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Study Abroad

Module description

Exeter Geography offers you the possibility to apply for a place to study Geography outside Europe through the University’s International Student Exchange Programme. You must attain average grades of 60% or above in your first year and maintain these grades in your second year to be considered for entry to the Geography with Study Abroad programmes. The full application process is described on the International Office’s website at http://www.exeter.ac.uk/international/abroad/exchange/apply/.

If you are accepted onto the programme, you will spend one academic year abroad, usually the third year of a four-year programme. Credit for academic studies during your year abroad is arranged by agreement between Exeter Geography and the host institution. These marks are then translated back into your degree.

Module aims - intentions of the module

The module aims to provide you with a different and supplementary learning experience, predominantly in Geography but with the possibility of additional related subjects (subject to approval), ensuring the quality of education as offered at the University of Exeter, but providing the chance to experience learning in a different institution and interact with a different culture. The module aims to expand your geographical knowledge, to expose you to, and learn from, different methods of study and learning and to experience academic and university culture from a different, international perspective.

Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs)

ILO: Module-specific skills

On successfully completing the module you will be able to...

• 1. Describe different theoretical and empirical standpoints in Geography
• 2. Discuss different approaches to the learning and teaching of Geography
• 3. Assess and critically evaluate geographical information and analysis in a variety of contextual settings

ILO: Discipline-specific skills

On successfully completing the module you will be able to...

• 4. Describe in detail the contribution of geographical research
• 5. Critically appraise relevant literature in the field of Geography
• 6. Conceptualise issues in contemporary geography

ILO: Personal and key skills

On successfully completing the module you will be able to...

• 7. Communicate ideas, principles and theories effectively and fluently using a variety of means
• 8. Develop a sustained and reasoned argument and identify, acquire, evaluate and synthesise data from a range of sources
• 9. Formulate and evaluate questions and identify and evaluate approaches to problem-solving
• 10. Undertake independent/self-directed study/learning (including time management)
• 11. Achieve consistent, proficient and sustained attainment
• 12. Reflect on the process of learning and evaluate personal strengths and weaknesses

Syllabus plan

This is specific to the host university concerned. The programme of modules studied abroad should be equivalent in workload to that required for 120 Exeter credits.

You will stay for one academic year (year 3 of a 4 year degree programme), living and studying at an approved host university abroad with whom Exeter Geography has established links. During this time, you must be registered for study at your host university (as well as at the University of Exeter) for modules approved by the Study Abroad module coordinator. During this year, teaching methods will vary according to the programme of study at the host university but generally they will comprise a combination of lectures, seminars, tutorials, practical and laboratory work. In addition, independent study will be a major component of all the modules taken and you will be expected to direct your own preparation, reading and research. You will be expected to take 4 classes/modules per semester while at your host university. These would normally be taken from years 2 and 3 modules (if the host university operates a three year degree programme) or years 3 and 4 (if the host university offers a four year degree programme). You will be expected to take 3 modules in a geographical subject area. The fourth module can be taken outside geography (subject to the approval of the Exeter module coordinator).

The Year Abroad counts as a single 120 credit module and as such is not condonable; you must pass this module to continue on the four year programme. None of the composite modules making up the overall year score is considered as non-condonable for our students; you can fail individual modules without 'failing' the year as long as you achieve a weighted average of greater than 40%.

If you fail the Year Abroad module you will be transferred to the standard three year programme. You will be assessed by your host university during your academic year abroad with their grades converted back to University of Exeter grades to contribute towards your degree classification. The Study Abroad Office provides a table of mark conversion ratios which we use to bring the foreign marks into line with ours when they are not percentages. These are then aggregated into a weighted average depending on the various credits each module is worth. This then becomes the study abroad mark. The rules governing failure and referral will be determined by the host institution.

Learning activities and teaching methods (given in hours of study time)

Details of learning activities and teaching methods

Formative assessment

Summative assessment (% of credit)

Details of summative assessment

Details of re-assessment (where required by referral or deferral)

Indicative learning resources - Basic reading

As required by the host university.

Key words search

Geography, study abroad