Frequently Asked Questions
Allocation & Application
Why can’t I have the same Study Period Abroad (SPA)
destination as my friend? Why did my friend get their first
choice and not me?
The International
Partnerships Office (IPO) allocates you to your host
institution(s) abroad on the basis of many criteria: your stated
preference, command of the foreign language(s) where the SPA(s) is
(are) to be undertaken, academic performance and results (overall
average), places available at each Institution Abroad, specific
requirements as defined by each Institution Abroad, and keeping the
balance in the number of incoming/outgoing students per Institution
Abroad.
We have a finite number of places for each
institution. If many students have chosen the same destination,
students who have the best overall average will usually have
precedence.
Please note as well that the IPO monitors your
progress during the three semesters preceding your SPA. If you do
not satisfy the specific requirements for the partner institution
you have been allocated or should your overall grade-point-average
diminish, you will risk losing your place at that particular
institution. It is therefore very important that you keep up the
good work!
What marks do you take into consideration when allocating me to
my host institution(s) abroad?
The IPO takes into consideration your overall
average and your marks in your chosen language(s).
Why do I have to hand in my application form by semester
one?
We have to plan semesters abroad much in
advance. Moreover, some institutions abroad take longer than others
to process your application (especially in the United States). You
might get the feeling that it is taking forever; don’t worry! It is
probably normal. In any case, the IPO will always contact you as
soon as it receives documents for your attention.
Courses & Academic Information
If I can change my modules while abroad, why do I have to
choose them before leaving?
Some institutions abroad require you to choose
your courses when applying in order to determine if a course is
popular, if it will run or not, etc. The IPO asks you to submit a
list of courses for your semesters abroad, even if you don’t have
to submit it with your application. Knowing what courses are
available at your host institution is a first step towards your
integration. It will be easier to change your courses once you are
abroad if you know what is available in the first place.
How many courses should I choose? Why do I have to choose more
courses than my friend who goes to another institution?
Generally, you will be required to enrol in 4
business courses. However, workloads may vary from an institution
to another. If at a certain institution the workload is less per
course, you will be required to register for more courses. Please
check on the institution information sheet to know exactly how many
courses you must enrol into.
How do I choose my courses? How do I know which courses I can
take?
You must choose your courses from the list
provided by the IPO at EBS London. The approved course lists also
appear on the
institution information pages. You cannot enrol in any
course similar to those studied at EBS London (or already studied
at another SPA location). When enrolling in a foreign language SPA,
all courses must be taught and examined in the foreign language. Of
all the business courses you choose, one can be replaced by a
foreign language course and one by a non-business course (culture,
humanities, etc.).
Why do lists of courses change? Why are some of the courses on
the approved list of courses not offered at my host
institution?
Availability of courses at the institutions
abroad is subject to change. EBS London draws up course lists from
the information sent by partner institutions abroad each year and
strives to keep them as current as possible. The IPO usually
gives you information on courses taken from the previous year, so
it is possible that when you are abroad, some of that information
is not relevant to you anymore. In any case, the IPO will always
try to keep you up to date by sending you the newest information
via email.
What is the learning agreement? When do I have to fill it
in?
The SPA Learning
Agreement is a document stating the titles and codes of the
courses you are registered for at your host institution. You have
to submit it by fax to the IPO for approval before your timetable
is finalised at your host institution. That way, if there are any
problems with the courses you have chosen (for example if some are
not approved by EBS London), you will have time to change them.
Usually, the learning agreement is sent during the first two weeks
at your host institution.
When will I receive the exact dates for my semesters
abroad?
The IPO forwards you by email any updated
information it receives from its partner institutions abroad. Some
of these institutions are more efficient than others at sending
everything in good time. An effective way of keeping yourself up to
date is to regularly check the web site of your host institution(s)
abroad.
When will I get all the information I need on accommodation,
etc.?
Information on accommodation can be obtained
from exchange students currently studying at EBS London, from EBS
London students who just got back from their SPA or from the IPO.
Remember that it is your responsibility to ask for any information
you don't have!
Why do I have to pay for my language course? Shouldn't that
kind of fee be covered by EBS London?
Many institutions offer free language courses
for exchange students during the semester. A lot of them also offer
intensive language courses before the beginning of the semester. Be
aware however that a fee is usually attached to intensive language
courses.
Few, but some, partner institutions don't
offer language courses (especially in Latin America). If so, they
usually suggest good language schools where you can go and register
for a language course in replacement of one of your business
courses.
The decision to replace a business course with
a language course is entirely yours. Therefore, the responsibility
of paying the fees for the course, when such fees apply, remains
with you. EBS London doesn't require you to replace a business
course with a language course.
Pre-Departure Preparation
How can I find out if I need a visa to study abroad?
