All study undertaken abroad will be recognized by your School and your time abroad will be noted on your academic transcript.
Semester: If studying abroad for a semester you are usually expected to study modules at the partner university in the same subject as your degree programme at Reading. However you might be able to study language, culture or possibly even modules in related academic subjects to your degree.
Year: If studying abroad for a year, there could be more flexibility in studying both modules from your subject area, but also subjects that are aligned with your degree but if personal interest. We also strongly encourage students to study modules either culture, history, and / or language modules linked to the county where you study so that you can gain a better insight into that country and its culture.
Summer School: You have more flexibility to choose whatever subject matter that you would like, based on what the partner can offer.
The final decision regarding the modules you can study will be made together with your Study Abroad Coordinator before you go abroad. They will be able to provide you with guidance and explain how this will transfer back to your Reading degree.
Credit Systems
The credit system at the partner will be different to the University of Reading.
Europe
Institutions will normally use ECTS credits (European Credit Transfer System). The conversion is 2 Reading credits = 1 ECTS. A full year workload is 60 ECTS (120 Reading credits).
If you Study Abroad for less than a year, most institutions will expect you to study 30 ECTS (60 Reading credits).
Outside Europe
This can differ between institutions., However, generally students are expected to study 4-5 modules per semester. Your School Study Abroad Coordinator will advise you regarding transfer of credits back to your degree programme.
Please note that it is your responsibility to liaise with your Study Abroad Coordinator(s) in order to gain approval for credit transfer.
Semester dates
The semester dates / academic dates at most partner institutions will differ to those at the University of Reading.
For example:
Australia: uses the calendar year (January – December) as its academic year, rather than the September – June academic year used at Reading. Semester 1 will start in February; semester 2 in July. Students studying abroad for a full year in Australia follow the Reading academic year, starting their studies in Australia in Semester 2 of one Australian academic year, and continuing into Semester 1 of the following Australian academic year.
Germany: Academic year starts in October, but ends in July / August, with semester 2 starting end March / early April.
You must use the information provided on each of the partner pages to determine if you are able to go abroad at the time you want.
Grade Conversions
Full details will be provided to you either by your School or the Study Abroad Office.
