New Student at Aalborg University · Web viewHowever, ‘AUB CPH´, in Copenhagen can be visited at A.C. Meyers Vænge 15, 2450 Copenhagen SV. The library is possible to access at

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STUDENT HANDBOOK

MSc Development & International Relations

Specialization in Global Refugee Studies

Version 23th June 2020

This student handbook is valid from 1st September 2020 and covers all students as well as it replaces earlier version of the handbook.

Dear students - Welcome

The Board of Studies, staff, and current students all wish to extend a warm welcome to you. You are about to start a new and exciting adventure in your life, and we will do everything we can to make it a rewarding experience. We look forward to getting to know you, and hope this handbook will assist you as you embark upon this new path with us.

Aalborg University – A Different Academic Institution

Aalborg University (AAU) was inaugurated in 1974 and is thus a young and modern university. It has approximately 20,500 enrolled students (Campus CPH 3,300) and about 1,900 full-time academic staff members. Aalborg University has departments in Aalborg, Esbjerg and Copenhagen. Over the years, the university has grown to become a large, well-established research and teaching institution in Denmark offering quite an untraditional range of educational programmes and research in the fields of Humanities, Social Sciences, Natural Sciences and Engineering. Additionally, new opportunities for interdisciplinary cooperation between the various academic fields, both in research and teaching, are continuously developed. In this way, Aalborg University differentiates itself from the older and more traditional Danish universities by its focus on interdisciplinary, inter-faculty studies; an experimental curriculum based on an interdisciplinary basic course with subsequent specialization; and a pedagogical structure based on problem-centered real-life projects of educational and research relevance - which has become internationally recognized as ‘The Aalborg Model’ Furthermore, Aalborg University places great emphasis on international relations and cooperation.

Internationalization has always been and continues to be a very important part of the university’s trademark, which both the curricula as well as the number of international residencies reflect. An increasing number of Danish students participate in international internships and studies as an integral part of their education, and likewise an increasing number of international students and researchers come to Aalborg University to study and conduct research every year. The faculties at AAU continuously work at expanding and improving the university’s cooperation with other universities and international research institutions and already have a large network at different levels. For instance, the university is a member of the European Consortium of Innovative Universities (ECIU), which consists of 10 innovative European universities having the purpose of exchanging experience and developing new projects within education, research and regional development.

Table of Contents

Chapter 1: Global Refugee Studies

1.1 History and focus of the Programme4

1.2 Objectives of the Specialization Track in Global Refugee Studies4

Chapter 2: Practical information for students of GRS

2.1 Study Coordinators and the Secretariat9

2.2 Access to the campus11

2.3 IT-Start, Communication system etc.11

2.4 Aalborg University Library in Copenhagen (AUB CPH) and bookshop11

2.5 Study Advisors12

2.6 Achieving Influence: The Education Board13

2.7 Canteen14

2.8 Transport to/from AAU CPH14

Chapter 3: Writing Projects

3.1 The Aalborg Model16

3.2 The Structure of Groups and the Role of the Supervisor17

3.3 Page requirements for the Semester Project18

3.4 Handing in the Semester Project18

3.5 Tips for the Group Project Work20

Chapter 4: Study Abroad or Internship

4.1 Studying Abroad20

4.2 Conducting an Internship21

Chapter 5: Writing and Defending the Master Thesis

5.1 Thesis Timeline28

5.2 Requirements for the Thesis30

Chapter 6: Examinations

6.1 Registration for Courses and Exams (STADS)32

6.2 Oral Examinations34

6.3 Appealing the Result of an Exam37

Chapter 7: General Information

7.1 Travel Grants37

7.2 Plagiarism39

7.3 Taking a Leave from Your Studies39

7.4 The Interdisciplinary Journal of International Studies (IJIS)40

7.5 Grading Scale41

7.6 Someone to talk to41

Chapter 8: For International Students

8.1 The International Office in Aalborg and Copenhagen42

8.2 Extension of Visa42

8.3 Learning Danish42

8.4 Accommodation43

8.5 Where to Get Help43

Emergencies: DIAL 11243

Police43

Emergency rooms44

Chapter 1: Global Refugee Studies1.1 History and focus of the Programme

The master’s programme in Development and International Relations has a lengthy history at Aalborg University. In the early years, the programme functioned as a diploma programme, but based on the initial success and great interest, the study evolved into a master-level programme in 1997. It is interesting to note that Aalborg University is one of only three universities in Denmark offering a master’s programme in development studies, and is currently the only university in Denmark offering a specialization in the field of refugee studies.

Global Refugee Studies focuses on forced migration in a broader context. It relates to policies by Western governments in addressing problems of refugees and forced migrants from many areas of the world. Development aid is increasingly directed at initiatives related to refugees. The idea is that development aid should be directed to the countries and regions that ‘generate’ migrants and refugees in order to create new circumstances to ensure that refugees and forced migrants remain in the close neighborhood either in the countries of origin or the surrounding countries. There is a serious lack of knowledge about the impact of this and many other initiatives on the actual situation of global, regional and local refugees. The Danish debate regarding refugees has changed radically in the past few years. From almost exclusively focusing on assimilation and integration to now, where refugees has turned into both a security and foreign policy issue and is regarded as a development problem. It is interesting to note that the new policy consensus that has emerged denotes more emphasis on exploring possibilities of “assisting refugees in their close environment”. It is a term used to describe the fact that the majority of the world’s forced migrants are defined either as being internally displaced or with “external” refugee status - their location is either in the domestic context or in the neighbouring countries. As such the majority of the world’s refugees and displaced people are found in the developing countries of Africa, Asia and in Latin America.

1.2 Objectives of the Specialization Track in Global Refugee Studies

The purpose of this programme is to offer a two-year full-time international M.Sc.-study degree programme in Development and International Relations, with a specialization in Global Refugee Studies. The programme, taught at Aalborg University in center of Copenhagen, is conducted in English so as to prepare graduates for international careers as well as to provide the opportunity for an international and diverse student body. The aim is to provide an interdisciplinary insight into the social science study of refugees from a development and international relations perspective. The curriculum will focus on generating knowledge about the refugee question, internally and externally displaced populations, migration, conflict, security, development and globalization. The Global Refugee Studies specialization seeks to enable its graduates to achieve professional standards in the complex and varied nature of the causes and implications of refugee and displacement/migration issues in a local, national and global context. This is done by developing the critical analytical and methodological capacities of students, who apply their understanding of refugees, displacement, migration to problem-causes and problem-solving strategies and policy-making in a developmental and international context. The Global Refugee Studies specialization focuses on the processes leading to displacement and the policies at various socio-spatial levels that lead to forced migration. Students are encouraged to seek conceptualizations and explanations in a variety of theories grounded in academic areas such as political economy, international law, culture and socio-political approaches to the root problems of development which are both causes and effects of local, national, regional and global refugee issues.

Thematically focuses of the Specialization in Global Refugee Studies

· Human rights, international organizations/relations and refugee jurisprudence

· Diasporas and transnational communities/identities

· Displacement: Causes and effects, IPE, security, “global governance”

· Globalization, ethnicity and processes of social transformation

· Forced migration and internal population displacement

· Problems with rehabilitation

· Mal-development/Underdevelopment as a cause and consequence of displacement

· The roots of poverty and inequalities

· The role of International Government Organizations and Non-Governmental Organizations at both the international and local levels and their work with refugees

· Culture, identity and religion

Curriculum of the Two-Year Study-Programme

7.sem/First semester

Focus:Refugees, International Relations and Development

Courses:International Development

Theories of International Relations

International Organisations, Human Rights and International Law in the Context of Refugees

Methodology and Methods

Project:Approximately 2 months of the semester will be spent writing a project in a group. The topic of the project is chosen by the group members but should relate to the themes of the semester.

