MyGlasgow Students

Frequently Asked Questions

When am I able to study abroad?

Most students study abroad in their 2nd or 3rd year of their undergraduate degree. Please check with your subject coordinator for the most appropriate time to go abroad in your subject.

Where can I study in Europe?

The University of Glasgow has links with approximately 25 countries in Europe. Exchange agreements with European universities are at the subject level. Where you could go will depend on the agreements we have in place in your subject, your language skills, taught/working language at the host, etc.

How long do I spend abroad?

Between three and twelve months. The length of the exchange is based on the actual time studying or working at the institution you have chosen.

What about finances?

• You don't pay tuition fees to the University abroad. You continue to be registered and enrolled at the University of Glasgow, and to pay tuition fees here.
• You are still eligible for Student Loan, bursaries, etc.

What is the grant? How is it paid? When will I get it?

• If you are approved and accepted by both home and host for your Erasmus studies or work, you will receive an Erasmus grant.
• Details of funding under the new Erasmus+ programme will be updated and confirmed as soon as possible.

Will the grant cover all my expenses abroad?

This is highly unlikely. Grants are intended as a contribution towards the costs of the planned Erasmus mobility period. The grant funds help offset additional costs of living abroad. In making its awards, the University is required to follow the guidelines issued by the British Council.

I've heard there's a lot of paperwork. What is required throughout the time abroad?

Yes, there is documentation that is throughout the year, but if you keep a binder or folder of the emails and forms you receive, it makes it easier. It is a requirement of the grant that you complete and submit the following to this office:

• Erasmus Study or Work Placement Grant Agreement (aka Study Contract/ Work Placement Contract);
• A fully signed Learning Agreement or Training Agreement (and Changes, if applicable);
• Confirmation of Start;
• Grant Receipt(s);
• Confirmation of End;
• Official Transcript or Work Evaluation.
• Also required, but submitted directly to the British Council is the Final Student Report.
• Your Subject/School may require other documentation, such as the Language Portfolio; check this carefully with your subject coordinator before you leave.

Students who do not turn in all required paperwork may not receive the full grant award, or may be required to return all or a portion of the grant award.

Must I speak a foreign language?

• Many of the partner universities teach in their own language. However, some universities teach in English, particularly those in Northern and Eastern Europe.
• If you do not have a sufficient level to study/work in the host language, verify carefully whether courses are taught in English, at your level, and for enough credits in your subject to fulfill the requirements of your time abroad. Think about what you do at Glasgow - are your skills strong enough to do that work in the foreign language? Also verify whether the host require proof of having achieved a certain level - do you meet that level?

What other language options are there?

• Language tuition is available in the Language Centre – in many instances this is free of charge. Please contact the Language Centre for further details and let them know you are planning (or accepted for) an Erasmus period abroad.
• Many universities offer free or low-cost pre- or in-session language courses. We encourage you to take advantage of these opportunities. However, note that most subjects do not accept credits from these classes as part of the degree; verify this with your Subject Coordinator(s). These credits would likely be above and beyond the required 30 or 60 ECTS.

How do I apply for an Erasmus mobility? When do I know if I'm accepted?

• Selection is made by the Erasmus Subject Coordinator. Your decision to participate in an Erasmus exchange must be supported and approved by the Erasmus Subject Coordinator (if you are Joint Honours, by both Coordinators). Speak to your Erasmus Subject Coordinator(s) to find out about the selection process & possible deadlines in your discipline.
• It is your responsibility to contact the university abroad and complete and submit their application form (normally available on their website) and accommodation application. Note that deadlines for submitting these applications might be earlier or later than the University of Glasgow ones.
• Fill out and submit the internal grant application form (available on the main Outgoing Erasmus page).
• You are not officially accepted until notified by the host institution. Completing the University of Glasgow's internal ‘Erasmus Grant Application’ is not enough.
• You must also complete the prior to the start of your studies.

Where can I find information about the partner universities in my subject? What is the Erasmus Code?

• You can use the Directory of Institutions at moveonnet (also called the 'University finder') to help you find websites for Erasmus participant universities. You only need the country, name and/or city for the search. There are usually links either to the homepage and/or to Erasmus/international office.
• At the University's website, follow links through to their Erasmus information. Look to see if they have an incoming student handbook available online. Look for links to courses available to Erasmus students. Look for information about language requirements. Look for Erasmus contact information.
• To find information as you research where you might go, to look for information or assistance as you prepare for your Erasmus exchange or placement, or to network with other students abroad (before, during or after your experience), take a look at the links under 'Erasmus country & network links'. You'll find a wide array of information available through these different sites. (Note: we do not endorse any particular site, nor can we guarantee the information contained in them.)
• Many universities will also have Facebook or Twitter sites, including separate accounts for their International Office or students. These could also be useful to find out more about where you plan to go or will be going. 
• See also the University of Glasgow student blogs.
• Use the moveonnet site to find the partner university Erasmus Code, too.

