Opportunities to go International with your Degree

Why not think about extending and enhancing your degree with a year abroad? The School has fantastic links with partner universities across Europe and beyond and this could be your chance to learn or develop your knowledge of another culture, see new sites, make new friends and learn in a new environmnet. Click here to read about recent students' exchange years in both Malta and in Pisa, Italy.

The School participates in two types of exchange schemes: the first is based on a network of European universities (the Erasmus scheme), the second involves links with Canadian and Australian Universities. Students who go on these exchanges transfer into a four-year degree version of their existing three-year course, designated either (EU) or (International) depending on which exchange programme is followed.

Currently the above exchanges are available only to students in BA/BSc Archaeology, History and Archaeology and Ancient History and Archaeology. The current degree weighting is to see the final academic year count as 50 per cent, with Years Two and Three as 20 per cent and 30 per cent respectively.

Four-year degrees available

•  BA Archaeology (EU)
•  BA Archaeology (International)
•  BSc Archaeology (EU)
•  BSc Archaeology (International)
•  BA History and Archaeology (EU)
•  BA History and Archaeology (International)
•  BA Ancient History and Archaeology (EU)
•  BA Ancient History and Archaeology (International)
•  BA Ancient History and History (EU)
•  BA Ancient History and History (International)

Selection criteria

Students are accepted on the exchange schemes on the basis of performance in the following: 

1. letter of application
2. interview (with current Exchanges Co-ordinator in Summer term)
3. first year exams and course assessment.

Interviews are held in March. These feature the Exchanges Co-Ordinator and one other staff member. Decisions are made immediately after all the candidates have been interviewed. Students are then contacted by letter.

Timetable for a four-year degree

• Year 1
  Second semester: admissions process, by application letter followed by interviews. Successful applicants are advised of acceptance before the end of Year 1. Formal transfer to the four-year programme is normally made before the start of Year 2.
• Year 2
  Year spent at Leicester. Notification to LEA of change of status etc.
• Year 3
  European students spend year abroad. In second semester, students studying in Australia depart Year 4. European exchange students study in Leicester.
• Year 4
  Second semester: Australian exchange students return to Leicester to complete final year.

University details about the Socrates/Erasmus scheme

ERASMUS 2010-2011: preliminary information for students

The School of Archaeology and Ancient History at Leicester co-ordinates an Erasmus exchange programme with a number of European Universities in Spain, Holland, Denmark, Sweden, Italy, Greece, Germany and Malta.

Exchange partners for 2010-2011

• University of Aarhus (Denmark)
• Università degli Studi di Bologna (Italy)
• Universitat de Valencia (Spain)
• Università degli Studi di Pisa (Italy)
• University of Groningen (Holland)
• University College of Gotland (Sweden)
• University of Athens (Greece)
• University of Freiburg (Germany)
• University of Malta
• Amsterdam
• Dublin

International Exchanges: Europe

At present we have the possibility of sending one - and occasionally two - students to each of the above listed partners. Participation in the Erasmus scheme requires students spending approximately ten months in the host country, attending courses which will provide the equivalent of a full academic year in Leicester, i.e. two semesters with courses totalling 120 credits (equivalent to 60 ECTS credits). The year abroad will come as the third year of study with students subsequently returning to Leicester to complete a final year of study.

Students accepted for these exchanges have to be transferred before their second year to a four-year European (EU) degree. This is recognised by LEAs and they may supply some funding for the additional year. A grant is provided by the EU for students abroad, although this is not a high sum and varies annually according to numbers participating nationally - currently 450 Euros per month). Otherwise, loans and savings may be essential.

Many host universities also provide additional language courses before the academic courses begin and students are recommended to join these; some funds may be available to attend these courses. The key thing is to take full advantage of the opportunities for academic development that the exchanges offer!

EU Timetable: Students take their full second year at Leicester, but within this year (where relevant) they are encouraged to take appropriate language modules with the University. These modules are not accredited. Language training will also continue whilst abroad. Language is a key element to enjoying and making the most of the exchanges - this is often a big hurdle and students should apply themselves fully! Students will then begin their year abroad normally in late September through to June - depending on each university and on language courses there. Note that some EU links are less dependant on language training (notably Malta and Holland).

Courses and assessment

Before your exchange, some provisional selection of courses to be taken will be made; this may be subject to change once you begin the year abroad. Liaison will be with the host university's exchange co-ordinator. Contact (usually e-mail) must be maintained with Leicester via the Erasmus Office. Assessment for courses will normally be in line with the host university (although this can be negotiated). The equivalent of 120 Leicester credits are taken across two semesters; this may include assessed language support. Please keep copies of all submitted work. Mark-bands used in Europe vary; our scale is as diverse from Italy as it is from Spain. A separate document will be provided to selected candidates detailing the equivalent gradings.

Logistical matters

The Erasmus coordinator in the host University will provide the essential point of contact for each student. They will be available to discuss matters such as language, accommodation, projects etc. Accommodation is sorted out before arrival in the host country, sometimes in student self-catering accommodation although private flats are often more readily available. In Italy and Spain, however, accommodation is normally organised only on arrival.

International Exchanges: Australia (University of Flinders)

In addition to the European exchanges, an international exchange exists currently with the University of Flinders in Adelaide, South Australia.

It is important to note that no University funding or grant is available for this exchange. Travel and accommodation will be the major costs to meet although basic living expenses are much cheaper than in the UK and there are many part-time jobs to be had to supplement any savings. There have been some University scholarships to apply for competitively (under the International Network of Universities scheme), but we clearly cannot rely on this as a guaranteed source of support. So, essential need: start saving soon!

Australian Timetable: The one-year exchange scheme with Flinders operates on a different timetable to the European exchanges above. The Australian academic year runs from February through to November/December, so students accepted for this exchange are required to attend the first semester of their third year in Leicester, and then move to Australia, completing their full exchange year abroad, before returning to Leicester to take their final Semester 2 courses. Because of this timetable, students from Leicester are required to submit their completed dissertations after they return from Australia.

Work and contact

Whilst at Flinders the equivalent of 120 Leicester credits across the year is to be taken. Courses are selected in advance of the exchange, although some modifications may be made on arrival in consultation with the Department co-ordinator. Work is by both essay and exam or by projects. Copies of all essays must be kept and any marks relayed to Leicester. Please note that the mark-bands used at Flinders differ from those at Leicester; a separate document will be supplied to selected applicants detailing the equivalent gradings.

Students must maintain periodic contact with Leicester via e-mail. At Flinders students will have as a first point of contact the Departmental Exchanges Co-ordinator and additional support comes via the International Study Advisor. The latter helps in sorting out the Medical Insurance Cover and Hall Accommodation before arrival (though private flats are often available too). Tutorial fees are covered as part of the exchange scheme; however, medical insurance cover can be expensive. As with the European links, LEAs often will provide grants for this year abroad and they should be contacted as soon as possible.

International Exchanges: Canada (University of Calgary)

An international accord operates with the University of Calgary on a similar basis to that with Flinders, except that the timetable will be essentially the same as that for Erasmus exchange students, since Calgary's full academic session runs from September to April. The exchange envisages two placements each way, although as yet only a couple of Calgary students have studied in Leicester.

Staff contacts in the 2010-11 academic year: the Co-Ordinator for European/International Exchanges is Dr Ian Whitbread. Email: ikw3@le.ac.uk

The International Office in the Astley Clarke Building co-ordinates the formal institutional exchange schemes and funds allocation. The main contacts here are Cleo Bowen (Email: cll22@le.ac.uk) for ERASMUS and Julie Leverett (Email: jal32@le.ac.uk) for international exchanges.