2. Pre-Departure Workshop
Welcome & Icebreaker
Pete Campion-Spall
Fees & Funding – including Erasmus Grant paperwork
Sarah Unsworth
Pre-Departure workshop
Learning and Development on Study Year Abroad module briefing (BBS students only)
Sarah Mackie
Networking and refreshments
Study Abroad Team, Academic Co-ordinators and Returned Students

3. Why Study or Work Abroad?
Icebreaker Activity:
Find 1 person in the room going to the same country, city or institution
Find 1 person in the room going to a different country, city or institution
Find out 1 thing they want to do or achieve during their year abroad

4. Why Study or Work Abroad?
Gain independence and life experience
Language and Inter-cultural communication skills
Work experience
Expand professional networks
Meet your life partner?! 1 million Erasmus babies and counting…

5. Why Study or Work Abroad?
Gone International: Mobile Students and their outcomes
Lower proportion of graduates who were Internationally mobile were unemployed (5.4% compared to 6.7%)
Higher proportion of graduates who were Internationally mobile were working abroad (11%) compared to 2%)
Mobile graduates earning more in 40 out of 67 subjects

6. Fees and Funding

7. Student Finance England/ SFW Support
You are still eligible for the funding from SFE/SFW that you would normally receive had you stayed at UWE. Maintenance Grant & Fee Loan Students who receive a maintenance grant from SFE/SFW may get a larger grant – paid at the ‘abroad rate’ for 15/16 year as well as the fee loan How? Contact SFE & inform you will be studying abroad – submit a confirmation letter, or request a ‘Course Abroad form’ – complete and return ASAP
Scottish students??

8. Student Finance England/ SFW Support
Travel Grant SFE/SFW funded students may be eligible for a means-tested travel grant to cover travel costs to/from a study abroad destination, beyond the first £303. How? Contact SFE & inform you will be studying abroad – submit a confirmation letter, or request a ‘Course Abroad form’ – complete and return ASAP. Then make an application for a Travel Grant. Note: Grant payments are retrospective & you must submit original travel receipts

9. UWE Bursary
No UWE Bursary for Study/Work students who are abroad for the full academic year during 15/16 but alternative bursaries and grants are available
When you return to UWE to complete your final year, payments will automatically restart if you still meet the Bursary eligibility criteria.
For information on the eligibility criteria see
Queries can be directed to

10. ‘Erasmus’ vs ‘Study Abroad’
European destination = ‘Erasmus’ – either Study or Traineeship (work).
Non-European destination (VCU, Taylors) = ‘Study Abroad’
Different implications for Grants and Bursaries
Tuition fees to UWE reduced for and no tuition fees paid to ‘host University’
Still a registered student at UWE during your exchange
Stick your hands up!

11. Study Abroad Bursary
£1000 one-off payment for Study Abroad students (VCU, Taylors) ONLY – Erasmus students NOT eligible
Complete and return application form
Paid when you arrive and register at the host Institution and return the certificate of arrival
Changes to the duration of period of study abroad – notify - may affect eligibility
Terms and Conditions apply and include agreeing to promote the Study Abroad Scheme to students when you return to UWE
Fill in the form whilst I talk about the Erasmus stuff

12. Erasmus Study Placement Students 2015-16
Erasmus Study Grant How much is it?
EUR300/ EUR250 per month dependent on destination country:
Study Placement students who receive the UWE Bursary will receive a supplementary EUR100 per month
Total amount is calculated using term dates (in the Erasmus Student Contract).
Erasmus Study Placement Students
EUR300 Higher cost of living countries
Denmark, Ireland, France, Italy, Austria, Finland, Sweden, Liechtenstein, Norway, Switzerland
EUR250 Lower cost of living countries
Belgium, Czech Republic, Germany, Greece, Spain, Croatia, Cyprus, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Portugal, Slovenia, Iceland, Turkey, Bulgaria, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Hungary, Malta, Poland, Romania, Slovakia, former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia
All students eligible

13. Erasmus Study Grant How do I get it?
Paid in £ into your bank account in 2 instalments – make sure your details are correct!
1st payment (70%) when we have received
Erasmus Grant Agreement
Learning Agreement
Certificate of Arrival
2nd payment(30%) when we have received
Certificate of Departure
Confirmation of completion of online Erasmus Student Report

14. Erasmus Study Grant Example
France – 9 months = EUR2700 (Approx. £1950)
EUR1890 in September
EUR810 in May
If you return home before a minimum of 3 months, you may need to repay the full grant amount
Final payment is adjusted if you return earlier than the dates in your Grant Agreement

15. Erasmus Study Grant Agreement
Contains:
Term dates
Bank details
Erasmus Student Charter: specifies your rights and obligations as an Erasmus student
Information on the terms and conditions of receiving the Erasmus grant
Your Grant Agreement will be sent by in your Erasmus information pack
You must complete and return this to by the deadline stated in the information pack

16. Certificates of Arrival & Departure
Certificate of Arrival
Signed on arrival - by Erasmus/International Office staff
Quick return = quick payment
Can a scan copy or post it
Certificate of Departure
Remember to get it signed on your last day of teaching/exams
No final grant payment without it
Template copies will be sent by in your Erasmus information pack

17. Learning Agreement
Specifies the modules you will study abroad and how many European Credits (ECTS) they are worth. 120 UWE Credits = 60 ECTS
Learning Agreements must be the UK version which include:
Module information
Contact details of Academic coordinators from UWE and your host institution confirming approval of your module choices
Signatures from above to confirm approval of your module choices
Changes to modules must be recorded and approved on a learning agreement
Study Abroad keeps fully signed (student, host and home institution) copy
Template copy will be sent by in your Erasmus information pack

18. Documentation Do’s and Don’ts
Read and understand your Grant Agreement and Learning Agreement
Send clear photocopies, scans, high quality photos
Don’t send blurry images in large files
Send it yourself by and post a hard copy with ink signatures
Ask staff at your host institution to send it on your behalf
Send to
Return partly completed or blank forms

19. Erasmus Student Report
Must complete online within 30 days of the end of the exchange period
will be sent to you by the British Council
Feedback mechanism
Also UWE Testimonials

20. UWE Go Global Bursary What is the UWE Go Global Bursary?
UWE Go Global Bursary gives you the chance to apply for funding of up to £500 to help you undertake any international work opportunities
Who can apply for the UWE Go Global Bursary?
Current UK domiciled undergraduate student. Final year students need to apply by 14 July 2015 & started the opportunity by 1 January 2016
In receipt of a Student Finance Maintenance Grant/Special Support Grant/NHS means tested bursary and/or a UWE Bursary
How do I apply?
Go onto InfoHub and fill in the UWE Undergraduate Go Global Bursary Application
More info: Careers Website > Opportunities Overseas

21. What happens next…..?
Erasmus study and work students will receive an information pack by
Study Abroad students who complete the Study Abroad Bursary application form will receive a confirmation letter and a template Certificate of Arrival
All students should contact SFE or equivalent to make them aware that they will be abroad for 15-16
All students need to follow their host institutions’ instructions to register, enrol, select modules and apply for accommodation
NB: It is your responsibility to inform us of any change in your circumstances….
HAVE A WONDERFUL AND SAFE STUDY ABROAD!!
Queries to

22. Thank you
Any questions?