Academic Matters

Registration with Manchester

Even though you will not physically be in attendance at the University of Manchester, in order to remain a registered student at the University, you MUST re-register at the beginning of the academic year. You can do this by logging onto your My Manchester homepage throughout September. Registering is simple and you can do most of it online.

It is important that you thoroughly research and select the course units you wish to take during your semester/year abroad. The guidance on this page will provide more information on course selection, credit loads, academic systems and changing/dropping courses.

Course Selection and Credit Load

‘Course Units’ (the Manchester terminology) may be referred to as modules, units, papers, classes or courses or even subjects in Australia at the partner university. As at Manchester, you will need to research and select the course units you wish to take during your semester/year abroad. In order to do this you need to do the following:

• Discuss with your Academic Exchange Adviser the requirements for your semester/year abroad. Are there any Manchester courses for which you need to find a direct replacement at the host university? Are there any core courses that you will have to take via distance learning? Are there any courses that you will need to take in order to have the necessary background for certain final year course units? If you are studying a language, are there core language courses at the partner university that your Academic Exchange Adviser has already identified as being compulsory? Are you able to take courses from outside of your discipline?
• Research the course units available at the partner university. Most universities will have some form of online catalogue listing the course units that are available. You may find that you have to base your course selections on the course information that is published for the year preceding your period of study abroad and then make adjustments when up-to-date information is available. You will need to make sure that you understand the course-coding system that is used so that you select courses that are at the appropriate level and offered in the appropriate semester, and the credit system/standard workload that is used so that you select the correct number of credits (International Exchange Programme students, see Credit Systems).

Courses for your discipline area may be available under a number of different subject headings, so make sure that you consider this during your course search. For example:

• Drama or drama-related courses may be listed under ‘Communications’, ‘Media’, ‘Film Studies’, ‘Theatre’, ‘Literature’ etc.
• Geography or geography-related courses may be listed under ‘Environmental Studies’, ‘Geology’, ‘Earth Sciences’, ‘Human and Natural Resources’, ‘Planning’, ‘Development Studies’ etc.
• Politics courses may be listed under ‘Government’ or ‘International Relations’ rather than ‘Politics’.
• American Studies may not be listed as a specific discipline area but appropriate courses could be found in ‘History’, ‘Literature’, ‘Film’, ‘Politics’, ‘Sociology’, ‘Geography’ etc.

Search thoroughly to find the most suitable combination of classes to match your course requirements and personal interests. Some universities will also have courses on ‘Australian Studies’, ‘Afro-American Studies’ etc. that may be of interest to Humanities students in particular, giving a local focus to your studies.

If you need to take course units that directly replace material that you would have covered in Manchester, (typically this will be the case in BA Econ courses that include Economics and in many Science and Engineering disciplines), then you may need to request the full course syllabi from the partner university to be certain that a particular unit really does cover the material that you need. Do NOT rely simply on a very brief course description.

You will normally be expected to take the equivalent of 60 Manchester credits per semester during your period abroad (i.e. a full course load). If you are taking any Manchester course units via distance learning, the number of courses/credits at the partner university will need to be adjusted accordingly. You should be aware that many universities will have a minimum number of credits that you will need 
to register for – often this will be tied to immigration requirements and your status as a ‘full-time’ student in the host country.

See the general overview of credit load systems at the bottom of this page.

DO NOT get confused by the number of course units/credits that are being taken by exchange students from other universities. You need to follow the requirements specified by the University of Manchester.

We would not typically expect students on exchange at partner universities to take on-line courses. If you wish to take any on-line courses at your partner university, you will need to seek approval from your Academic Exchange Adviser.

Course Approval, Course Changes, and Learning Agreements

You MUST make sure that you receive approval in writing/email from your Academic Exchange Adviser for the course units that you plan to take during your period abroad, and that you obtain written approval for any subsequent changes that you need to make once you are abroad. Please share said approval with the International Programmes Office.

Differences in Academic Systems

Academic cultures and systems vary from country to country and from university to university. Do not assume that things will be the same as in Manchester. Make sure that you research and understand how the various aspects of academic life will be different.

This will include:

• Teaching Styles (e.g. teacher-centred or student-centred, formal or informal)
• Staff-Student relations (e.g. open-door policy or formal appointments, use of first names vs formal titles)
• Assessment (e.g. examination paper formats, referencing styles, anonymous marking, bell-curve marking etc.)
• Access to, and quality of, IT facilities, library facilities etc.

