international student guidex -...

INTERNATIONAL STUDENT GUIDE

Welcome!Welcome!Welcome!Welcome!

INTERNATIONAL STUDY GUIDE

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Dear student, We warmly welcome you to Universidad Carlos III de Madrid. We are glad that you decided to study at UC3M with us, and will do our best to make your stay nice for you. Therefore, you will always find a way to contact us and let us help you with your academic issues. Our university was founded in 1989, and is one of the seven public universities in Madrid. We have around 17.300 students and we receive 416 Erasmus students and 54 students from the Americas, Australia, New Zealand, Philippines, Singapore and Israel each semester. UC3M was the first university in Spain to adapt all its study programs to the European Credit Transfer System. This required a huge workload from professors, students and administration professionals, but led us to be ranked among the best universities in Spain. Since the foundation, we have been working to be faithful to the principles of the Institución Libre de Enseñanza, a progressive institution founded in 1876 by distinguished doctors, professors and philosophers that tried to fight for freedom in education and against dogmatism. Its main goal was to create a revolution in the academic, cultural and social life of the Spanish society. Until 2007 the rector of the UC3M was Gregorio Peces-Barba, one of the fathers of the Spanish Constitution of 1978. Now the rector is Daniel Peña, a distinguished doctor in Statistics. Our motto is “homo homini sacra res” (man is sacred for man), paraphrasing Plauto’s “homo

homini lupus est” (man is a wolf for man). We offer over 20 majors, plus many opportunities of dual degree and international dual degree, more than 60 master programs and 18 doctorates. Depending on the studies you choose, you will be studying in one of our three campuses: Getafe, Leganés or Colmenarejo. While studying at UC3M you will have the opportunity to practice sports and cultural activities and live in a vibrant city as well. For further information, please visit our website: http://www.uc3m.es/portal/page/portal/get_know_us The university is committed to excellence, and global knowledge is our main goal. And the International Office is here to make your stay as easier as possible.

See you in Madrid!


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Contents

1. The International Office .................................................................................................... 4

2. Admission requirements ................................................................................................... 5

2.1. Nomination: Home University ....................................................................................... 5

2.2. Online application: Students ......................................................................................... 5

2.2.1. On-line application ................................................................................................ 5

2.2.2. Admission and waiting time .................................................................................. 5

3. Before arriving ................................................................................................................... 6

3.1. Admission Letter ........................................................................................................... 6

3.2. Spanish Language Course .............................................................................................. 6

3.3. Learning Agreement ...................................................................................................... 6

3.4. Academic Calendar ........................................................................................................ 6

3.5. Checklist before arriving at UC3M ................................................................................ 7

4. Welcome Event ................................................................................................................. 8

5. Upon arrival and during your stay ..................................................................................... 9

5.1. Change Form ................................................................................................................. 9

5.2. Campus Global .............................................................................................................. 9

5.3. Exams .......................................................................................................................... 10

5.3.1. Type of Exams...................................................................................................... 10

5.3.2. Dates and Timetables .......................................................................................... 10

5.3.3. Temporary Grades ............................................................................................... 10

5.3.4. Exam Review ....................................................................................................... 10

5.3.5. Final Grades ......................................................................................................... 10

5.3.6. Retake .................................................................................................................. 11

5.3.7. Taking exams at your Home Institution .............................................................. 11

5.4. Checklist upon arrival and during your stay ................................................................ 11

6. Additional Information .................................................................................................... 12

6.1. How to get to UC3M.................................................................................................... 12

6.1.1. Getafe Campus .................................................................................................... 12

6.1.2. Leganés Campus .................................................................................................. 12

6.1.3. Colmenarejo Campus .......................................................................................... 12

6.2. University Facilities...................................................................................................... 13

6.2.1. Residence Halls .................................................................................................... 13

6.2.2. Library .................................................................................................................. 13


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6.2.3. Laboratories and Workshops .............................................................................. 13

