1. The University of Manchester
Welcome to
The University of Manchester
Dr Caroline Whitehand
Manager of Study Abroad
Sarah Bloor
Study Abroad Adviser (Incoming)
Introductions – including Zaba
Explain how Erasmus works at Manchester:
Role of the Study Abroad Unit
Role of Erasmus Co-ordinators

2. Academic Information Semester Dates Semester 1 Semester 2
21 September January 2010
Semester 2
1 February - 11 June 2010 SB
Draw their attention to the semester dates printed in their Briefing Document and remind them they are expected to remain until the end of the relevant examination period (except in exceptional circumstances)
Explain importance of not booking flights home until you know the date of your final exam – example of student who took a chance and booked her flight home for 3pm on the last day of the semester, and subsequently found out that she had an exam that day beginning at 2pm – cost over $1000 to change the flight.

3. Study Abroad Staff Zaba Sarah Caroline
Explain pastoral role of study abroad staff etc
Caroline

4. Academic Information Credit/courses Single Semester – 50-60 credits
Academic Year – credits
ECTS credit equivalencies SB
Credit/Courses:
Explain how many credits they are expected to take and how that equates to credits back in their home country.
30 ECTS per semester is REQUIRED under terms of grant – must provide evidence of projects etc. required by home university.

5. Academic Information Your Timetable Your ‘home school’
Meeting your Co-ordinator
‘Add/drop period’
Amendments SB
Your timetable:
Your home school will be the school at Manchester in which your subject area sits (eg if a History student, it will be the School of Arts, Histories and Cultures)
The name of your Erasmus Co-ordinator will be shown on the Co-ordinator handout
You must go and see your Co-ordinator during their available times to discuss your course choices. Your ‘home school’ administration office will then process enrolment for you.
It MAY be possible for you to slightly amend your course choices in the first two weeks of the semester – however, you should check with your home school on their policy for this. Amendments MUST be approved and added to your Learning Agreement under the terms of your grant.
Check your course details on the Student Services Centre website (address supplied) – alert your school office staff to any amendments as soon as possible.

6. Academic Information Work & Attendance ‘Study Methods in the UK’
Teaching styles
Your Portfolio CW
Work and attendance:
Give out ‘Study Methods in the UK’ briefing note.
Explain that there may be differences in style and presentation, essay format, referencing systems – refer to School/subject handbook – check with course tutor if still unsure. Quite a large number of international faculty so no one set of style of teaching necessarily.
Explain that quantity of work may be very different – longer more general reading lists etc
Explain that format of sessions may be different – large lectures, small tutorials, seminars, PBL, etc
May not be ‘marked in’ at large lectures but must attend
Notify School/Erasmus Coordinator if absent/ill
Keep a portfolio of the work you do, what subjects/modules are covered etc
Access to Academics – Office hours system, far fewer have open door policy (some buildings where no access to offices eg. Arthur Lewis Building)
Size of Institution – sometimes means less flexibility, worth noting if you have come from a small University/ College

7. Academic Information Assessment Differences Submitting work on time CW
Explain possible differences – not so many weekly tests, much more independent work required
Manchester regulations apply regardless of how the courses you take apply at home university
Must undertake work and assessment in the same way as Manchester students – cannot negotiate separate arrangements.
Explain consequences of late submission (eg Drama) – may receive zero marks for the assignment
Exams different in length, regulations etc. – REQUIRED to take the Examinations

8. Academic Information Academic Crimes Plagiarism Cheating
University Examination
Regulations CW
Academic Crimes:
Explain plagiarism and cheating.
Example in 2005/6 of study abroad student who was caught cheating in one of his exams, but failed whole semester
Exam Regulations – mention that students should familiarise themselves with the University’s regulations relating to exams prior to going to the exam hall. Details can be found at the web address given in their pre-Arrival booklet

9. Academic Information Transcripts Produced by your home school
Grade Conversion SB
Transcripts:
Explain that the home school produces transcripts – the SAU does not have access to marks, meaning all correspondence concerning assessments, grades, marks etc must be made with the School directly.
Grade conversion – explain marking conventions may be different in the UK – very unusual to be given A’s/over 70% in the Humanities although more common in the Sciences. Explain that responsibility for working out how Manchester marks translate back to study at home rests with the home university.

10. Academic Information Health & Safety !! Laboratory briefings
Fieldwork briefings CW
All Schools should be aware that there are exchange students in their classes however occasionally students miss the relevant health & safety training. Make sure that if you are undertaking lab. Classes etc. that you remind the course director that you are an exchange student and will therefore not have undertaken any standard health & safety training that may have been provided to other students; similarly with regard to field trips.

11. Academic Information English Language University Language Centre
Free language proficiency testing
Websites SB
ULC can provide services to students whose first language is not English
In-sessional English language support is available to any students requiring this
Language proficiency test dates given on handout – free tests that will indicate whether it would be advisable to attend English support sessions
‘Academic Phrasebank’ (plus other websites listed) can provide support with academic writing/terminology/styles etc

12. Working in the UK Work versus academic study SB Working in the UK:
Remind that any work should not interfere with their academic study.

13. Registration Library Card collection Registration process SB
Library cards to be collected on XXXXX in Student Services Centre – sign immediately. Check how many have registered already.
Explain process for those who haven’t yet done it.
If they haven’t received the notification letter from SSC telling them their ID number and password, explain to them that their ID number is the number that appears on the sticker on the front of their folder and their password is their date of birth (DD/MM/YYYY) – need to change their password when they log on
Explain that this part of the process gets them registered as a student, but registering/enrolling onto their specific classes is done by their home school admin office

14. Questions? zaba.ihsan-2@manchester.ac.uk
Re-emphasise that we are there for pastoral support and that if they are struggling with homesickness, the academic culture or anything else that they should just drop-by and see us or their Erasmus Coordinator.
Other practical issues:
Signature of Certificates of Arrival