The UK’s European university

GO ABROAD!

Study or work abroad as part of your degree

Go Abroad!2

Why go abroad? 3

What our students say 4

Which degrees offer time abroad? 6

Do I need any language skills? 7

Where can I go? 9

What support do I get? 12

How to apply 14

Fees and funding 15

“Academically, the year abroad has beenfantastic and I have really enjoyed bothstudying new things and learning adifferent approach to material I havestudied at Kent. A great experiencewhich I would recommend.” Georgia KellyHistory and Philosophy of Art with an Approved YearAbroad (now Art History)

CONTENTS

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A number of our undergraduateand postgraduate degrees offeran option to go abroad. But evenif you haven’t registered on one ofthese specific programmes, goingabroad may still be possible. Pleasecontact our Go Abroad team formore details by emailinggoabroad@kent.ac.uk

We make sure you receive excellentassistance in finding the right place,and we support you throughout yourtime abroad. For details of the typesof placement you can choose andwhere you can go, see pp9-11.

Why not go abroadto study or work as partof your degree? Spendingtime abroad can benefityou in many ways, andthere is a whole worldof opportunities withinyour reach.

Whether you choose to studyabroad or spend time on awork placement, you’ll developpersonally, academically andprofessionally.

The skills and experience you gainare a great enhancement to your CVand a distinct advantage when youare looking for a job. For example,adapting to a new environmentdevelops your problem-solving skills and boosts your confidenceand self-reliance. Experiencing lifein another country gives you greatercultural awareness and improvesyour communication skills;depending on where you spendyour time abroad, you may also beable to improve your language skills.

Studying abroad is a great way tobroaden your view of your chosensubject and gain new perspectives.If your aim is to undertake a workplacement abroad, you have anopportunity to develop a rangeof professional skills and makeuseful contacts.

www.kent.ac.uk/goabroad

WHY GO ABROAD?

DID YOU KNOW?Students who take partin mobility* score highly incharacter traits includingcuriosity, confidence, serenity,decisiveness and vigour;98% of employers in NorthernEurope said that these traitswere important in therecruitment and professionaldevelopment of theiremployees. Erasmus Impact StudyRegional Analysis 2016 Source: European Commission

*studying or working abroad as partof a degree

Studying in Montreal,Canada

“I spent my year abroad at Concordia University inMontreal and I thoroughlyenjoyed experiencing a differentacademic system. Some of thehighlights include the widevariety of film modulesavailable, from Cuban Cinemato Queer Cinema; film editingworkshops and the filmdepartment facilities. “Montreal is a bilingual city;you don’t need to speak Frenchto live there or socialise, but it’sa good opportunity to practisewithout feeling too lost.“I know that I feel moreprepared for my final year atKent, thanks to the experiencesI’ve had. Going abroad helpedme to see and understandanother way of studying film while experiencing the excitement of being in a new place.”Juliana Heras-ReyesFilm with an Approved Year Abroad

WHAT OUR STUDENTS SAY

Language assistantin Poitiers, France

“My advice would be to enjoyevery second that you are therebecause it goes by in a flash.Homesickness was somethingthat I worried about before Iarrived but, apart from my firstday, I have felt so at home andcomfortable in Poitiers andaround the people I have met. “Take every opportunity thatcomes your way and try tovisit as many places as possible.As a language assistant, you getschool holidays, which is great!Make the most of the free timeand travel. There will alwaysbe someone around to help youif you are unsure of anything– don’t be afraid to ask! Andhave fun!”Maria PerryFrench and History

Studying in France andChina

“I split my year abroad betweenFrance and China. It waschallenging but fun andrewarding. “In France, I studied some greatFrench literature and culturemodules and travelled aroundwith friends. The culture inChina is very different – verydisciplined, which was good forgetting things done. I saw howthe culture and languagediffered from region to region;the dialects of Mandarin differaccording to the area. It mademe want to explore more of thecountry. “My year abroad made me growup quickly, I think. Socially andlinguistically, you’re in at thedeep end. So I’d say that I’ma bit more mature and betterprepared for life afteruniversity.” Vinay JoshiAsian Studies and French

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Studying in Hong Kong

“Hong Kong’s location in Asiais perfect for travelling to othercountries in the continent.I have already been to Beijing,Shenzhen and Macau. As theworld is becoming increasinglyglobalised, I felt that it would bebeneficial to come to Hong Kongas it is such a global hub, witha good mix of East and West. “The Santander Scholarshiphas been a blessing and hasgiven me financial assistanceto prepare for my year abroad.My time in Hong Kong hasopened my eyes to anotherway of life. It has made memore confident and allowedme to step out of the box andlive and work abroad; thereare so many opportunitiesavailable – all I need to dois find them.” April-Louise PennantSociology with a Year in Hong Kong