ECTS:The three courses will constitute 15 ECTS points, and will be concluded with an oral exam based on a synopsis with focus on the literature of the semester. The written project will constitute 10 ECTS and will be concluded with an oral defense.

Methodology and Methods constitutes 5 ECTS and will be evaluated by active attendance

8.sem / Second semester

Focus: Forced Migration and Refugee Issues

Courses:Topical Seminars within Development and International Relations

Mobility and Displacement

Culture, Identity and Politics

Project: Approximately 2 months of the semester will be spent writing a project in a group. The topic of the project is chosen by the group members but should relate to the themes of the semester.

ECTS:The three courses will constitute 15 ECTS points, and will be concluded with an internal

written exam with focus on the literature of the semester. The written project will constitute 15 ECTS and will be concluded with an oral defense.

9.sem/ Third semester

Focus: All students either complete an internship or a study period at a foreign university, or follow the courses on the ‘Mobility” 9th semester (see below)

Courses:GRS offers three courses on this semester. These are under the headline ‘Mobility’. Description of the courses can be found on Moodle. Students following the ‘Mobility’ semester must follow courses and write a semester project, like they do on 7th and 8th semester.

Internship project:At the conclusion of the internship, the student will submit a project relating to the themes of GRS as they applied to work in the field.

ECTS:The internship is credited with 15 ECTS and must be attested to by a signed declaration from the host organization confirming a satisfactory job performance. The internship project is credited with 15 ECTS and will not have oral exam, evaluation passed/not passed.

Mobility courses are credited with 15 ECTS and ‘Mobility’ semester project is credited by 15 ECTS

10.sem/Fourth semester

Focus: Master’s thesis.

Courses:GRS will not offer any courses on this semester. Thesis seminar will be announced on Moodle

Project:All students should write a master’s thesis specializing within the field of GRS.

ECTS:The master’s thesis will constitute 30 ECTS and will be concluded with an oral defense.

Recruitment and admission requirements

Applicants should successfully have completed a bachelor's degree in a relevant field of the social sciences. Some prior documented experience and/or knowledge in political science, sociology and economics is required. Specific documentation of the individual candidate’s knowledge and qualifications can be required for admittance of prospective students if they possess a background in Humanities or Social Sciences as it is possible to be enrolled due to other qualifications. The assessment of the applicants’ qualifications will be done on an individual basis.

Contact information

Danny Raymond (study coordinator, 7th, 8th and 10th semester): [email protected]

Marlene Spanger (study coordinator 9th semester internship): [email protected]

Vibeke Andersson (Study coordinator 9th semester Mobility): [email protected]

Morten Melander Olsen (study secretary): [email protected]

Ida Haubart Lund-Larsen (study counselor until 30/6 -2020): [email protected]

Main homepage for AAU:www.aau.dk

The Department of Politics and Society: https://www.politics-society.aau.dk/

GRS’ website: https://www.politics-society.aau.dk/research/research-groups/grs

GRS on Facebook: www.facebook.com/GlobalRefugeeStudies/

What is expected of you as a student on Global Refugee Studies

When accepted into the master’s programme take some time to get acquainted with the Aalborg Model of Problem Based Learning (see chapter 2). Depending on which university you have obtained your bachelor degree from, the style of learning at Aalborg University might differ completely from what you are used to. At Aalborg University you will be asked your opinion in the classroom, the professors will be interested in hearing your views on issues and there will rarely be one answer that is considered to be ‘the right one’. This view on knowledge also affects the relationship between professors and students; there is a low degree of formality between the two groups.

At Aalborg University you have to take responsibility for your own learning. It is expected that you read the course literature, attend the classes and ask questions when there is something you do not understand. Your learning will be ‘self-directed’; you choose which topics to write projects about and hence which areas of Global Refugee Studies you become an expert on. When writing a project it is expected that you produce new knowledge. This does not mean that every project has to be a masterpiece, but it is expected that you combine method, theory and data in a creative and new way.

It is also expected of you, that you have an interest in gaining a cultural experience and learn something about intercultural cooperation. It is understandable that some students find it comfortable to group themselves according to nationalities – both inside and outside the university. However, Aalborg University strongly encourage Danish and international students to interact and learn from each other. Form intercultural groups for the project writing and take up the challenge of communicating and working together despite of differences! Participate in the social events and learn something about each other’s cultures!

Chapter 2: Practical information for students of GRS2.1 Study Coordinators and the Secretariat

Important: When you contact academic- or support staff, always use your AAU-email address, which you have received upon registration. External email addresses from a private account (e.g. Yahoo, hotmail, gmail) may be removed by the AAU-spam filter and may never reach the receiver.

The GRS study secretary kindly asks that you respect opening hours (Monday–Thursday 9:00-12:00pm) and that you put your cpr.nr or study number on all correspondences. Also, please keep in mind that some secretaries (for instant international office, exam office) have two weeks to respond to inquiries, so, for your own sake please do not wait till the very last moment to contact the secretaries with time-sensitive issues. Please note that the secretariats (including the study secretary) are closed in July.

Study Coordinators:

Danny Raymond (7th, 8th and 10th semester)

Phone:99404445

E-Mail:[email protected]

Contact hours:Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday from 10:00-14:00

Marlene Spanger (9th semester Internship)

Phone:9940 9163


Contact hours:On demand (please book a meeting via mail)

Vibeke Andersson(9th semester Mobility)

Phone:9940 7192


Contact hours:On demand (please book a meeting via mail)

Study Secretary:

Morten Melander Olsen

Phone: 9940 2507

E-Mail: [email protected]

Office hours: Monday-Thursday, 9.00 - 12.00, Friday out of office

Study counsellor:

Ida Haubart Lund-Larsen (until 30 June 2020)


IT support:

Mail:[email protected], Phone 99402020

Office:A.C. Meyers Vænge 15, 5th floor

Office hours:Monday-Thursday, 8:00-15:30 & Friday, 8:00-15:00

2.2 Access to the campus

Aalborg University Copenhagen is located at A.C. Meyers Vænge 15, 2450 Copenhagen SV.

The Global Refugee Studies Staff has offices at Frederikskaj 10B, 3rd floor, 2450 Copenhagen SV.

You will receive a student card from AAU Student Office. This card will have your student number. This is an official document and a proof of your enrolment at AAU. Please note that your card must be activated after each semester at the janitors in basement in building ACM15.

Make sure to always have this card at hand while you are at Aalborg University Copenhagen.

If you lose your student card or have problems with using it, please use this link for further information: https://www.newstudents.aau.dk/masters-cph/information/it-systems/

2.3 IT-Start, Communication system etc.

In order to get access to the AAU computer network, mail, internet, databases, etc. you have to follow directions you are given in your acceptance/enrolment letter.

All correspondence is primarily through our communication system Moodle. Introduction to the system will be provided within your first days at campus.

In case of problems with the wireless internet or printers contact the IT department.

The network is primarily for educational purposes and we ask all students to demonstrate responsibility. Abuse will lead to exclusion from the system for a longer period.

2.4 Aalborg University Library in Copenhagen (AUB CPH) and bookshop

The main Aalborg University Library (AUB) is situated in Aalborg. However, ‘AUB CPH´, in Copenhagen can be visited at A.C. Meyers Vænge 15, 2450 Copenhagen SV.

The library is possible to access at all times if you have a valid AAU card. So, you and your group are welcome to work all night in the library.

