Module
Year Abroad (Study and Work Placement)
Module description
This module is for undergraduate Business School students to study and work abroad in their 3rd of 4 years on the ‘With Year Abroad’ programme. With this module you can spend one semester studying at a European or non-European partner institution and 6 months’ work placement abroad in a country of your choice.
An important element of international business is for you to understand the political, economic, and cultural differences between countries. By studying at another university and undergoing a work placement abroad as part of your degree programme, you will learn to think globally and come to understand how the world is interconnected through business. Adding an international component to your business degree, which may or not include learning of a foreign language, will make you more competitive in today’s multicultural, global business environment. You will also have access to a range of modules, potentially in areas not offered at Exeter, taught in a different learning culture and therefore broadening your overall academic experience.
Full module specification
| Module title: | Year Abroad (Study and Work Placement) |
|---|---|
| Module code: | BUS3000A |
| Module level: | 3 |
| Academic year: | 2023/4 |
| Module lecturers: |
|
| Module credit: | 120 |
| ECTS value: | 60 |
| Pre-requisites: | 1st and 2nd year average of 60% required for studying at non-European destinations and 1st and 2nd year average of 50% required for studying at European destinations and/or working abroad. Students wishing to undertake a year abroad (work and /or study) must have attended the BSD2005 compulsory talks in Year 2. |
| Co-requisites: | None |
| Duration of module: |
Duration (weeks) - term 1: 11 Duration (weeks) - term 2:11 Duration (weeks) - term 3:0 |
Module aims
The module introduces you to the experience of academic study outside the UK, and, for some of you, a different language. It aims to challenge preconceptions and assumptions about higher education learning by exposing you to a different approach to academic study.
You will be expected to develop resilience and flexibility as you adapt to different teaching styles, different administrative procedures, and to living in a new country. Regardless of the language of study, you are expected to develop your communication skills. Many international companies recognise the importance of employing graduates able to understand and communicate across cultures. These are referred to as cross-cultural literacy skills. This module enables you to gain cross-cultural literacy skills through both living and studying in another country, whilst at the same time developing your knowledge of international business.
You will be able to gain a perspective on your experiences of study in the UK by making a comparison with your experience abroad.
Combining one semester of study at a partner institution with one semester of an approved work placement abroad will allow you to put your learning into practise and gain real-life work experience in an international setting. An international work placement will allow you to develop essential professional skills and will inevitably enhance your global employability prospects following graduation.
ILO: Module-specific skills
- 1. Identify new perspectives on chosen modules through exposure to teaching/coursework/assessment based in different cultural frames of reference and/or taught by local instructors
- 2. Critically reflect on the practical experiences gained to analyse the impact they may have on the students career development/progression
- 3. Link real-life situations/problems to subject specific knowledge obtained through previous modules and academic literature
ILO: Discipline-specific skills
- 4. Evaluate the application of theoretical principles
- 5. Analyse the business environment and evaluate appropriate business practices
- 6. Build beneficial relationships/networks within the employer organisation
ILO: Personal and key skills
- 7. Communicate effectively, both orally and in writing, in a different study environment and different cultural frame of reference
- 8. Develop effective time management, planning skills and initiative during the period abroad
- 9. Identify, develop and extend practical work-based skills, competencies and experience
Learning activities and teaching methods (given in hours of study time)
| Scheduled Learning and Teaching Activities | Guided independent study | Placement / study abroad |
|---|---|---|
| 6 | 0 | 1194 |
Details of learning activities and teaching methods
| Category | Hours of study time | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Scheduled learning and teaching activities | Subject to ECTS credit weighting / international credit equivalent | As determined by the partner institution. The learning activities and teaching methods will depend on the students module choices. All module choices at the partner institution need to be approved by the University of Exeter Business School |
| Scheduled learning and teaching activities | 6 | Lectures |
Formative assessment
| Form of assessment | Size of the assessment (eg length / duration) | ILOs assessed | Feedback method |
|---|---|---|---|
| Assignments and assessments are determined on a module basis by the host partner institution and agreed by the Programme Director | Dependent on module credit weighting | 1-5, 7-9 |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 30 ECTS of modules (or equivalent at non-European partner institutions) | 50 | Dependent on module credit weighting at partner institution | 1-5,7-9 | As outlined by partner institution |
| Work placement report | 50 | 3500 words | 1-9 | Written feedback provided by University of Exeter Business School |
| 0 |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| As outlined by partner institution | As outlined by module descriptor from partner institution | 1-5,7-9 | As determined by partner institution |
| Work placement report | Work placement report 3500 words | 1-9 | Term 1 of subsequent academic year |
Re-assessment notes
For modules taken at the partner institution, the partner institution’s rules on reassessment will apply. The accessibility support provided by the partner institution will vary. Please contact the Outbound Team if you have any queries.
In the event that you fail the year abroad due to your individual module results from the partner institution, the BUS3000A module mark will remain as a fail, and you will transfer from the four-year ‘With Year Abroad’ programme to stage 3 of the equivalent three-year programme. The failed BUS3000A Year Abroad module will remain on your record, but will not contribute towards your degree award.
Syllabus plan
The syllabus will vary according to the options provided by the host partner institution and module choices made by the student.
You are required to maintain regular monthly contact with the Outbound Team. The team will facilitate the approval of your module choices at the partner institution by the Programme Director. It is your responsibility to ensure up to date and accurate module information is provided and that approval is granted.
You must also ensure that all relevant year abroad paperwork is completed within the deadlines.
Students undertaking a work placement abroad need to have secured a suitable placement, which will be approved by the Business School in conjunction with the Careers Team, and must complete relevant paperwork by specific dates. Semester 1 placements need to be confirmed in Term 3 (typically mid-June) of the preceding academic year (Year 2), and Semester 2 placements in Term 1 of Year 3 (typically by the end of October). There is a minimum requirement of 15 weeks of work placement abroad (full-time, excluding holidays) that applies to the work element of this module.
Indicative learning resources - Basic reading
None
Module has an active ELE page?
Yes
Indicative learning resources - Web based and electronic resources
ELE – https://vle.exeter.ac.uk/course/view.php?id=13027
Indicative learning resources - Other resources
None
Origin date
06/08/2019
Last revision date
14/03/2023