One Year Study Abroad

Module title	One Year Study Abroad
Module code	GEO3508
Academic year	2025/6
Credits	120
Module staff	Professor Caitlin DeSilvey (Convenor) Dr Maike Hamann (Convenor)

Duration: Term	1	2	3
Duration: Weeks	11	11

Number students taking module (anticipated)	8

Module description

The Geography, Environmental Science, and Marine Science (GEMS) degrees in Cornwall offer you the possibility to apply for a place to study abroad 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 GEMS “with Study Abroad” programmes. The full application process is described on the Global Opportunities website at https://www.exeter.ac.uk/study/studyabroad/outbound/.

If you are accepted onto the programme, you will spend one academic year abroad, usually the third year of a four-year programme. Credits for academic studies during your year abroad are arranged by agreement between Exeter and the host institution. At the end of your Year Abroad, your marks are translated into the Exeter grade system and contribute to your degree.

Module aims - intentions of the module

The module aims to provide you with a different and supplementary learning experience, predominantly in your chosen discipline (Geography, Environmental Science, or Marine Science). However, this Year Abroad also provides the opportunity to explore additional related subjects (subject to approval), and the chance to experience life and learning in a different institution and a different culture. The module therefore aims to expand your knowledge and expose you to a variety of methods of study. It also builds your independence, problem-solving skills, cultural awareness, and international exposure – all of which are key benefits for your career after university.

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, Environmental Science, or Marine Science
2. Discuss different approaches to the learning and teaching of Geography, Environmental Science, or Marine Science
3. Assess and critically evaluate 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, environmental, or marine research
5. Critically appraise relevant literature in the fields of Geography, Environmental Science, or Marine Science
6. Conceptualise issues in contemporary Geography, Environmental Science, or Marine Science

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, across diverse cultural contexts
8. Develop a sustained and reasoned argument; an ability to identify, acquire, evaluate and synthesise data from a range of sources
9. Formulate and critically 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, not only academically, but within the broader context of dealing with unfamiliar and new circumstances

Syllabus plan

The syllabus is specific to the host university concerned. The set 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 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 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/or 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 prep work, reading, and research. Typically, you will be expected to take 4 courses/modules (15 credits each) per semester, while at your host university. These would normally be chosen from the host university’s third-year module offering (if the host university operates a three-year degree programme), but modules from other years may be considered (subject to approval by the Study Abroad coordinator). You will be expected to take most of your modules within your degree discipline, but are also encouraged to choose some modules outside your main subject area (subject to approval by the Study Abroad coordinator).

Your Year Abroad counts as a single 120 credit module and as such is not condonable; you must pass the Study Abroad module as a whole to continue on the four-year programme at Exeter. You will be assessed by your host university for the modules you take while abroad, and any rules governing failure and referral will be determined by the host institution. Your marks are then converted to Exeter grades according to established conversion tables, and aggregated into one final, weighted average for the Study Abroad module. None of the modules you take while abroad are considered non-condonable for our students; you can fail individual modules without 'failing' the Study Abroad module as a whole, as long as you achieve a weighted average of greater than 40% across all modules taken while abroad. If you fail the Study Abroad module as a whole, you will be transferred to the standard three-year programme at Exeter.

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

Scheduled Learning and Teaching Activities	Guided independent study	Placement / study abroad
0	0	1200

Details of learning activities and teaching methods

Category	Hours of study time	Description
Placement/Study abroad	1200	1200 hours (as required by host university)

Formative assessment

Form of assessment	Size of the assessment (eg length / duration)	ILOs assessed	Feedback method
TBD by host university under established University of Exeter Study Abroad protocols

Summative assessment (% of credit)

Coursework	Written exams	Practical exams
100	0	0

Details of summative assessment

Form of assessment	% of credit	Size of the assessment (eg length / duration)	ILOs assessed	Feedback method
Dependent on programme of study. Students take all necessary assignments as required for the completion of the modules/courses at their host university. The Study Abroad year will count towards one seventh of the students final degree score (the combined average ratio for years 2, 3 and 4 being weighted at 2:1:4).	100

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

Original form of assessment	Form of re-assessment	ILOs re-assessed	Timescale for re-assessment
TBD by host university	Dependent on nature of failed referred or deferred work	As above	Referral/deferral period

Indicative learning resources - Basic reading

TBD by the host university.

For more info on Study Abroad, visit the Global Opportunities Sharepoint site: https://universityofexeteruk.sharepoint.com/sites/GlobalOpportunitiesOutbound

Key words search

Geography, Environmental Science, Marine Science, Study Abroad, International Exchange

Credit value	120
Module ECTS	60
Module pre-requisites	None
Module co-requisites	None
NQF level (module)	6
Available as distance learning?	No
Origin date	22/10/2012
Last revision date	24/02/2025