This section of the Handbook provides information for Warwick students looking to study abroad and also for students who will be studying at Warwick for up to one year as part of their Degree.

Study Abroad Exchanges

The Department is currently an active member of the Study Abroad programme which offers opportunities for students to study abroad at other universities in Europe. Funding for this programme is limited and Student Mobility will confirm monies available during the application process.

If you are enrolled on: L100, L116 , LM1D , and GL11, you are able to apply to spend a full academic year abroad between your second and final years of study, with placement providers who are partners of the Economics Department.

If you are successful in gaining a placement with an Erasmus partner, your degree programme becomes a four-year programme, and assuming you pass sufficient modules, the title of your course changes to add the suffix ‘with Study Abroad’ to the existing title (e.g. BSc Economics with Study Abroad).

On returning to Warwick the final year of studies continues in the normal way. You will be expected to produce a Returner’s Report for the Department in addition to the one you have to provide to Student Mobility.

The Department offers a choice from a range of universities for undergraduate students. For 2024-25 these are:

• Universiteit van Amsterdam (Netherlands)
• University of Groningen (Netherlands)Link opens in a new window
• Sciences Po - L'Institut d'Études Politiques (IEP) de Paris (France)
• Universite de Paris Cite (France)Link opens in a new window
• Universite Catholique de LilleLink opens in a new window
• Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München (Germany)
• Universität Mannheim (Germany)
• Universität Konstanz (Germany)
• Universidad Carlos III de Madrid (Spain)
• Universitat Pompeu Fabra (Barcelona, Spain)
• Universitat Autonoma de Barcelona (Spain)Link opens in a new window
• IE Business School (Spain)Link opens in a new window
• Ca'Foscari in Venice (Italy)
• Università Commerciale Luigi Bocconi in Milan (Italy)

We are also offered places at University wide agreements with worldwide partners in Canada, China, Mexico, Malaysia, Japan and Australia. More information of the institutions is available in November of your second year of study.

Financial aspects

As a Warwick student, you will pay a reduced fee to the University of Warwick while studying abroad. The precise figure is liable to change and so it is best to check with the Student Mobility Office. You receive the student loan to which you are normally entitled. If you receive any grants or bursaries for studying your degree at Warwick, these will continue while you are studying abroad. Funding is very limited with Erasmus grants no longer available and application restrictions applied to the Turing Scheme. The University will provide more guidance on future grants, where applicable, in November.

As this is an exchange scheme you do not pay fees to the host university. You will have to pay for your travel to and from the university; your accommodation while living in the country and living expenses. All students are strongly advised to take travel and health insurance for the duration of their stay abroad as the University's travel policy covers students for emergencies only.

Eligibility

To be considered for a study abroad placement through the Department of Economics, you should:

1. Be in the first term of your Second Year in either BSc Economics, BSc Economics and Industrial Organisation, BSc/BA Economics, Politics and International Studies, BSc/BA Philosophy, Politics and Economics or BSc Mathematics and Economics. Students studying BSc/BA Economics, Politics and International Studies, BSc/BA Philosophy, Politics and Economics and BSc Mathematics and Economics are also eligible to apply for Erasmus through the other departments contributing to their degree; different departments have different rules for applications.
2. Be achieving 65% or above across your First and Second Year modules. In some cases a student achieving a lower score in some modules can be considered if they are achieving high-level grades in other modules. This is judged on a case-by-case basis. As you are applying to go on your year abroad prior to knowing your 2nd year marks, offers to go on the Year Abroad can and have been withdrawn if you do not meet the minimum standards required by the Department.
3. For study in France, Germany or Spain, you need to have language skills at or above Level 5 on Warwick’s Language Centre programme of courses; this is equivalent to skills beyond A Level. Universität Konstanz is the exception as it is happy to accept students who have attained Level 4, i.e. A Level equivalent; they will put you on an intense German course when you arrive. For other institutions, you will need to gain a working knowledge of the local language in order to live there effectively.

Please note: Each application is judged holistically so if you have a weakness in one area, for example, in terms of language skills, this may be counter-balanced by other strengths such as experience living or studying abroad or living independently in a challenging context in the past.

Please note: PPE students should only apply to one Department.

We will also take into account your general attendance and academic performance so far. Students who have received a penalty for Academic Integrity will not be considered for this opportunity. You are advised to discuss your desire to study abroad with your Personal Tutor .