Talk to students who have studied abroad previously about the differences they have encountered and talk to local students once you arrive abroad. Don’t be afraid to ask your lecturers/tutors if you are uncertain; most faculty will be supportive of the adjustment you are making to a new academic environment (although you should not expect that to translate into making allowances!). Don’t forget that term dates and public holidays will also be different!

Attendance

You are expected to attend all of the classes associated with the courses for which you register at the partner university. If you have any extended periods of illness or there is any reason that you are unable to attend classes for a prolonged period of time, then you MUST inform the partner university, your Academic Exchange Adviser and the International Programmes Office at Manchester.

Students are required to complete a formal Certificate of Arrival and Certificate of Attendance, at the beginning and at the end of the semester/year at the partner university. These must be signed and certified by the partner university and submitted to My Placement. Copies of the certificates you will need should be downloaded from My Placement.

Assessment

In most cases you will be assessed in some way for your period abroad. Make sure that you understand how the work you do abroad, and marks you achieve, will contribute to your University of Manchester degree classification. Your Academic Exchange Adviser will be able to explain this to you.

Course Registration

Course registration can vary from country to country and from university to university. Make sure that you research and understand what the process is.

Some partner universities will require you to indicate the course units you wish to take as part of your initial application, whereas others will expect you to select course units on arrival. Of those partner universities that require you to indicate course units at the application stage, some will then pre-register you for those courses before you arrive, whilst others will only use that information to determine your eligibility to study at the University. DO NOT assume that because you have provided a list of the course units that you wish to take, you are actually registered for those course units.

Some universities will send you further information about course unit selection and registration with your official acceptance documents – make sure that you read this 
information carefully. When course unit information is requested by the partner university, provide it as quickly as possible as places on course units will normally be allocated in the order in which they are received. At whatever stage course unit information is requested, make sure that you research your course unit choices carefully and discuss them with your Academic Exchange Adviser in detail.

Remember that making changes later may not be possible and, even if it is, causes work for everyone and will not be popular (unless the need for the change was completely unforeseen).

Some universities will operate an online course- registration process and this may take place within a very short, designated time-slot (e.g. a 24-hour period). It is your 
responsibility to make sure that you take note of any key dates and deadlines and don’t miss them.

Some universities will expect you to register for course units on arrival. This can often be quite stressful as the regular students at the partner university have already completed course registration and spaces on course units are quite limited. Advisers at the partner university will explain what you need to do, and often through negotiation you will find that you can obtain places on the courses that you need. In some cases a ‘waiting list’ system will operate and you may be permitted to ‘audit’ a course whilst you wait to see if a place becomes available. You’ll need to be determined, pro-active and patient! Again, if any changes need to be made from those originally approved by your Academic Exchange Adviser, make sure that you seek written approval. You will need to complete a ‘changes to learning agreement’ form and upload this to my placement.

Many universities, in common with Manchester, will have an ‘Add/Drop’ period at the beginning of the semester during which you can ‘Add’ or ‘Drop’ course units. Advisers at the host university will be able to explain how this works. However, remember that the chance of obtaining a place on a popular course at this stage is relatively slim.

Don’t forget to take an up-to-date Academic Transcript with you so that you can demonstrate the courses that you have completed to date. The Undergraduate Office in your School should be able to produce this for you or simply request a copy from the Student System.

Alternative Assessment Arrangements

If you are studying abroad for just one semester, and this is the 2nd semester of the Manchester academic year (i.e. January/February to May/June), you may find that the semester dates of your partner university and The University of Manchester examination period conflict.

For example, many U.S. universities commence their 2nd semester in early January during the examination period at Manchester. If there is a conflict in dates then you must talk to your Undergraduate Office as early as possible to clarify the alternative assessment arrangements that will be put in place. You should start arranging this at the BEGINNING of the semester preceding your semester abroad.

Alternative Assessment arrangements will normally consist of one of the following:

• Essays as an alternative to formal examinations.
• Sitting the examinations as a first attempt during the summer re-sit period, upon return from abroad.

