GV3SAP: Study Abroad Programme

Module code: GV3SAP

Module provider: Geography and Environmental Science; School of Archaeology, Geography and Environmental Science

Credits: 40

Level: Level 3 (Honours)

When you'll be taught: Semester 1

Module convenor: Dr Aleks Pluskowski, email: a.g.pluskowski@reading.ac.uk

Pre-requisite module(s):

Co-requisite module(s):

Pre-requisite or Co-requisite module(s):

Module(s) excluded: IN TAKING THIS MODULE YOU CANNOT TAKE GV3FC OR TAKE GV3HGF OR TAKE GV3PGF OR TAKE GV2SAY (Compulsory)

Placement information: Mini placement

Academic year: 2024/5

Available to visiting students: No

Talis reading list: No

Last updated: 20 May 2024

Overview

Module aims and purpose

This module allows students to opt to spend Semester 1 of their final year at one of our partner institutions where the University has an exchange agreement. Each study abroad student takes modules equivalent to 40 credits, which are substituted for course credits in Reading. Your Study Abroad Coordinator will advise you regarding transfer of credits back to your degree programme.

The aims of the study abroad programme are to develop a knowledge of a range of subject areas relating to the study of Geography and Environmental Science and to provide students with an understanding of how these subject areas are perceived and taught overseas. Students will develop an awareness of the different methodologies and will develop research and writing skills appropriate to their new learning environment.

A range of grants and bursaries are potentially available, depending on where you are studying, and whether you meet eligibility criteria. Funding might be competitive.

Module learning outcomes

By the end of the module, it is expected that students will be able to:

1. Follow a prescribed number of appropriate courses at the partner institution, as agreed by both institutions on a Learning Agreement
2. Complete the appropriate continuous assessment and examination requirements for the these courses
3. Ensure that, where appropriate, they have completed or terminated in the required manner any contract or agreement with the partner institution

Module content

Students will follow courses relating to subject areas they have already taken - in order to extend and develop their knowledge - and/or to subject areas where they have restricted knowledge but which they wish to study for personal, academic or career reasons.

Students study the equivalent of 40 credits and their grade will be converted to the UK system and represent 40 credits of the final year assessment. Content depends on module selection and destination.

Additional costs depend on country and institution. However, you should expect to pay for:

• services which you would normally expect to pay for at Reading e.g. housing, food, travel, social activities etc. 
• entry / study visa to host country 
• insurance – most non-European universities insist that exchange students take out their mandatory insurance coverage in order to join their Study Abroad Programme . Please make sure you are fully aware of any possible charges when considering possible destinations. Eligible students might be able to retrospectively recoup some / all of the costs incurred for the Mandatory Medical Insurance claim from Student Finance (via the Student Finance Travel Grant). 
• a small application charge – details will be noted on the partner’s website (although this is very rare). 
• additional small charges not covered by the tuition fee waiver – e.g. Art consumables etc.  This should be comparable to what you would expect to pay if studying at the University of Reading. 

Your host institution will advise you of any additional small charges which are to be levied at the time of application. 

Structure

Teaching and learning methods

Depending on the course of study followed, teaching and learning may range from lecture format to small group project and team presentation work.

Study hours

This module is a placement or study abroad module and therefore the teaching and learning activities will predominantly, or entirely, take place away from the University of Reading. Your host organisation will normally advise you of the associated hours of your placement or year abroad. If the module includes any in-person activities at the University of Reading, these will be confirmed to you before the start of the module.

Please note the independent study hours above are notional numbers of hours; each student will approach studying in different ways. We would advise you to reflect on your learning and the number of hours you are allocating to these tasks.

Semester 1 The hours in this column may include hours during the Christmas holiday period.

Semester 2 The hours in this column may include hours during the Easter holiday period.

Summer The hours in this column will take place during the summer holidays and may be at the start and/or end of the module.

Assessment

Requirements for a pass

The marks that students achieve at their host university will be brought back with them to the University of Reading. After translation in accordance with the agreed formula, the marks will be applied to this module and, if applicable, used in the calculation of progression and/or the overall classification.

Summative assessment

Penalties for late submission of summative assessment

As determined by the host institution.

Formative assessment

Formative assessment is any task or activity which creates feedback (or feedforward) for you about your learning, but which does not contribute towards your overall module mark.

This will vary for each student depending on the final choice of courses and on the institution.

Reassessment

Additional costs