Programme of study while on study abroad placement

Whilst on your study abroad placement you are expected to take the equivalent of a full year's study at Warwick. Here you would take 120 CATS worth of modules; this is equivalent to 60 European Credit Transfer System (ECTS) points. The detailed programme of study must be approved by the Programme Manager or Director of Student Opportunities once you are on placement but should reflect the degree course you are enrolled on at Warwick. For example, we would expect those taking BSc Economics to take most of their modules while on placement in Economics, at least 50%. However, we are prepared to allow some flexibility in choice of modules. In particular, Warwick recognises the ECTS of short language courses that you may take while abroad, even if the host institution does not include these on your transcript for your year with them; do ensure you come back with a certificate from the module if you have taken such a course.

Students studying BSc/BA Economics, Politics and International Studies, BSc Mathematics and Economics or BSc/BA Philosophy, Politics and Economics should discuss the precise balance between different subject areas with their various departments.

Modules taught in English are available at the host institutions, though to a lesser degree at Lille and Paris Sorbonne than at the other universities. In some cases, Warwick students have taken modules at Master's level but have coped quite well. You should aim to balance your studies across the two semesters, i.e. 30 ECTS/30 ECTS or 20 ECTS/20 ECTS/20 ECTS for universities with trimesters. However, this is not always possible given the range of modules available. You do need to recognise the workload implications of having imbalanced semesters and also ensure that you take a total of 60 ECTS of modules across the year as a whole.

Assessing your study abroad performance

Transcripts of the marks you attain during your study abroad year are forwarded to us. A sub-committee of the Final Year Examination Board reviews these marks to ascertain whether you have passed the appropriate number of ECTS points. You need to pass a minimum of 45 ECTS to be considered to have passed the year. The marks you achieve do not count towards your final Warwick degree classification. However, an unsatisfactory performance may be taken into account by Final Year Boards of Examiners in considering cases at the borderlines of degree classes. You are expected to attend the entire academic year and leaving early for internship opportunities can not be considered as mitigation for the above requirements.

Failure to achieve the appropriate number of ECTS points will result in your reverting to your original degree course. We do not, however, ask a higher standard from Final Year students at Warwick, irrespective of whether it is their third or fourth year - they are judged by the same standards.

The second part of our assessment of your performance during your study abroad year is the Returner's Report which you are asked to complete for the Department upon your return to Warwick. This report is in addition to any reports you provide to the Student Mobility office. It is intended to help you reflect on your placement experiences and to demonstrate what you have learned and how you have developed during the year abroad. Without the submission of this report, you cannot be considered for the 'with Study Abroad' degree title. Previous students' Returner's Reports are available for you to read from the Undergraduate Office.

How to apply

The application process opens in November of the academic year prior to to that in when you are planning to go on the study abroad and details on how to apply are communicated to you at an introductory session. If you miss this session, contact the Programme Manager or Director of Student Opportunity who can provide you with the relevant resources.

There is a two-stage process. First you apply to the Economics Department to be selected as one of the students to study abroad. If you are selected, you then have to apply directly to the institution abroad that you hope to study at. You will receive support in making this application from the Department and the Student Mobility office. It is rare for a student to be rejected by the partner university, but it is best for you if you ensure that your application is accurate and submitted on time.

Applications will be made online using the new Study Abroad portal available in e:Vision.

Study Abroad Contacts

For queries about study abroad and other overseas opportunities through the Economics Department contact the Undergraduate Programme Manager, Jo TurrallLink opens in a new window.

The Student Mobility Office oversees all Study Abroad and can help you with general queries regarding the process. For questions please contact the team on studyabroad@warwick.ac.uk.

Exchanges to Australia

Background

Warwick offers a popular University wide partnership with Monash in Australia that students can take part in. The Application process is exactly the same as the study abroad exchange explained earlier.

We will take into account your general attendance and performance to study abroad. In terms of performance you will need to show good performance in year 1 (65% minimum) as we will not get your exams results on time to confirm the decision. The Australia term starts in July, and therefore we will take your performance in assessments into account as well as the exams.

For the year abroad successful applicants will pay a reduced tuition fee to the University of Warwick — check with the Student Mobility office for the current rate. Tuition fees will not need to be paid to Monash University under the reciprocal exchange agreement.