Portfolios and Academic Records

Regardless of the way in which the period abroad counts toward your degree, it is CRUCIAL that you keep a complete record of the work that you have undertaken at the partner university. For each course unit you should keep a copy of the following:

• Course Syllabus
• Essays/Project Work/Presentations etc (marked copies where possible)
• Examination Question Papers (where the university will release them)
• Examination Scripts (where the university will release them)

Some subject areas will require you to submit a portfolio of work on return to be used as part of the process of translating your grades; other subject areas will ask to reference the portfolio as part of the external examining process or if you wish to appeal against the final grades that you receive.

Grade Conversion, Transcripts, and Credits Transfer

Please see the webpage grade conversion and transcripts for detailed information. 

If you are taking a semester exchange or are on an integrated masters with an international year you will receive credit for courses you successfully complete whilst on exchange, and this credit will be transferred to your University of Manchester degree at the end of your exchange.

Academic Guidance Webinar

As part of our pre-departure, the International Programmes Office will conduct an Academic Guidance Webinar providing advice on selecting courses, determining credit loads and making course changes. We will talk through the Learning Agreement document which you must complete before you depart for your study placement. We will talk about how teaching and assessment systems may vary abroad, give you tips on the course registration process, and advise you on compiling a portfolio of the work you complete abroad. Click here to sign up for this webinar.

 

Go Abroad Credit Load

Please note: All guidance on credit load is based on a student replacing 60 University of Manchester credits per semester (or 30 ECTS). Students will also need to be mindful of minimum credit requirements for full-time status for visa requirements. Please note that some universities use ‘units’ or ‘points’ instead of ‘credits’ and that the credit load per module below is indicative and some modules may bear less or more credits.

EU Destinations

Most European institutions use the European Credit Transfer System (ECTS), awarding credit which is comparable and equivalent throughout Europe. A standard year-long courseload at most institutions is 60 ECTS credits - this equates to 120 Manchester credits. 

Worldwide Destinations

If you study outside of Europe, credit systems will vary. You should ensure that you undertake whatever constitutes a typical credit or module load at your host university. The information below gives an indication of the typical and recommended credit/module load requirements for your host institution, but it is your responsibility to ensure your credit load equates to 60 University of Manchester credits per semester, and your credit load and module selection is subject to country adviser and AEA approval.

 

Australia Credits

When researching modules in Australia remember that Semester 1 in the UK is Semester 2 in Australia and vice versa!

Please note that level 1/100 modules are first year modules in Australian universities and are very general modules. Students in their second year at The University of Manchester should typically take equivalent Level 2/200 and Level 3/300 modules at Australian universities (Unless you are taking an introductory module outside of your degree subject as a ‘free choice’ option, and with AEA approval).

Australian National University	24 units per semester (6 units per module)
Macquarie University	12 credits per semester (3 credits per unit/module)
University of Melbourne	50 units per semester (12.5 units per module)
University of New South Wales	24 credits per semester (6 credits per module)
University of Queensland	8 units per semester (2 units per module)
University of Sydney	24 credits per semester (6 credits per module)
University of Western Australia	24 credits per semester (6 credits per module)
University of Wollongong	24 credits per semester (6 credits per module)

AMBS students at Australian partners are required to take 4 modules in each semester, of which 75% in Business/Management subjects (No introductions)

 

Canada Credits

‘Fall semester’ = semester 1, ‘Winter’ or ‘Spring semester’ = semester 2. Please note that level 100 modules (first year Modules in Canadian universities) are very general modules, more equivalent to A-Levels than degree work and are not going to be suitable for you (unless you are taking an introductory module outside of your degree subject as a ‘free choice’ option). Students in their second year at The University of Manchester should typically take Level 3/300 modules at Canadian universities, except for the University of Calgary where students should take Level 4/400 modules.

Concordia University	12 credits per semester (3 credits per module)
Dalhousie University	12 credits per semester (3 credits per module)
McGill University	12 credits per semester (3 credits per module)
Queen's University	12 credits per semester (3 credits per module)
Simon Fraser University	12 credits per semester (3 credits per module)
University of British Columbia, Okanagan	12 credits per semester (3 credits per module)
University of Calgary	12 credits per semester (3 credits per module)
University of Guelph	2 credits per semester (0.5 credits per module)
University of Ottawa	12 credits per semester (3 credits per module)
University of Toronto	2 credits per semester (0.5 credits per module)
University of Toronto (Faculty of Law)	13 to 16 credits per semester (1-4 credits per module)
University of Victoria	6 units per semester (1.5 units per module)

AMBS students at Canadian partners (AMBS partners also include Western University and York University) are required to take 12 credits per semester.