Studying in Bologna, Italy

“I think the year abroad isa highly rewarding experiencethat every student should try.I have become more culturallyaware, and the experience Ihave gained will look amazingon my CV and be beneficialfor my future career. I havedeepened and enriched myknowledge outside the areaof film, and really broadenedmy understanding of mymain study subject. “To sum up, the whole studyabroad experience is life-changing and providesacademic, personal, careerand social benefits. It isdefinitely worth doing.”Kristina Juodisiute Film with an Approved Year Abroad

Studying in Prague,Czech Republic

“Quite frankly, this has beenthe most remarkable andinteresting learning experienceof my life. I can’t really put intowords how much I have learnt,not just academically but alsoabout myself and about Europein general. I have taken greatpains to travel as frequently aspossible in order to soak up therich culture offered by Europeas a whole. I cannot recommendthis experience enough to allwho have the opportunity.”Jack Nicolaou European Legal Studies

www.kent.ac.uk/goabroad

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WHICH DEGREES OFFERTIMEABROAD?

If you want to spendtime abroad, we havea wide range of degreesfor you to choose from.Some of them offer youthe opportunity to studyabroad; others enable youto go on an internationalwork placement.

Language programmesSpending time in another countryis an integral part of some degreecourses, such as French, German,Italian or Hispanic Studies. Yourtime abroad allows you to developfluency in the language you arestudying and gain first-handknowledge of the country’s peopleand culture. Some students study ata partner university. Others chooseto take a work placement: a popularoption is to work as a languageassistant, teaching English ina school.

‘Year Abroad’ programmesDegrees with a ‘Year Abroad’in the title allow you to spenda full academic year at one ofour partner universities. All theuniversities are chosen for theiracademic standards and for

their courses, which complementyour studies at Kent. Our partnersinclude highly prestigiousuniversities, a number of whichare ranked within the top 100institutions in the Times HigherEducation World UniversityRankings.

Faculty of HumanitiesprogrammesWithin the Faculty of Humanities,all undergraduate programmesinclude the option to apply to studyabroad for a year or a term, or tospend a year on a work placement.

Postgraduate programmesThere are a number of opportunitiesfor study and research abroadwithin postgraduate programmes.

These include international doubleaward programmes and optionsunder the Erasmus+ programme.

Further informationFor details of degrees that offerthe option to work or study abroadand the eligibility criteria, seewww.kent.ac.uk/goabroad/opportunities/az.html

Even if you have not registeredon one of the degree programmeslisted on our website, it may stillbe possible to add a term or yearof study or work abroad toyour degree. Please emailthe Go Abroad team to discussyour options: goabroad@kent.ac.uk

Go Abroad!

DID YOU KNOW?Another option open tosome overseas studentsis to take a work placementin their home country. Thisallows them to work in theirnative language.

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Work or study inanother languageDegree programmes at Kent thatinclude language studies allowyou to reach a level of fluency thatenables you to work or study abroadin the local language. Please bear inmind that to apply for such a degreeat Kent, you need to have an A level,GCSE or equivalent in the chosenlanguage or a related Europeanlanguage. Entry requirements vary;see www.kent.ac.uk/ug for details.

The choice of destinations availableto you may be wider than you think.For example, students taking Frenchhave the option to go to Canada,not just Europe.

The language skillsyou need depend on thekind of study or workplacement you choose.Some placements onlyrequire English; othersprovide an opportunityfor you to develop thelanguage skills you havelearnt during the firsttwo years of your degree.

Study or work in EnglishYou don’t need to be able tospeak another language to takeadvantage of the opportunity togo abroad. We have many studyopportunities in English-speakingcountries such as the USA orCanada, as well as destinationswhere tuition is in English, such asthe Netherlands, China (includingHong Kong) or Japan.

English-speaking employees arein demand all over the world andsome overseas employers offerwork placements where Englishis the only language you will need.

Bear in mind that you often pickup quite a lot of the local language,even if you are studying or workingin English. You may be able to takelanguage classes at Kent before youtake up the placement; alternatively,language classes may be availableduring the placement.

www.kent.ac.uk/goabroad

DO I NEED ANYLANGUAGE SKILLS?

*those who study or work abroad aspart of a degree

DID YOU KNOW?Five to ten years aftergraduation, the rate ofunemployment among mobilestudents* is lower than thatof non-mobile students. Erasmus Impact StudyRegional Analysis 2016 Source: European Commission

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Working abroadIf you are taking a work placement– usually called a ‘Year in Industry’,a ‘Placement Year’ or a ‘SandwichYear’ – you may be able to take thisplacement outside the UK. Manyof our academic schools havelinks with well-known and highlyrespected international companies.For language students, we canhelp you to find a placementas a teaching assistant.

