Opportunities for study and work abroad 2010
Opportunities for study and work abroad
Contents Why study or work abroad? Degree options The Year Abroad Where can I go? Language levels How does it work? Placement support Fees and funding
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“I think a year abroad is something most people should experience; it was probably the best year of my life!” Natasha Love Politics and International Relations with a Year in Finland
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“The experience at the University of Indiana was one of a kind. Going so far from home, immersing myself in a completely different culture and facing new educational systems was stimulating and proved to be very enriching.” Giuseppe Le Voci Astronomy, Space Science and Astrophysics with a Year in the USA
“This year has really flown by. I have made some fantastic lifelong friends and studying here has really been a wonderful, cultural experience – I cannot believe my year abroad is nearly over.” Sarah Popplewell English and German Law
Opportunities for study and work abroad Why study or work abroad?
Why study or work abroad? Kent is known as the UK’s European university and has a long history of sending students abroad on study or work placements. In addition to an internationally recognised degree from Kent and an outstanding student experience in the UK, students who choose to work or study abroad as part of their Kent degree enjoy the added benefits of an enhanced CV, a broadened academic and social experience, and the the acquisition of wide-ranging new skills. Students are supported by the experienced and dedicated teams within Kent’s European and International Offices and the Student Placement Office, as well as receiving expert advice from your academic schools and a warm welcome from Kent’s recognised partners abroad. As well as having a fantastic time, your year abroad will have huge benefits. These are just a few of them.
Improve your existing language skills or develop new ones At Kent, we teach four main languages – French, German, Italian and Spanish – at different levels, depending on which course you choose. Alternatively, you can follow a programme abroad where all the tuition takes place in English. This gives you the chance to gain experiences of living abroad and some basic skills in a new language. It is also possible to find work placements for English speakers abroad and have the opportunity to develop new language skills in that country. Mandarin and Japanese language classes are available to students on relevant study/work placements.
Improve your employability prospects The fact that you’ve spent a year studying or working in another country can be a real advantage when you’re looking for a job, especially if you’re planning to work abroad after graduation. Employers definitely see a year abroad as a plus point on your CV.
Develop new skills Studying or working in another country gives you a different set of skills, which helps to improve your employment prospects.
Experience another culture and way of life It might be a cliché, but living and travelling abroad certainly broadens your outlook on life. You gain confidence and flexibility in adapting to different cultures.
Deepen your knowledge of your subject
“Allowing myself to be open to these new environments and new experiences has truly shaped who I am. I have gained so much insight and learned so much about both myself and others by doing this.
“It’s so interesting to see new approaches to curriculum and teaching styles, to see the cultural and social differences and to just soak up an entirely new world. I strongly recommend it, for it will be an experience that you won’t want to end.” Naqiya Ebrahim Drama and Theatre Studies
Take the opportunity to approach your subject from the point of view of a different culture. 3
Opportunities for study and work abroad Degree options
Degree options for study or work abroad Kent offers a range of degrees with the chance to study or work abroad Four-year single honours with a study abroad element • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •
Accounting & Finance American Studies Anthropology Astronomy, Space Science and Astrophysics Biochemistry Biological Anthropology Biology British and American Policy Studies Business Administration Computer Science Drama Economics English and American Literature European Arts (History and Philosophy of Art) European Arts (Film Studies) European History European Studies French German Hispanic Studies (Spanish) International Business Law Management Science Philosophy Physics Politics and International Relations Psychology Social Anthropology Sociology
Several of the above degrees offer the opportunity to study at a university where the teaching takes place in English. See p8 for details.
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Joint honours degrees, where you study a European language and culture alongside another academic subject The languages are French, German, Italian and Spanish (Hispanic Studies). You may also take a joint honours degree in two languages, such as French and Italian. • Business Administration • Classical & Archaeological Studies • Comparative Literature • Computing • Cultural Studies • Drama and Theatre Studies • English and American Literature • Film Studies • History • History & Philosophy of Art • Philosophy • Religious Studies
Working abroad Language students often have the opportunity to take a work placement abroad (rather than study abroad). The most common option is to work as a teaching assistant but other positions are also possible, subject to the approval of your academic school. Students taking a Year in Industry may also be able to gain a placement outside the UK. Your placement advisor will be able to give you information on the possibilities. For example, Kent has strong links with Sun Microsystems in the USA which means that every year several of our Computer Science students spend their placement year in California.