6.2.4. Computer rooms ................................................................................................. 13

6.2.5. Audiovisual rooms ............................................................................................... 13

6.2.6. Television and recording studios ......................................................................... 13

6.2.7. Group study rooms .............................................................................................. 13

6.2.8. Language activity and resource centers .............................................................. 13

6.2.9. Courtroom ........................................................................................................... 14

6.2.10. Auditorium .......................................................................................................... 14

6.2.11. Sports centres...................................................................................................... 14

6.3. Accommodation .......................................................................................................... 14

6.4. Estimated costs of living .............................................................................................. 15

6.5. Public Transportation in Madrid ................................................................................. 15

6.6. Health and Emergencies.............................................................................................. 15

7. Before you leave.............................................................................................................. 16

7.1. Certificate of Departure .............................................................................................. 16

7.2. Questionnaire .............................................................................................................. 16

8. Back at your home country ............................................................................................. 17

8.1. Transcripts of records and Spanish Diploma ............................................................... 17

8.2. Grading System ........................................................................................................... 17


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1. The International Office

The International Office is a vey big department in our university, in which we manage our relations with many universities and institutions around the world and help students to fulfil their exchange interests. Therefore, we assist UC3M regular students that would like to go abroad, and also students from abroad that are studying for a semester or an entire academic year with us. We are always willing to help you, but we cannot do anything unofficial. So, please, respect the office opening hours and speak calmly, and we will work together with you to find answers and solutions to all your questions and problems. Take in account that the International Office only pursues academic objectives. For exchange student life (parties, trips, etc.) refer to the Erasmus Student Network: http://www.esnuc3m.es/ Also see our webpage to know where we are: http://www.uc3m.es/portal/page/portal/international/serint/contact


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2. Admission requirements

2.1. Nomination: Home University

Before arriving, make sure you have been nominated by your home university.

2.2. Online application: Students

Check that you successfully complete the on-line application process. Take into account that if you miss a deadline there will be no chance to study at UC3M.

2.2.1. On-line application

The on-line application is a two-step on-line process that has to be completed by all exchange students from all around the world. In the first step, we will ask you about your personal data, such as Name and Family Name, Passport/ID number, Date of Birth, Address, Telephone Number, etc. Then you will receive an e-mail with a link that will lead you to the second step. You will have to fill your personal profile and academic exchange information. Finally, you will have to upload your picture. Please, make sure that you have a good Internet access and enough power in your computer. Sometimes this process fails due to this kind of technical issues. The system is optimized for use with Firefox and Internet Explorer. Always use CAPITAL LETTERS.

2.2.2. Admission and waiting time

After the deadline to submit the on-line application is closed, we will manage your admission. While we do so, take your time to read this guide from the first page to the very last one. Read about Madrid and all the information we put at your disposal in our webpage. The more information you have, the easier it will be to have a great stay in Spain. Let’s do our best to avoid unpleasant surprises!

After you admission has been processed, you will receive an Acceptance Letter by e-mail. If you are coming in September, you will receive your letter during July and if you are coming in January, your letter will be sent during the Christmas break.

If you need a visa to study in Spain, ask your university to write to us at [email protected] asking for Provisional Admission Letters for you and all the students from your university that also need one so you can start the visa application process. Note that we don’t manage visas. We only provide you with this document, but all other questions should be addressed to the Spanish Consulate in your home country.


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3. Before arriving

3.1. Admission Letter

Once you receive your Admission Letter, please send us by e-mail ([email protected]) a copy of your passport or ID and copy of your European Health Insurance Card or any public or private health insurance card with international coverage on a PDF format.

