Strathclyde Business SchoolUndergraduate

I’m a BA Business student, can I go on exchange?

For students studying the BA Hons Business degree, going for a semester overseas in third year is a voluntary option. We are keen to support as many students as possible to have an international experience and you will have the opportunity to apply for an exchange place. However, as demand is usually extremely high, unfortunately an exchange place is not guaranteed.

How and when do I apply for my exchange place?

The SBS Exchange Team coordinates exchange for all students in the Business School. We manage the application process and provide advice and guidance throughout the entire process from application to departure. We are your first point of contact for all matters relating to your exchange both before and during your exchange abroad.

You will apply for your exchange place during the first semester of 2nd year, and the approximate timeline you can expect is:

• Oct/Nov: Email explaining the opportunities for exchange and the application process
• Nov/Dec Strathclyde application process (online)
• Jan/Feb: Review of students’ Semester 1 academic performance
• Mar-May: Review of applications and allocation of provisional exchange places. We aim to communicate the outcome of every application to students by the end of Semester 1
• Mar onwards: Nomination to host institution (according to host’s deadlines)
• Mar-Dec Student application to host institution (according to host’s deadlines)
• Jun: Review of students’ 2nd year academic performance, and confirmation of Board of Examiners Approval to go on exchange
• Nov/Dec: Pre-departure meeting for students going on exchange in Semester 2

Where can I study?

You can only go on exchange to a university which has a formal exchange agreement in place with Strathclyde. We work with universities across Asia, Europe, Australasia and the Americas and a full list of current partners is available here. Our partners are reviewed regularly so could vary year on year, and the number of places at each institution will also vary year on year.

Can I do a work placement?

Work placements are not available as part of the BA Business degree. As your exchange is an integral part of your 3rd year, you require to study the equivalent of the core classes you would be studying at Strathclyde to ensure that you have covered appropriate material for Honours year. You would not be able to achieve this on a work placement.

Can I choose where I go on exchange?

As part of your application you are able to choose your preferred geographical location. SBS requires that students are allocated a host institution which can offer the equivalent of the core classes in each of your principal business subjects, and during the review and allocation phase we “match” you to an institution which is suitable for both your principal subjects. You have the opportunity to provide additional information explaining the reasons for your choice of location, and where possible this is taken into consideration during allocation. However, it isn’t possible to choose a particular university.

Can I choose which semester I go abroad?

If successful, BA Business students will go on exchange for one semester in Semester 2.

How can I find out about a particular university?

We can supply factsheets on most exchange universities. You will also be able to read reports written by returning students on their experience at a particular university. Once you have received your allocation, you will be able to contact returning students for advice on classes, accommodation, social life, transport and more.

If I go to a non-English speaking country, do I need to know the language?

Many of our exchange partners are based in non-English speaking parts of the world, but all your classes in the university will be taught in English. Many partners offer pre-sessional language classes to help you acclimatise to the new culture.

What happens if I get homesick?

Adjusting to a new environment may take some time, and some students take a little while to settle into their studies. We expect you to prepare for this transition before you go by finding out as much as possible about your allocated university and about the culture of the country you’re travelling to so that you have an idea of what to expect. You will attend a Pre-Departure meeting before you go on exchange and this will provide advice on settling into your new environment. We also recommend that you speak to returning students for advice on how they adjusted and they may be able to give you specific information about the institution you will be attending.

While you are on exchange, if you do have any difficulties you can contact the SBS Exchange Team for advice about any specific issues you’re having. You should also make use of the support offered by the international student support staff at your exchange university, as they would be able to advise on the particular support services which could help.

How much will it cost?

On exchange, tuition fees continue to be paid to Strathclyde University and you can apply to SAAS or your LEA for financial support in the normal way (you must remember to advise your LEA that you are going on exchange, where and when, during the loan application process). You do not require to pay tuition fees to your host university as these are covered in the exchange agreement. However, you will be responsible for the cost of travel, insurance, visa application, accommodation, meals, books and general living costs. A conservative estimate for the cost of a one-semester exchange would be £6-8,000 depending on your destination.

In some parts of the world (in particular USA and Asia), you will need to provide evidence of how you will fund yourself during your exchange. This is likely to happen as part of the application to your host university, and you will need to provide copies of bank statements, student loan award letters etc when requested. Advice will be given by your host university and by the SBS Exchange Team on this.

Is there financial support available for exchange?

Students with an exchange in Europe are eligible for Erasmus+ funding. The amount varies from year to year and will depend on your destination, and although it will not meet all your costs, it will assist with your living costs. If you are allocated a place in Europe you will receive information about the application process for Erasmus+ funding.

Students with an exchange outside Europe can expect to incur additional costs, eg health insurance and visa fees. You would be eligible to apply to the Neil Hood Memorial Fund for a scholarship, and full details of the application process will be provided to all eligible students. Other scholarship opportunities may be available through the Alumni & Development department.

What is the academic criteria to be permitted to go on exchange?

You must pass all your second year classes at the first attempt, with no fails or compensated passes, and achieve a weighted average of 55% for your 2nd year. You must also obtain confirmation from the Board of Examiners that you have been permitted to go on exchange.

What do I study on exchange?

You will follow an approved curriculum which will include the equivalent of the core business classes you would take at Strathclyde in 3rd year.

Who is my academic contact?

