Planning for OVERSEAS STUDY AS A global studies MAJOR STUDENT EXCHANGE Planning for OVERSEAS STUDY AS A global studies MAJOR Global Studies Programme (Department of Political Science) AS1, #04-10, 11 Arts Link Singapore 117573 Telephone: 6516 3971 Email: globalstudies@nus.edu.sg

INTRODUCTION Global Studies (GL) Majors are encouraged to go on study abroad programmes (commonly referred to as exchange) to further enhance their major through inter-cultural and academic exchange. GL majors can consider going for exchange in countries where the medium of instruction is the approved language for the major or to one where English is predominant. Whichever the choice, students should plan ahead so that they are able to meet the degree requirements and not fall short of credits or miss the appointed study period of certain core modules (e.g. GL3101, GL4101 and GL4102). We hope this guide would be instructive in helping you plan for your exchange. And most of all we wish you a wonderful experience during exchange. GL Team

What do I have to look out for When planning for exchange students should consider Universities which would provide exposure to their theme or region in ways not available in NUS. It is possible to read the following core modules during exchange if there are appropriate substitutes: GL2101, GL2102 and GL2103. Approval to read substitute core modules during exchange has to be obtained before student leaves for exchange. Students can read a maximum of two level 4000 modules during exchange. Accelerated track* students should bear in mind that Year 2 is the best period to go on exchange, this is because the Core Modules for Honours are offered consecutively and must be read in the same academic year, preferably in Year 3. GL4101 Readings in Global Issues – Semester 1 GL4102 Task Force – Semester 2 GL4101 is the pre-requisite for GL4102 which is a policy-oriented group project. *Accelerated track refers to students who have received 20MCs of Advanced Credit enabling them to graduate a term earlier.

Process The Dean’s Office sends out an email notifying students on the application period and procedures. When the application period is over, Departments process the applications of their own majors. What we want to see is if you have given due diligence in selecting your exchange Universities, write-up for personal statement and the CAP. The Dean’s Office receives the Department’s inputs and makes the final selection. Students would hear from the Dean’s Office on whether they are successful in their application for exchange. After which there are several procedures in which the Dean’s Office and the exchange University would be in touch with the student. At the GL Programme level, we are concerned with the ‘module mapping’ process. What this refers to is the need for students to ensure that the modules they read during exchange can be used to fulfill the major or other degree components. Students should check with the Dean’s Office: fass-sep@nus.edu.sg for details on the credit equivalence of the modules they read during exchange.

MODULE MAPPING Students should use the FASS Module Reporting (aka. Mapping) Form. However, the University is moving towards online mapping. Hard copy or online mapping (NUS External Study Functions – NSEF), the procedure for GL students remains the same. Modules are mapped according to disciplines. As such, if an exchange module is related to the History discipline then students should approach the History SEP Coordinator at NUS to map their modules. Departments may acknowledge on the hardcopy of the module reporting form or send their endorsements via email to the student. If students applied for mapping using the online system - NSEF, the results will be available via the system. Please refer to the following slides on the different scenarios that would result from mapping. GL majors may have additional procedures to follow if they want to use the exchange module towards the GL major requirements.

Module mapping : Scenario 1 An exchange module if similar to an NUS module, will be assigned the NUS code: for e.g. 043.003 New Perspective on Korean Cultural History from Seoul National University was mapped to HY2220 Korea in the Twentieth Century in NUS. As HY2220 is part of the GL list of recognised modules, students can decide if they want to read this module and there is no further action required. In the instance of HY2220 not being part of the GL recognised list of modules the student can appeal to the programme to have the module recognised. The recognition exercise takes 6 to 8 months and has to be approved by the Department offering the module and several other committees. There have been instances where the programme’s recommendation was turned down. In such an event the module will be used to fulfill the Unrestricted Elective component instead. As such, we would strongly recommend either selecting another exchange module or reading the mapped module towards the UE requirements.

Module mapping : Scenario 1 Submit mapping request online to the respective discipline that the exchange module belongs to. First Step If assigned a module code that is found in the GL recognised list of modules, no further action to be taken. Ensure that your this is the module you need to fulfil the major requirements. If assigned a non recognised module, either try mapping another module or read the module towards UE. Second Step Submit to Dean’s Office the necessary documents for credit transfer after completing exchange. Third Step

Module mapping : Scenario 2 If the exchange module is assigned an exchange code (aka. dummy code) e.g. ‘111.330 Formation of the Literati Society and Neo-Confucianism’ was mapped to ‘HY 3000 equivalent (HY37XX)’. The following documents have to be submitted to the GL administrator (globalstudies@nus.edu.sg): Endorsed (email confirmations are fine) Module Reporting Form (Mapping Form) [Please print out the online version of the endorsed form from the SIS] The GL administrator would then provide the student with the recommended theme/s or region/s the exchange module can fulfill after consulting the GL SEP Coordinator using the GL Recommendation Form.

Module mapping : Scenario 2 Submit mapping request online to the respective discipline that the exchange module belongs to. First Step If assigned a dummy code (second digit is ‘7’) send the endorsed form (print out hard copy) to the GL administrator. Second Step GL SEP Co-ordinator recommends relevant Theme and Region tracks. Up to this step has to be completed before students leave for exchange. Third Step Submit to Dean’s Office recommendation form with the GL Theme /Region selected. Fourth Step

Upon returning from exchange (Applicable only to scenario 2) Students are required to select which theme or region the exchange module should fulfill during credit transfer by using the endorsed GL Recommendation Form. Please refer to the FASS SEP website for more details regarding credit transfer.

Module registration The GL Administrator will notify students on the Module Preference Exercise (MPE) as well as other administrative matters each semester. To qualify for the MPE, students must have declared their major in the Graduation & Academic Planning System. Only major modules are pre-allocated depending on quota. If the quota exceeds demand, the module will be released for bidding. Most often the status of a student is not updated in the system due to delays in the credit transfer process and this would create issues during module pre-allocation or bidding. Students whose status is not updated, should send an email to the GL administrator (globalstudies@nus.edu.sg) before MPE with the following: Exchange Transcript (if unavailable, any form of module registration record) Credit Transfer Form Approved Module Reporting Forms (If it is an email confirmation, please forward the correspondence accordingly)

USEFUL LINKS MODULAR CREDITS EXCHANGE RATIO FORMS FINANCIAL AID NASA STUDY LOAN OTHER AWARDS & SCHOLARSHIPS CONTACT INFORMATION FASS SEP UNIT DEPARTMENT ADMINISTRATORS CONTACT INFORMATION DEPARTMENT SEP COORDINATORS