Incoming students

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Erasmus for incoming students

What is Erasmus?

Erasmus is a European-wide exchange programme for Higher Education funded by the European Commission.

The University of Ulster has been granted an Erasmus University Charter for Erasmus activities from 2007/8 to 2013/14. Our Erasmus University Charter number is 28408-IC-1-2008-1-UK-ERASMUS-EUCX-1.

Erasmus allows students from European universities, which have signed Erasmus bilateral agreements with the University of Ulster, to study at Ulster for one or two semesters as part of their degree courses.

If you are studying at one of our Erasmus partner institutions and would like to study at Ulster, we would love to hear from you. You can find out more about studying as an Erasmus exchange student at Ulster by clicking on the links below.

The University of Ulster acknowledges the support of the Commission of the European Communities within the framework of the LLP Erasmus Programme.
Disclaimer: The content of this website is the sole responsibility of the University of Ulster. The European Union is not liable for any use that may be made of the information.

Why study at Ulster

The University of Ulster has been welcoming Erasmus students for more than 20 years. Ask any Erasmus student who has studied with us in the past and they will tell you that Ulster is an extremely friendly university, which gives you a great learning experience combined with an exciting and fun social life.

We can offer you:

* You will be based on one of our four campuses depending upon the Erasmus bilateral agreement that your university has signed with the University of Ulster.

Can you study at Ulster?

If your home university has signed an Erasmus exchange agreement with Ulster in the subject area of your degree, and you have been approved by your university to study as an Erasmus exchange student at Ulster, we will be delighted to receive your application.

If your home university has not signed an Erasmus exchange agreement with Ulster, or the Erasmus exchange agreement we have is in a different subject area from the one you study, I am sorry but we will not be able to accept you as an Erasmus exchange student.

How to Apply

If you have decided that you would like to study as an Erasmus student at Ulster; you have confirmed that your home university has an Erasmus exchange agreement with Ulster in your subject area; and you have completed any selection process required by your home university, you are ready to apply.

At this stage, your home university may ‘nominate’ you. If this is the case, we will receive your name and contact details from your home university and we will e-mail you directly with information about our online application process. Alternatively, your university may ask you to go ahead and apply to Ulster without being nominated.

To apply, you must complete our online application form

When we have received your online application form and have checked that you meet our entry requirements, we will e-mail you to confirm that your application has been successful. We will send you:

  • your student ID number (also known as your ‘B’ number as it begins with the letter ‘B’). You will need your student ID number in order to apply for university accommodation;
  • confirmation of your campus of study;
  • the name and contact details of your Ulster Studies Adviser.

Download our Factsheet for Incoming Erasmus Exchange Students 2012-13 and Application Steps for Incoming Erasmus Exchange Students 2012-13 for more information about studying as an Erasmus student at the University of Ulster and how to complete our online application form

English language requirements

Although we do not require incoming Erasmus students to have a minimum level of English language or to have any English language qualifications (e.g. IELTS, TOEFL), it is important that your English is good enough to follow a course at university degree level. We recommend that you have an English language level equivalent to IELTS 6.0 or TOEFL 550.

While you are with us you will be required to do tasks such as reading in preparation for your classes, writing projects and presentations as part of a group, and participating in discussions. If you struggle with your English, you will find these tasks extremely difficult.

Before you come

When we have accepted you to study at the University of Ulster, you can begin to make plans for your time in Northern Ireland. The information below will help you to think about some of the important issues that you need to consider.

Your Studies Adviser

When we receive your application we will allocate you a Studies Adviser. Your Studies Adviser will be an academic member of staff whose specialism is the subject area of your exchange. In most cases, your Studies Adviser will also be the Departmental Erasmus Coordinator (in other words, the teacher with responsibility at departmental level for the Erasmus exchange with your university). Your Studies Adviser may even have visited your home university, but we cannot guarantee this.

We will e-mail you contact details for your Studies Adviser and you are welcome to contact him/her in advance of your arrival if you wish.

Choosing your modules

Modules are units of study that normally run for 12 weeks each semester. Most undergraduate modules are worth 20 UK credits (10 ECTS credits) but some are worth just 10 UK credits (5 ECTS credits). Most postgraduate modules are worth 15 UK credits (7.5 ECTS credits). The normal workload of a UK undergraduate student is 3 modules (60 UK credits/30 ECTS credits) per semester. You should not take more than 60 UK credits per semester.