Further information www.kent.ac.uk/european/ www.kent.ac.uk/international/ www.kent.ac.uk/enterprise/student_placement/
Opportunities for study and work abroad The Year Abroad
The Year Abroad There are two main ways of taking the Year Abroad. Within Europe The Erasmus programme, funded by the European Union, gives you the opportunity to study your subject at a partner university in another European country (see full list on p6). Kent has links with a very large number of universities and the list is growing and being updated all the time. The Erasmus programme has recently been extended to include eligible students on degrees with an industrial or sandwich year, who undertake placements in the EU and other eligible countries (Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Turkey). This includes students taking single or joint honours modern language degrees or European Studies (Humanities) who wish to organise a work placement or work as a British Council Language Assistant in an EU country. Erasmus is a reciprocal scheme, so students from universities in Europe come to study at Kent. This means you have the chance to meet and talk to students from your chosen destination country before you travel, and to practise your language skills. This scheme is open to all students from the UK and other EU/EEA countries aiming to spend a year in Europe. Under present arrangements, the Erasmus year does not incur tuition fees for UK/EU students (see p11 for details of fees and funding).
Outside Europe
You may be able to opt for working in a non-EU country if you take one of our degrees that includes a ‘sandwich year’ or Year in Industry. Students taking a single or joint honours degree in French or Spanish can also opt to undertake a work placement or British Council Language Assistantship outside the EU. These study and work placements are not part of the EU’s Erasmus programme (see p11 for details of fees and funding).
Did you know? ed UK Erasmus In the recently establish s, Kent was ard aw European quality UK universities en sev t firs the of one uality label for to be awarded the E-q es. mm gra pro its Erasmus
Important note: Nationals of non-EU countries, or those wishing to work in a non-EU country, should investigate the visa and work permit requirements of the appropriate country.
Some degree programmes offer the opportunity to study or work outside Europe. Kent has links with a growing number of institutions in Argentina, Canada, China, Hong Kong, Japan, Peru, Thailand, Uruguay and the USA. 5
Opportunities for study and work abroad Where can I go?
Where can I go? Kent’s links with prestigious universities and companies around the world open up a range of opportunities to internationalise your education. University courses are taught in English or the local language, depending on your degree.
NETHERLANDS
CANADA
UNITED KINGDOM
Study in European countries Kent has partner universities in the following European countries: Austria Belgium Czech Republic Denmark Finland France Germany Greece Italy
Malta The Netherlands Norway Poland Portugal Spain Sweden Switzerland Turkey
BELGIUM USA PORTUGAL
Study in non-European countries Kent has partner institutions in the following non-European countries: Argentina Canada China Hong Kong Japan
Peru Thailand Uruguay USA
Working abroad Many of the academic schools at Kent have links with international companies which could enable you to spend a Year in Industry outside the UK. In addition, Kent has links with organisations that offer placements for language students to work as teaching assistants. For more details please contact the relevant academic school.
PERU
ARGENTINA URUGUAY 6
Opportunities for study and work abroad Where can I go?
SWEDEN FINLAND NORWAY
DENMARK GERMANY POLAND CZECH REPUBLIC
AUSTRIA
FRANCE SPAIN
ITALY TURKEY
JAPAN CHINA
SWITZERLAND MALTA
GREECE
HONG KONG THAILAND
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Opportunities for study and work abroad Language requirements
Language requirements What level of language do I need? Some courses require you to have language skills before you arrive but for others, you don’t need to have any prior knowledge at all. • Some courses require an A level or a high-level qualification in the relevant language. • Some courses specify GCSE or a basic-level qualification in a language. • Some courses allow you to learn your preferred language from scratch (ab initio), although they may also require a GCSE or a basic level qualification in a relevant modern European language. • Some courses do not require language skills as many of our our partner universities abroad teach in English. Students undertaking an industrial placement have the flexibility to choose a placement in the UK or abroad. You could undertake a placement in your home country, whether this is in the UK or elsewhere, in which case language skills would not be an issue. Alternatively, you may choose to find work in another country, in which case employers might require certain language skills or offer placements for English speakers. In the latter case, you may have the opportunity to take classes in the language of the host country or during the placement. For a full list of language requirements, see the Undergraduate Prospectus, or our website www.kent.ac.uk/studying/undergrad/
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“While tackling a variety of tasks and learning about office life is already useful for any future career, the fact that the office is in Brussels is an incredible bonus. This job gave me the chance to visit the places where European policy is debated and implemented, as well as to meet the people who make things happen in Europe.” Chris White Stagiaire Placement, Kent County Council Brussels Office
Did you know? oad teaches you Studying or working abr ’ll never forget you and lls ski new lots of you have. You s nce erie exp the amazing ge skills gua lan r you will also improve r placement is you if n Eve tly. can nifi sig is in English, one where the teaching the local of e som orb you will abs language.
Opportunities for study and work abroad How does it work?
