The Department of Physics follows the University code of good practice for student study abroad. Students on the Study Abroad programmes will meet with the relevant Study Abroad Co-ordinator to discuss in detail the arrangements for their year abroad, by the end of the Spring Term (North American/Australian/New Zealand Study) or the beginning of the Summer term (European Study) of their Stage 2 year. While abroad the student will have access to e-mail and will stay in occasional contact with the Study Abroad Co-ordinator in Exeter. As part of the bilateral arrangements students will also have an advisor in their host institution.
The Department of Physics has links with:
The document Study Abroad Host Locations gives brief descriptions of the European hosts and locations. Students planning to study in Europe will find some interesting background material via the International Office Webpage.
Students who study abroad often keep diaries or make notes for the benefit of those who will follow them. Copies of these are available from the Study Abroad Co-ordinator.
The British Council also publishes cases studies describing students' experiences.
Students planning to study abroad will find the detailed information they require on the website of the host institution. Search for their pages for international students.
While abroad students will follow a full timetable of physics or theoretical physics modules, the specifics of which will be decided in conjunction with the host institution and the student, in accordance with the University code of good practice for Student Placements and Study Abroad.
Note: Study abroad is academically demanding and students should note carefully the progression requirements given in the Examination Conventions section of this handbook.
In the event that there are more students wishing to study abroad in a particular institution than there are places available, priority will be given to the choices of students with the highest average mark (credit weighted, with level 2 modules given twice the weight of level 1 modules).
In the event that all the host institution places are full in a student's destination country of choice, priority will be given to students who applied to the programme via UCAS, as opposed to transferring onto the programme after entry to the University.
Some Local Education Authorities may pay for at least one round-trip to the host institution. Apparently, the cost of medical insurance for students visiting host institutions outside the EU may be claimed from local education authorities.
Students study abroad in Europe under the ERASMUS scheme. They therefore pay no tuition fees for the year abroad and also get an ERASMUS grant. Reports by previous students (see above) say that the halls of residence in Rennes (France) cost about a quarter of that of similar accommodation in Exeter as they are subsidised by the French government.
A student studying abroad in North America, Australia or New Zealand pays approximately half the normal Exeter tuition fees for the year abroad. The Exeter student pays their (reduced) tuition fees to Exeter. Reports by previous students (see above) have commented on the cost of living and studying abroad but, obviously, their figures need adjusting for changes in currency exchange rates.
The best 45 ECTS credits of marks returned from the host institutions will be translated into Exeter equivalent marks. Where available, mark distribution obtained by all students taking the relevant modules abroad will be compared with the mark distributions obtained by Exeter physics students. In this way, marks on an Exeter scale will be obtained. The point of this translation is to avoid unfairness arising from the different assessment systems used in different countries.
Language Proficiency (PHYM301): The Foreign Language Centre will examine the language proficiency of the returning students in June in the Summer term of their Stage 3 year.
Students who fail the year abroad will, with the permission of Faculty Board, be required to repeat the third year at Exeter of the corresponding MPhys programmes (F303 or F323) or transfer into the final year of the corresponding BSc programme (F300 or F342).
Before the start of their Stage 4 year students will complete as part of their studies a dissertation covering the background physics to the project which they will complete in Year 4 (PHYM419).
Each module taken at the overseas host institution will be assigned a mark, corresponding as far as possible to the Exeter conventions, by the Study Abroad Co-ordinator. The mark will normally be based on a combination of:
Like all marks, these will be subject to approval and moderation by the Physics Board of Examiners.
The Department uses the grade conversion table published elsewhere in the Physics Handbook to interpret letter-grades received from North American and New Zealand host institutions.
Students who fail the year abroad will, with the permission of Faculty Board, be required to repeat the third year at Exeter of the corresponding MPhys programmes (F303 or F323) or transfer into the final year of the corresponding BSc programme (F300 or F342).
In order to facilitate the assessment of their year abroad, students returning from host institutions must provide the Study Abroad Co-ordinator with a portfolio of work undertaken while they were away. This should include copies of:
The portfolio must be received and assessed in advance of the relevant Board of Examiners meeting. The Study Abroad Co-ordinator will notify students of the relevant deadlines, which vary from year to year.