In case you need help:

Please do not hesitate asking the librarians for assistance in your search for literature. They can be contacted on email: [email protected] or phone: 99403899 / 99403852.

AUB CPH only has handbooks which are not allowed to be moved from the library. But any book you wish to take out of the main library in Aalborg can be ordered and delivered to campus. To search for books, journals and academic databases available to you as an AAU student, log on to AUB online at www.aub.aau.dk (the website is available in English by clicking the UK flag in the lower-right corner). Using your student card number and pin-code, you can access AUB-online to download, lend or reserve material from your personal computer as well as those on campus. Being a student at AAU gives you access to a comprehensive selection of full-text E-journal databases, which represents a vast resource for research, in most cases allowing you to quickly find authoritative information on precisely the topic you’re studying!

2.5 Study Advisors

The Study Advisors’ Office (building FKJ12, ground floor, opening hours on the door) has responsibility for correspondence with prospective students, advising current students, and disseminating information about the programmes. The study advisors are students themselves, typically in their thesis-writing semester, and therefore have experienced the issues that students, currently at an earlier stage in their master’s career, may be tackling. Moreover, the study advisors have received special training as part of a university-wide network of De-central Study Advisors who act as the local representatives of the university’s Central Study Advising Office. The De-central Study Advisor in your department is able to answer most questions that may arise concerning your studies:

· the rules and regulations of the programme.

· project work and more general questions regarding the courses.

· getting in touch with people you need to talk to.

· the social and practical aspects of the programme.

· personal issues (your Study Advisor must observe the strictest code of confidentiality).

The Study Advisor for Global Refugee Studies is Ms. Ida Haubart Lund-Larsen: [email protected]

The Central Study Advising Office, situated in Aalborg is also always available to serve you and its employees typically have many years of experience advising students at the university. Many of your questions about rules relating to your official status at the university (taking a leave of absence, formal complaints, dispensation, etc.) can be addressed to the Central Study Advising Office. The Office has made much information available (in Danish only) on its website:

http://studieguide.aau.dk/Studievejledning. Students are welcome to call the Central Study Advising on telephone: 99409440 or write an email: [email protected].

International students should in many cases contact the International Office http://www.internationaloffice.aau.dk/

2.6 Achieving Influence: The Education Board

At Global Refugee Studies the students can become members of the Education Board. The Board consists of students and the study coordinator, and meets on a regular basis to discuss issues related to Global Refugee Studies. As a member of this board you are expected to represent your fellow students (and yourself) and advise the study coordinator on different issues like guest lectures, social activities and practical details related to the study programme.

Please contact study coordinator Danny Raymond, [email protected] For further information about the Education Board

Students can also achieve influence in The Board of Studies. The meetings of the Board take place in Aalborg and students at Global Refugee Studies can participate through video conference. The Board of studies is the only official organ that consists of an equal number of staff and student representatives. The Board of Studies is central in the administrative structure of the institute and it is via this channel of influence that student initiatives normally are adopted and implemented. Meetings are open to the public; in most cases everyone has the right to attend the meetings as an external observer. If you want to influence the nature and contents of teaching or if you just want to stay informed about administrative developments you may consider becoming a student representative to the Board of Studies or participating as an external observer.

2.7 Canteen

AAU CPH has a canteen at A.C. Meyers Vænge 15 and at Frederikskaj 12. It is run by the company Chartwells. You can find the menu for the here: https://www.en.cph.aau.dk/campusintra-students/practical-information/canteen/

Every day the canteens server a varied daily selection of hot and cold dishes, including a vegetarian option.

In agreement with the canteen is no obligation to purchase to use their tableware. However, it should not be removed from the canteen area.

2.8 Transport to/from AAU CPH

Aalborg University Copenhagen is located in south-west Copenhagen, only a few kilometers from the center of the city. That means that you can easily get here by bike or public transportation.

The main building is at: A.C Meyers Vænge 15, 2450 Copenhagen SV. (Red arrow)

The GRS Staff have offices at: Frederikskaj 10B, 3rd floor, 2450 Copenhagen SV. (Blue arrow)

Getting there

Check out both route and timetables at www.rejseplanen.dk or use Google Maps and enter ‘Frederikskaj 10, 2450 København’

Chapter 3: Writing Projects

Project-writing is an essential part of the learning process at Aalborg University.

3.1 The Aalborg Model

Aalborg University was established to promote an approach to education that departs fundamentally from traditional university teaching methods. Both teachers and students are expected to take problems, theoretical as well as empirical, as their point of departure for a teaching and learning process based upon project work. A ‘problem’ has different meanings within the different scientific traditions at this university, ranging from specific engineering problems to basic scientific problems. Project work is intended to lead students toward a deeper understanding of both the issues involved in a relevant problem and the application of theories for its analysis. An effective problem formulation asks “why?”, thus guiding research towards an explanation rather than a description. Ideally, the project should precisely respond to the question posed in the problem formulation. However, projects need not necessarily result in a ‘solution.’ In practice the ‘answer’ will often be conditional: ‘on the one hand this…, but on the other hand that….’ Real-world problems are seldom tidily resolved and neither is this the objective of project work. Rather we seek to attain the more nuanced and sophisticated understanding that the tools of analysis can derive from a project problem.

Another important characteristic of Aalborg University is the synergy that an interdisciplinary approach to problem analysis allows, applying theoretical perspectives from diverse fields. Problems stemming from the real world require, by their very nature, an interdisciplinary approach in order to understand; even seemingly purely economic problems have important political, sociological or environmental ramifications. To put it crudely, a ‘narrow’ economic project, for example, will be criticized for reductionism if it leaves out related social and political factors. In such cases, the supervisor will strongly encourage students to widen their perspective. However, in practice, projects will usually tend to emphasize either a topic’s political, juridical, sociological, cultural or economic component, all depending on the chosen subject and educational background of the students participating in the group. And this is fully acceptable.

3.2 The Structure of Groups and the Role of the Supervisor

The latter half of the first two semesters are devoted to writing projects, optimally in groups comprised of three to five students of diverse nationalities. Global Refugee Studies stress interaction among students, and therefore encourage that groups are comprised of students from different countries. While it is allowed to conduct project work alone, experience has shown that this approach defeats one of the most rewarding aspects of the master’s programme: working collectively in a team. Not only does group project work enable students to acquire both theoretical and methodological knowledge from each other, but imparts the practical experience of planning, delegating, negotiating and executing a task in cooperation, a skill much in demand in professional life. While the project benefits from the synergy of the collaborative process, the concluding oral defense is to allow assessment based on the merits of each student’s own comprehension of the project’s content.[footnoteRef:1] [1: Passing the examination requires that the student shows a basic understanding of the topics and theories of the project in its full length. Obtaining the top grade 12 requires that the student shows a profound knowledge of the topics and theories of the project and can discuss them in an independent way. A 12 also requires a fluent command of English (though not necessarily completely correct as regards the grammar).]

Groups constellate voluntarily around common research interests selected by students themselves. Within the first few weeks of the semester, a group formation seminar takes place, during which students propose various project topics. These topics are then narrowed down into a manageable number of main headings. The seminar then splits into small discussion groups covering each heading; students moving freely from group to group, “shopping” for a topic that interests them. The newly formed group can hand in their problem formulation to the person in charge of the seminar or submit it later.

The supervisor’s role is to guide the group through the process of conceptualizing, investigating and writing the project. In other words, the supervisor functions as a sparring partner rather than a director. The supervisor neither controls nor withdraws from the students’ problem-solving process; ideally (s)he follows them neither too closely nor too distantly. The supervisor’s role will often change during the course of the project work: in some periods general advice will be given, while in other periods close reading of the project’s preliminary chapters will elicit more detailed comments.

