Strathclyde Business SchoolUndergraduate

Do I have to go on exchange?

Yes. IBML and MIBML students complete a compulsory period of exchange in 4th year as an integral part of their degree. You will spend a full academic year on exchange on either a study or work placement.

How and when do I apply for my exchange place?

The SBS Exchange Team coordinates exchange for all students in the Business School. We start with general information sessions at the end of 1st and 2nd year to get you thinking about your exchange, and in 3rd year we run a number of sessions to explain the application process and offer advice on your choice of destination. We guide you through the entire process from application to departure, and 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 3rd year, and the approximate timeline you can expect is:

• Oct/Nov: Information Sessions
• Nov/Dec Strathclyde application process (online)
• Jan: Review of students’ Semester 1 academic performance
• Feb/Mar Review of applications and allocation of provisional exchange places
• By mid-Mar: Confirmation of allocations to students
• Mar onwards: Nomination and student application to host institution (according to host’s deadlines)
• Apr/May: Pre-departure meeting
• Jun: Review of students’ 3rd year academic performance, and confirmation of Board of Examiners Approval to go on exchange

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 Europe (France, Spain and Italy) and in French and Spanish speaking parts of North and South America. A full list of current partners is available at 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?

Yes, it’s possible to carry out a work placement instead of a study placement. The requirements for a work placement will vary according to the degree pathway you’re following, ie:

• MIBML: the placement must be for the full academic year (min 8 months)
• IBML: The placement can be for one semester or two (4 or 8 months). Students doing a work placement for one semester will do a study placement for the other.

Students need to source the placement themselves and submit a proposal for approval. Your work placement should be related to your principal business subject and you must be working in the language you are studying, not in English.

Can I choose where I go on exchange?

As part of your application you will be able to choose 4 preferred institutions, in order of priority. You should make sure you choose institutions which have been recommended for your business subject. When allocating places, we will take your preferences, your academic performance and your language proficiency into account.

How can I find out about a particular university?

We can supply factsheets on most exchange universities. You will also be able to attend informal presentations given by our returning IBML students, and by students currently studying on exchange at Strathclyde. These presentations will give you an indication of what it’s like to study at a particular institution. We would also recommend you contact students who have been on exchange for specific information about the institution you are considering.

What is the language of instruction?

You will study in your principal language, ie French, Spanish or Italian.

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.

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.

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?

MIBML: You must pass all SBS classes at the first attempt with no fails or compensated passes, and achieve a weighted average of 60% across all 2nd and 3rd year classes. You must also satisfy the Honours/Masters entry requirements of your principal business subject prior to going on exchange.

IBML: You must pass all SBS subjects and satisfy the Honours entry requirements of your principal business subject, prior to going on exchange

What do I study on exchange?

You will follow an approved curriculum according to your degree pathway:

MIBML: You must pass 60 ECTS on exchange. Of those, at least 40 ECTS must be in business classes with as many as possible related to your principal business subject. You may also take classes in other business subjects and international business. Up to 20 ECTS can be in language classes (your principal language). All classes must be taught in your principal language and will be at Level 4/M1.

IBML: You must pass 40 ECTS on exchange. Of those, at least 30 ECTS must be in business and language classes taught in your principal language. Up to 10 ECTS can be taught in English. You should aim to have a broad business/international business curriculum including some classes related to your principal business subject. You can take classes up to Level 4.

Who is my academic contact?

There is an academic adviser in each department who will be able to offer advice about classes that might be useful in preparation for your final year at Strathclyde:

• Accounting - Craig McLaughlin, craig.mclaughlin@strath.ac.uk
• Finance - Juliane Thamm, juliane.thamm@strath.ac.uk
• Hunter Centre/Business Enterprise - Veselina Stoyanova, veselina.stoyanova@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

For advice about language requirements throughout your degree, please contact the French, Spanish or Italian department of HASS.

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 their final 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 or take additional classes in order to achieve the require number of credits for your degree. There is no opportunity to make up failed credits once you return to Strathclyde.

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

Studying abroad is an integral part of your degree at Strathclyde and 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.

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/Masters, rather than on preliminary research for your dissertation.

How do I apply for Honours/Masters?

Honours/Masters applications are managed by your academic departments. Please keep in touch with your departments while you are away and make sure that they are aware that you intend to apply. 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?

If you are a UK or EU national, you should not need a visa to travel within Europe. However, if you are travelling to one of our exchange partners in North or South America, 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 or you may require to make an appointment at the appropriate embassy or consulate to obtain a visa in person. 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 (eg South America), 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.