Opportunities for studyand work abroad 2010

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Contents

Opportunities for study and work abroad

Did you know?

Kent offers study or workabroad

opportunities in Argentina, China, Hong

Kong, Japan, Thailand, Peru, Uruguay,

the USA and Canada, aswell as countries

in mainland Europe, including Austria,

Belgium, Czech Republic,Denmark,

Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Italy,

Malta, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland,

Portugal, Spain, Sweden,Switzerland and

Turkey.

Did you know?

A third of employers viewa graduate

with any overseas studyexperience

as more employable and65% of

international employers indicate that

having overseas professional work

experience makes graduates more

employable (Council for Industry and

Higher Education and i-graduate).

Why study or work abroad? 3Degree options 4The Year Abroad 5Where can I go? 6Language levels 8How does it work? 9Placement support 10Fees and funding 11

“This year has really flown by. I havemade some fantastic lifelong friendsand studying here has really been awonderful, cultural experience – Icannot believe my year abroad isnearly over.”

Sarah PopplewellEnglish and German Law

“I think a year abroad is somethingmost people should experience; itwas probably the best year of my life!”

Natasha LovePolitics and International Relationswith a Year in Finland

“The experience at the Universityof Indiana was one of a kind. Goingso far from home, immersing myselfin a completely different culture andfacing new educational systemswas stimulating and proved to bevery enriching.”

Giuseppe Le VociAstronomy, Space Science and Astrophysicswith a Year in the USA

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Why study or work abroad?

Opportunities for study and work abroadWhy study or work abroad?

“Allowing myself to be open tothese new environments and newexperiences has truly shaped whoI am. I have gained so much insightand learned so much about bothmyself and others by doing this.

“It’s so interesting to see newapproaches to curriculum andteaching styles, to see the culturaland social differences and to justsoak up an entirely new world. Istrongly recommend it, for it willbe an experience that you won’twant to end.”

Naqiya EbrahimDrama and Theatre Studies

Kent is known as the UK’s Europeanuniversity and has a long history ofsending students abroad on studyor work placements. In addition toan internationally recognised degreefrom Kent and an outstanding studentexperience in the UK, students whochoose to work or study abroad aspart of their Kent degree enjoy theadded benefits of an enhanced CV,a broadened academic and socialexperience, and the the acquisitionof wide-ranging new skills.

Students are supported by the experienced anddedicated teams within Kent’s European andInternational Offices and the Student PlacementOffice, as well as receiving expert advice fromyour academic schools and a warm welcome fromKent’s recognised partners abroad. As well ashaving a fantastic time, your year abroad will havehuge benefits. These are just a few of them.

Improve your existing language skills ordevelop new onesAt Kent, we teach four main languages – French,German, Italian and Spanish – at differentlevels, depending on which course you choose.Alternatively, you can follow a programme abroadwhere all the tuition takes place in English. Thisgives you the chance to gain experiences of livingabroad and some basic skills in a new language.It is also possible to find work placements forEnglish speakers abroad and have the opportunityto develop new language skills in that country.Mandarin and Japanese language classes areavailable to students on relevant study/workplacements.

Improve your employability prospectsThe fact that you’ve spent a year studyingor working in another country can be a realadvantage when you’re looking for a job,especially if you’re planning to work abroadafter graduation. Employers definitely see ayear abroad as a plus point on your CV.

Develop new skillsStudying or working in another country gives youa different set of skills, which helps to improveyour employment prospects.

Experience another culture and way of lifeIt might be a cliché, but living and travellingabroad certainly broadens your outlook on life.You gain confidence and flexibility in adaptingto different cultures.

Deepen your knowledge of your subjectTake the opportunity to approach your subjectfrom the point of view of a different culture.

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Degree options forstudy or work abroad

Opportunities for study and work abroadDegree options

Kent offers a range of degrees withthe chance to study or work abroad

Four-year single honours with astudy 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 opportunityto study at a university where the teaching takesplace in English. See p8 for details.

Joint honours degrees, where you study aEuropean language and culture alongsideanother academic subjectThe languages are French, German, Italian andSpanish (Hispanic Studies). You may also take ajoint honours degree in two languages, such asFrench 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 abroadLanguage students often have the opportunity totake a work placement abroad (rather than studyabroad). The most common option is to work asa teaching assistant but other positions are alsopossible, subject to the approval of your academicschool.

Students taking a Year in Industry may also beable to gain a placement outside the UK. Yourplacement advisor will be able to give youinformation on the possibilities. For example,Kent has strong links with Sun Microsystems inthe USA which means that every year several ofour Computer Science students spend theirplacement year in California.

Further informationwww.kent.ac.uk/european/www.kent.ac.uk/international/www.kent.ac.uk/enterprise/student_placement/

There are two main ways of takingthe Year Abroad.