When choosing your modules, you should keep the following information in mind.

  • If we have an Erasmus bilateral agreement with your home university for exchange at undergraduate level, you may only take undergraduate-level modules (Levels 4, 5 and 6). You may not take postgraduate level modules (Level 7) unless the Erasmus bilateral agreement specifies this.
  • You should aim to choose modules within the subject area of the Erasmus bilateral agreement that we have signed with your home university. For example, if the agreement that we have with your university is for an exchange in business, you should not choose modules in biomedical sciences. We do allow flexibility between some subject areas but if you would like to take modules outside your subject area, you must get the permission of the relevant Tutor or Module Coordinator before you register.
  • Our online module database includes many modules which will not be available each year. Click here for advice on using our online module database. You should therefore use the online module database as a guide for your provisional choice of modules. You will be able to check which modules are actually going to run each semester by looking at the online campus timetable. The timetable is usually available around two weeks before the semester begins. Please note that there can be changes to the timetable during the first two weeks of the semester, but these are normally minor changes.
  • You must be careful to choose modules that are offered on the correct campus, and during the correct semester and academic year. You can use the online module database to search for modules by campus, by faculty and by topic. You can also search by programme (course) but you will not be registered on any of the listed programmes.
  • You will have the opportunity to meet with your Studies Adviser during Welcome Week. Your Studies Adviser will be able to advise you and help you to make your final choice of modules.
  • If you are not sure which modules you would like to take, you will have the opportunity to try out modules during the first two weeks of each semester. You must confirm your final choice of modules, with any changes to your original registration, by the end of week 2 of each semester.

Your Learning Agreement

Your home university should give you a Learning Agreement to complete.

We do not normally sign learning agreements for Erasmus students before they have made and registered their final choice of modules during Welcome Week. This is because many of the learning agreements that we receive include modules that are inappropriate. We do not wish to approve such learning agreements and raise expectations that we will not be able to meet.

Your home university may require a signed learning agreement before you leave to study at Ulster. If this is the case, we can help you. However, we can only do so on the condition that you do not view a signed learning agreement as confirmation that you will be able to study all the modules listed on your learning agreement.

You will meet with your Studies Adviser during Welcome Week to finalise your choice of modules. Your Studies Adviser will sign your learning agreement as the Departmental Coordinator for the “receiving institution”. The Erasmus Team will then be happy to sign your learning agreement as the Institutional Coordinator of the “receiving institution”.

We recommend that you keep a copy of your learning agreement and make further copies if you make any changes during your time at Ulster. All changes to your modules must be formally noted and approved on your learning agreement.

Finding somewhere to live

Finding somewhere good to live is not normally too difficult for incoming Erasmus students as there is a wide choice of accommodation on or close to all our campuses. Your choice of accommodation will depend on which campus you will study on.

If you cannot find anywhere to live before you arrive at your campus, or if you prefer to wait and find a room after you arrive, you can book to stay in a local hostel while you look for your ideal place to live. Many websites, such as http://hostelbookers.com or http://hostelworld.com, will give you information about hostels in Northern Ireland. You will also find a range of local guest houses, B&Bs and hotels, but these will be more expensive.

Travelling to your campus

It is easy to get to your campus as we are less than an hour from London by plane and you can fly to one of our three regional airports:

Different airlines operate in and out of the three airports, so you should check which of our airports is most suitable for you from your departure point and for onward travel to your campus.

The University of Ulster will provide transport for you from Belfast City and Belfast International Airports to your campus on one day (normally on Monday of Welcome Week for students arriving in Semester 1). You will receive more details about this by e-mail when all arrangements have been made. We regret that we can only provide transport on this day. If you are unable to arrive on this day, you should make your own way to your campus.

You can take buses from all three airports, although these may not go directly to your campus. You will find taxis at all the airports though they can be expensive if you are travelling alone.

For information about public bus or rail travel within Northern Ireland, go to the Translink website. The Airporter is a private bus company running between Derry/Londonderry and Belfast City Airport and Belfast International Airport.

