How to complete the online application 1. Programme information Please select the programme through which you are applying to study at a partner institution: Erasmus Exchange Programme (student) – students studying through this European exchange programme must be nominated by the University of Birmingham to an institution which has signed an Erasmus agreement with the University of Birmingham. The exchanges are usually restricted to specific academic areas. Erasmus Exchange Programme (training placement) – students studying through this programme must be nominated by the University of Birmingham to the partner institution that has signed an Erasmus agreement with the University. A member of academic staff at the host institution must agree specifically to supervise the nominated student for the training placement. International Exchange Programme – for students who have been nominated by the University of Birmingham (outside the Erasmus programme) to attend universities that have signed exchange agreements with the University of Birmingham. This includes the Universitas 21 exchange programme. Please note that you can only apply to study abroad if you are registered on a degree programme which incorporates a period of study abroad (check with your tutor). 2. Personal information The details provided here will be used to create your record as an exchange student. Nationality: Please note that it is your responsibility to check whether you will require a visa for entrance to the host country. You should contact your host university or the country’s embassy for further advice if in doubt. 3. Address We will need to contact you about your application and other information. It is essential that you provide your University of Birmingham email address as we might need to contact you urgently. Please note that our primary method of communication with students during the application process is by email. We do not send emails to any other email accounts that you may have. Many host universities are closed at various points, particularly during the summer months and we cannot always reach you through your host institution. 4. Choice of host universities You must list three universities in order of preference. No more than two of the choices can be from the asterisked universities in the list below. This is because those universities are oversubscribed and/or have made a very small number of places available. ARGENTINA Pontificia Universidad Catolica Argentina* AUSTRALIA University of Adelaide University of Melbourne* University of New South Wales* University of Queensland* Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology BRAZIL Universidade de São Paulo Universidade Federal de Santa Caterina CANADA Dalhousie University McGill University* Simon Fraser University* Trent University Université du Quebec a Montreal Université Laval University of British Columbia University of Guelph (near Toronto) University of New Brunswick University of Ottawa* (does not accept business students) University of Saskatchewan University of Toronto: not available for 15-16 University of Waterloo* Western University Wilfrid Laurier University CHILE Pontificia Universidad Catolica de Chile* CHINA Beijing Language and Culture University Fudan University Shanghai Jiao Tong University Tsinghua University University of Nottingham Ningbo ECUADOR Universidad San Francisco de Quito GHANA University of Cape Coast HOLLAND University of Amsterdam HONG KONG University of Hong Kong IRELAND University College Dublin ISRAEL Hebrew University of Jerusalem JAMAICA University of the West Indies JAPAN Hitotsubashi University Kansai University Keio University Kobe University Kyoto University Sophia University Waseda University KOREA Korea University Pohang University of Science and Technology MALAYSIA University of Nottingham Malaysia MEXICO Benemerita Universidad Autonoma de Puebla ITESM Universidad de Guadlajara Universidad Veracruzana NEW ZEALAND University of Auckland SINGAPORE National University of Singapore (does not accept Business students) SWEDEN University of Lund URUGUAY Universidad de Montevideo USA Arizona State University: not available for 15-16 Bellarmine University Berry College Birmingham Southern College California Polytechnic University* Illinois Institute of Technology Iowa State University (for engineering only) Marquette University: not available for 15-16 New Mexico State University North Central College Loyola University of New Orleans Pitzer College: not available for 15-16 Providence College Rutgers, the State University of New Jersey*: not available for 15-16 University of Alabama University of Cincinnati University of Connecticut* University of Hawaii, Hilo* University of Illinois, Chicago* University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign (does not accept business students) University of Iowa University of Kansas University of Maine University of Maryland (does not accept business or engineering students)* University of Minnesota, Duluth University of Mississippi* University of Pittsburgh:* not available for 15-16 University of North Texas University of Virginia* University of Wisconsin, Milwaukee University of Wyoming 5. Academic background The information required in this section is about the studies you are currently undertaking at the University of Birmingham. (a) When we ask what degree you are studying for at the University of Birmingham we would like to know the level of study (e.g. Bachelors degree) and the EXACT title of your degree (e.g. Modern Languages). (b) In order to check whether you have the necessary academic background for your proposed programme of study you will need to check this with your Exchange Tutor. 6. Proficiency in language of host institution The information required in this section refers to your proficiency in the target language. All students studying at the University of Birmingham are required to have a good working knowledge of the target language before commencing their studies. Students may be required to withdraw from the host institution if, for linguistic reasons, they cannot manage the academic work for which they have registered. Students who do not need to provide official evidence of Language proficiency: Native speakers of the target language. Please note, Erasmus students are not usually required to provide an official certificate of proficiency in the host language due to specific agreements with their institutions. Although we do not require an official test result, we do require you to give us information about your language level. For example, let us know if you are studying the target language as part of your degree and the grades you have obtained. If you have taken either an institutional or official target language test, please send us a copy, or if you have spent an extended period in the target language-speaking country. Students who do need to provide official evidence of target Language proficiency: All International Exchange students who are non-native speakers of the target language and not currently undertaking a language as part of the degree programme. 7. Proposed study period at host institution In this section you are required to tell us when you are planning to study at the host institution. Please be aware of the term dates at the host institution. 8. Proposed programme of study Before completing a list of modules to include with your application, you must refer to the host institution’s website and discuss the options with your Exchange Tutor. Please view the host institution’s website to find instructions on how to make your module selections. If the website is unclear please contact your host institution directly. You must take a full time course load whilst abroad. This is equivalent to 120 Birmingham credits for a full academic year, which is equivalent to 60 ECTS credits. 9. Written Statement of Purpose (for international exchange students only) This is an important document. It is essential that you have taken time to consider your reasons for studying at the host institution, and as far as possible you have ensured that it is the right choice for you both academically and personally. You will be expected to write approximately 500 words explaining why you are requesting those particular universities. Do not write about why you want to study abroad or why you want to go to a particular country. You need to give reasons for having chosen those specific universities. Please note we will not process applications if this document is not completed according to these instructions and sent together with the application form by your exchange tutor. 10. Disability statement You only need to complete this section if you will require disability support during your study period at the host institution. If you have a disability that will affect your studies please provide us with full details so that your needs during your period abroad can be assessed by the University Disability and Learning Support Service. If you do not have a disability that will affect your studies please select ‘No’. 11. Student declaration By signing and dating this form you are confirming that the information you have provided is true and correct. 12. Exchange coordinator validation It is essential that your exchange tutor should complete this section to testify that you have gone through the appropriate selection procedures. Your application should then be handed in to the Study Abroad and Exchanges Office together with the written statement and a written reference from your tutor to support your application. Please note we will not process applications if any of the documents are missing. 13. Application checklist This section is to help ensure that you have fully completed the application form and provided all accompanying documentation required. We will be unable to consider incomplete applications. Please hand in a copy of your application form together with your documents to your exchange tutor. The deadlines for receipt of applications in the Study Abroad and Exchanges Office are: International Exchange Programmes – 28th November Erasmus Exchange Programmes – 28th February. Please note: If you will be attending more than one host country for your year abroad you will need to make more than one application (i.e if you are undertaking your year abroad in two different host countries you will need to make two separate applications). If you have any additional questions regarding your application please email studyabroad@bham.ac.uk