Â鶹Éçmadou

Â鶹Éçmadou students in the following degrees can spend time overseas as part of their degree:

• Business Management (including with Analytics, Digital Marketing, Finance, and Human Resource Management)
• International Hospitality, Tourism & Events Management
• Creative & Cultural Industries
• Drama
• Theatre & Film
• Film & Media
• Digital Marketing & Public Relations
• Psychology
• Psychology & Sociology
• Sociology
• Education Studies
• Nutrition

It is important that we select students with good academic standing to participate in the Exchange programme. Applicants are expected to hold an average grade of 55% or above, with no module graded below 50%. We expect students to have a good attendance record and contribute to class.

We have set this requirement to assure our Exchange partners that students participating are academically sound. This will also reassure us that academically you would be able to undertake study overseas, as a different environment and learning style can be challenging to grasp. 

While an Exchange is a fantastic opportunity, it can also present certain difficulties at times. We are looking for students who are independent, highly motivated and mature. Students are expected to act as ambassadors for Â鶹Éçmadou whilst on Exchange and conduct themselves accordingly. 

There is no guarantee of a place on the Exchange programme, even if you meet the eligibility criteria. Availability of places can vary from year to year, and some destination places are particularly competitive. 

We have carefully selected Exchange partners who offer modules taught in English, although with some of our Exchange partners the choice of classes taught in English may be limited.

If you would like to study at one of our Exchange partners in a European country, you may wish to take a language course or use a language learning app in advance of your semester abroad. Learning a bit of the destination language can help teach you the basics or improve your language skills before you go on Exchange. It is often possible to also take a language course as part of your module choices at non-English speaking destinations to help you improve your language skills further, whilst counting towards your academic credits.

Students can participate in an Exchange as follows:

Students may apply for a full year Exchange where their course allows them to participate in an Exchange in 2nd year, but competition for places may result in only one semester being available. Please check with the International Office (StudyAbroad@qmu.ac.uk) before submitting an application.

Those participating in an Exchange in 3rd year are limited to a single semester Exchange only. The reason for this is that in order to graduate from Â鶹Éçmadou you must have studied 50% of your final year at Â鶹Éçmadou. Whilst you may have every intention and ability to progress to 4th year, it is important that we protect your degree in case anything changes. 

Where a student is permitted to participate in an Exchange in 2nd and 3rd year, it may be possible to allow two Exchanges at a semester long in each academic year. If you wish to do this, you must apply as per the standard schedule. There are no guarantees that you would be permitted to return to the same destination, in fact we would encourage you to consider a different destination to expand your international experience. 

It is important that you give thought to your finances before applying for an Exchange semester. Whilst it is possible to apply for financial support, you may still be expected to make some contribution towards the experience, and it is therefore important that you ensure you can meet these costs. Work out a budget plan of your expected income and outgoings. 

Tuition Fees

One of the major benefits of taking part in an Exchange programme is that students do not have to pay additional tuition fees to that partner. You arrange for your tuition fees to be paid as normal to Â鶹Éçmadou. It is your responsibility to inform your funding body of your intention to spend a semester on Exchange. 

Student Loans

Students spending a semester on Exchange should still be entitled to apply for UK funding support such as student loans and means tested bursaries and grants. You should apply to your awarding body as normal, ensuring that you indicate that you will spend a semester on Exchange.

Scholarship Opportunities

Exchanges are generally self-funded, but there are a small number of funding opportunities for those who need financial assistance to make an Exchange semester become a reality. 

• Lisa Persdotter-Simonyi Fund -Ìý°Õ³ó±ð Lisa Persdotter Simonyi Fund can help female identifying students with funding of £5000. An application for this funding can be made at the same time as applying for an Exchange.
• Â鶹Éçmadou Mobility Fund -Ìý°Õ³ó±ð Â鶹Éçmadou Mobility Fund can help students looking to undertake study overseas with awards of up to £5000. An application for this funding can be made at the same time as applying for an exchange.
• Vice Chancellor’s & Student Development Fund -Ìý°Õ³ó±ð Vice Chancellor’s & Student Development Fund is for students looking to go on Exchange and broaden their horizons, with funding of up to £750 available.
• Stevenson Exchange Scholarship -Ìý°Õ³ó±ð Stevenson Exchange Scholarship is available for students looking to apply to France or Germany, with funding of up to £2000 available. The deadline for the Stevenson Awards is March, to go out in the following academic year. Email StudyAbroad@qmu.ac.uk to get more information.

Make sure you read scholarship criteria to ensure you understand your eligibility and submit your application in plenty of time.

Exchange Costs

Students should consider the following costs:

• Travel (flights, transfers, day-to-day commuting, recreational travel)
• Insurance
• Visa (where applicable)
• Accommodation
• Day-to-day living costs (food, toiletries, etc)

You are recommended to check with our partners for cost of living at each destination but remember this is also dependent upon your own spending habits.

If you are required to apply for a visa for your Exchange, it may be necessary to demonstrate your ability to fund your time overseas. It is important to be able to evidence your funding through bank statements/official letters confirming your finances/scholarship award. 

You can use a to estimate the costs based more on your own spending habits. Enter your estimated outgoings and any money you expect to receive (loans, scholarship award, etc.) and see how things compare. Remember though, you are likely to spend more on travel and leisure while abroad, so it’s best to overestimate this to ensure you have the funds to cover an Exchange.

While Â鶹Éçmadou will try to inform you of any funding opportunities available, it is the responsibility of the student to ensure they have adequate funds in place to support an Exchange.   

Your Exchange experience should not mean that your degree takes any longer to complete. It is your responsibility to liaise with your Department Mobility Coordinator to ensure that you take a full-time course load of appropriate modules (30 ECTS per semester in Europe or 4-5 modules for the rest of the world). It is important that you pass your modules on Exchange to be able to transfer your Exchange credits to your Â鶹Éçmadou transcript.

Considering the institutions available for Exchange, think about where you would be interested in spending time living and studying, and check if they have suitable modules for you to study. Module information can be found on the partner websites or by emailing the partner directly.

It is important that you match core modules, as these are necessary for your degree to be awarded. Where you have option modules, you may have more flexibility in what you can take, as long as the modules you select sit under the umbrella of your degree area.

You may be able to take a module outside of your degree area with permission of your Department Mobility Coordinator. You should narrow down to your top three choices of institution and speak to your Department Mobility Coordinator to obtain approval of your choices. 

You are required to complete the Pre Selection Application Form (available from Study Abroad@qmu.ac.uk) and submit the completed form to the International Office (StudyAbroad@qmu.ac.uk) by 31 January to go out in the following Academic Year.

If you are applying as a Direct Entrant to Â鶹Éçmadou, you may still be able to participate in an Exchange, where available for the degree you intend to join. It is possible to apply in line with current Â鶹Éçmadou students by the deadline to ensure you can compete for the full list of institutions available to you, but your place cannot be officially confirmed with an Exchange partner until you have an Unconditional offer for Â鶹Éçmadou which you have Firmly accepted. Please contact the International Office (StudyAbroad@qmu.ac.uk) for further guidance. 

It is possible to apply for an Exchange after the 31 January closing date, but there are no guarantees of places still being available. Please email the International Office (StudyAbroad@qmu.ac.uk) to check which institutions are available before submitting an application. Applications received after the closing date are considered on a first come, first served basis. 

If you are unsure if you would meet the academic requirements for an Exchange, or you would like more guidance on the application process, please email StudyAbroad@qmu.ac.uk.  

Each subject has an Academic Mobility Coordinator (AMC) to help you with the academic elements of your Exchange.