Minimum recommended grades are a 2:2 (or equivalent) for Erasmus students and 2:1 (3.3 GPA or equivalent) for Exchange and JYA/Independent students. English Language All students whose first language is not English must demonstrate adequate proficiency in English language (even if they do not need to apply for a visa): - Exchange and JYA/Independent applicants must meet the UCL Advanced level of English (equivalent to an IELTS score of 7.5 overall with a minimum of 6.5 in each of the subtests). Nationals from what UK Visas and Immigration (UKV&I) considers as a majority English-speaking country can be exempt from this requirement. - Erasmus students do not need to submit any formal proof of English language qualifications, but it is recommended that they represent the same level of competency as above (or at least B2 equivalent). The sending institution is responsible for providing support to its nominated candidates so that they can have the recommended language skills at the start of the study or teaching period. 3. Applications Applications contact for all incoming students is the UCL Admissions Office via e-mail on affiliatestudents@ucl.ac.uk Application documentation should be scanned and sent by e-mail to UCL Admissions Office: Erasmus - A completed Erasmus Application Form - A personal statement explaining why you wish to study at UCL and why you are interested in the department you are applying to - Proof of English Language proficiency is not required unless you are applying for a visa - A Completed Disability and Ethnic Monitoring Form Exchange (outside Europe) - A completed Exchange Application Form - A personal statement explaining why you wish to study at UCL and why you interested in the department you are applying to - Two letters of recommendation from members of academic staff at your home institution who are familiar with your work - Your most recent official transcript from your home institution and details of the modules you are currently studying - Proof of English language proficiency where required (details here) - A completed Disability and Ethnic Monitoring Form Independent / Junior Year Abroad (JYA) - Please visit the UCL Study Abroad Programme website for more information: http://www.ucl.ac.uk/prospective-students/study-abroad-ucl/study-abroad-guide
4. Deadlines 31 March for admission in September 30 September for admission in January There is some degree of flexibility with these deadlines, and we would still accept applications up to 1 month after these stated deadlines, however, we strongly advise you meet these deadlines to avoid disappointment with admission and housing. 5. Choosing your courses (modules) Students must take a minimum of 50% of their programme of study within SELCS. They can take the remaining 50% in any UCL department or programme, including SELCS, subject to the availability of places and provided that they meet the prerequisites for courses that they wish to attend. A breakdown of your options can be found here. You may choose a mixture of SELCS Language courses (for recommended courses please see the following link: Recommended Modules). Another option is the SELCS interdepartmental modules, offered across the School, which are taught and assessed in English and cover a wide range of: Fields (such as literature, film, history, linguistics, European thought) Historical and Cultural Periods (such as the Middle Ages, Enlightenment, Modernity and Modernism, Postmodernism) Genres (such as poetry, novel, comic tales, short story) Visual Arts (such as film, drama, photographic representation) Cultural and political Issues (such as post-colonialism, gender) Each course comprises 20 contact hours of tuition (usually 10 lectures and 10 seminars, the latter in small group format) and is worth 0.5 UCL cu credit (4 US credits; 7.5 ECTS). As a broad indication of the kinds of materials which are taught interdepartmentally within SELCS, you can view here the current module offerings for the current academic year [Please note that you should look at the Intermediate options on this list only]: View 2015-2016 Intermediate ELCS module options. We also offer a course in translation specifically aimed at non-native speakers of English which is compulsory for students from France (FREN4005 and FREN4006) and Spain (SPAN4001A and SPAN4001B). Students from Italy and Germany also have a similar option which is optional (ITAL6001/2/4 and GERM4001A/B respectively). Further details will be sent to you as soon as the official pre-registration period opens (usually in June). 6. Further Information and Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) For more information, please see the following websites for all incoming students: http://www.ucl.ac.uk/selcs/prospective-students/affiliate-students-at-selcs http://www.ucl.ac.uk/prospective-students/international/affiliate/exchange/frequently-asked-questions
7. Visas UCL will provide assistance, when required, in securing visas for incoming students: Before enrolment: UCL Admissions Office provides visa information to offer holders: http://www.ucl.ac.uk/iss/immigration-visa. Contact: affiliatestudents@ucl.ac.uk or visacompliance@ucl.ac.uk During studies: Advice on visas from the pre-arrival stage through to graduation provided by UCLU Rights and Advice. Contact: uclu-rights.advice@ucl.ac.uk or internationalsupport@ucl.ac.uk 8. Accommodation UCL will guide the students to find appropriate accommodation. Please note that it is essential to submit your Affiliate application and accept your place by the above deadlines (31 March or 30 September) if you wish to meet the deadline for applying for UCL accommodation. January starters should note that it is unlikely they will receive UCL student accommodation, so they should look privately. Accommodation options: For full year students, we have two catered halls to choose from Please see here for a list of student houses available As part of the University of London, UCL has access to approximately 800 places for its students in the catered intercollegiate halls For all other information on accommodation, including relevant contact details and a list of recommended private providers, please see the UCL Accommodation site. 9. Academic Calendar Term Dates Term 1 orientation: Wednesday 21 Friday 23 September 2016 Term 1: Monday 26 September 2016 - Friday 16 December 2016 Term 2 orientation: Thursday 5 Friday 6 January 2017 Term 2: Monday 9 January 2017 - Friday 24 March 2017 Assessment / Exam periods Term 1 modules will be assessed by essays to be submitted in November and January. Term 2 modules will be assessed during Term 3 (which is UCL examination period) from 24 April 2017-9 June 2017. College Reading Weeks Term 1: Monday 7 November 2016 Friday 11 November 2016 Term 2: Monday 13 February 2017 Friday 17 February 2017 College Closures and Bank Holidays Christmas: CLOSE Friday 23 December 2016 at 5.00 p.m. RE-OPEN Tuesday 3 January 2017 Easter: CLOSE - Wednesday 12 April 2017 at 5.00 p.m. RE-OPEN Thursday 20 April 2017 Bank Holidays: CLOSED - Monday 1 May 2017 CLOSED - Monday 29 May 2017 CLOSED - Monday 28 August 2017