3.2. Spanish Language Course

The International Office does not manage the language courses. If you would like to take a language course (it’s not mandatory, of course) you can take it on campus or find a school in Madrid by your own. You will find further information about Language Courses offered by UC3M at http://www.uc3m.es/portal/page/portal/centro_idiomas_fernando_lazaro_carreter/spanish_courses You can also contact the language center by e-mail: [email protected] Note that none of the language courses offer ECTS. You cannot write it on your Learning

Agreement. However, some of our partner universities recognize some ECTS for language courses, so ask at the international office in your home university.

3.3. Learning Agreement

This is the most important step before you arrive in Spain. Be very careful with it!

Set your Learning Agreement before you come to Spain (check Deadline on our web site). You will be allowed to make a few changes (Change Form) until two weeks after arrival if you need to. We recommend you to print the guide from the web to complete the Learning Agreement: 1. Read it. 2. Download the document of the Learning Agreement. 3. Complete your Learning Agreement following the instructions in the guide. 4. Sent it to the e-mail addresses detailed in the guide, paying attention to the deadlines.

3.4. Academic Calendar

You can check the academic calendar here: http://www.uc3m.es/portal/page/portal/titulaciones_grado/calendarios_academicos


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3.5. Checklist before arriving at UC3M

Complete the on-line application (if you are a 1st

Semester or Full Year student)

Wait for my admission letter (it will arrive during the month before of your arrival to Madrid)

Apply for the Spanish Language Course (if I want to take it)

http://www.uc3m.es/portal/page/portal/centro_idiomas_fernando_lazaro_carreter/spanish_courses

Send a copy of my passport or ID (by e-mail; right after you receive your admission letter)

Send a copy of my International Insurance Card (by e-mail; right after you receive your

admission letter)

Set my Learning Agreement and send it by e-mail

Find accommodation

Book a flight to Madrid

Note that you must meet the deadlines considering the different time zones. Madrid is in

GMT+1.

Before you leave…

Take your time to say goodbye to friends and family and download Skype to keep in touch.

Contact your embassy in Spain to make sure there are no legal requirements that you must

fulfil with your country (such as registration in the embassy, application for vote from abroad,

etc.). And, of course, plan carefully what you would like to bring in your suitcase.


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4. Welcome Event

We are preparing a Welcome Event to all international students. Here you will receive your Student Card, your Student password for the IT services, your Certificate of Arrival (you will have to send it to your home university), some general information about the university and its campuses, and about sports and cultural activities. Afterwards we will have lunch all together at the Cafeteria. Welcome Event will take place next September 6

th 2010. The details will be published on the webpage! http://www.uc3m.es/portal/page/portal/international/students/exchange (see “Latest News”). If you are not in Madrid by the date the Welcome Event takes place, come to the office as soon as you arrive to pick up your documents.


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5. Upon arrival and during your

stay

The day finally arrived. You are in Spain! Although summer vacations are over, we probably still have good weather in Madrid. It’s time to meet new people, start going to classes, study a little bit every day, and, of course, have great fun discovering Madrid. If you have any questions, once you arrive come to the SERINT (International Relations Office) in the campus you are going to study and let us help you solving them. If you don’t know where to find us, check it here: http://www.uc3m.es/portal/page/portal/international/serint/contact Attendance to classes is mandatory, so we recommend you to arrive in Spain at the beginning of the semester. Otherwise you will be missing classes.

5.1. Change Form

This is very important too. Just like the Learning Agreement!

From the day lessons start, you will have two weeks to go to the lessons and check that those are definitely the ones you want to take. If you decided you want to make some changes, you will be allowed to send us only one Change Form. It is very similar to the Learning Agreement, so you won’t find it hard to fill it in correctly. The only difference is that you will now have to tick on “Added Unit” if you want to add a class or “Deleted Unit” if you want to delete a course that you first added in your Learning Agreement. Note that we always send a confirmation saying we received your Learning Agreement or your Change Form. If you don’t receive a confirmation in about 2 days, come to the office or send us an e-mail to make sure that we got it. Even if you sent it on time, if we did not get it we won’t accept any documents.