By sea

A number of ferry operators run services from Great Britain to Northern Ireland. Our main two ferry ports are Larne and Belfast and you can cross the Irish Sea from ports in Scotland and England. Crossing times vary, depending on the route. Onward travel from Larne and Belfast is possible by road or rail.

It is also possible to take a ferry from mainland Europe to the Republic of Ireland. This route may be suitable if you are travelling by car. We do not recommend this route for non-EEA or Swiss national students, who may require visas to enter the Republic of Ireland and also to enter the UK for study at the University of Ulster, because of potential difficulties with immigration.

Welcome Week Orientation

Welcome Week is both informative and fun. Our aim during Welcome Week is to welcome you to the University of Ulster, help you to familiarise yourself with your campus, introduce you to key staff, answer all the questions that you may have about your studies at Ulster (e.g. registration, choosing modules, teaching methods, examinations and assessment, IT support), and provide you with a range of social events. By the end of Welcome Week we hope that you will have made friends, feel ready to start your studies and have started to settle into life at Ulster.

Attendance at Welcome Week is not compulsory, but it is strongly recommended.

Welcome Week for students beginning their studies at Ulster during the 2012/13 academic year will take place on Tuesday 18 – Friday 21 September 2012 for students arriving in Semester 1, and Thursday 24 – Friday 25 January 2013 (provisional dates) for students arriving in Semester 2.

Health & Insurance

Medical treatment for international students will be provided free-of-charge by the National Health Service (NHS). However, you will be charged for non-essential medical treatment (e.g. cosmetic surgery), dental and optical treatment. We advise you also to take out private travel insurance, which will cover you for situations that may not be covered by the NHS or any reciprocal agreement that your country has with the UK for medical treatment.

We advise you to apply for a European Health Insurance Card before you leave your home country.

If you stay in university accommodation your personal possessions will be covered by a Block Insurance Policy through Saxon Campus Block Halls Insurance against loss, theft or damage up to £3,000, (subject to £25 excess). You can 'top up' this cover for a small additional charge. Insurance is paid for from your non-refundable booking fee.

If you are not planning to stay in university accommodation, you must ensure that your possessions are fully insured through a reputable insurance company.

Visas

Nationals of the EEA and Switzerland do not require visas in order to enter the UK.

The European Economic Area (EEA) consists of Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Cyprus, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, the Republic of Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden and the UK. Although Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway are not members of the European Union (EU), their citizens have the same rights as EU citizens to enter, live in and work in the UK.

If you are a national of a country outside the European Economic Area (EEA) and Switzerland, and you are coming to Ulster as an Erasmus student, you must check whether you require a visa (sometimes referred to as ‘entry clearance’) for the UK before you leave your home country (or country of residence).

You can find out whether you need a visa to study in the UK by visiting the UK Border Agency website.

Tier 4 (General) Student visa

If you require a Tier 4 (General) Student visa, the University of Ulster will be your Immigration Sponsor for the duration of your studies. Before you can apply for a Tier 4 visa, the International Office will issue you with a Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS). You will need your ‘CAS number’ in order to apply for your Tier 4 Student visa. This will be emailed to you.

During your stay at the University, we are required by the UK Border Agency to monitor your attendance and ensure that you do not break the conditions of your Tier 4 Student visa. You will be required to provide certain documents for your student immigration file and to keep these documents updated if there are any changes. You will also be required to sign an attendance register weekly. Any absence from your studies must be approved formally. As a Tier 4 Student visa holder, you will be permitted to work a maximum number of hours each week. You will receive detailed information about this during Welcome Week.

Student Visitor visa

If you require a Student Visitor visa, the International Office will issue you with a Student Visitor visa letter, which you must submit with your visa application.

As a Student Visitor, you will not be permitted to work or extend your stay in the UK beyond 6 months. Even if you are not required to apply for your Student Visitor visa before you leave your home country or country of residence (see the table on page 13) we still recommend that you apply for a Student Visitor before you travel to the UK in order to reduce the risk of difficulties when you arrive.