Thus Global Refugee Studies work with a very liberal model of studying, which relies heavily on the initiative and independent thinking of the individual student, and consensus building in the group.

3.3 Page requirements for the Semester Project

The page requirements for the 7th semester projects are as follows:

1 studnets. Minimum 12 pages and maximum 25 pages

2 students: Minimum 17 pages and maximum 35 pages



5 or more students: Minimum 32 pages and maximum 65 pages

The page requirements for the 8th semester projects and 9th semester mobility are as follows:

1 student: Minimum 17 pages and maximum 30 pages




5 or more students: Minimum 37 pages and maximum 70 pages

The maximum length of an assignment or a project is defined in standard pages. A standard page is equivalent to 2,400 keystrokes (including spaces). The stipulated number of pages for written assignments and projects includes notes, but does not include reference lists/bibliography, title page, table of contents, and summary. Appendices may be included in projects. Typically, an appendix is not the examinee’s own written work, but a presentation/reproduction of source material, and it will therefore not be included in the total number of pages; however, the volume of the appendix must be proportionate to the volume of the project.

The project’s supervisor may give dispensation from this rule and accept an excess of 10% beyond the maximum allowable number of pages (this is subject to approval by the Director of Studies).

3.4 Handing in the Semester Project (7th & 8th or 9th semester mobility)

Handing in via Digital Exam (DE)

From 1st September 2016 Digital Exam (DE) was implemented here at GRS.

This means that all papers (written assignment, projects, reports and thesis) must be handed in via DE – under extraordinary circumstances the study secretary can decide that handing in takes place with hand in of hard copies.

Digital exam has a very useful homepage: http://www.en.de.aau.dk/

Before handing in your paper, we kindly ask you to read the homepage carefully and in good time before the hand in deadline.

Please pay attention to the guideline regarding handing in as a group:

https://www.en.de.aau.dk/students/submit-group/

Please also note that after you've uploaded your project on Digital Exam you receive a confirmation that you've uploaded successfully.

However, please note that in the confirmation mail from the system you are asked to upload the project to the project library! Just follow the link in the confirmation mail, and it should be self-explanatory. It is important that you do that, as if you don't, the project cannot be opened by the examiners.

Guideline: https://www.en.de.aau.dk/students/project-library/

In case you have any problems when uploading or questions please contact the Digital Exam support on [email protected].

Important: the exam in DE will be open for upload at least 48 hours before hand in deadlineThe exact date and time for hand in will be posted on Moodle.

Projects have to be uploaded on Digital Exam by 12.00 on the day of handing in.

Find the date for handing in for the semester under Important Dates, which is uploaded on Moodle.

Important! If a semester project is handed in too late (that being even a few minutes after 12.00 on the day for handing in) it cannot be accepted.

Information about re exam will be posted on Moodle shortly after ordinary exam.3.5 Tips for the Group Project Work

In the vast majority of cases, working in a group is a wonderful experience that will teach you much more than how to write a project. However, it can also be a stressful experience, as the academic expectations are high and you need to collaborate constructively with everybody in the group. In order to ease the process, there are certain strategies for success:

· Make a contract.

· It may be a good idea to outline group members’ expectations of each other. For example, with regard to roles, meetings, deadlines, etc.

· Establish a code of conduct.

· Agree upon what constitutes productive behavior in the group and on how you will solve any eventual problems or disagreements that may arise.

· Build in time for social events with your group.

· It is important that group members make time to socialize with each other, both to build a better working relationship and to let off steam so project-writing does not become overly stressful. Ideas for such events could include dinner, seeing a movie, sports, etc.

· Create and stick to a realistic timeline, attaining intermediate goals, so the group does not leave the bulk of the work to the very end.

· Leave plenty of time for editing, proof-reading and final uploading the project in Digital Exam!

Chapter 4: Study Abroad or Internship

During the third semester of the masters’ programme in Global Refugee Studies, students must either undertake an internship, spend a semester studying in a different university or follow the “Mobility semester” at Aalborg University Copenhagen offered by GRS.

4.1 Studying Abroad

A semester spent studying at a different university broadens the student’s horizons, enriching his/her education by exposure to different educational and cultural traditions. For Danish students, a semester spent studying in a foreign country invariably represents a total immersion in a foreign culture and language, strengthening their effectiveness as operatives in an international workplace. Each country’s educational system has its own idiosyncratic pedagogical and methodological emphases; a semester abroad gives the student an appreciation of these other approaches, preparing him/her to better collaborate across cultural barriers. Finally, if the study environment is in a third language (i.e. neither Danish nor English), the student’s ability to be effective in a greater diversity of linguistic settings is enhanced.

If you choose to spend the third semester studying at a foreign university or another Danish university (only encouraged for international students) you need to select courses at a host university equaling 30 ECTS. If you are an international student, the host university should not be your home university. The choice of university and list of courses needs to be approved by the faculty. Send the list to the Department Secretary who will assist you with the process of obtaining preliminary approval from the Faculty. Once you return home, you have to send an application for a final credit transfer to the Board of Studies/Faculty and you will then receive the final approval and credit for the courses after you supply proper documentation from the host university. The International Office has a list of partner universities on their website and other relevant information is also available at http://www.internationaloffice.aau.dk/

4.2 Conducting an Internship

Traditionally, most students have opted to conduct an internship, and they have interned at diverse organizations ranging from embassies, EU organizations, and UN offices to very small, local NGOs

(non-governmental organizations). The sky is truly the limit. Over the years, Aalborg University has developed many contacts around the world, enabling students to intern with well-respected and interesting organizations. An internship is intended to give students the practical experience of working and conducting research outside of Denmark. Via the internship, you are afforded the opportunity to test your knowledge and gain insights into the real world, and this experience is highly valued by employers.

We encourage that the internship starts September 1st latest (for fall semester internships). The stay is minimum 3 (37 hours pr. week) and maximum 6 months. Please note that the internship is unpaid, although Danish students can bring their government stipend (SU).

The internship must be concluded by January 31st for fall semester internships) or August 31st (for spring semester internships). Some internship places may require you to stay longer, but those situations should be discussed with your GRS internship coordinator and the International Office internship coordinator.

Arrangement of the internship occurs in cooperation with the internship coordinator and the International Office. The internship has to be approved by the GRS internship coordinator and thereafter a “Traineeship contract” form has to be signed by the GRS’ internship coordinator, international office, the host organization and yourself. Students must use an AAU contract (contact International office for this). Please note that your internship will not be approved if the destination poses serious safety and security problems. Detailed information about practical issues such as arranging your your internship, contracts, how to find a host etc., is found on the website of AAU’s International Office and GRS’ internship coordinator can help you with academic and professional issues.

In order to have your internship placement approved by the internship coordinator you most send a document (1-2 pages) written by the internship organization which describes your tasks during the internship. Once you have the approval you send the AAU contract to the internship coordinator for his/her signature. Thus, it is the students’ responsibility to find a host organization.

Please remember to inform your department’s secretary when you return home from your internship. Also, at all times, make sure that the Department Secretary is aware of your present address, phone number and e-mail address.

Planning your Internship Experience

The International Office can assist you in finding an internship. It has assisted hundreds of students in finding internship placements. Though it has no formal contacts with specific companies/organizations, it has established many strong connections over the years in a variety of NGOs, UN agencies, EU offices, think tanks, universities, Danish embassies and so forth. The function of the internship coordinators at International Office is to assist students with information and support, while students are putting together applications. Coordinators are available to guide students as to the writing of their application and CV; to suggest possible placements; to provide counseling on practical matters; and to prepare a contract upon acceptance from the internship placement. The Office can also provide students with online lists of businesses and organizations that are seeking interns. Contact information can be found on International Offices website. Both International Office and GRS announce internship calls during the spring semester.

