Undergraduate study - Economics
ERASMUS PROGRAMME
Information for OUTGOING Exchange students 2012-2013
Erasmus is the European Commission's flagship educational programme for Higher Education students, teachers and institutions. It was introduced with the aim of increasing student mobility within Europe. Further information about Erasmus can be found on the web pages of the UK National Agency the British Council.
University-wide information about studying abroad can be found at:
http://www.lboro.ac.uk/admin/ar/international/exchange/outgoing/index.htm
The School of Business and Economics is an active member of this Programme which offers opportunities for students to study abroad at European partner institutions http://www.lboro.ac.uk/departments/sbe/studyingabroad/index.html
Loughborough Economics students are able to spend a full academic year at one of our European partner institutions following completion of 2 years undergraduate study. Eligibility is subject to successful completion of part B summer examinations (re-sit students will not be considered).
We have Exchange Agreements with the following institutions, where a limited number of places are available:
BELGIUM - Antwerp (2 places)
http://www.ua.ac.be/main.aspx?c=.ENGLISH&n=25489
FRANCE - Lille (2 places)
http://flseg.icl-lille.fr/presentation.asp
http://flseg.icl-lille.fr/international/application.asp
France, Limoges (2 places)
http://www.unilim.fr/spip.php?rubrique92&lang=en
Greece - Athens (2 places)
http://www.aueb.gr/pages_en/erasmus/index.php
ITALY - Bologna (2 places)
http://www.eng.unibo.it/PortaleEn/Students/International+Students/exchange/default.htm
Portugal - Lisbon (2 places)
http://www.clsbe.lisboa.ucp.pt/site/custom/template/fceetplcyvlanding.asp?sspageID=572&lang=2
Spain - Madrid (8 places)
http://www.uc3m.es/portal/page/portal/international/students/exchange/prior_arrival
http://www.uc3m.es/portal/page/portal/international/students/exchange
There may also be places available on our Business and Management Agreements but this cannot be guaranteed.
English taught courses are available in the majority of these universities – the exception being France and Italy (where a few are available). A familiarity with the relevant language is an obvious advantage though Loughborough students without any knowledge of a foreign language have spent a successful year abroad.
Invitation to students
Current second year undergraduate students are e-mailed each October inviting them to register their interest in the Erasmus Programme. The Erasmus Exchange Coordinator for Economics students will give a brief presentation introducing the Programme to second year students at the beginning of term - students will be notified of this in advance.
The year abroad is taken between the second and third years of undergraduate study. The Erasmus year does not form part of the calculation of the final degree award; how- ever, subject to successful study students will receive the ‘Diploma in International Studies’ DIntS (see below).
Finance, fees and funding
Students on an Erasmus exchange for a full year pay no tuition fees to Loughborough University or the partner institution. Providing they are eligible students are entitled to apply for an Erasmus mobility grant. Please refer to the following web-link for further information about tuition fees/travel grant application:
http://www.lboro.ac.uk/international/exchange/outgoing/finances/index.htm
Application Procedure
Interested students should email Linda Mattison l.c.m.mattison@lboro.ac.uk for a ‘Registration form’ which must be completed by December of your second year – in the event of too many applicants for a given institution, priority will be given to those who register a firm interest the earliest. The application procedure will depend on the institution you are applying to but completed forms generally need to be sent off by the following Easter.
Your degree programme will be formally converted from a 3 to a 4-year programme to accommodate the year abroad. This will entail completing a ‘Transfer form’. Students should liaise with Linda Mattison to organise this during semester 2 of your second year.
Module Choice
You are advised to choose Economics modules that complement your studies at Loughborough; however, you may also wish to take modules that are specific to the country you are visiting e.g. language courses, history, politics etc. This can be used as an opportunity to study courses that are not available on your Loughborough degree programme. Your ability to take modules from other disciplines is entirely at the discretion of the host institution; either way, make sure that you choose modules with sufficient credit weighting to qualify for the ‘Diploma in International Studies’ (see below).
