Study Abroad Host Locations

The information below is intended to help students applying to, or transfering to, a physics degree 'with European Study' at Exeter form an initial idea of the place where they will spend their year abroad. It was compiled and translated in November 1999 from information published on the WWW by the host institutions.

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Université de Rennes, France

Rennes

Rennes, the capital of Brittany, an urban community of some 330,000 inhabitants, is home to 60,000 students as well as 3,500 researchers in its Universities and other institutions of higher learning. Rennes can boast a busy cultural life whose highlights are a rock festival in December, a film festival in February, and the twilight shows of midsummer which feature concerts and plays. The University of Rennes 1 The University of Rennes 1 comprises approximately: 24,500 part-time students, 3500 full-time students, 1400 academic staff and 950 support staff. It is a multidisciplinary university situated essentially on three campuses in Rennes: Rennes Beaulieu in the east of the city, Rennes Centre with several sites, Rennes Villejean in the North-West of the city, Exeter students study physics on the Beaulieu campus and french on the Villejean campus. (The University of Rennes also has some establishments outside the city, on several sites in Brittany.)

Higher Education in France

Higher education is organised in three successive cycles of 2-years duration each. The 1st cycle consists of fundamental education and orientation. It lasts two years and leads to the Diplôme d'Etudes Universitaires Générales (DEUG). The 2nd cycle involves in-depth, general, scientific and technical study at a high level leading to the licence (one year of study after the DEUG), and the Maîtrise (one year of study after the licence). The 3rd cycle is highly specialised training in research leading to either the Diplôme d'Etudes Supérieures Spécialiées (DESS) for professional training of one year, involving an compulsory work placement in a company, or the Diplôme d'Etudes Approfondies (D.E.A.) for one year of training in research, leading on to a doctorate.

Student Accommodation at Rennes

Students live in Cités Universitaires (Halls of Residence) which typically offer students:

• a room, approximately 9m², single bed, table, chair, shelves, wash basin, wardrobe;
• communal showers & toilets (on each floor);
• communal kitchen on each floor;
• mixed residences.

CIREFE - French Courses for Foreigners

The CIREFE offers non-native french speaking students, who wish to perfect their french by study and practice, a special university course based on 30-years of experience.

Courses are given at three different levels and run from October to June. They are given by a team of university teachers in a dynamic cultural environment. More than 400 students follow the CIREFE courses of language, literature and french civilisation, each year.

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Universität Bayreuth, Germany

Bayreuth

Bayreuth, former home of Jean Paul and Richard Wagner, has today about 70,000 inhabitants and for a little more than two decades a university. Bayreuth boasts many cultural possibilities, including each year playing host to its famous Wagner-Festspiele (Wagner-Festival). In winter, Bayreuth is only 20 minutes from the Fichtel mountain range with its many skiing possibilities. One special feature of Bayreuth is that one can get everywhere on a bicycle, even to the ski-slopes.

The University of Bayreuth

In the Faculty of Mathematics and Physics there are a total number of 487 physics students and 19 lecturers in physics. This favorable numerical ratio enables close contact between students and lecturers.

The campus includes a botanical garden, a sports hall, football pitches, tennis courts and athletics facilities. The Glashaus houses a café in the afternoons and holds various evening events from films and poetry readings to 'hot Disco Nights'. The Mensa provides reasonably priced meals, beverages, snacks, nibbles and newspapers. There are also noticeboards displaying announcements from clubs societies and individuals. The university library has a reading room where both the german and international newspapers are available.

Student Accommodation in Bayreuth

The Akademische Auslandsamt (International Office) organises rooms in the Halls of Residence for foreign students. For instance, one package offered consists of

• Accommodation: A furnished room with common kitchen in student housing situated in the close to the campus.
• Meals (Mondays - Fridays): A loaded smart card for the Mensa (refectory).
• Membership of the Hall tutorial program.
• Information on health insurance.
• All other services of the Studentenwerks (which manages the Halls of Residence).

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Universidad de Cantabria, Spain

Cantabria and Santander

Santander is a medium-sized city with approximately 200,000 inhabitants. It was founded in the 18th century and developed in the following century thanks to flourishing commercial activity, and throughout the 20th century to tourist activity promoted by The Spanish Royal Family. It is located in the self-governed region of Cantabria, which lies on the Northern coast of Spain between Asturias and the Basque Country. The region of Cantabria has a diverse geography. The seaside landscape of beaches, bays and cliffs blends together with valleys and highland areas, such as the mountain range of The Picos de Europa, situated in the western area, only 100 km away from the coast. Several short but fast-flowing rivers cross the region, forming valleys perpendicular to The Cantabrian Sea.