Entering the UK from the Republic of Ireland

Although Northern Ireland is located on the island of Ireland, it is part of the United Kingdom and subject to UK immigration regulations. The Republic of Ireland is a separate country for immigration purposes. A visa to enter the UK will not give you permission to enter the Republic of Ireland. Likewise, a visa to enter the Republic of Ireland will not give you permission to enter the UK.

If you are a non-EEA or Swiss national and you want to travel to Ireland on your way to the University of Ulster, you must obtain a UK Tier 4 Student visa or Student Visitor visa before entering Ireland. The reasons for this are that:

  • you will probably not see any immigration officers when you enter Northern Ireland (UK) from Ireland, so you will not be able to apply for immigration permission to enter the UK.
  • if you do not get immigration permission when you enter the UK, and you are not a visa national, you will in most cases automatically have permission to be in the UK for three months, but you will not be allowed to work and you will not be able to extend your stay in the UK as a student or student visitor.

To avoid difficulties with immigration, we do not recommend that you enter the UK from Ireland if you are a non-EEA or Swiss national.

While you are here - Fees

Erasmus regulations state that you cannot be asked to pay fees at the University of Ulster for tuition, registration, examinations, access to laboratory and library facilities, etc. However, you may be asked to pay small fees for costs such as insurance, student unions and the use of miscellaneous material such as the photocopying of academic material, use of laboratory products on the same basis as these are charged to local students.

While you are here - Asessment and Examinations

You will normally be expected take the same examinations and assessment as other students at Ulster. Assessment can take many forms so make sure that you know how and when each of your modules will be assessed, and plan your studies and revision carefully.

Information about examinations and assessment specific to each of your modules will be in the Module Handbook that you will receive when you attend the first lecture class (L) at the beginning of each semester. Assessment will be by examination (EX) and/or coursework (CW), and may take many forms including end-of-semester examinations (usually lasting 1- 3 hours), class tests, essays or extended essays, individual or group presentations, and group projects.

You will find more information about assessment and examinations in the Student Handbook

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While you are here - Credits and Grading

The University of Ulster does not operate a formal ECTS system so, although we are able to convert UK credits to ECTS credits, we are not able to give you an ECTS grade. All grades given are UK grades.
More Information about UK Credits System

While you are here - Your studies Adviser

If you have any general academic questions or issues during your time at Ulster, you should contact your Studies Adviser. Most staff at Ulster set aside certain times during which you can call in to their office without an appointment. You will find a list of such ‘drop-in’ times on their office doors.

Your Module Coordinator

Each module you take will have a Module Coordinator. The Module Coordinator is responsible for all issues related to the module. Most Module Coordinators teach the modules for which they have responsibility, but teaching is sometimes carried out by other Tutors. If you have any questions or problems specific to your modules, you should first see your Module Coordinator or Tutor.

Changing Modules

You may change your modules within the first two weeks of each semester. You must notify the Registry Office of any changes to your modules by completing and submitting a Module Amendment Form signed by your Studies Adviser within the first two weeks of Semester I (for Semester I modules) or the first two weeks of Semester 2 (for Semester 2 modules).

You can get a Module Amendment Form from your Faculty Office or the Registry Office or through your Student Portal (My Studies – Registration & Enrolment – Forms). Remember it is your responsibility to complete the form, get the signature of your Studies Adviser and leave the form in the Registry Office by the deadline>

Health

We want you to stay healthy and enjoy your time at Ulster. For that reason, we have a student health centre or nursing services located within Student Support on each campus. Student Support can help you with minor illnesses and injuries, free and confidential counselling, disability advice and support and child care.

It is essential that you register with a GP (General Practitioner – i.e. Doctor) as soon as you can after you arrive. If you later develop an illness that cannot be treated by the nurse on campus, you will be able to make an appointment to be seen by your GP.

Students can receive free eye tests within the student clinics at the Eye Clinic on the Coleraine campus.

English Language Workshops

The Centre for English Language Teaching (CELT) offers a range of credit-bearing modules specifically designed for international students whose first language is not English. These modules aim to help students with skills for academic study and everyday communication. You will have the opportunity to take modules offered by CELT during your studies at Ulster. You will receive detailed information about these modules during Welcome Week.