It is possible to take a workplacement anywhere in the world,providing you can fulfil the visarequirements and the Foreign &Commonwealth Office approvestravel to the region. For more details,please contact your academicschool. Alternatively, speak to amember of staff in the Go Abroadteam based within InternationalPartnerships, or emailgoabroad@kent.ac.uk

Erasmus+ programmeThe Erasmus+ programme,funded by the European Union,can offer financial support tostudents participating in anErasmus study or work placement.Under the current arrangements,Kent students can choose to studyor work in the Erasmus+ countriesmarked on the map overleaf. Seep15 for more details of the fundingavailable.

We have many prestigiouspartners, both commercialand academic. They arebased in Europe, theAmericas, Asia, Africaand Australia.

Studying abroadWe already have links withmany partner universities andare continually adding newpartnerships. We only chooseuniversities that have excellentreputations, with courses that cancomplement your studies at Kent.The destinations available dependon your particular degree andlanguage skills. Some are linkedto specific subjects, or may beonly for undergraduate or onlyfor postgraduate students.

See our map (overleaf) or checkwww.kent.ac.uk/goabroad forthe latest details.

www.kent.ac.uk/goabroad

WHERE CAN I GO?

CONTINUED OVERLEAF

The University of Kent is pleasedto acknowledge the support of theEuropean Commission under theErasmus+ programme for itsErasmus activities.

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WHERE CAN I GO? (CONT)

Go Abroad!

USA

CANADA

ARGENTINA

CHILE

PERU

COLOMBIA

SWITZERLAND

URUGUAY

FRANCE

NETHERLANDS

ITALYSPAIN

PORTUGAL

SOUTH AFRICA

BELGIUM

FIN

NORWAY

SWEDEN

REPUBLIC OF IRELAND

BRAZIL

11www.kent.ac.uk/goabroad

CZECH REPUBLIC

SLOVAKIA

HUNGARY

POLAND

GERMANY

DENMARK

AUSTRIAROMANIA

GREECE

AUSTRALIA

TURKEY

NLAND

CHINA

MALAYSIA

JAPAN

HONG KONG

THAILAND

SOUTH KOREA

Study destinations covered bythe Erasmus+ programme

Study destinations outside ofthe Erasmus+ programme

*Subject to availability, work placements can beundertaken anywhere in the world

SINGAPORE

TAIWAN

We have exchanges with universities inthe highlighted countries:

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WHAT SUPPORT DO I GET?

We offer lots of supportto help you find a workor study placement.But our help doesn’tstop there. While youare away, you can stayin contact with youracademic school at Kentand get practical supportfrom the Go Abroad team.

Studying abroadIf you want to study abroadas part of your degree, the GoAbroad team within InternationalPartnerships can provideinformation on partner universitiesand set up preparatory meetings.They can also advise you on howto apply for a place. You can emailthe team at goabroad@kent.ac.uk

Working abroadIf you want to work abroad,the placement officer within youracademic school can help you tofind a placement. Their input canrange from putting you in touch withKent’s industry contacts to helpingyou with the application processor suggesting how to improveyour interview techniques. Yourplacement officer can also adviseon how to make the most of yourplacement and other practicaland financial matters. There is a lotof demand for work opportunitiesabroad and the support of yourplacement officer can really boostyour chances of success.

Preparing to goThe Go Abroad team producesguidance that gives you basicinformation regarding your stayabroad. We can also advise youon practical matters, such asfinance, accommodation and travelarrangements. We host briefingsin the first and second years ofyour degree course to make sureyou have detailed information andsupport as you make your plans.We also offer an online module tohelp prepare you culturally beforeyour time abroad.

You often have the chance tomeet and talk to students fromyour chosen destination beforeyou travel. This gives you the

chance to learn more about thecountry and, where relevant, topractise your language skills.

Visas and work permitsIf you wish to study or work ina non-EU country, you mayneed a visa or a work permit.In order to apply for a visa, youmay need to provide a financialguarantee. If you are not an EUnational and wish to study in anEU country, you may need a visaor permit. The Go Abroad teamcan advise you on this process.

Go Abroad!

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In addition, your academic schoolat Kent keeps in touch with you toensure that you are gaining themaximum benefit from your timeabroad, and that you have access tohelp and advice should you need it.

AssessmentThe term/year abroad is currentlyassessed using a pass/fail systemand does not count towards yourfinal degree classification. Forfurther information, contact youracademic school.

If you are on a work placement, theway your year is assessed dependson your degree programme. Theplacement officer in your academicschool can give you more details.