The weather in Cantabria is very mild and humid throughout the year. (The average temperature in August is approximately 19°C and in December 9.5°C.) This humidity and non-extreme weather, fosters the development of a rich and varied natural environment with plenty of woods and prairies, together with a large number of animal species.

From the historical point of view, the region preserves important remains: Examples from the Prehistoric Era (the Altamira and Puente Viesgo Caves); outstanding Roman ruins, such as those of Julióbriga; medieval settlements, such as Santillana del Mar; and several examples of the civil and religious architecture of the nineteenth and twentieth centuries (The Palaces of Elsedo, Soñanes and Rañada, among others).

The University of Cantabria

The University of Cantabria (UC) is a medium-sized public multidisciplinary university that was established in 1972. Currently, it comprises about 15,000 students, 1000 academic staff in about 30 departments.

The University Language Centre (CIUC)

At the beginning of each semester THE LANGUAGE CENTRE, in collaboration with the International Relations Office, offers a course in Spanish for foreign students who come to the University through European programmes and bilateral agreements.

University Sports Courses

Sports and Physical Education promotes a wide range of activities, from physical training (aerobics, fitness, gymnastics, muscle building, tai-chi, yoga) to competitive sports (badminton, horse-riding, judo, paddle, canoeing, squash, taekwondo, tennis, sailing and windsurfing), to expression activities (ballroom dancing, 'sevillanas', etc.). Most of these courses last for a four-month period (from October to January and from February to May).

Sports and Leisure

Cantabria is endowed with many facilities for sports. Football pitches and the bowling arenas (a local sport) are the most widespread sports facilities throughout the region. Several leisure ports are located along the coast, providing sailing and surfing opportunities. In the mountainous areas, there are possibilities for mountaineering, trekking and skiing.

The city of Santander offers several cultural and leisure facilities, among which the following are the most outstanding:

• The Festival Hall, which offers a broad programme of activities throughout the year: classical music concerts, opera, zarzuela, jazz, theatre, dance and a Film Club showing art films. The Paloma O'Shea International Piano Competition, The Summer Cycle of Choral and Organ Music, and the International Festival of Santander are all held in the summer. There are art galleries and lectures on scientific and current-affairs topics.
• 4 museums in the city as well as many more throughout the region.
• Pubs and Cafes:
  Santander is a city well known for its pleasant and lively nightlife. Note should be made of the 'wine bar areas' where people have drinks inside and outside the bars. The most popular are those of Cañadío and Perines at night and Peña Herbosa and Vargas at midday and, in summer, The Sardinero. In Torrelavega, a town near Santander, attractions include the 'Winter Theatre Festival', the 'International Folk Festival' which takes place in May and the Film Club showing art films in their original language in the Arlequin Cinema.

Accommodation in Santander

Colegio Mayor Juan de la Cosa is a University Hall of Residence. It offers double rooms (all with bathroom and heating), cleaning service, direct telephone in corridors, dining-room, cafeteria, laundry and first aid medical care. Students must provide their own bed-linen, towels, study-lamps, etc. The monthly rate, is revised annually, and includes full board (breakfast, lunch and dinner).

Cost-of-Living Estimates

The following estimates have been made taking the academic year 1997-98 as a point of reference. Hence, the following information should only be used as a rough guide.

1. Accommodation: Hall of Residence 65,000-75,000 pta. (Double room and 3 meals)
2. Meals:
   • Colegio Mayor Juan de la Cosa Breakfast: 200 pta,
   • Hall of Residence Lunch / Dinner-650 pta,
   • University Restaurant 600-650 pta. per meal.
3. Personal Costs: books, photocopies, leisure etc 20,000 pta./month.

Approximate total cost (97/98): 85-95,000 pta. per month.

The Students' Information Office

This is an office managed by students, offering the following services:

• Academic information on degree programmes, etc.,
• information on cultural activities and organisation of non-academic activities for university students,
• creation of a Jobs Scheme so that students can participate in paid activities,
• advice on where to go for specific information.