There is an academic adviser in each department who will be able to offer advice and answer questions about the core classes you will take on exchange:

• Accounting - Craig McLaughlin, craig.mclaughlin@strath.ac.uk
• Finance - Juliane Thamm, juliane.thamm@strath.ac.uk
• Hunter Centre/Business Enterprise - Dilshod Makhmadshoev, dilshod.makhmadshoev@strath.ac.uk
• Economics - Nikos Danias, nikolaos.danias@strath.ac.uk
• Management Science (Bus Analysis & Tech) - Abigail Colson, abigail.colson@strath.ac.uk
• Marketing - Ruth Thorn, ruth.thorn@strath.ac.uk
• Marketing - Susan Millar, susie.millar@strath.ac.uk
• WEO, HTM - Konstantinos Tomazos, k.tomazos@strath.ac.uk
• WEO, Management - Peter McInnes, peter.mcinnes@strath.ac.uk
• WEO, HRM - Tony McCarthy, joseph.mccarthy@strath.ac.uk
• International Business - Ying Zhang, weo-ib-ibml@strath.ac.uk

Do I need to achieve a particular grade on exchange?

No, you only require to achieve a pass for each class according to the pass mark set by your exchange institution.

What happens if I fail a class on exchange?

The vast majority of students perform well on exchange, pass their required classes and proceed to Honours year without complication. If you find you are having academic difficulties while you are on exchange, you should arrange to speak to a tutor or lecturer and seek advice on how you can improve your performance in that class. Always ask for feedback on assignments and examinations as this will help you understand where you went wrong. You can also contact the SBS Exchange Team for advice and support.

If you fail a class on exchange you would be expected to take advantage of any resit opportunities offered by your host institution. If you are unable to resit the exam at your host institution, your case will be taken to the Board of Examiners and action recommended to allow you to complete your External Study period and progress to Honours. You should be aware that if you fail a core class, this may affect your eligibility to proceed to Honours in that subject. Your academic department would be able to advise on the specific criteria for Honours entry in that subject.

How will the credits I obtain on exchange transfer to my degree at Strathclyde?

You will receive full academic recognition for the classes you successfully complete at your host institution. This will be credited towards your Strathclyde degree.

When you complete your exchange your transcript of results will be sent to Strathclyde and this will be reviewed to ensure you have taken and passed the appropriate classes for your degree. You will receive a “Pass” or “Fail” for your exchange period and the appropriate number of credits will be validated by the Board of Examiners. Your final grades for each class taken will only appear on your exchange transcript, not on your Strathclyde Pegasus record.

What do I need to study for MDP during my exchange?

MDP3 students on exchange will follow the International Pathway and assessments are likely to include blog entries, in-country analysis and a reflective report based on your exchange abroad. Enquiries about MDP can be addressed to sbs-mdp@strath.ac.uk.

Can I start to work on my dissertation during my period abroad?

It’s a good idea to think about your dissertation topic during your exchange period, and some students find that an element of their studies abroad inspires their choice of topic. However, you should follow the advice from your department on how and when to start the research for your dissertation. Remember, on exchange your focus should be on successfully passing your exams to ensure progression to Honours, rather than on preliminary research for your dissertation.

How do I apply for Honours?

Honours applications are managed by your academic departments and they would be able to give advice on the criteria for entry to Honours in a particular subject. Please keep in touch with your departments while you are away and make sure that they are aware that you intend to apply for Honours. Final approval is based on your performance at Strathclyde, and on obtaining a Pass for your all the core and elective classes you were required to take on exchange.

Will I need a visa?

This will depend on the country you are traveling to and your nationality. If you are a UK or EU national, you should not need a visa to travel within Europe. However, if you are travelling to other parts of the world then it is likely you will need to apply for a visa, and there will be an administrative fee to do so. You may be able to apply for a visa online (eg Australia) or you may require to make an appointment at the appropriate embassy or consulate to obtain a visa in person (eg USA). Students travelling to Hong Kong are likely to complete a visa application as part of the application to your host university. You should follow the advice given by your host university and the SBS Exchange Team about how and when you should apply for your visa.

Do I need to take out insurance for my studies abroad?

All students who are studying abroad as part of their degree course at Strathclyde are require to take out travel and medical insurance cover under the University insurance policy. Coverage is comprehensive and is free of charge to Strathclyde students. Students travelling on exchange to Europe are also advised to take out a European Health Insurance Card (EHIC).

Some host universities, particularly outside Europe, operate a mandatory health insurance scheme which all students must take, irrespective of any other policy you may hold. You should investigate this once you are allocated a host university, and information on this should be detailed in the factsheet you will receive and during the application process to your host university.

Will I need to get vaccinations before I leave?

Vaccinations may be necessary in some parts of the world, particularly if you intend travelling to other countries before or after your exchange. You would be advised to make an appointment with your GP well in advance of the start of your exchange so that you can plan ahead – some vaccinations require a course of injections over a period of time so don’t leave this to the last minute.

Do I need to provide emergency contact details?

Yes. You will attend a mandatory Pre-Departure meeting before you go on exchange which will offer advice on health and safety matters, and you will complete a Pre-Departure Questionnaire which should include contact details of a family member or friend who we can contact in the event of an emergency. It’s essential that you provide these details before you travel abroad.

Who can I contact for help in an emergency?

Strathclyde has an Emergency Management Team in place so that you can always get in touch with someone, any time day or night. Details will be provided during the Pre-Departure meeting.