Remember

· Internships are not necessarily stepping-stones to future employment.

· Competition for internship positions is high – you are in direct competition with students from other universities. Starting early is the best method to get the internship you want.

· Marketing oneself is a challenging endeavor – in addition to your academic competencies, market yourself according to the professional and social skills you acquired through the problem-based learning – group work skills are strong selling features in the labor market.

· Be creative in your search for an internship – do not just apply for the internships that are announced!

How to get started

The key thing is to get started in good time since it may take time and many applications before your internship is sorted out. To get started:

· Make a list of potential organizations, companies, offices where you would like to intern.

· Get your CV and cover letters in order.

· Seek appropriate guidance and ask for feedback.

· Begin by sending out one application out every two weeks – starting at least half a year before your internship semester begins

· The International Office at AAU CPH can provide a list of internships previously conducted by GRS students

· Make sure that the Terms of Reference are relevant for GRS study programme.

The Internship Project

The students who conduct an internship have to write a short project, which gives the opportunity to reflect upon some of the experiences gained during the internship. The 9th semester is credited with 30 ECTS:

· The work at the internship place is credited with 15 ECTS. In order to get the ECTS, the student has to present a written and signed declaration by the host organization stating that the student has worked satisfactorily.

· The internship project is equally credited with 15 ECTS. It should be problem-based project, dealing with a problem of relevance to the fields of study in general, but where material and observations from the internship institution must enter as empirical material to a high extent.

During most internship placements there is little spare time for project writing. It is therefore of utmost importance, that the student, in cooperation with the internship supervisor at Global Refugee Studies, decides on a clear research question and a well-defined objective early on. GRS strongly advice the students to contact the supervisor just before the internship start. Students can use the supervisor in the same way as during 7th and 8th semester.

The supervisor will be allocated before semester start and the supervisor list will be uploaded on Moodle before semester start.

Within the first month of the internship students are encouraged to hand in a proposal for the intended internship project to the supervisor for discussion, as well as an update on how the internship is working out. The student should inform the supervisor about:

· The work assignments (and how they may differ from those agreed upon with the host organization in the internship contact)

· The feed-back the student is receiving concerning job performance

· The problem formulation, plan for data collection and preliminary list of literature

· The work plan for completing the internship project

The requirement for the internship project is basically the same as for the 7th and 8th semester at Global Refugee Studies. However, experiences from and reflections on the internship need to be highlighted and data play a more significant role in the project. Hopefully the internship experiences serves as the context for identifying and discussing a relevant problem that caught the interest of the student. The maximum length of the internship project is 15 pages.

All students, no matter what topic they chose to focus their internship project on, need to include a description of the host organization and the internship assignments. This description often fits best as part of the introduction, but may also be included elsewhere in the project. It should be between 1 and 3 pages, and counts as part of the total 15 pages.

The front page, bibliography, and any appendix, are not counted as part of the maximum 15 pages.

Handing in the internship project

For students conducting their internship in the fall semester, the date of delivery for the internship project is 18th December 2020, 12 o’clock. For students conducting their internship in the spring semester, the date of delivery for the internship project is 10th of June 2021, 12 o’clock.






Please also note that after you have uploaded your report on Digital Exam you receive a confirmation that you've uploaded successfully.

In case you have any problems when uploading or questions please contact the Digital Exam support on [email protected]

Important: Internship semester consist of two exams/evaluation and there two hand in in DE is required. The exams in DE will have the following titles:

9.sem internship stay statement – Here the statement/declaration is uploaded (see below)

9.sem internship report – here the report is uploaded

Important: the exam in DE will be open for upload at least 48 hours before hand in deadline

The exact date and time for hand in will be posted on Moodle.

Statement/declaration from your host organization:

Remember to get a signed declaration/statement form the host organization, which in short terms must confirm that the student has worked satisfactorily. The declaration/statement is be uploaded on DE when handing in – see above.

Students, who do not deliver a project at all before the deadline, have to wait until the next ordinary examination date. Thereby the student loses many months, since supervision for the Master’s thesis cannot be given until the internship project has been passed. Students who hand in the project but fails have to submit a new internship project, with a substantially revised problem formulation, two weeks after the ordinary examination date. The programme coordinator and the supervisor of the students have to accept the revision of the problem formulation.

The report will be evaluated by the internship supervisor and an internal censor. The grade is passed/not passed. There will be no oral examination.

Information about re exam will be posted on Moodle shortly after ordinary exam.Mobility semester: 9th semester alternativeThe mobility semester at GRS consists of 3 courses within the first 6 weeks, a written exam (one exam for all three courses) and a semester project. Thus the structure of this semester is the same as the structure of 7th and 8th semester at GRSThe Mobility semester is offered for GRS students from the “Tourism” programme at Aalborg University Copenhagen.








Please also note that after you've uploaded your project on Digital Exam you receive a confirmation that you've uploaded successfully.



In case you have any problems when uploading or questions please contact the Digital Exam support on [email protected].

Important: the exam in DE will be open for upload at least 48 hours before hand in deadlineThe exact date and time for hand in will be posted on Moodle.

Projects have to be uploaded on Digital Exam by 12.00 on the day of handing in.

Find the date for handing in for the semester under Important Dates, which is uploaded on Moodle.

Important! If a semester project is handed in too late (that being even a few minutes after 12.00 on the day for handing in) it cannot be accepted.

Information about re exam will be posted on Moodle shortly after ordinary exam.

Chapter 5: Writing and Defending the Master Thesis

Once you have handed in and passed your internship report, or have passed your 30 ECTS studying abroad, you can start writing your master thesis. The thesis is an independent research work that produces an in-depth study of a problem-area within the field of Global Refugee Studies. Its purpose is to demonstrate the student’s analytical skills and his/her ability to integrate theoretical perspectives with different kinds of empirical materials. In many ways, writing a thesis is similar to writing a semester project, though of course the expectations are higher.[footnoteRef:2] You will find the process of writing your thesis much easier if you have already given much consideration to its problem formulation during the preceding semesters rather than starting from scratch. Some students undertake research fieldwork to gather data for their thesis – travel grants can be applied for. [2: The thesis will be successful if it documents that the student has been able to deal with a larger academic subject in a competent and independent way. Theories and concepts are dealt with appropriately in relation to the subject, and the student has collected a substantial amount of relevant empirical material. Receiving the top grade of 12 requires that the text shows a high level of coherence between concepts, theories and subject. Theories are discussed competently in relation to the subject. The text shows analytic and synthetic skills. The conclusions and judgements are based on a sound argumentation and on a solid empirical basis. The text is clear and precise. In the oral discussion the student shows that s/he can discuss all major aspects of the text fluently on a high level.]

5.1 Thesis Timeline

It is only possible to write a thesis contract and get a thesis supervisor allocated twice a year. By January 18th (for students writing their thesis in the spring semester), or by June 28th (for students writing their thesis in the fall semester), students are required to submit a thesis contract as well as a one page thesis proposal, outlining the subject area of the thesis, to the secretary of Global Refugee Studies.

On the basis of this, the study programme’s coordinator will assign a supervisor, whose official duties begin on February 1st or September 1st. The list of allocated supervisors will be uploaded on Moodle 1st February or 1st of September at the latest.