Getting your Erasmus forms signed

You will probably be required by your home university to have a number of forms signed while you are at Ulster. The Erasmus Team is happy to do this for you. Although we try to sign forms by the next working day, there are times when we cannot do this, such as during Welcome Week when we are very busy.

When you leave a form with us to be signed, please make sure that you complete all sections of the form that you can. If you do not complete the form fully, we will not be able to sign it.

Due to difficulties in sending faxes, we are unable to fax any forms to your home university. Instead, you should send forms by post or e-mail.

Student Portal

After you register at Ulster, you will have access to the Student Portal. You can log on to the Student Portal using your Student (‘B’) number and password.

Your Student Portal will be the most useful and comprehensive source of all the information and forms that you will need during your studies at Ulster. It will contain important information specific to you, such as your class timetable, your examination timetable and your results.

You will be able to check and amend your personal details (such as your home and correspondence address); check your course and module enrolments; and notify the University about any absence from your studies on the “Banner Student Self Service”, which you can access through your Student Portal (“My Studies” tab).

You will also be able to access ‘Blackboard Learn’ from your Student Portal. This will be used by your Module Coordinator/Tutor to communicate with you and give you module-specific information. You may also be asked to submit work to your Tutor/Module Coordinator through ‘Blackboard Learn’. You will learn more about this during your first couple of weeks at Ulster.

Student Email

When you register at Ulster you will be given a student e-mail address. It is essential that you check your student e-mail frequently as your Module Coordinator/Tutor and Studies Adviser will use this e-mail address to contact you. You will also receive other notices, some of which will be important to you, through this e-mail address.

You can access your student e-mail through your Student Portal.

Student Handbook

The Student Handbook is issued annually and contains essential information which will be of help to you throughout your time at Ulster.

International Student Charter

The International Student Charter sets out the standards of service which the University aims to provide. It also sets out what the University expects of you. The quality of the service that we believe you are entitled to expect is, therefore, balanced with responsibilities placed on you as a student: both are intended to ensure that you gain maximum benefit from your time with us.

When you go home

This is the sad bit when you have to say goodbye to all your friends, though you will probably have spent the past few days enjoying lots of parties with your fellow Erasmus students and enjoying for the last time all the good things that Northern Ireland has to offer. There are, however, still important things that you need to know before you leave.

Getting your Erasmus forms signed

Your home university will probably require you to have a form signed to confirm that you have completed your studies at Ulster. The Erasmus Team is happy to sign this for you.

Although we try to sign forms by the next working day, there are times when we cannot do this. Please bring your form to us a few days before you plan to leave. We do not normally sign forms more than one week before the end of your studies or your departure.

Your results and transcript

You will be able to view your results through your Student Portal soon after they have been confirmed by the Boards of Examiners (usually within around 3 weeks of the end of the examination period).

The University of Ulster does not issue formal transcripts until the end of the academic year. Your transcript will be sent to your home address around the beginning of July.

It is important that you have registered the correct home address on your student records as this is the address to which your transcript will be sent. You can make changes to your home address on the Banner Student Self Service through your Student Portal.

If you need a transcript before July, we can issue you with a provisional transcript. You should print a copy of your results from your Student Portal and e-mail them to us at erasmus@ulster.ac.uk. We will verify your results, stamp, sign and return them to you.

Erasmus Team

The Erasmus Team at Ulster consists of two members of staff based on the Coleraine campus. We are Clare Armour, Erasmus Institutional Coordinator, and Valerie Canny, Erasmus Assistant. We are both passionate about Erasmus and do our best to ensure that things go as smoothly as possible for you. We are very busy and, although we aim to respond to all your enquiries as soon as we can, please be patient with us if you do not receive an immediate response.

If there is anything more that you want to know about Erasmus that you cannot find on our website or through the links that we provide, please don’t hesitate to contact us at:
Email: erasmus@ulster.ac.uk
Telephone: +44 (0)28 7012 3513
Fax: +44 (0)28 7012 4930
Location: J202, International Office, University of Ulster, Cromore Road, Coleraine BT52 1SA

Please note that our working hours are as follows:
Clare Armour
Tuesday – Thursday 0845 – 1315
Friday 0845 – 1230

Valerie Canny
Monday – Thursday 0845 – 1700
Friday 0845 - 1600