5.2. Campus Global

During your stay at UC3M you will be able to access the campus intranet through Campus Global by signing up with a Username and Password. These will be assigned to you at the Welcome Reception at the beginning of the Semester. On Campus Global you can find the information you need about your classes as well as all the activities and services that UC3M offers its students. In Campus Global, you can click on Aula Global 2, which is our Moodle net, to find all you need during the semester to do your class work and homework. Here is where you have to check if


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all your subjects have been registered correctly. If not, let us know via e-mail or talking to us directly in the office. If you need to come to the International Office, you can make an appointment through Campus Global to avoid waiting the queue.

5.3. Exams

5.3.1. Type of Exams

Exchange students take the same exam as Spanish students do. The kind of exam (whether it is multiple-choice, topic exposition, etc.) depends on the professor. If you have any doubt, then, ask your professor at the beginning of the semester. In Grado subjects, the final exam will count for a maximum of 60% on your final grade. But if you fail, this percentage can change (as it depends on the professor, if you have questions, ask him/her personally).

5.3.2. Dates and Timetables

Given that exchange students normally take classes from different academic years and different degrees, sometimes the exam dates and timetables for two subjects are the same. Of course, you can solve this complicated situation talking to your professors. Normally they are very open concerning this issue, but here are the general rules on how to changes exam dates, depending on the kind of subjects that have a “date conflict”:

• Troncal has the same date as Optativa: Optativa changes the date

• Troncal has the same date as another Troncal: Lower academic year changes the date

• Optativa has the same date as another Optativa: Lower academic year changes the date.

On the following link you will find dates and timetables for the examination period: http://www4.uc3m.es/horarios-web/examenes/examenes.page

5.3.3. Temporary Grades

Ten days after you take the exam, the professor should inform students about their grades. This information is provided through the UC3M e-mail account. You will receive an automatically generated e-mail, telling you your grades and also some information on behalf of REVISIÓN DE EXAMEN. You can also check your grades through Campus Global >

Información Personal > Notas provisionales.

5.3.4. Exam Review

If you do not agree with the final grade you got, you can visit the professor in his/her office and discuss your mark. Therefore, on the final grade e-mail there is information about when and where you can visit the professor.

5.3.5. Final Grades

After the examination period is concluded, your marks will not be changeable anymore, and they will be assigned an “official” status. You will not be allowed to request a revision or a change on your grades after this. The International Office (SERINT) will send your grades to


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your home university, along with the Spanish Language Course Certificate (if you took it), so you do not have to pick them up personally.

5.3.6. Retake

If you fail any exam, you will be allowed to re-take it. If it was a Licenciatura subject, the re-take period is established within the first two weeks of September. If it was a Grado subject, the re-take period takes place in June. Re-take option is only available for students who failed. You are not allowed to re-take if you passed the subject and want to try again for a better mark.

5.3.7. Taking exams at your Home Institution

Some of our partner universities have agreed with us to allow students to take the exam by fax back in their home countries. You can request further information at the International Office.

5.4. Checklist upon arrival and during your stay

Attend Welcome Event

Attend your courses (assistance is compulsory at UC3M)

Complete your change form and send it to International Office (only if you want to make any changes)

Check in Campus Global if your changes have been registered.

Respect the deadline to send the change form

Note that you must meet the deadlines considering the different time zones. Madrid is in

GMT+1.


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6. Additional Information

6.1. How to get to UC3M

6.1.1. Getafe Campus

Faculty of Law and Social Sciences & Faculty of Humanities, Communication and

Documentation.

If you are coming from Madrid, the best way is to take line C-4 of Cercanías Renfe (train) and stop at “Las Margaritas – Universidad”. From this station is about 10 minutes walk to the campus. If you decide to live in Getafe, you will be able to come walking or by bike (you can park your bike inside the campus). You will find further information here: http://www.uc3m.es/portal/page/portal/get_know_us/how_get_here

6.1.2. Leganés Campus

Escuela Politécnica Superior.