Will the courses I take count towards my degree?

Yes. You will gain European  Credit Transfer System credits, which will allow you to transfer your credit gained abroad to your studies in Glasgow (120 Glasgow credits = 60 ECTS). The courses you take or the work you do during your time abroad form an integral part of your degree. This is why it is important to know what courses you need to identify and take while abroad. You will also do all work required to receive credit for the class, including sitting exams.

Do I have to sit exams?

All study students are expected to participate fully in classes, including sitting any exams. 

NOTE: It is your responsibility to verify the host university calendar including exams and ensure that UoG is aware of and will accommodate possible overlaps. This is particularly important if you are going for only one semester. If you are going semester 1 only, some universities end their 1st semester in mid- to late-January, or even later. If you go semester 2 only, are you sure all your semester 1 exams will be in December, and not April/May? If you go for the full session, be sure exams are finished before the start of the next UoG academic year.

I'm doing a study mobility. How many credits do I have to take?

A condition of the grant is that you must study full-time. In addition, as this transfers to your degree, you must fulfill the full 120 SCQF for a year abroad (or 60 for a semester). 120 SCQF=60 ECTS; 60 SCQF=30 ECTS. This is what you are expected to enrol in and sit exams for. Exceptionally, students going for the 2nd year of a Joint Honours in 2 modern languages are expected to enrol in and sit exams for 20 ECTS (= 1 term). Any exceptions to this must be submitted in writing from the School to the Erasmus Office.

I'm doing a work placement. Are there any minimum working hours? Can I work anywhere?

Similar to the study programme, you are expected to work full time. This is set by the British Council for the Language Assistants. Other work placement students are usually expected to work 25-40 hours a week at one institution (i.e., not several small or intermittent jobs at a variety of places totalling the minimum hours). Where you work must be approved by your subject coordinator and based on an approved, detailed Training Agreement.

NOTE: The following types of organisations are not eligible as host organisations:

• EU institutions and other EU bodies including specialised agencies (website: www.ec.europa.eu/institutions/index_en/htm);
• organisations managing EU programmes (such as National Agencies) in order to avoid possible conflict of interests or double funding;
• diplomatic representations (embassies or consulates) of the student's home country.

A higher education instution can in some cases be the host enterprise for a placement, if you do not go for a study period but for work experience. In this case, there does not have to be an active bilateral agreement between the 2 universities.

I'm an Erasmus Mundus Masters Course student. Can I get an Erasmus grant?

Students on Erasmus Mundus (EM) Masters Courses may be able to apply for an Erasmus study grant provided you have not received an Erasmus Mundus scholarship and you have not benefited from an Erasmus study grant before.

I'm doing Joint Honours in two languages. I did a British Council Teaching Language Assistantship and got the Erasmus Work Placement grant. Can I do a Work Placement and get an Erasmus grant for my 2nd language year abroad?

No. You are welcome to do another work placement, but will not be eligible for the Erasmus grant. During the course of your higher education, you may receive one Erasmus grant for study and one for a work placement at a total duration of 24 months. Since you already received the grant for a work placement, this is not an option for your 2nd year, too.

How many Erasmus grants can I get?/I got an Erasmus grant last year. Can I do another exchange and get the grant?

During the course of your higher education, you may receive Erasmus+ funding for a maximum of 12 months at each cycle of studies (ie undergraduate, master and doctoral).

Do I need to get insurance?

Different countries have different regulations, even for Erasmus students. Check with your host whether there are any requirements for you as an Erasmus student. For health insurance, be sure to have an EHIC (European Health Insurance Card). From that page, see the 2nd tab to apply for or renew a card.

I'm not an EU/EEA/Swiss national. Can I still participate in an Erasmus study or work mobility?

Yes. All students, regardless of their nationality, are eligible to participate in this programme.  As long as you are registered and enrolled in a valid degree programme at the University of Glasgow, you are eligible to receive the grant. Students from outside the EEA/EU or Switzerland will need to research their own visa requirements, both for here and your host institution.

Can I open a bank account abroad?

If you are studying abroad less than six months it is unlikely you will be able to open a bank account. We recommend you subscribe to internet banking so you can check the balance of your UK account from abroad and we also advise to bring a credit card with you. Check with your bank, or research different banks, about their costs and for the best ways to access your funds abroad. Your Erasmus grant will be paid into your UK bank account.

How can I prepare myself?

• Find out as much as you can about the place you are going (see above, 'Where can I find information...').
• If available, we can put you in contact with students currently here from the university you are planning to go; they can give you first-hand information.
• We can also try to put you in contact with previous Glasgow students who have been on exchange at the university where you plan to go. 
• Read through the Erasmus section of the Pre-Departure Guide linked from here.

Come and talk to us if you want further information. Also you can speak with the Erasmus Subject Coordinator(s) in your discipline(s).