Contact the embassy or consulate of the
country you are going to. The Foreign and Commonwealth Office has a
full list of
foreign embassies in the UK, including contact information,
opening hours and website links.
Please note that the IPO staff are not
legally qualified to offer advice on applying for visas. Remember
that it is YOUR responsibility not to leave applying for your visa
to the last minute.
What do I need to apply for a visa?
You will definitely need your acceptance
letter from your host institution abroad. These letters are sent
after receipt of your application. The IPO will contact you as soon
as it receives yours. Please contact the embassy or consulate of
the relevant country to know what the other requirements are.
Where can I get the E-128/E-111 forms? Do I need this form if I
have private health insurance?
If you are an EU resident, you can get the
E-128 form from your country of residence. If you are a resident of
the UK, you can contact the Contributions Agency, International
Services (EC), DSS, Longbenton, Newcastle upon Tyne NE98 1ZZ, Tel:
0845 915 4811, Fax: 0845 915 7800. You normally can find E-111
forms in post offices.
If you have private health insurance, check
with your insurance company if you will be covered in the country
of your SPA for any medical situation (visit to the doctor,
hospitalisation, emergencies, etc.).
What if I have not got any type of insurance? What type of
insurance should I get?
Some partner institutions abroad offer their
own insurance coverage. At some institutions (mainly in the USA and
Canada), it is even compulsory to take out the institution's
insurance, even if you already have an insurance that would cover
you for your stay in that country. Please check on the
institution's information sheet to know if your host institution
offers it. If health insurance is not offered at the institution
you are going to, please contact your insurance company at home to
know what your options are.
What do i need to pay for while i am abroad?
You are required to pay for accommodation,
insurance, travel and living expenses, including text books and
study materials. These costs vary depending on the country and city
in which you choose to study. Some countries and cities are more
expensive, such as Japan or New York (USA), while others, such as
Russia or China are less expensive. You are also responsible for
the choices you make and the institutions you choose to go to; EBS
London doesn’t require you to go to any particular institution. You
should be aware of which institutions abroad require you to buy
their health insurance plan before choosing them if you are not
ready to comply with their regulations.
When should I arrive to my host institution? What if I arrive
late?
You should be aware of your host institution's
calendar. Please ask the International Partnerships Office or check
your host institution's web site for more details.
If your host institution requires you to be
present on a certain date, you MUST be there on that date. Some
host institutions won't accept you if you arrive late, so it is
important to plan your time according to the institution's
calendar.
Finance
Where do I pay my tuition fees? Do I pay them to EBS London or
to the host institution?
While on exchange you will be enrolled as a
full time EBS London student and hence will be required to pay your
fees in the usual way to EBS London.
Before going abroad, do I need to pay my
EBS fees ?
Yes. Pay them as soon as possible and before
beginning your studies. If in doubt, please contact the Finance
Department at EBS London.
I heard that other Erasmus students got an Erasmus grant; how
come I haven’t been informed about that? Why can’t I get one?
Please read the SPA Handbook carefully. All
the information and the eligibility requirements on Erasmus grant
are in it. You should be aware that the Socrates-Erasmus scheme
only concerns the European Union. If you went on SPA in Latin or
North America or in Asia, you will not be eligible.
How much is the Erasmus grant?
The amount of the grant varies from year to
year and depends on where you go and on the length of your
stay.
When can I collect my money?
Grants are usually available for collection at
EBS London after your SPA.
Requirements
I know I have passed at least 15 ECTS credits at my host
institution abroad and therefore have passed my SPA. Why do you
require me to take the other exams?
You should be aware of your host institution
calendar and plan your time after your SPA accordingly. You are
expected to stay for the full length of the semester(s), including
exams. You are required to attend the induction week at the SPA
host institution and expected to take the exams for the all courses
you have registered for. You should also attend all classes, be
punctual and act as good ambassadors of EBS London. You are
expected to behave responsibly and follow the academic and social
regulations of the host university abroad where you are
registered.
What happens if I don’t pass my semester abroad?
If you do not pass your semester you will be
required to retake it. Re-sits of examinations and coursework are
not available for SPA.
Options
What are my options for my two semesters abroad?
You have several options for the SPA:
- Two foreign language semesters at the same institution;
- Two foreign language semesters at different institutions;
- One foreign language semester and one English semester;
- One foreign language semester and one native speaker semester;
or
- One foreign language semester and a Placement Learning
Project.
Please note that if you are a beginner in your
chosen language, you MUST do two foreign language semesters.
Can I spend an English-speaking SPA at EBS?
No. EBS London requirements state that you
must spend semester 4 and 5 away from EBS London. It is a
compulsory part of your degree programme.
Page last updated 7/9/2010