Pre-Departure Workshop

2. Pre-Departure Workshop

3. Why Study or Work Abroad? Icebreaker Activity: • Find 1 person in the room going to the same country, city or institution • Find 1 person in the room going to a different country, city or institution • Find out 1 thing they want to do or achieve during their year abroad

4. Why Study or Work Abroad? • Gain independence and life experience • Language and Inter-cultural communication skills • Work experience • Expand professional networks • Meet your life partner?! 1 million Erasmus babies and counting…

5. Why Study or Work Abroad? • Gone International: Mobile Students and their outcomes • Lower proportion of graduates who were Internationally mobile were unemployed (5.4% compared to 6.7%) • Higher proportion of graduates who were Internationally mobile were working abroad (11%) compared to 2%) • Mobile graduates earning more in 40 out of 67 subjects

6. Fees and Funding

7. Student Finance England/ SFW Support You are still eligible for the funding from SFE/SFW that you would normally receive had you stayed at UWE. Maintenance Grant & Fee Loan Students who receive a maintenance grant from SFE/SFW may get a larger grant – paid at the ‘abroad rate’ for 15/16 year as well as the fee loan How? Contact SFE & inform you will be studying abroad – submit a confirmation letter, or request a ‘Course Abroad form’ – complete and return ASAP

8. Student Finance England/ SFW Support Travel Grant SFE/SFW funded students may be eligible for a means-tested travel grant to cover travel costs to/from a study abroad destination, beyond the first £303. How? Contact SFE & inform you will be studying abroad – submit a confirmation letter, or request a ‘Course Abroad form’ – complete and return ASAP. Then make an application for a Travel Grant. Note: Grant payments are retrospective & you must submit original travel receipts https://www.gov.uk/travel-grants-students-england

9. UWE Bursary • No UWE Bursary for Study/Work students who are abroad for the full academic year during 15/16 but alternative bursaries and grants are available • When you return to UWE to complete your final year, payments will automatically restartif you still meet the Bursary eligibility criteria. • For information on the eligibility criteria see http://www1.uwe.ac.uk/students/feesandfunding/fundingandscholarships/uwebursary2015/bursaryforreturningstudents/uweprogressionbursary.aspx/ • Queries can be directed to uwe.bursary@uwe.ac.uk

10. ‘Erasmus’ vs ‘Study Abroad’ • European destination = ‘Erasmus’ – either Study or Traineeship (work). • Non-European destination (VCU, Taylors) = ‘Study Abroad’ • Different implications for Grants and Bursaries • Tuition fees to UWE reduced for 15-16 and no tuition fees paid to ‘host University’ • Still a registered student at UWE during your exchange

11. Study Abroad Bursary • £1000 one-off payment for Study Abroad students (VCU, Taylors) ONLY – Erasmus students NOT eligible • Complete and return application form • Paid when you arrive and register at the host Institution and return the certificate of arrival • Changes to the duration of period of study abroad – notify Studyabroad@uwe.ac.uk - may affect eligibility • Terms and Conditions apply and include agreeing to promote the Study Abroad Scheme to students when you return to UWE

12. Erasmus Study Grant How much is it? • EUR300/ EUR250 per month dependent on destination country: • Study Placement students who receive the UWE Bursary will receive a supplementary EUR100 per month • Total amount is calculated using term dates (in the Erasmus Student Contract).

13. Erasmus Study Grant How do I get it? • Paid in £ into your bank account in 2 instalments – make sure your details are correct! • 1st payment (70%) when we have received • Erasmus Grant Agreement • Learning Agreement • Certificate of Arrival • 2nd payment(30%) when we have received • Certificate of Departure • Confirmation of completion of online Erasmus Student Report

14. Erasmus Study Grant Example • France – 9 months = EUR2700 (Approx. £1950) • EUR1890 in September • EUR810 in May • If you return home before a minimum of 3 months, you may need to repay the full grant amount • Final payment is adjusted if you return earlier than the dates in your Grant Agreement

15. Erasmus Study Grant Agreement • Contains: • Term dates • Bank details • Erasmus Student Charter: specifies your rights and obligations as an Erasmus student • Information on the terms and conditions of receiving the Erasmus grant • Your Grant Agreement will be sent by email in your Erasmus information pack • You must complete and return this to studyabroad@uwe.ac.uk by the deadline stated in the information pack

16. Certificates of Arrival & Departure • Certificate of Arrival • Signed on arrival - by Erasmus/International Office staff • Quick return = quick payment • Can email a scan copy or post it • Certificate of Departure • Remember to get it signed on your last day of teaching/exams • No final grant payment without it • Template copies will be sent by email in your Erasmus information pack

17. Learning Agreement • Specifies the modules you will study abroad and how many European Credits (ECTS) they are worth. 120 UWE Credits = 60 ECTS • Learning Agreements must be the UK version which include: • Module information • Contact details of Academic coordinators from UWE and your host institution confirming approval of your module choices • Signatures from above to confirm approval of your module choices • Changes to modules must be recorded and approved on a learning agreement • Study Abroad keeps fully signed (student, host and home institution) copy • Template copy will be sent by email in your Erasmus information pack

18. Documentation Do’s and Don’ts • Read and understand your Grant Agreement and Learning Agreement • Send clear photocopies, scans, high quality photos • Don’t send blurry images in large files • Send it yourself by email and post a hard copy with ink signatures • Ask staff at your host institution to send it on your behalf • Send to Studyabroad@uwe.ac.uk • Return partly completed or blank forms

19. Erasmus Student Report • Must complete online within 30 days of the end of the exchange period • Email will be sent to you by the British Council • Feedback mechanism • Also UWE Testimonials

20. UWE Go Global Bursary • Who can apply for the UWE Go Global Bursary? • Current UK domiciled undergraduate student. Final year students need to apply by 14 July 2015 & started the opportunity by 1 January 2016 • In receipt of a Student Finance Maintenance Grant/Special Support Grant/NHS means tested bursary and/or a UWE Bursary What is the UWE Go Global Bursary? UWE Go Global Bursary gives you the chance to apply for funding of up to £500 to help you undertake any international work opportunities • How do I apply? • Go onto InfoHub and fill in the UWE Undergraduate Go Global Bursary Application • More info: Careers Website > Opportunities Overseas

21. What happens next…..? Erasmus study and work students will receive an information pack by email Study Abroad students who complete the Study Abroad Bursary application form will receive a confirmation letter and a template Certificate of Arrival All students should contact SFE or equivalent to make them aware that they will be abroad for 15-16 All students need to follow their host institutions’ instructions to register, enrol, select modules and apply for accommodation NB: It is your responsibility to inform us of any change in your circumstances…. HAVE A WONDERFUL AND SAFE STUDY ABROAD!! Queries to studyabroad@uwe.ac.uk

22. Thank you Any questions?