Typically, however, the student will be informed of the identity of the coming supervisor before this date and it is advisable to arrange informal consultations with your supervisor to further develop your topic before the official thesis-writing start-date: February 1st (for students writing their thesis in the spring semester), or September 1st (for students writing their thesis in the fall semester). Students are allocated only one semester to finish their thesis!

For students writing their thesis in spring semester 2021 the hand-in deadline is May 30th at 12 o’clock For students starting their thesis writing 1st September 2020 the hand in deadline is 4th January 2021 at 12 o’clock.

Limited supervision periods:

Please note that the supervisor will be very busy during the exam periods from 15th – 30 June and 15th – 30 January. Therefore, they will only be available for supervisor to a certain extend in these period. We therefore kindly advise you to contact your supervisor and make some agreements regarding supervision in these periods.

Prolonging your thesis hand in.

There is a possibility to prolong your thesis hand in with three months. In case your ordinary hand in date is 30th May 2021 the deadline for handing in a new contract is 15th June and from this date the new writing period starts so new hand in date will be 15th October (July doesn’t count)

Note that handing in earlier than 15th October is not possible.

Furthermore, your supervisor has to agree on the prolonging, and a new contact must be signed by you and your supervisor and handed in to the study secretary on the date stated above. Please note that you use an exam attempt by prolonging. However, this will not occur on your final diploma.

Exam date:

Your thesis exam date will be ready and given to you on the hand in date. Please note that it’s not possible to give you the date earlier than on the hand in day due to the allocating of external and planning procedure and it’s not possible to ask for at certain day or time.The exam schedule will be uploaded on Moodle shortly after the hand in date, so please check Moodle regularly.

5.2 Requirements for the Thesis

Usually the thesis has to be written in English. However, French, German and Spanish are possible alternatives, provided that the Board of Studies accepts it. A language other than English will not be accepted if it is the native language of the student.

In most instances, the master's thesis is written as an individual research project. A thesis written by two or three students in a group is encouraged.

At the defense of the master’s thesis, the presentation may be up to 10 minutes long. If you prepare a power point presentation bring a laptop and use it to do your presentation.

For one student, the page requirements are 35 to 70 pages;

For two students writing together, 50 to 100 pages are required

For three students writing together, 65 to 130 pages are required.

The maximum length of an assignment or a project is defined in standard pages. A standard page is equivalent to 2,400 keystrokes (including spaces). The stipulated number of pages for written assignments and projects includes notes, but does not include reference lists/bibliography, title page, table of contents, and summary. Appendices may be included in projects. Typically, an appendix is not the examinee’s own written work, but a presentation/reproduction of source material, and it will therefore not be included in the total number of pages; however, the volume of the appendix must be proportionate to the volume of the project.

The thesis must always contain an abstract of the work, in English. The abstract must be at least 1 and no more than 2 pages (this will not count against the page requirements for the thesis) and its content will be evaluated as part of the thesis.








Please also note that after you have uploaded your thesis on Digital Exam you receive a confirmation that you've uploaded successfully.




Important: the exam in DE will be open for upload at least 48 hours before hand in deadline

The exact time and date will be posted on Moodle.

Student’s failing to hand in their thesis by the contracted date will be regarded as having missed an examination attempt (students are allowed 3 attempts in all). The student may then apply for the first of two possible 3-month extensions to make another examination attempt. The third and final possibility for thesis hand-in expires upon the deadline of the second extension.

Students handing in their thesis are expected to be able to defend its content. After hand-in of the thesis, remember to check Moodle or information about your examination, which will be schedule to take place 2 to 6 weeks after hand-in. It is your responsibility to check Moodle to see the list of 10th semester examination dates; the study Secretary will not inform you individually (confirm your date regularly: the list is subject to last minute changes!).

The examination form mirrors that of semester projects; the thesis supervisor, together with an external censor, forms the examination committee. The student is expected to have prepared a short presentation (maximum 10 minutes) elaborating (as opposed to recapitulating) upon the thesis topic.

Duration of the thesis exam:

1 student: 60 minutes including short supervisor/external examiner meeting and evaluation

2 students: 90 minutes including short supervisor/external examiner meeting and evaluation

3 students: 120 minutes including short supervisor/external examiner meeting and evaluation

A passing thesis-examination grade represents 30 ECTS, the conclusion of the student’s master’s study programme.

Final diploma:

The GRS study secretary is not issuing your final diploma, the exam team is in charge of that.The exam team will sent you the final diploma to your e-boks, and in case you don’t have an e-boks to your AAU mail. Note that AAU are no longer allowed to sent you a paper version of the diploma.

You can expect to get your diploma within two months after your thesis exam has taken place.

The title on your diploma will be MSc in Development and International Relations with a specialization in Global Refugee Studies (cand.soc)

Re-exam:

In case you fail your ordinary thesis exam you will get three month to work on your thesis and hand in date will be three months after your ordinary exam date.

Chapter 6: Registration for Courses and Exams

6.1 Registration for Courses and Exams (STADS)

It is your own responsibility to register for the courses and exams. As a student, it is your own responsibility to familiarize with examination rules and regulations, inclusive re-examination and deregistration.

Dates for registration:

Fall semester: September 15th – October 1st

Spring semester: February 15th - March 1st

If you are not able to take the exam that you have signed up for, you need to notify the study secetary at least three weekdays before the exam, otherwise it will count as a fail among the three attempts you are allocated. If this situation arises, please contact your secretary who will assist you with the process. If you are unable to take the exam due to illness, you will be required to present a medical certificate (self-paid) from your doctor dated the day of the exam. Otherwise, it will count as an attempt. Thesis examinations cannot be cancelled but will always follow the contract.

A condition for entering an exam is that you have registered for a given course. You must register yourself on the AAU self-service portal (STADS) online. STADS is the student administration system used at Aalborg University. Use STADS self-service to:

· Register for courses taught

· Register for and deregister from exams

· View exam results and statistics

· Print transcripts of study records and letter of admission

· Register phone number

· Register e-mail address (your marks will be mailed to you)

If you have forgotten your username go to www.ITstart.aau.dk and request your username and password reminder text. You will need your Civil Registration System number and Student ID number to do so.

If you have forgotten your password go to www.ITstart.aau.dk and request a temporary password. You will need your Civil Registration System number and Student ID number to do so.

Dispensation for late registration will not be granted without a valid reason. The only legitimate reason that will be accepted explaining why you have been prevented from registering in time is:

· Illness or other sorts of force majeure

Invalid reasons are, for instance, if you:

· have forgotten your password

· did not know about the deadline for registering

· have been on holidays during the registration period

In order to be enrolled as a student at Aalborg University, you have to be an active student. This means that if you have not taken an exam for one year, you will be signed out from the university.

Registration for the master’s thesis examination is however made by the department secretaries upon the handing in of the thesis. Examinations will typically be scheduled for 2 to 6 weeks after hand-in.

If you have any problems with registration on either STADS or ITstart, you can send an e-mail to [email protected] or [email protected], respectively. Be sure the Danish Central Person Register (Folkeregister) always has your current address: this address is automatically registered with STADS!

6.2 Oral Examinations

Global Refugee Studies rely mostly on oral examinations to evaluate the student’s comprehension of course materials and capacity to activate this knowledge coherently. The course exam on 7th semester is oral exam based on an synopsis covering all the course literature on 7th semester , i.e. testing all three blocks (note the course exam on 8th semester and 9th semester Mobiliy is written). Likewise, the defense of the two semester group projects (and 9th semester mobility project) will take the form of an oral examination. Finally, the student must demonstrate an integrated and working knowledge of his/her research subject by defending the master’s thesis orally. Oral examinations are always conducted with the participation of both your own supervisor and a censor.

