Study Abroad Information

Session
 • Why study abroad?

• Where can I go?

• When can I go?

• What will a year abroad cost?

• How do I apply?

• What happens once I’ve submitted my application?

• Frequently asked questions

Overview
NB-theinformationgivenis correct at thetime of the presentation.
As one of our students who studied abroad said, ‘The best year you spend at
university could actually be the one you spend away from it!’

By spending time overseas you can:

- Enhance your overall knowledge and understanding of your subject.

- Develop your intercultural skills - valuable in a globalised employment market.

- Have the opportunity to widen your network of friends and future contacts.

- Increase your independence and self-confidence as you tackle challenges in a new

environment.

Why study abroad?

2nd year abroad

Students from all departments except the ones below can apply to spend their second year abroad.

-Classics
-Drama and Theatre Studies
-English
-Geography
-History
-Law
-Media Arts (with the exception of students on the BA Film and Television Studies)
-Music
-Psychology

NB Due to the availability of courses in English, you are not able spend your 2 nd year abroad in China,
Japan or Korea.

When can I go? 2nd year abroad

https://www.royalholloway.ac.uk/studying-here/studying-abroad/
royal-holloway-students-studying-abroad/what-are-my-options/
3rd year abroad - the International Year pathway

Students from the following departments can apply to spend a year abroad between their second and final year on
the International Year pathway

- Classics
- Drama and Theatre Studies
- English
- Geography
- History
- Liberal Arts
- Politics, International relations and Philosophy

Students taking this option will be assessed on the marks obtained at the partner university. These will be
converted and transferred to their RHUL record. Currently, you cannot study in China, Korea or Japan on the
International Year pathway.

When can I go? 3rd year abroad – the International Year pathway
3rd year abroad – the Placement Year pathway.

- All second year students can apply to study abroad as part of options available through
the Placement Year.

- Under this scheme, you will be assessed by means of written work set by Royal
Holloway which aims to give you the opportunity to reflect on the skills developed during
their time abroad.

- This process of reflection is designed to help you prepare for the process of finding
employment.

NB Please register your interest in taking part in the Optional Placement Year by going
to https://moodle.royalholloway.ac.uk/course/view.php?id=9226

When can I go? 3rd year abroad - the Placement Year pathway
https://www.royalholloway.ac.uk/studying-here/studying-abroad/royal-
holloway-students-studying-abroad/what-are-my-options/
Royal Holloway has agreements with universities around the world and you study abroad for a
year. You can also apply as part of an exchange to take part in a summer school.

Royal Holloway’s exchange agreements with the following universities include a summer
school:

Korea University, Seoul, South Korea

Universidad de Las Americas Puebla (UDLAP), Mexico
Shanghai International Studies University (SISU) Shanghai, China

This means that students can apply to spend a summer abroad and do not pay tuition fees
to the partner universities for their programme of study.

Where can I go? International Summer Schools

https://www.royalholloway.ac.uk/studying-here/studying-abroad/royal-
holloway-students-studying-abroad/what-are-my-options/
This could be for you if you want to go abroad are looking for a shorter experience.

You have to apply for a place at one of the summer schools mentioned and you pay no tuition fees
to the partner university. However, you cannot transfer credit from summer school courses back to
RHUL.

Please see the International Exchange handbook for further information.

You can apply to other summer schools but you will be liable for all costs, including tuition
fees and we are unable to provide support during the application process.

Summer School
opportunities
No tuition fees paid to the host university. This is the case whether you study abroad during your 2nd
or 3rd year or at the summer schools mentioned on the previous slide

Normally reduced fees paid to Royal Holloway.

However, you are liable for all living, travel and insurance costs during your time overseas.

If you are interested in studying abroad in Canada, the US or Japan, be aware that, if you require
a student visa, you will be required to show that you have the correct amount of funding available to
cover your living costs whilst abroad. Please ensure you check the relevant university’s and embassy’s
website for up to date information on the amounts required.

What will a year abroad cost?