Within EuropeThe Erasmus programme, funded by the EuropeanUnion, gives you the opportunity to study yoursubject at a partner university in another Europeancountry (see full list on p6). Kent has links with avery large number of universities and the list isgrowing and being updated all the time.

The Erasmus programme has recently beenextended to include eligible students on degreeswith an industrial or sandwich year, who undertakeplacements in the EU and other eligible countries(Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Turkey). Thisincludes students taking single or joint honoursmodern language degrees or European Studies(Humanities) who wish to organise a workplacement or work as a British Council LanguageAssistant in an EU country.

Erasmus is a reciprocal scheme, so students fromuniversities in Europe come to study at Kent. Thismeans you have the chance to meet and talk tostudents from your chosen destination countrybefore you travel, and to practise your languageskills.

This scheme is open to all students from the UKand other EU/EEA countries aiming to spend ayear in Europe.

Under present arrangements, the Erasmus yeardoes not incur tuition fees for UK/EU students(see p11 for details of fees and funding).

Outside EuropeSome degree programmes offer the opportunityto study or work outside Europe. Kent has linkswith a growing number of institutions in Argentina,Canada, China, Hong Kong, Japan, Peru,Thailand, Uruguay and the USA.

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You may be able to opt for working in a non-EUcountry if you take one of our degrees thatincludes a ‘sandwich year’ or Year in Industry.Students taking a single or joint honours degreein French or Spanish can also opt to undertakea work placement or British Council LanguageAssistantship outside the EU.

These study and work placements are not part ofthe EU’s Erasmus programme (see p11 for detailsof fees and funding).

Important note: Nationals of non-EU countries, orthose wishing to work in a non-EU country, shouldinvestigate the visa and work permit requirementsof the appropriate country.

The Year Abroad

Opportunities for study and work abroadThe Year Abroad

Did you know?

In the recently established UK Erasmus

European quality awards, Kent was

one of the first seven UKuniversities

to be awarded the E-quality label for

its Erasmus programmes.

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Where can I go?

Opportunities for study and work abroadWhere can I go?

PeruThailandUruguayUSA

Kent’s links with prestigiousuniversities and companies around theworld open up a range of opportunitiesto internationalise your education.

University courses are taught in English or thelocal language, depending on your degree.

Study in European countriesKent has partner universities in the followingEuropean countries:

AustriaBelgiumCzech RepublicDenmarkFinlandFranceGermanyGreeceItaly

Study in non-European countriesKent has partner institutions in the followingnon-European countries:

ArgentinaCanadaChinaHong KongJapan

Working abroadMany of the academic schools at Kent have linkswith international companies which could enableyou to spend a Year in Industry outside the UK.In addition, Kent has links with organisations thatoffer placements for language students to workas teaching assistants. For more details pleasecontact the relevant academic school.

MaltaThe NetherlandsNorwayPolandPortugalSpainSwedenSwitzerlandTurkey

USA

CANADA

ARGENTINA

PERU

URUGUAY

NETHERLANDS

PORTUGAL

UNITED KINGDOM

BELGIUM

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Opportunities for study and work abroadWhere can I go?

CZECH REPUBLIC

SWITZERLAND

FRANCE

POLAND

GERMANY

MALTA

DENMARK

AUSTRIA

GREECE

ITALYSPAIN

TURKEY

FINLANDNORWAY

SWEDEN

CHINA

JAPAN

HONG KONG

THAILAND

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Languagerequirements

Opportunities for study and work abroadLanguage requirements

What level of language do I need?Some courses require you to have language skillsbefore you arrive but for others, you don’t need tohave any prior knowledge at all.

• Some courses require an A level or a high-levelqualification in the relevant language.

• Some courses specify GCSE or a basic-levelqualification in a language.

• Some courses allow you to learn your preferredlanguage from scratch (ab initio), although theymay also require a GCSE or a basic levelqualification in a relevant modern Europeanlanguage.

• Some courses do not require language skillsas many of our our partner universities abroadteach in English.

Students undertaking an industrial placementhave the flexibility to choose a placement in theUK or abroad.

You could undertake a placement in your homecountry, whether this is in the UK or elsewhere,in which case language skills would not be anissue. Alternatively, you may choose to find workin another country, in which case employers mightrequire certain language skills or offer placementsfor English speakers.

In the latter case, you may have the opportunityto take classes in the language of the host countryor during the placement.

For a full list of language requirements, see theUndergraduate Prospectus, or our websitewww.kent.ac.uk/studying/undergrad/

“While tackling a variety of tasksand learning about office life isalready useful for any future career,the fact that the office is in Brusselsis an incredible bonus. This job gaveme the chance to visit the placeswhere European policy is debatedand implemented, as well as to meetthe people who make things happenin Europe.”

Chris WhiteStagiaire Placement, Kent County CouncilBrussels Office

Did you know?