Oral examinations have the advantage of allowing the student to clarify his/her points to present a more nuanced understanding of the topic under discussion, ‘rising to the challenge,’ so to speak, of the examiner’s questions. The examiner and censor may be considered as ‘sparring partners,’ drawing forth a deeper understanding from the student through the examination process. In other words, through critical discussion, a ‘synergy’ should arise whereby, in the best cases, the student leaves the examination room with more insight than when he/she entered it.

The schedule for the oral course exam will be uploaded on Moodle approximately 1 week before the exam week begins.

Written course assignment exam

As mentioned above a written individual assignment exam is the exam form regarding course exam on 8th semester and 9th semester Mobity. The deadline for handing in will occur form the “important dates” uploaded on Moodle in the semester room.

Handing in via Digital Exam (DE





Please note that after you've uploaded your assignment on Digital Exam you receive a confirmation that you've uploaded successfully.


Important: the exam in DE will be open for upload 48 hours before hand in deadline

The grade

The grade a student receives will be based on how well the learning goals have been met. The learning goals for each course on 7th and 8th semester, the semester projects, 9th semester and the master’s thesis can be found at moodle.

Sickness

If a student falls ill and cannot go through with a scheduled exam, the study secretary should be informed as soon as possible. The student must get a doctor’s note dated for the day of the exam and present the study secretary with this note on later occasion. Without a doctor’s note, the scheduled exam will count as a failed exam attempted.

The presentation

At the outset of both semester project and master’s thesis exams, the student shall deliver a short presentation that expands upon the written work. A recapitulation of the written work’s content will not be well received! Rather, the presentation should be tangential to the written work’s topic, either extending upon the paper’s scope, elaborating upon ramifications of findings, critically reflecting upon the paper’s shortcomings, or proposing areas where further research might be fruitful. The length of the presentation should be brief, at most 5 minutes; just enough to pique the interest without being exhaustive. At the defense of the master’s thesis, the presentation may be up to 10 minutes long. If you prepare a power point presentation bring a laptop and use it to do your presentation.

Group exam

On 7th , 8th and 9th (mobility) semester GRS have group exams, which means that all members of the project group are present throughout the whole exam. All students deliver their presentations before the discussion of the project begins. The students decide the sequence of the presentations among themselves. The presentations should not necessarily relate to each other. In the discussion after the presentations students are encouraged to help making sure that all members of the group get the chance to answer different types of questions. The goal is that all students show their level of analytical reflection. The supervisor and censor may ask questions directly to one or more members of the group.

Examination time (including breaks and deliberation):

· 1 students: 30 minutes






After the deliberation the group receive grades and feedback together. If a student wishes to receive the grade in privacy the supervisor need to be informed of this before the exam.

6.3 Appealing the Result of an Exam

Should the student disagree with the exam result, a formal complaint may be submitted to the Study Service https://www.studyservice.aau.dk/ within 14 days after the results of the exam are made available. The specific rules regarding examination appeals, as issued by the Ministry of Education, can be found at http://adm.aau.dk/regelsamling/eksamensbek_01_11_05_en.pdf under Part 8. You can contact the Study Service on [email protected] and your complaint must be sent to [email protected]

Regarding Re exam

Please contact study secretary Morten Melander Olsen [email protected] regarding practical information and advice regarding re exam and note that registration for re exam does not take place automatically.

Hand in date and/or exam date for re exam will normally be advised on Moodle shortly after ordinary exam has taken place.

Chapter 7: General Information7.1 Travel Grants

Unfortunately, GRS is no longer able to provide you with travel grant in connection with your 7 – 10 semesters.However, you still might have an opportunity to obtain a travel grant applying trough the International office.

You can read more about the procedure and requirements on the homepage

https://www.internationaloffice.aau.dk/scholarships-grants/funding-short-trips/

Please read the homepage carefully and mind the deadlines, and in case you have questions then contact the international office as they are in charge of the applying procedure.

As mentioned on the homepage, requirements for applying for thesis grant covers amongst other things an approval for your supervisor and study coordinator. In order to help you obtaining a grant we have uploaded the “Study Coordinator approval form” on Moodle in the “Study Coordinator approval form” folders. Note: Ask the international office if this approval form is necessary for applying.

If that’s the case you send the form to Danny [email protected] and he will get your supervisor to sign it and Danny will sign it too and send it back to you.

Study coordinator approval is not required as such if you are applying for travel grant in connection with semester projects, but you are welcome to send the approval form to Danny ,so you can add it to your application.

Yes we know the deadline 1st March is a problem due to the fact that group formation takes place 4th march and you don’t know your supervisor yet. We have tried to get a later deadline but this is not possible.Therefore, this form is only meant as a helping tool in case some of you have talked about a group formation and a specific topic for your 8.semester project and wishes to apply for a travel grant.

Remember that it is also possible to apply for grants outside of the university, for more on this see: https://www.legatbogen.dk/

Please note that GRS has no influence on the granting decision at all.

Students can apply for financial support for field research trips from the Study Board to help cover the cheapest means of public transportation – this grant cannot be used to cover accommodations or expenses incurred while attending seminars or conferences. Only thesis writing students can receive financial support for fieldwork trips abroad, and those grants will not exceed 2,000 DKK per student. A primary source of funding for thesis field-research is Danida, (see more on http://www.dfcentre.dk/). Moreover, the International Office similarly offers grants from its Internationalization Pool to help cover the expenses of conducting an internship. This grant can help cover both travelling expenses and overnight accommodation. Questions in connection to this grant should be directed International Office http://www.internationaloffice.aau.dk/scholarships-grants/

7.2 Plagiarism

Plagiarism is taken very seriously at Aalborg University, and any attempt at plagiarism, downloading from the internet or copying from a written source without proper reference will be sanctioned severely and may lead to expulsion from the university. Academic research doesn’t exist in a vacuum; we all stand on the shoulders of giants and your academic writing will invariably make reference to and apply other researchers’ ideas. Excerpts of others’ work and paraphrasing of others’ ideas are a natural element of academic writing. Indeed, at this stage in your academic career, it is expected that you will rely heavily on the thoughts of established authorities in your field. The student must simply take care that these original authors receive proper acknowledgement by employing the accepted methods of citation. By contrast, a student commits plagiarism when s/he presents the work of another person as his or her own. The overall guiding principle for referencing others work is as follows: it should, in all instances, be possible for the reader to know exactly and fully, as to any part of the text, which sources the writer has used. All the information you need for using correct citation styles is available in the booklet “Selective Style Guidelines for Project Writing,” available online. There is simply no excuse or valid reason to plagiarize when you have a fully legitimate means of incorporating others’ work into your own!

7.3 Taking a Leave from Your Studies / Maternity leave

While the period allocated for completion of the master’s degree programme is prescribed to be 2 years, master’s students who need to take a leave of absence from their studies are entitled to take up to 12 months without having to provide any reason. However, there are certain restrictions that apply to taking a leave of absence without reason: you must have passed your 1st semester exams; and you may not take leave once you have begun writing your thesis (a failed hand-in/examination attempt does not exempt from this). Students are always entitled to take a limited leave of absence under given circumstances such as documented illness, parenthood, care-giving or death in the family, etc. by either submitting an official request for dispensation to the Study Board or a request for a leave of absence to the Faculty. The rules and implications of taking a leave of absence are found (in Danish) here: http://studieguide.aau.dk/Studievejledning/.