Living costs
These costs will vary from country to country - research, research, research!
Do consider:
- accommodation
- travel both to and from the partner university
- any leisure travel that you wish to do
- settling in costs, phone calls, books and leisure activities
- insurance
- fluctuating exchange rates

Funding
Student Finance normally continue funding. However, this may not be at the same level. You are
also able to apply for an SFE Travel Grant.

What will a year abroad cost?

Scholarships and other forms of funding

If you are in receipt of any scholarship either from Royal Holloway or other organisations, it will be your
responsibility to check with the fund’s administrator regarding whether payments will continue during a
year abroad.

It may also be possible for you to receive funding from the UK Government’s Turing scheme for your
period of study abroad https://www.turing-scheme.org.uk/

What will a year abroad cost?

 Tuition fees payable in 2022-23

Fee status Year out Type Fee

UK international exchange Study 15%

Optional Placement Year (including industry,

UK volunteering and study placements) 20%

International compulsory exchange Study 20%

International non-compulsory exchange* Study 100%

Optional Placement Year (including industry,

International volunteering and study placements) 20%

*Non-compulsory exchange refers to students opting to take an entire year abroad that isn’t an additional
year to their degree programme, i.e. it replaces the 2nd year at Royal Holloway. For this reason, 100% tuition
fee is charged.

What will a year abroad cost?

Please make sure you read the International Exchange handbook 2022/2023 which will be available on
the Outgoing Exchange Students Moodle page i.e where this presentation has been posted.

Supporting documents

-Personal statement
-Two academic references from RHUL staff. At least one must be from a permanent member of staff
e.g your
personal tutor.
-A level certificates (first year students) / Interim transcript (second year students)

Entrance requirements
Mainly average of 60% in your end of year exams with no individual course unit/ half course unit mark
below
40%. If you are a second year student, you must also be in good academic standing i.e you passed all
modules in your first year.
The deadline for applications is 9am, 13 December 2021

How do I apply?
1. Following submission, CeDAS assesses applications. Shortlisted candidates are normally invited to
interview in January – first week of term. The interviews will be camera to camera or face to face
depending on Covid-19 regulations at the time.
2. Decision normally made by within one week of interviews and successful students are nominated to
one of our partner universities.
3. Students attend 1st pre-departure briefing.
4. Students submit their application to the partner university (February – May depending on
application deadline). Please note for some universities, especially in Canada, the US and Japan, you
will need to provide proof at the time of application that you have sufficient funds to support
yourself during your time abroad. This is an immigration requirement.
5. Student receives offer documents from partner university.
6. Student attends 2nd pre-departure briefing.
7. Student passes RHUL exams at required level, successfully obtains visa and leaves for the partner
university.

What happens once I’ve submitted my application?

If you are successful and obtain a place at one of our partner universities you will register
with them. At the same time, you will still be an RHUL student.

Keep in touch with RHUL and let us know immediately if you are experiencing any problems. This is
essential if you are taking your 2nd year abroad as failing any modules may jeopardise your progression
into your final year.

Keep in touch with CeDAS - department carrying out some research on how far a year abroad helps
students to develop intercultural skills.

What happens whilst I am

abroad?
We are currently working towards students being able to undertake an exchange in
2022-23. However, be aware that RHUL will follow the relevant guidelines at all times
and, should the pandemic continue throughout 2022, this may have an effect on any
prospective exchanges.

Therefore if you apply, make sure that you also have a Plan B i.e what will happen if you
cannot go abroad?

What about Covid-19?

What makes a good application? Detailed personal statement with a range of reasons for
wanting to apply to study abroad, strong academic background, evidence of research, suitable
study plan.

What courses will I study? This depends on when you are taking the time abroad.

Which partners can I apply for? See the International Exchange handbook

How many Universities can I choose? A maximum of five.

How many places at each partner? Usually a maximum of 2 places. However at the University
of California we have 6 places and we have 1 at the University of Toronto.

Frequently asked questions

The International Exchange handbook and the link to the application form will be available at
https://moodle.royalholloway.ac.uk/course/view.php?id=3458 from the end of the day on Friday 19
November.

Ensure that you read through the handbook before contacting us with any questions. You can get in
touch with us studyabroadstudents@rhul.ac.uk

Further
questions?