If you are coming from Madrid, the best way is to take line C-5 of Cercanías Renfe (train) and stop at “Leganés Central”. From this station is only a short walk to the campus. If you live in Leganés, depending on how far you live from Campus, you can go walking or take line 12 of Metrosur (subway system for the south of the Madrid) and stop at “Leganés Central”. You will find further information here: http://www.uc3m.es/portal/page/portal/get_know_us/how_to_get_here_leganes_campus

6.1.3. Colmenarejo Campus

Business Administration, Law, Tourism, Information and Documentation, IT engineering, etc.

You will find further information here: http://www.uc3m.es/portal/page/portal/get_know_us/how_to_get_colmenarejo_campus


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6.2. University Facilities

6.2.1. Residence Halls

There are a total of 982 places available in our three residence halls: Fernando de los Ríos in Getafe, Fernando Abril Martorell in Leganés and Antonio Machado in Colmenarejo. They all aim to provide a true home away from home for students and faculty during their university stay. For this reason, as well as covering the basic needs of food and rest, the residence halls also offer cultural activities, forums and get-togethers which contribute to the personal development of the residents.

6.2.2. Library

The Library Service offers facilities and equipment for individual and group work, a wide range of bibliographic and audiovisual collections and electronic resources as well, laptop loans, remote services through the catalogue and training courses. For further information: http://www.uc3m.es/portal/page/portal/library

6.2.3. Laboratories and Workshops

The University has laboratories and practical workshops in the School of Engineering. These laboratories have the innovative equipment and technology to enable students and researchers to carry out their practical trials and experiments as thoroughly as possible.

6.2.4. Computer rooms

A total of 48 computer rooms with 980 terminals distributed throughout the three campuses guarantee immediate access to computer equipment for students to carry out their academic studies. As well as Internet access, students have printing facilities.

6.2.5. Audiovisual rooms

The Humanities, Communication and Documentation Library has a room designed for groups to watch audiovisuals and the Colmenarejo library also has viewing booths. The language resource centers in the libraries at the School of Social Sciences and Law and the School of Engineering allow users to watch audiovisuals as well.

6.2.6. Television and recording studios

For the benefit of Audiovisual Communication and Journalism students, the University has television recording studios, post-production rooms and radio studios. Here students can gain hands-on experience of the working environment in media communications.

6.2.7. Group study rooms

There are special study rooms for working in groups in all the libraries. In the Leganés School of Engineering there are also booths for individual study.

6.2.8. Language activity and resource centers

This service allows students to improve their competence in several languages at their own time and pace. Schedules are flexible and adapt to the study time available. The Language Center also offers Spanish classes for international students who wish to


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improve their Castilian. The language resource centers are located in the Colmenarejo, Getafe School of Social Sciences and Law and Leganés School of Engineering libraries.

6.2.9. Courtroom

Situated on the Getafe Campus, these provide Law students with the opportunity to carry out simulated practical sessions in an environment similar to what they will subsequently encounter in their careers.

6.2.10. Auditorium

Situated on the Leganés Campus, the Auditorium seats 1,000 people and organizes an average of 50 events each year. Throughout the year over 60,000 spectators attend the auditorium performances. It also has an agreement with the Madrid Opera House (Teatro Real) which allows it to offer the best in opera at reasonable prices.

6.2.11. Sports centres

The university has two sports centres where with outdoor sports pitches, tennis and squash courts, indoor pool, fitness centre, saunas, beach-volleyball, climbing wall, bouldering, multi-purpose rooms. Every year the sports centres organise competitions for the university’s various sports teams as well as other events.