For further information on the leave, rules and regulations please turn to the homepage:

Danish: http://www.aau.dk/uddannelser/studievejledning/regler/orlov/

English: http://www.en.aau.dk/education/student-guidance/rules/leave-absence/

Regarding maternity leave please find information here:

Danish: http://www.aau.dk/uddannelser/studievejledning/regler/barsel/

English: http://www.en.aau.dk/education/student-guidance/rules/parental-absence/

It is vital that students make formal arrangements for any pause in their studies; being inactive in your studies for a period of 2 years (not passing any exams) will result in termination of your enrolment by the Faculty of Social Sciences (a warning is given and dispensation may be applied for). Your master’s degree must be completed within 5 years under all circumstances.

International students must send their request to the International Office. Please note that international students must have completed 2 semesters before they can take a leave from their studies.

7.4 The Interdisciplinary Journal of International Studies (IJIS)

The Interdisciplinary Journal of International Studies (IJIS) is an independent student-driven and faculty-refereed academic journal based at Aalborg University, Denmark. It was established in 2002 on the initiative of the Study Board of Master Programmes in Development & International Relations (DIR) and European Studies (ES). Presently, the journal is supported by the Study Board for International Affairs under the Department of Culture and Global Studies.

The IJIS is an academic space where students critically engage with key theories and issue areas in the social sciences and humanities in an interdisciplinary perspective. It invites contributions on topical themes (including, but not restricted to, development, globalization, international relations, political economy, regional integration, refugees and migration, culture, and history). IJIS welcomes theoretical, methodological, conceptual, or empirical papers.

IJIS represents an opportunity, not only to establish your academic credentials, but also to hone your ability to write publishable material. Students are strongly encouraged both to submit articles and book reviews, as well as to participate on the Editorial Board. If you have considered rewriting a semester project or thesis into journal article form to make your findings available to a wider audience, then the IJIS is your opportunity.

For more information, visit the online journal at https://journals.aau.dk/index.php/ijis/index

7.5 Grading Scale

The Danish grading system is a 7-step scale. If you receive a grade between 02 and 12, then you have passed. (www.eng.uvm.dk/Education/General/7-point-grading-scale:)

7.6 Someone to talk to

Student Counseling Service

Student life can be challenging, and sometimes stressful. At the same time, life’s everyday challenges don’t go on holiday; the pressure of relationships, personal and financial issues, etc., are ever-present. The Student Counseling Service can help you. The Student Counseling offers free counseling and treatment to students attending Universities and University Colleges in Denmark. The professional counselors are psychologists, psychiatrists and social workers with psychotherapeutic education. All the counselors have a wide theoretic knowledge and many years of experience.

You can call the service at 70 26 75 00. The line is open Monday - Thursday between 9 am. and 12 p.m. and again from 12.30-15 p.m. Friday between 9 a.m. and 13 p.m. If you call them between 9 a.m. and 12 p.m. you will be contacted by one of the counselors on the following day (except for weekends). A counseling session on the phone lasts approximately 15-20 minutes.

Read more about the service: www.srg.dk

Student Priests

Some may feel more comfortable talking to a priest about difficult subjects, regardless of their religious beliefs (or lack thereof). They can be reached on telephone: 99 40 90 96, Website: http://www.praesten.aau.dk/ , Email: [email protected]

Chapter 8: For International Students

For the international students participating in the Global Refugee Study programme, studying at Aalborg University entails a host of new experiences in unfamiliar surroundings. In this chapter, helpful contacts and useful information will be presented.

8.1 The International Office in Aalborg and Copenhagen

Aalborg University has an International Office in Aalborg, with many staff members who can help you with a number of things. On the webpage of the office (http://internationaloffice.aau.dk) you can find information about studying, living and working in Denmark.

Contact International Office: https://www.internationaloffice.aau.dk/contact/

8.2 Extension of Visa

Although it is generally required that all students complete their studies within two years, under exceptional circumstances, international students occasionally require a visa. Please note that this is solely your responsibility and please allow sufficient time for your visa extension request to be processed before your current visa expires. You can find all necessary information related to work, visas and studying in Denmark at http://www.nyidanmark.dk/en-us/frontpage.htm

The Danish Immigration Service can be reached on telephone: 33 92 33 80 or email: [email protected]

8.3 Learning Danish

You may debate whether your career opportunities will be enhanced by learning a language spoken by only 5 million people, but what can’t be questioned is that learning Danish will immeasurably deepen your experience of living in Denmark! Speaking the local language is the first key to unlocking a culture’s idiosyncrasies (and really helps when you are trying to decipher labels at the grocery store!).

As an immigrant, you are also entitled to participate in language instruction (amazingly!) free of charge at one of the country’s many state-operated language schools (Sprogcentre). There are both day and evening classes available and, during the approximately 1 1/2 years an international student will reside in Denmark, s/he can certainly attain a high level of fluency! Read more about the schools and find the one closest to your home at www.kbh-sprogcenter.dk/home

8.4 Accommodation

Please note that the housing situation in our capital is one of the most severe ones in Europe. Rooms at a lower price level in Copenhagen are hard to find. Aalborg University International Accommodation Office (AAU IAO) CPH disposes at the moment of a limited number of 1 person rooms in student halls situated outside the city. They are in a suburban area, but with an accaptable commuting distance to our campus.

We have to stress the fact that the AAU CPH does not offer any housing guarantee along with your place of study. It will not be possible for our office to find and secure an accommodation for all applicants during their time and study here, but we will assist and guide you as much as we can in the process.

You may find information concerning accommodation at:

www.ciu.dk; www.kollegierneskontor.dk; www.findbolig.nu; www.boligbutikken-for-ht.dk, www.findroomate.dk, www.boligbasen.dk, www.boligportalen.dk

For assistance in your search for accommodation in Copenhagen please turn to the homepage: http://www.en.aau.dk/education/apply/international-accommodation-office/copenhagen/

8.5 Where to Get HelpEmergencies: DIAL 112, medical emergencies: 1813Police

Copenhagen Police, Politigården, 1567 København V.

Phone: 114 or 33141448 / E-mail: [email protected]

Emergency rooms

There are several emergency rooms in the Copenhagen area. They accept people who are seriously ill or injured. You can just show up, but will get good advice and quicker service if you call before arriving. However, always consider if it is rather an issue for your general practitioner (whose name and phone number is printed on your Health Insurance Card). Remember to bring the Health Insurance Card if you go to the emergency room – they need your CPR-number to register your visit.

Hillerød Hospital SkadestuenHelsevej 2, 3400 Hillerød, phone: 48 29 36 31 Helsingør Hospital SkadecenterEsrumvej 145, 3000 Helsingør, phone: 48 29 24 01 Frederikssund Hospital Skadestuen Frederikssundsvej 30, 3600 Frederikssund, 48 29 55 40 Amager Hospital SkadestuenKastrupvej 63, 2300 København S, phone: 32 34 35 00Bispebjerg Hospital SkadestuenBispebjerg Bakke 23 - 7C, 2400 København NV, 35 31 23 72 Frederiksberg Hospital SkadestuenNordre Fasanvej 57, 2 - 3A, 2000 Frederiksberg, 38 16 35 22Hvidovre Hospital SkadestuenKettegård Allé 30, 2650 Hvidovre, Tlf: 36 32 25 57 Gentofte Hospital SkadestuenNiels Andersens Vej 65, 2900 Hellerup, phone: 39 77 37 65 Glostrup Hospital ModtagelsenNordre Ringvej 57, 2600 Glostrup, 43 23 25 15Herlev Hospital ModtagelsenHerlev Ringvej 75, 2730 Herlev, 44 88 44 88

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New Student at Aalborg University · Web viewHowever, ‘AUB CPH´, in Copenhagen can be visited at A.C. Meyers Vænge 15, 2450 Copenhagen SV. The library is possible to access at