University of Cumbria (CUMBRIA UKLANCAST02) Erasmus+ and Exchange Fact Sheet for student applicants Erasmus+ and Exchange Sarah Prince Coordinator: [email protected] http://www.cumbria.ac.uk/study/international/study-abroad-and-international- exchange/ Applications should be sent to [email protected] by: • Semester 1 (September to January): 30th June • Semester 2 (January to June): 31st October Application information: Your Erasmus+/Exchange Coordinator has been sent a Course Catalogue advertising the courses available for a study abroad opportunity in. You can apply for ONE course from those advertised in the catalogue. The Catalogue is set up in an excel spreadsheet format with separate sheets for different subject areas. Each course has its own row, which should be read from left to right, starting with the ‘level of study’, followed by the Course Code (a list of letters and numbers; for example, 4UBFCUOCCREWR0). When you have selected the course you want to apply for, you will need to include the course code on your application form. Each course is split into 2 or 3 ‘modules’ which are listed from left to right across the course row. You will study all of the modules in the course you have selected. Each course is made up of 60 UK credits, the equivalent of 30 ECTS or 15 US credits, considered full time study at the University. Courses will not normally be reduced, but please contact [email protected] if you have questions about this. Each course sets out the title of the module and has a description of the content of the module and how it is assessed (there is a key at the top of each subject group page). Some assessed presentations (PRES) and all exams (EX) will take place in January (Semester 1) and MAY (Semester 2). All students are required to attend their campus (ie: Ambleside, Carlisle Brampton Road, Carlisle Fusehill Street or Lancaster) for those assessments, they cannot be done from their Home institution. Campus information can be found online: http://www.cumbria.ac.uk/student-life/locations/. Please do note that few courses run on more than one campus. Although every effort is made to ensure the course catalogue reflects courses available, choices can be affected by the timetable and number of students who sign up for any one course. Any changes will be notified to you and your Coordinator at the earliest opportunity. English language requirements All courses are taught and assessed in English. If you are enrolled at a Home institution where English is not the main language used to teach, you may need to obtain confirmation from your Home institution that you meet an English language level equivalent to IELTS 6.0 for undergraduate study (levels 4-6) and in most cases, IELTS 6.5 for postgraduate study (level 7). There is a prompt for this on the application form. Considering your application Applications can be sent electronically to [email protected]; paper copies are not required by the University of Cumbria. When you have sent us your application, the Study International Team will: • Confirm receipt • Liaise with you and your Coordinator if there are any questions or queries from the course manager • Confirm the decision about the application. We aim to do this within one month of receipt of your application although the Study International team will contact you and your Coordinator if there is any reason this cannot be achieved. Making a formal offer Where the University accepts your application, a formal offer will be sent by the Study International Team to you and a copy to your coordinator, inviting you to accept the offer. This will normally be sent by 30th November (for January starts) or 31st July (for September starts) and you will be asked to formally accept your place. After accepting an offer The Study International Team will: • Create a ‘student record’. This: . Generates a unique UoC student number, which becomes part of your university email address. This is the main way all students are contacted by the university. Notes the course you have chosen and includes your name, date of birth, course start and end dates and any required reasonable adjustments for reasons of disability or learning difficulty that have been disclosed (eg: if we receive formal evidence that you have dyslexia and an exam is required, you may have, for example, 25% extra time in an exam). Hold assessment results which are used to create the formal transcript. • Notify you of your student number. • Forward your name and contact details to a number of departments, for the following reasons: Accommodation: this team will contact you with information about campus accommodation and an accommodation application form. Email addresses to look out for, depending on the campus base: [email protected] [email protected] (Carlisle Brampton Road and Fusehill Street) [email protected] If you are paying your own accommodation fees, you will receive an invoice. General information about the types of university-managed accommodation can be found online. http://www.cumbria.ac.uk/StudentLife/Accommodation/Home.aspx Occasionally, we may need to house you in temporary accommodation until a place in halls becomes available but this is very rare. International Student Support: this team will provide a range of information before travel and arrival, on arrival and during the semester – a great first point of contact for anything related to student life in general including settling in, social activities, or any other queries or concerns. Email address to look out for: [email protected] Data Management: this team contacts all new students and provides information about the online enrolment process approximately 4 weeks before the course start date. Email address to look out for: [email protected] Arriving and enrolling – and beyond! The International Student Support team will, wherever possible, arrange to meet you after you have arrived at your campus and or facilitate welcome events. There is an in-person registration process which all University students must complete (details will be provided by Data Management). You will need to bring some form of official photo-identification to this eg: passport or national identity card so we can confirm you are who you say you are! CUMBRIA UKLANCAST02 Fact Sheet_Student Applicants You will receive a welcome email from the Study International team after arriving which will include some of the above with other points of contact you can access during your studies. This includes the: Programme Administration Team (PAd for short) at your particular campus. The PAd team is a first point of contact for academic and course enquiries. Academic calendar You will be advised of confirmed start and end dates for your particular course in your offer letter. For planning purposes semester dates are: Semester 1: Normally Third Monday in September to third Friday in January (where attendance at exams are required). The formal teaching academic timetable will be completed before Christmas. Students are advised when to arrive by the International Student Support Team. Semester 2: Normally Third Monday in January to second Friday in May (where attendance at formal assessment is required). There will be a break in the formal academic timetable for Easter. Students are advised not to arrive earlier than the Wednesday before teaching starts. Offer letters will detail specific course start and end dates and any mid-semester breaks. The letter will also advise on recommended arrival dates and welcome/in person registration dates. Academic credit and transcript Remember that all courses in the Course Catalogue have a value of 60 UK credits which is approximately 30 ECTS and 15 US credits. Official transcripts will be sent following formal assessment boards, which meet after the end of the Semester. For Semester 1, this is normally at the end of March and foror Semester 2, this is normally in July. We will send you a transcript within an email and we will post a paper copy to you and your coordinator, in line with the formal inter-institutional or exchange agreement. You will be enrolled on a “Certificate of Achievement” award. Insurance information All students studying at the University of Cumbria are responsible for having their own valid insurance for the duration of their stay. You are advised to take out cover for travel to and from the UK, including repatriation, health, accident, and personal belongings insurance. Please be aware that if you plan to drive a car in the UK, it is against the law not to have motor insurance and a valid driving licence. We advise you to obtain several insurance quotes before you decide which policy to take out and the International Student Support team may be able to help you with this . Visas and study permits for the UK Single semester students taking part in Erasmus+ from the EU do not currently need to obtain a visa to study in the UK but should be aware of any implications which may result from UK withdrawal from the EU.. The student is responsible for determining if they need a Short Term Study Visa and are responsible for checking this and making any necessary application. Further information and the application process and costs can be found on the UK Home Office website: https://www.gov.uk/study-visit-visa. The application may require a copy of the formal offer letter. Location and arrival in the UK The University of Cumbria has 4 main campuses in the north west of England where our Erasmus+ and Exchange opportunities are based. Although we do not offer airport collection, the International Student Support team will provide travel information on how to travel to our campuses when you have formally accepted the offer of a place and we know where you will be based.