When a student has an enquiry about MDX Erasmus and Exchange Programme

What should you be aware of?

Students on most MDX programmes, from undergraduate to PhD, can study or work abroad as part of their degree. Usually this is undertaken through our Student Exchange Programme, managed by the Erasmus and Exchanges Office and most students are able to receive an Erasmus grant for the visit. Exchange Study visits can only take place at our approved HEI exchange partners. These are listed on the Exchange Office pages on the intranet. Work placement visits do not need to be located at an Exchange Partner, but if the student is eligible and is visiting an eligible country, they may also be entitled to receive an Erasmus grant. International students, as well as UK/EEA students, are also usually entitled to receive an Erasmus grant.

Generally speaking, undergraduate students can go on exchange during the 2nd year of 3-year programmes or in the 3rd year of 4-year programmes. Postgraduate students should discuss the timing of their exchange with their Programme Leader or Director of Studies. Whilst on exchange students earn the necessary amount of credits and grades towards their degree. These will be converted into Middlesex credits and grades on return. Students do not lose any time when going on exchange, but graduate within the regular time frame. There are a few programmes where exchange or placement options are not supported.

Students can only go on exchange with the explicit approval of their Programme Leader (or Director of Studies for Doctoral Students), who must also approve their choice of modules to take at the host university.

MDX receives students from our exchange partners – these usually join undergraduate programmes in the 2nd or 3rd years, or participate in postgraduate programmes.

Funding for exchanges at most of our partner universities is through the Erasmus programme and students receive an Erasmus grant while they are studying abroad. The Erasmus programme also provides grants for students undertaking work placements abroad as part of their degree, but only in selected countries.

If going on a full year exchange, UK/EEA students pay a reduced tuition fee to Middlesex University; otherwise, students pay the normal tuition fee to MDX. No tuition fee is paid to the partner university. The students will continue to receive their regular grants and loans from Student Finance England. International students pay the full fee to Middlesex as usual.

Students may also spend a year at one of our overseas campuses (programme permitting).

We have more information for staff about Exchanges and Erasmus on the staff intranet, follow the link to student exchanges at: http://www.intra.mdx.ac.uk/about-us/services/international-preparation-programmes,-erasmus-and-exchanges/eu-funded-educational-programmes/student-exchanges

What should you do?

The Erasmus and Exchanges Office team manages the Erasmus study and work placements and all student exchanges. All the information for our students e.g. about destinations, grants, credit transfer, grade conversion, insurance etc. is on the Student Exchange pages of UniHub: http://unihub.mdx.ac.uk/study/opportunities/student-exchange

If a student is interested in studying or working abroad as part of their degree, refer them first to our UniHub pages. They can also book an appointment (http://unihub.mdx.ac.uk/study/opportunities/student-exchange/quick-links/book-an-appointment) for a meeting with a Student Exchange Coordinator.

What happens next?

The Erasmus and Exchanges Office will assist students wishing to go on exchange through the process of making their application to the partner university; briefly this is as follows:

— to get started go to UniHub, Study, Student Exchange
(http://unihub.mdx.ac.uk/study/opportunities/student-exchange)

— internal application deadline for registration form

— nomination to host university

— support/advice to students for host university’s application procedures, through the exchange coordinators and through our dedicated group of student exchange mentors

— liaise with academic staff/school exchange coordinator for academic advice on exchange modules/Learning Agreement

Student Exchanges & Erasmus+ study placements:

http://unihub.mdx.ac.uk/study/opportunities/student-exchange

Email us: exchanges@mdx.ac.uk

Erasmus+ Work Placement:

http://unihub.mdx.ac.uk/study/opportunities/student-exchange/what-are-my-exchange-options/erasmus-europe

Email us: erasmusworkplacements@mdx.ac.uk

Telephone: 020 8411 5579/5962