All other expenses incurred during the year at Monash will be met by you. This includes travelling to and from the university; your accommodation while living in the country and living expenses.

You are strongly advised to take travel and health insurance for the duration of your stay abroad. The Australian government has made it compulsory for students travelling to the country to have insurance before they arrive, this can cost £300-500. In addition for Australia, you will have to pay for a visa which costs around £800. However, this visa permits you to do up to 20 hours paid work during the term and work full-time during the vacations.

On returning to Warwick the final year of studies continues in the normal way. You will be required to produce a Returner’s Report for the Department in addition to the one you have to provide to the Student Mobility office.

What to study and how assessment works

You will be expected to study the equivalent of a full year's academic load at Monash. Study programmes will be agreed before you leave the UK. Thus, you need to access the resources of the university to determine which modules you will be taking. Students on an Economics programme will be expected to take at least 50% of their modules in Economics subjects. Students studying BSc/BA Economics, Politics and International Studies, BSc Mathematics and Economics or BSc/BA Philosophy, Politics and Economics should discuss the precise balance between different subject areas with their various departments.

Performance at Monash will be monitored, and candidates performing at a satisfactory level will be permitted to graduate with the following suffix to their degree: ‘with Study Abroad’. A Returner’s Report will be required from candidates on these schemes. You will need to pass 6 Units (=120 CATS).

Please note that as Monash is in the Southern Hemisphere, its seasons are reversed to those of Europe. Consequently you will start your study there in July, just weeks after you will have completed your Second Year at Warwick. The summer vacation at Monash runs through December and January.

Other Available Mobility Opportunities

You can also apply for Study Abroad opportunities offered at a University level. There are a range of opportunities, many of them outside Europe, that you can apply for without altering your programme of study at Warwick. Applications for these schemes are handled by the Student Mobility office, but you will be supported by the Economics Department if you make such applications. You will also need to speak to your Personal Tutor about these applications as they are likely to be approached to provide a reference for your application.

Worldwide Study Opportunities

Each year the Department is able to secure some study opportunities at the University's worldwide partners. Over the last 3 years, these have included China, Hong Kong, Canada and South Korea. Student Mobility coordinate these opportunities and inform the Department of their allocate during November of your second year of study.

Short Term Mobility

You can also apply for short term mobility that is offered by the Student Mobility team. Opportunities to study, work or undertake a research project through international opportunities, teach with our Warwick in Africa project or you could study modules offered by the Warwick International Intensive Study Programme (WIISP).

Applications for these schemes are handled by the Student Mobility office, but you will be supported by the Economics Department if you make such applications. You will also need to speak to your Personal Tutor about these applications as they are likely to be approached to provide a reference for your application.

Contacts

For queries about Study Abroad opportunities through the Economics Department contact the Undergraduate Programme Manager, Jo Turrall.Link opens in a new window 

The Student Mobility office oversees all Study Abroad and can help you with general queries regarding the process. For questions about studying at Monash University or other worldwide partners contact the Student Mobility office on worldwide@warwick.ac.uk or on 024 7652 4133.

Volunteering opportunities or study opportunities can be found on their websiteLink opens in a new window or you can sign up to their regular mailing list.

For details of the application process and module information please look at the WIISP websiteLink opens in a new window.

Information for Visiting students

Much of the information in the earlier sections of the Handbook will be relevant for you, so we would advise you to familiarise yourself with it, in particular section 1Link opens in a new window which introduces you to the Department its key contacts and section 3Link opens in a new window which covers details about the modules and timetable.

On arrival, visiting students should report to the Department of Economics at the start of Term 1 or Term 2 to meet with the Programme Manager or the Director of Student Opportunities.

Academic year

Our system differs from most continental universities in that the year is split into three terms, each of ten weeks. These run October — December, January — March, and April — June. Most of the teaching takes place in the first two terms, with examinations taking place in May/June.

Modules

Visiting students who are based in Economics can take First, Second and Final year modules in Economics. Be aware that some modules will have pre-requisites and that you will need to be able to show you have appropriate knowledge and skills in order to take these modules. Typically, you will have to confirm your choice with your home university. They will have to accept what is a feasible pattern here and the fact that modules may be changed or not run in a specific year. As modules for different years are taught in the same slots in the week, you may find if you mix Second and Final Year modules that there will be timetable clashes. Please note that our modules are in economics, not in business studies. It is sometimes possible for you to take some modules run by Warwick Business School or other departments. However, this depends upon the consent of the department teaching the module, and it is not possible to make any commitments in advance. We cannot accept, as Economics-based students, those who wish to do a majority of modules from outside the Department (i.e. non-EC-coded modules).