6.3. Accommodation

We do not manage housing for the international students. Therefore, you will have to find it by yourself. UC3M has a nice webpage to help students find a place to live in. Here it is: http://www.uc3m.es/portal/page/portal/servicios_jovenes/accommodation/conditions If you decide to stay in a hotel during your first days in Madrid, so that you can see some rooms and then choose, you will also find many accommodation offers in the Cafeteria and around the Campus that Spanish students hang on the walls when they have free rooms in their apartments. You have several options: Living in Getafe or Leganés (where most exchange students attend to classes) or live in Madrid. Living close to the campus is normally a cheaper option, and you will live in a very calm place. But in Madrid, though you have to come to Campus by train (about 20 minutes ride from the city centre), you will be in the middle of an active city, with a lot of party, stores, bars, good food and many cultural activities. Most of exchange students choose to live in Madrid.


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6.4. Estimated costs of living

(On a monthly basis and depending on your preferences)

Housing 300-600€ Supermarket 100-200€ Leisure 100-300€ Transportation 35€ Note that we don’t offer any grant or scholarship for exchange students. If you wish to open a bank account in Spain, you will find two bank offices on campus: Caja

Madrid and Banco Santander. They will require from you a certificate that proofs you are a student at UC3M (you will get it from the SERINT).

6.5. Public Transportation in Madrid

You can buy single tickets, 10-trips tickets or buy a monthly pass. Single and 10-trips tickets allow you to travel by bus and subway (Metro – http://www.metromadrid.es), but you will have to buy extra tickets for the train (Cercanías Renfe – http://www.renfe.es) and Metro Ligero (http://www.melimadrid.es). If you are living in Madrid and plan to travel every day to your Campus, we recommend you to buy a monthly pass. If you are older than 22 years old, you will have to take the Normal Pass (you can buy it at a tobacco store, Estanco). If you are younger, you can buy the Youth Pass, which is cheaper. For the Youth Pass you have to apply at a Estanco and it will take about 3 weeks to be ready. Barajas International Airport

We don’t offer a pick-up service, but line 8 of Metro gets to the airport (2€ single ticket). There is also a good taxi service from there, although it may be a bit expensive (around 25€ to the city center). http://www.aena.es

6.6. Health and Emergencies

If you need to visit a doctor in Madrid, you can go to any public medical center or hospital with your European Health Insurance Card. Please, check where the different centers in this link are: http://www.madrid.org/cs/Satellite?pagename=PortalSalud/Page/PTSA_home If you don’t have European Health coverage, please contact you health insurance provider to check which possibilities you have here in Madrid. If you find yourself in an emergency situation, contact the telephone number 112, the European number for integrated emergency services (fire stations, police, ambulances, etc).


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7. Before you leave

7.1. Certificate of Departure

Before you leave, don’t forget to come to the office to get your certificate of departure. We will give you our own form. However, if you need us to sign the form that your home university gave you before you came to Spain, you can also bring it and we will sign and stamp it. If you didn’t pick up your Learning Agreement or Change Form until now, you must pick it up too when you come for your Certificate of Departure.

7.2. Questionnaire

About a month before you leave, we would like you to fill in out on-line questionnaire about your stay at Carlos III. Your opinion is very important to improve our work at the International Office. Thank you! You will find the questionnaire here: http://www.uc3m.es/portal/page/portal/international/students/exchange/concluding_stay/feedback


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8. Back at your home country

8.1. Transcripts of records and Spanish Diploma

After the end of the semester, we will start processing all the transcripts of records for all the international students. We will send them, together with your Spanish Diploma (if you took the course here at UC3M), directly to the International Office at your home university. Note that we have about 460 exchange students per semester, so it will take some time to have all the certificates ready. Within two months from your departure, you will surely have received your transcript. In the meanwhile, please, be patient.

8.2. Grading System

Spanish Grading System ECTS

NP No report

< 4.9 Fail F

5 to 5.9 Sufficient E

6 to 6.9 Satisfactory D

7 to 7.9 Good C

8 to 8.9 Very Good B

9 to 10 Excellent A

10 MH Excellent

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