Diploma in International Studies
A typical Economics module has a modular weight of 10 or 20; this translates into 5 or 10 ECTS credits respectively. If you pass courses during the Erasmus year that carry a total of 40 ECTS credits (equivalent to 80 Loughborough credits) you will be eligible to receive the ‘Diploma in International Studies’ when you graduate at the end of your fourth year.
Students will be awarded the ‘Diploma in International Studies’ on the following basis:
- Acquisition of 40 ECTS credits at the end of the study period.
- Submission of a satisfactory interim ‘Progress report.
Learning Agreement
Those interested in the Erasmus exchange programme must have a successful result in part B examinations in June before they can be supported as credible ambassadors from Loughborough in another country.
Those selected to go on the student exchange programme will need to complete a ‘Learning Agreement’ of the modules they wish to study before the end of their second year.
Important: If changes are made to the ‘original’ Learning Agreement during the year abroad it is vital that these are listed each semester on the relevant ‘changes’ sheet of the Learning Agreement which must be signed by the student and host institution Erasmus Coordinator and e-mailed to Linda Mattison.
Re-sits
Sometimes students are required to take re-sit examinations because they have failed particular modules. The British Council now permits students to re-sit their modules abroad rather than returning to this country. The student will need permission from the University to do this and the re-sit examination has to be held on British Council premises.
Can I combine study abroad with work experience?
Yes you can, subject to the approval of your home institution and agreement of your host institution.
The placement must be undertaken under the supervision of the same receiving host institution where the student will carry out their study and the two must take place in consecutive periods. Students will be eligible for a travel grant for a ‘combined period’ and the rates are the same as those for a study-only period.
The School of Business and Economics currently has no ‘placement year’ degree programmes for students of Economics programmes; however, students can organise a year on an ‘informal’ basis by taking a year’s leave of absence after 2 years on their degree course.
For more detailed information about studying and working abroad, please visit the British Council
In an environment where the UK economy and business is becoming more integrated with EU countries and issues related to Europe become more central to British economic and political life, the advantages of studying in another EU country through the Erasmus programme are self-evident.
Studying abroad is a valuable and worthwhile experience in many ways. Adding a European dimension to your degree programme allows you to become immersed in a foreign culture, make new friends, obtain a working knowledge of another language and realise a greater degree of self-reliance. Many students who have spent time studying abroad come back feeling more confident and self-assured. It can also be great fun – you will have a chance to explore a new country and understand a new culture whilst continuing and broadening your education. Studying abroad can also widen your employment opportunities once you have finished your degree programme. Employers put a high value on initiative and maturity of outlook – both of which you will gain from studying abroad. You may also improve the likelihood of obtaining a job elsewhere in Europe in what is becoming an increasingly international labour market.
International Exchange
Please see the following website for relevant information:
http://www.lboro.ac.uk/international/exchange/outgoing/exchange/index.htm
While You Are Away
Keep in touch with the School and notify us of any address changes, changes in modules etc. At the very least, you will need to decide final year module choices before you return. Also, you may need to apply for accommodation in Loughborough. While you are abroad the Erasmus Exchange Coordinator (Dr Bettina Becker) acts as your Personal Tutor.
Further Information
More information provided by Loughborough University on the benefits of studying under the Erasmus programme, funding and application deadlines can be found at
http://www.lboro.ac.uk/admin/ar/admissions/ects/index.htm.
Get in touch with your Exchange Coordinator:
While email is the preferred method of communication, telephone numbers are also included.
For academic enquiries
Dr Bettina Becker – Erasmus and Visiting Student Exchange Coordinator for Economics
e-mail: B.Becker@lboro.ac.uk
tel: +44 (0)1509 222719
fax: +44 (0)1509 223910
Administrative enquiries
Linda Mattison – Exchange and Visiting Student Administrator
e-mail: l.c.m.mattison@lboro.ac.uk
tel. +44 (0)1509 222729
fax +44 (0)1509 223910
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