Uni Courses with built in year abroad

amiehall

If I were you I would be talking to your son about his actual grades because a 2:1 would be the normal requirement for something like this.

Even top top graduate employers don't ask for a first. It's not really required unless you want to obtain funding for a phd or similar...

I would presume that your son is enrolled on a specific 4 year programme including this year abroad as doing it otherwise can cause a bit of drama with student finance, so it seems unlikely that the uni have suddenly realised that there are too many students down to go abroad unless they've had a sudden falling out with a host university.

If he really has achieved his 2:1 so far, your son should visit his personal tutor asap and explain the housing and other issues that this is causing. If he can gain his tutor's support with his application, I'd say he's in a much stronger position. It is unfair to move the goalposts at this stage and, if nothing else, the university need to be encouraged to clarify their policy and communicate it to all current and prospective students.

Voyager2002

mountainofdebt wrote: »

Is it usually for the Uni to specify that the student has to achieve a certain level in their exams to take part in the year abroad?

Only asking as Junior,who is achieving a 2:1, has been told that he cant take part in the planned year abroad as he hasn't achieved a 1st.....up to now he's been told only that he has to pass the 2nd year exams.

Obviously this is for him to sort out but is causing concern as he now has to find accommodation for next year as his present house mates have found a replacement for him (they always knew that he was going away for the 3rd year) -plus we were counting on him being away so have booked Christmas away lol

It sounds very much as though you are not getting the full story... My guess is that there is a pot of funding available for those who are heading for firsts, and that is the problem.

Anyway, there is absolutely nothing stopping him from taking a gap year (and returning after a year to do his final year): he could work as a teaching assistant in a school in mainland Europe, which is what language students traditionally do during their year abroad, and of course the ERASMUS scheme, which involves spending a year at a university in Europe proper, is also available to him.

Voyager2002

amiehall wrote: »

If he really has achieved his 2:1 so far, your son should visit his personal tutor asap and explain the housing and other issues that this is causing. If he can gain his tutor's support with his application, I'd say he's in a much stronger position. It is unfair to move the goalposts at this stage and, if nothing else, the university need to be encouraged to clarify their policy and communicate it to all current and prospective students.

Practical issues like housing are not a good reason for spending a year abroad: he would face all manner of practicalities settling in to a foreign country for a year. Finding a room to rent is not difficult: there are plenty of student groups sharing a house who find they have a spare room at the last moment, and plenty of other options.

amiehall

Voyager2002 wrote: »

Practical issues like housing are not a good reason for spending a year abroad: he would face all manner of practicalities settling in to a foreign country for a year. Finding a room to rent is not difficult: there are plenty of student groups sharing a house who find they have a spare room at the last moment, and plenty of other options.

That's not specifically what I meant... If a student has been enrolled on a course with a placement year for 18 months, it seems odd to move the goalposts a few months before you'd be setting off.

This placement could have been one of the main reasons the student applied to/accepted the place at this university and if they've met the academic requirements previously stated, I feel its unreasonable to withdraw the opportunity at this late stage if the student has achieved what was originally requested.

I do also think the university should acknowledge the inconvenience caused if for example, other housemates are all remaining in the same house and now you have to move out and live with strangers. It's one thing to find new housing so you can enjoy a great experience abroad, and it's another to have to pay agents fees etc. because your university told you you had a placement abroad when you in fact don't.

mountainofdebt

Thanks guys for all your responses.

It had crossed my mind that we weren't getting the full story re grades but given that I can't physically check them (as much as I want to lol!) I have to trust that he is telling me the truth as far as that is concerned.

He's seen his personal tutor who didn't offer any advice but he's got an appointment with the head of year next week.

Personally I think he's thinking that not going to Australia next year means he's not going full stop, which is a stupid way of thinking - if he wanted to he do post graduate study over there if he really wants to study there or if he wanted to take a gap year before he do it after he graduated.

Gloomendoom

Which Australian uni is it?

mountainofdebt

Sydney .....I did wonder whether this had anything to do with it as well

WolfSong2000

I wanted to do a year abroad when I was doing my undergrad degree. I was studying at a Scottish uni, so taking modules from other subjects as well as my core degree subject, which at that time was Philosophy. I failed one of these other modules (in criminal law) by one mark - absolutely gutted, and even more so when the Uni told me this meant I couldn't study abroad, even though it was not related directly to my degree.

Still, it all worked out for the best in the end, as I ended up switching from Philosophy to History as the Philosophy department had a "hiccup" and there were concerns it was to be closed down (the Uni had done this with another subject a few years earlier and basically told students half way through, "tough".

Part of me still regrets not being able to do my year abroad, but in the bigger scheme of things, I reckon it all worked out the way it should. Your son may discover the same.

amberfinn53

Just a little thought to add, I hope it all works out... But if it doesn't has he considered working aboard over the summer? I know it's not the same.. But it is a worthwhile experience, I did it and it was the hardest most enjoyable thing I have ever done, he won't earn millions, but he will learn millions about himself and what he wants from life. It may not be right for you guys but just a back up thought really

bouncydog1

DD signed up for a 4 year course with a year in placement. Placement students all have to apply to prospective employers in the same way as if they were applying for a job. Unfortunately due to illness her predicted grades dropped to a 2:2 and she did not get one reply (which I thought was rude)! However she converted to a three year course and will use the 4 th year to do a masters which will stand her in better stead employment wise because of her chosen field. Years abroad I understand are conducted in a similar way - you have to have minimum grades before the Uni will let you apply and they are usually either a first or a high 2:1 depending on Uni.

Your son should move on from this get housing sorted quickly and think he will graduate a year early.