School of Languages, Linguistics and Film The Year Abroad In German-speaking countries Meeting for 2 nd year students Wednesday 23 October 2012

Overview compulsory for all students of German. minimum 6-7 months studying or working abroad Studying from introductory level: recommend full year abroad Studying two languages: recommend spending time in the country where your weakest language is spoken. (Also possible to split your Year Abroad between two countries) Worth 120 credits and you will have to complete an assessment for Queen Mary whilst you are abroad (accounts for 12.5% of your degree)

Year Abroad options Study placement at a university under the European exchange programme in German-speaking country (ERASMUS) or independently Work placement: Teaching English as a foreign language assistant (British Council) Work placement in a German-speaking country (ERASMUS)

Study placements Study at our ERASMUS partner institutions. We have ERASMUS agreements with universities in Germany and Switzerland. ERASMUS grants available to support your studies Open to ALL students, regardless of nationality or fee status. Numbers are limited on individual exchanges. Application is competitive.

German-speaking study placements Augsburg (1) Bamberg (2) FU Berlin (2) Dresden (1) Heidelberg (2) Mainz (1) Mannheim (1) (recommended for Business Management) München (2) Potsdam (2) Tübingen (1) and in Switzerland: Zurich (1)

German-speaking study placements Augsburg (1) Bamberg FU Berlin (2) Dresden (1) Frankfurt (Oder) (2) Hannover (2) Heidelberg (1) (1 Anglistik) Hildesheim (1) Mainz (1) Mannheim (1) München (2) Postdam (2) Tübingen (1) and in Switzerland: Zurich (1)

Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München (LMU)

Johannes Gutenberg-Universität Mainz

Universität Mannheim

Other study placements (non-ERASMUS) Independent study placement This option is for those who wish to study at any other university within the European Union that we do not have an ERASMUS agreement with. You must apply to the institution independently and pay any fees due to the host institution yourself. There are no ERASMUS grants available for those who choose this option.

If you split your YA between Germany and France We recommend that you spend your 1 st semester in France, and your 2 nd semester in Germany. It is essential that you check the academic calendar of the universities you’re interested in to avoid clashes with beginning of classes and final examinations

Language Assistantships Teaching English as a foreign language assistant Teaching in primary or secondary schools or in universities Locations: Germany, Switzerland, Austria Generous salary in addition to ERASMUS grant BC registration forms must be downloaded directly from their website: Students must get a reference from a member of academic staff and therefore alert the person as soon as possible!

Language Assistantships Only those who hold a EU passport and have completed their secondary education in the UK are eligible. Students will also need to be native level speakers of English.

Work placements - criteria Office-based/classroom based opportunities only Must demonstrate exposure to the target language Any German-speaking country Needs to be approved by the Year Abroad Committee: work placement details form, job description and confirmation from the employer to be submitted by 16 th May 2014 at the latest Once approved – complete training agreement

Examples of German-speaking work placements in earlier years Project Assistant & Marketing/Translation positions at the Technische Universität München Translation and general administration internship with Areva in Erlangen Trainee in Consulting with Deloitte in Zurich Production Assistant with WDR, Bavaria Film Project Assistant with Bosch in Stuttgart

Work placements - Back up plan You are responsible for sourcing your own placement, which will have to be approved by the Year Abroad Committee. You will need to provide a back up plan in case the placement falls through (eg. an ERASMUS study placement)

Country-specific CV and interview workshops Placement/job-hunting and making applications in Germany Wednesday, 15 th January 2014 (Week 2 Semester B) Preparing for interviews in Germany Wednesday 22 nd January 2014 (Week 3 Semester B) CV surgery – sign up sheet Register for workshops by ing Birgitta

Fees and funding – Home/EU students Students on ERASMUS study or work placement (including British Council) for a minimum of 24 weeks will receive (including split placements when EACH is at least 3 months long): A small ERASMUS grant You or your funding authority will be required to 15% of the full time QMUL tuition fee rate (you will be able to take out tuition fee loans to cover these fees). You will not be required to pay any fees to your host institution. If you took up your studies before the academic year 2012/13, fees may be different! Students on work placements outside ERASMUS will have to pay 20% of the full time QMUL tuition fee rate.

Santander scholarships The Department of German can award 2 Santander scholarships (à 1000 Euro) Students can apply by writing a statement of support (not exceeding 300 words) Criteria for the Santander awards application -35% Academic performance -35% Involvement and attendance -30% Financial need

YA Deadlines First stage: all students need to submit the respective application form (plus a back-up application for an ERASMUS Study Placement if you are intent on doing a work placement) by Wednesday 20 th November via QMPlus. ERASMUS study placement students will be informed of the outcome of their applications on Friday 13 th December (except British Council applications which are externally administered). Students need to confirm their ERASMUS study placement by Wednesday 8 th January 2014 Applications for Santander scholarships (to be handed in to the German Year Abroad Coordinator: week from 21 st to 25 th July 2014 Second stage: Semester 2.

YA Deadlines FOR ALL STUDENTS If you have not started yet, you should begin your research NOW!

Year Abroad contacts Hispanic Studies – Dr Mar Encinas-Puente Portuguese – Dr Patricia Sequeira-Bras German – Dr Martina Deny French – Dr Elsa Petit Work placements (not British Council) – Ms Birgitta Hall

Decision time! Talk to final year students about their experiences Contact students currently on their Year Abroad by going on QMUL Facebook group: ‘Help! I’m on my Year Abroad’ Research your placement options by looking at thirdyearabroad.com If you’re interested in studying abroad, visit our partner institutions’ websites