Employability skillsA study or work placement overseasis a great way of enhancing yourpersonal development and boostingyour employability skills. Take thetime to prepare well for the overseasplacement before you go, so thatyou can make the most of theopportunities that come along whileyou are there. If you use your timewisely, studying or working abroadwill strengthen your CV and youremployment prospects.

During your staySupport is provided by staff at yourhost university, or by your supervisorif you are taking a work placement.You can also contact the Go Abroadteam at Kent with any queries.

www.kent.ac.uk/goabroad

DID YOU KNOW?You can watch videointerviews with Go Abroadstudents at www.kent.ac.uk/goabroad/video.html

Postgraduate studentsIf you are a postgraduate student,please apply directly to Kent forthe relevant degree programme.You should discuss appropriatestudy/research abroad activitywith the Graduate School andthe Go Abroad team.

Graduate School:T: +44 (0)1227 824089E: graduateschool@kent.ac.ukwww.kent.ac.uk/graduateschool

Go Abroad team:E: goabroad@kent.ac.uk

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If you are interested in workingabroad, you should contact theplacement officer in your academicschool during your first year todiscuss your options.

Please note: places anddestinations are subject toavailability, language proficiencyand degree programme. For a fulllist, see www.kent.ac.uk/goabroad/opportunities/az.html

RequirementsStudents must meet the criteriafor attendance and academicprogression set by their schoolin order to study or work abroad.For more information, visitwww.kent.ac.uk/goabroad

You can apply for directentry to a four-yearundergraduate degreecourse that includesstudy or work abroad.Alternatively, you mightbe able to arrange studyor work abroad as anoption once your coursehas started.

Undergraduate studentsSome of our degrees include ‘witha Year Abroad’ in their title andthey have their own UCAS code.You can apply via UCAS forthese programmes beforeyou come to Kent.

Alternatively, many degreeprogrammes offer the chance toadd a year or term abroad onceyour course has begun. Pleasecontact your academic schoolto discuss your eligibility.

The Go Abroad team hostsinformation sessions for first-yearstudents, giving guidance aboutpotential destinations, financeand other practicalities for youto consider over the summer.

If you then decide you would liketo study abroad, you submit aninternal application to the GoAbroad team during the first termof your second year, in order tobe allocated a place at a hostuniversity. Note that you have tomake an application even if you are on a course that is designated‘with a Year Abroad’.

HOW TO APPLY

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for any study placement, whethera full year or a term. Postgraduatestudents pay the normal tuition feeto Kent for the term or year abroad.

Erasmus+ programmeErasmus+ is a programme fundedby the European Union to promotestudent mobility across Europe.Under the current arrangements,eligible students spending a yearor term abroad on a study or workplacement may receive a top-upgrant from the Erasmus+programme, subject to availability.

Further informationPlease note that all fundingarrangements are subject tochange. Information is correct at thetime of going to press; for the latestdetails, speak to a member of staffin the Go Abroad team, emailgoabroad@kent.ac.uk or visit ourwebsite, www.kent.ac.uk/goabroad

There are several fundingoptions, including ourown scholarship scheme,to finance your timespent abroad.

Kent’s Study AbroadScholarshipThe University’s undergraduateStudy Abroad Scholarship is opento all UK and EU undergraduatestudents applying to Kent for afull-time degree course startingin September 2019 that includesa year abroad. The Scholarshipis worth £2,000 during the yearabroad (or pro rata for the periodof time spent abroad).

To qualify, you must make youruniversity application throughUCAS, gain a minimum of 136tariff points (from three A levels)or equivalent, fulfil the normal entryrequirements for your subject andsubmit an essay. For further details,please search for ‘Study Abroad’at www.kent.ac.uk/scholarships/search

For information on our otherUniversity scholarships forundergraduates, please seewww.kent.ac.uk/scholarships/undergraduate

Tuition feesIf you are studying or workingabroad for a full year, you pay tuitionfees to Kent at a reduced rate. If youare spending a term abroad, youare expected to pay 100% of thenormal fees to Kent. No tuition feesare payable to the host universities

www.kent.ac.uk/goabroad

This brochure was produced in August2018. The University of Kent makes everyeffort to ensure that the informationcontained in its publicity materials is fairand accurate and to provide educationalservices as described. However, thecourses, services and other matters may besubject to change. For the most up-to-dateinformation, see www.kent.ac.uk/ug andfor full details of our terms and conditions,see www.kent.ac.uk/termsandconditions

For the University to operate efficiently, itneeds to process information about you foradministrative, academic and health andsafety reasons. Any offer this institutionmakes to you is subject to your consent toprocess such information and is thereforea requirement before we can register youas a student.

FEES AND FUNDING

FIND OUTMOREwww.kent.ac.uk/goabroad

University of Kent, The Registry, Canterbury, Kent CT2 7NZT: +44 (0)1227 764000 www.kent.ac.uk

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