In this Department, modules run either for one term or the whole year. In both cases however, you are only examined at the end of the year, i.e. in the third/Summer term. It is, however, possible to enrol as a visiting student for only one or two of the terms. Not all modules are available to students who are with us only for the Autumn and/or the Spring terms. If you are only here for one term and are interested in taking a year-long module, you will only be able to take the term 1 part of the module.

It is likely that if you only study the modules for one or two terms that you will receive fewer credits than students studying it for the entire year. Check the booklet for Assessment methods for part-year students for details. The booklet is available from the Student Mobility office and Undergraduate Office. Students who come for more than one term are not permitted to change modules after the third week of the first term they are studying here.

Number of modules: Our own students do a certain amount of modules each year; these must add up to 120 CATS (60 ECTS) and it is a government requirement that visiting students fit as closely as possible with the amount of study undertaken by a Second or Final Year student. It may mean that visiting students accrue more credits than are required by their home university. Each module will usually consist of two one-hour lectures a week, and usually a module Support and Feedback class either weekly or fortnightly, although some modules do not have module Support and Feedback classes.

Assessment

For Second and Final year modules, our students will usually do some coursework during the year followed by the Summer examination counting for the majority of the final mark. Unless a visiting student is present for the entire academic year, module marks for visiting students are based on assessed work. Visiting students should be aware that this will be the case. Help in essay writing and other study skills for your time at Warwick are available from the Library, Careers & Skills and within the Assessments and Examination section of this UG Handbook (section 4)Link opens in a new window. You are advised to read this section to find out further information about assessments in the Economics Department.

Extension request for coursework:

In principle the rules applying to you if you are a visiting or incoming study abroad student are the same as for other students. In practice we treat visiting students a little differently for two reasons.

1. Most Warwick degree students do not face formal assessed coursework deadlines and penalties for late submission affecting their degree classification until their second year. Therefore, they have had a whole first year to learn about good practice, library access, the computer network, juggling home and overseas travel and family commitments and so on. Visiting students may face assessed coursework deadlines almost immediately on arrival, with less opportunity to adjust beforehand.
2. Warwick degree students are working to obtain a Warwick degree. Visiting students are here to work for a degree for their home institutions, partly to gain broader educational benefits from living and studying in another country.

In considering visiting students' requests for short assessed coursework deadline extensions the Department will start from the same rules as those applying to Warwick degree students. However, we will also take into account the two factors listed above. We will not agree to such requests automatically or without a case being made. However, we will agree visiting students' requests for extensions, particularly concerning those first items of coursework normally submitted in December and January, more readily than similar requests from Warwick degree students.

As well as extensive online support these two services also offer short courses. Visiting students are encouraged to make use of this support soon after arriving at Warwick and certainly well before they have to write their first essay. While you may feel you have strong scholarly skills, it can be important to get in tune with expectations for academic work at this university.

Contact
Dr Taha Movahedi
Director of Student Opportunities (Economics)
Taha Movahedi

Examinations

Visiting and Erasmus students coming for just the autumn term; just the spring term or the autumn and spring terms but not the summer term, will not take examinations. Thus, when registering for a module, normally you will put in ‘VA’ (which means Visiting Assessment) or another alternate assessment indicator. Further details can be found in the part year handbook available at the start of the term.

Any Visiting or Erasmus students studying in the Department either for the spring and summer terms or for the entire year, will take the examinations. Thus, at the start of the year you need to register for the standard form of assessment just like permanent students in the Department. If this is not done it can lead to difficulties at the examination time.

For some modules there will be separate examinations for second years and for finalists. The finalist’s examination will usually come first. For such modules, all Visiting and Erasmus students must ensure that they are registered for the finalist examination (as opposed to the non-finalist option).

Final results are issued during February for Autumn leavers, May for Spring leavers and July for June leavers. Marks are uploaded to the HEAR transcript.

Monitoring points for Outgoing and Incoming Study Abroad Students