How does it work? How do I apply? Students who register for a degree including a Year Abroad will be contacted by the European and International Offices about applications and practicalities during the first or second year. If a degree programme has options for the Year Abroad placement, you will be given this information, in a booklet and/or at a meeting, and will be asked to choose preferences. Those registered for a Year in Industry or ‘sandwich’ degree should contact the Placement Co-ordinator in their academic school for information and advice. A great deal of essential information is available online at www.kent.ac.uk/ enterprise/ Students who are not already registered for such a degree are welcome to contact the European Office (euroff@kent.ac.uk), the International Office (international-office@kent.ac.uk), the Student Placement Officer (placements@kent.ac.uk), or the Placement Co-ordinator in their academic school, to discuss their options.
How does the year abroad relate to the rest of my degree? If you are studying at another university, the marks from your year abroad will count towards your final degree result. Students taking single or joint honours modern language degrees or European Studies (Humanities) will also be assessed through an oral exam on their return to Kent.
If you are on a work placement, the way your year is assessed will depend on your degree programme. Assessment may be through written work (for example, an essay or report), an evaluation provided by your supervisor, an oral presentation on your return to Kent, or a combination of all three. The academic school will provide further information about this before the start of the placement.
“The experiences I have had studying in Miami have been amazing. There have been lots of opportunities to travel: I went on a day trip to Montreal, spent a weekend on a cruise in the Bahamas and stopped off for a few nights in New York on the way back to Miami after Christmas.” Sophie Hewlett Drama and Theatre Studies
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Opportunities for study and work abroad Placement support
Support for study or work abroad What support will I get? You get both academic and administrative support from Kent during your year abroad. Staff are available to offer advice throughout your degree – before, during and after the year abroad. At Kent, academic support comes from your academic school. Administrative support for students on Year Abroad degrees is provided by the European Office or International Office, depending on the destination. Support for students on industrial or sandwich placements is provided by the University of Kent’s Student Placement Officer and the Placement offices in the academic schools. In addition to this, students undertaking placements in the EU should contact the European Office for advice and assistance. The European and International Offices: • deal with application and accommodation forms for the partner universities • produce preparatory guides • provide information on partner universities and countries • organise preparatory meetings • are open throughout the year to deal with queries. The Student Placement Officer and Placement offices within the academic schools provide advice and support on: • finding a suitable work placement abroad • the application and interview process • organising accommodation • making the most of the work placement abroad • practical and financial matters.
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Advice and support will also be provided by academic and administrative staff at the partner universities (study placements) or by the placement supervisor at the organisation (industrial/sandwich placements).
Further information www.kent.ac.uk/european/ www.kent.ac.uk/international/ www.kent.ac.uk/enterprise/
“My year abroad was fantastic. I taught in a comprehensive school; it was a bit scary at first, but the kids were very pleased to have a native speaker teaching them and were so receptive that I really enjoyed myself.” Sophie Wetheridge German
Opportunities for study and work abroad Fees and funding
Fees and funding Tuition fees abroad No tuition fee is payable to any of our partner universities.
Kent tuition fees Erasmus study and work placements Under current arrangements, UK and EU students do not pay any tuition fees to Kent for the year spent abroad under the Erasmus scheme.
Non-Erasmus study and work placements Options not covered by the Erasmus programme incur a reduced tuition fee for the year abroad, payable to the University of Kent.
Funding In addition to any other funding you may be eligible for (see www.kent.ac.uk/studying/funding/), there are two specific sources of funding available for students spending a year studying or working abroad. Students from the UK, or from another EU member state, or from any other country participating in the Erasmus scheme, may be eligible for a non-means tested Erasmus top-up grant. UK student loans continue to be available for eligible students who spend a year studying or working abroad as part of their degree.
“The best thing about my placement was the opportunity to live and work in Hong Kong. The business environment is exciting and fast paced, the people are extremely welcoming and the cuisine of the region is absolutely phenomenal. I had an awesome time.� Richard Cohen Computer Science with a Year in Industry
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European Office, The Registry, University of Kent, Canterbury, Kent CT2 7NZ, UK T: +44 (0)1227 824042 F: +44 (0)1227 827115 E: euroff@kent.ac.uk
www.kent.ac.uk
International Office, The Registry, University of Kent, Canterbury, Kent CT2 7NZ, UK T: +44 (0)1227 827994 F: +44 (0)1227 823247 E: international-office@kent.ac.uk
Student Placement Office, Kent Innovation and Enterprise University of Kent, Rothford, Giles Lane, Canterbury Kent CT2 7LR, UK T: +44 (0)1227 827376 F: +44 (0)1227 824593 E: placements@kent.ac.uk
DPC 108462 8/09 PUB082
Further information