Studying or working abroad teaches you

lots of new skills and you’ll never forget

the amazing experiencesyou have. You

will also improve your language skills

significantly. Even if yourplacement is

one where the teaching is in English,

you will absorb some ofthe local

language.

How do I apply?Students who register for a degree includinga Year Abroad will be contacted by the Europeanand International Offices about applicationsand practicalities during the first or second year.If a degree programme has options for the YearAbroad placement, you will be given thisinformation, 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 PlacementCo-ordinator in their academic school forinformation and advice. A great deal of essentialinformation is available online at www.kent.ac.uk/enterprise/

Students who are not already registered for sucha degree are welcome to contact the EuropeanOffice (euroff@kent.ac.uk), the International Office(international-office@kent.ac.uk), the StudentPlacement Officer (placements@kent.ac.uk), or thePlacement Co-ordinator in their academic school,to discuss their options.

How does the year abroad relate to the restof my degree?If you are studying at another university, themarks from your year abroad will count towardsyour final degree result. Students taking singleor joint honours modern language degreesor European Studies (Humanities) will also beassessed through an oral exam on their returnto Kent.

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How does it work?

Opportunities for study and work abroadHow does it work?

If you are on a work placement, the way youryear is assessed will depend on your degreeprogramme. Assessment may be through writtenwork (for example, an essay or report), anevaluation provided by your supervisor, anoral presentation on your return to Kent, ora combination of all three. The academic schoolwill provide further information about this beforethe start of the placement.

“The experiences I have had studyingin Miami have been amazing. Therehave been lots of opportunities totravel: I went on a day trip toMontreal, spent a weekend on acruise in the Bahamas and stoppedoff for a few nights in New York onthe way back to Miami afterChristmas.”

Sophie HewlettDrama and Theatre Studies

What support will I get?You get both academic and administrativesupport from Kent during your year abroad.Staff are available to offer advice throughout yourdegree – before, during and after the year abroad.

At Kent, academic support comes from youracademic school.

Administrative support for students on YearAbroad degrees is provided by the EuropeanOffice or International Office, depending on thedestination.

Support for students on industrial or sandwichplacements is provided by the University of Kent’sStudent Placement Officer and the Placementoffices in the academic schools. In addition to this,students undertaking placements in the EU shouldcontact the European Office for advice andassistance.

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 Placementoffices within the academic schools provideadvice 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 byacademic and administrative staff at the partneruniversities (study placements) or by theplacement supervisor at the organisation(industrial/sandwich placements).

Further informationwww.kent.ac.uk/european/www.kent.ac.uk/international/www.kent.ac.uk/enterprise/

Support for studyor work abroad

Opportunities for study and work abroadPlacement support

“My year abroad was fantastic. Itaught in a comprehensive school; itwas a bit scary at first, but the kidswere very pleased to have a nativespeaker teaching them and were soreceptive that I really enjoyed myself.”

Sophie WetheridgeGerman

Tuition fees abroadNo tuition fee is payable to any of our partneruniversities.

Kent tuition fees

Erasmus study and work placementsUnder current arrangements, UK and EU studentsdo not pay any tuition fees to Kent for the yearspent abroad under the Erasmus scheme.

Non-Erasmus study and work placementsOptions not covered by the Erasmus programmeincur a reduced tuition fee for the year abroad,payable to the University of Kent.

FundingIn addition to any other funding you may beeligible for (see www.kent.ac.uk/studying/funding/),there are two specific sources of funding availablefor students spending a year studying or workingabroad.

Students from the UK, or from another EU memberstate, or from any other country participating in theErasmus scheme, may be eligible for a non-meanstested Erasmus top-up grant.

UK student loans continue to be available foreligible students who spend a year studyingor working abroad as part of their degree.

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Opportunities for study and work abroadFees and funding

Fees and funding

“The best thing about my placementwas the opportunity to live andwork in Hong Kong. The businessenvironment is exciting and fastpaced, the people are extremelywelcoming and the cuisine of theregion is absolutely phenomenal.I had an awesome time.”

Richard CohenComputer Science with a Year in Industry

www.kent.ac.uk DPC10

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Further informationEuropean Office, The Registry,University of Kent, Canterbury,Kent CT2 7NZ, UKT: +44 (0)1227 824042F: +44 (0)1227 827115E: euroff@kent.ac.uk

International Office, The Registry,University of Kent, Canterbury,Kent CT2 7NZ, UKT: +44 (0)1227 827994F: +44 (0)1227 823247E: international-office@kent.ac.uk

Student Placement Office,Kent Innovation and EnterpriseUniversity of Kent, Rothford,Giles Lane, CanterburyKent CT2 7LR, UKT: +44 (0)1227 827376F: +44 (0)1227 824593E: placements@kent.ac.uk