• University of Exeter Business School
• 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.  

Module aims - intentions of the module

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.

Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs)

ILO: Module-specific skills

On successfully completing the module you will be able to...

• 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 student’s career development/progression
• 3. Link real-life situations/problems to subject specific knowledge obtained through previous modules and academic literature

ILO: Discipline-specific skills

On successfully completing the module you will be able to...

• 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

On successfully completing the module you will be able to...

• 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

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.

Learning activities and teaching methods (given in hours of study time)

Details of learning activities and teaching methods

Formative assessment

Summative assessment (% of credit)

Details of summative assessment

Details of re-assessment (where required by referral or deferral)

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.

Indicative learning resources - Basic reading

None

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

Key words search

Study Abroad, Work Abroad, Employability, International, Year Abroad.