 

Hong Kong Credits

Please note that Level 1 modules (1st year modules in Hong Kong universities) are very general modules and are not going to be suitable for you (unless you decide to take an introductory module outside of your degree subject as a module). Second year students at The University of Manchester would typically be expected to take Level 2 and Level 3 modules. Third year students at The University of Manchester are able to apply for Level 4 modules, but you would need to meet prerequisites.

Past students have warned that the level of modules in economics, finance, and mathematics is very high in Hong Kong and may prove very challenging for a typical UK student.

Chinese University of Hong Kong	15 units per semester (3 units per module)
Hong Kong Polytechnic University	15 credits per semester (3 credits per module)
University of Hong Kong	30 credits per semester (6 credits per module)

AMBS students at Hong Kong partners (which also includes the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology) are required to take 30 credits per semester (12 credits at the Chinese University of Hong Kong), of which 75% in Business/Management subjects (No introductions).

 

Japan Credits 

Hitotsubashi University	15 credits per semester (2-3 credits per module)
Hokkaido University	15 credits per semester (2-3 credits per module)
International Christian University	10 credits per trimester (2-3 credits per module)
Kwansei Gakuin University	15 credits per semester (2-3 credits per module)
Kyoto University	15 credits per semester (2-3 credits per module)
Rikkyo University	20 credits per semester (2 credits per module)

 

Universidad de las Americas

30 units per semester (6 units per module)

 

When researching modules in NZ remember that Semester 1 in the UK is Semester 2 in NZ and vice versa! Students in their second year at The University of Manchester should typically take Level 2/200 and 3/300 modules at New Zealand universities.

University of Auckland	60 credits per semester (15 credits per module)
University of Otago	54-72 points per semester (18 points per paper)

AMBS students at the University of Auckland take 8 modules per year, and 7 modules at the University of Otago, of which 75% in Business/Management subjects (No introductions).

 

Singapore Credits

Students in their second year at The University of Manchester should typically take a combination of Level 2 and Level 3 modules at Singaporean universities.

Past students have warned that the level of mathematics required in economics, finance and engineering modules is very high in Singapore and is likely to prove very challenging for a typical UK student.

Nanyang Technological University	16 units per semester (3-4 units per module)
National University of Singapore	16 units per semester (4 units per module)
Singapore Management University	4 credits per semester (1 credit per module)

AMBS students at Singapore partners are required to take 4 modules per semester, of which 75% in Business/Management subjects (No introductions).

 

South Korea Credits

When researching modules in South Korea please note that semester 1 runs from March to June (UK semester 2) and semester 2 runs from September to December (UK semester 1). A second-year student at The University of Manchester should enrol on Level 2/Level 3 modules in South Korean universities.

Ewha Womans University	12 credits per semester (4 credits per module)
Korea University	12 credits per semester (4 credits per module)
Seoul National University	12 credits per semester (4 credits per module)
Yonsei University	12 credits per semester (4 credits per module)

  

‘Fall semester’ = semester 1, ‘Spring semester’ = semester 2. Please note that level 100 and 200 modules (first- and second-year modules) in US universities are very general modules, more equivalent to A-levels than degree level work, and are not going to be suitable for you unless you are taking an introductory module outside of your degree subject as a ‘free choice’ option. Second year students at The University of Manchester should typically take Level 3/300 modules at American universities.

Arizona State University	12 credits per semester (4 credits per module)
Case Western Reserve University	12 credits per semester (4 credits per module)
Colorado School of Mines	12 credits per semester (4 credits per module)
Emory University	12 credits per semester (4 credits per module)
Indiana University Bloomington	12 credits per semester (4 credits per module)
North Carolina State University	12 credits per semester (4 credits per module)
Rutgers, the State University of New Jersey	12 credits per semester (4 credits per module)
SUNY - Stony Brook State University of New York	12 credits per semester (4 credits per module)
University of California (all campuses except Berkeley)	12 units per quarter (4 units per module)
University of California Berkeley	13 units per semester (4 units per module)
University of Colorado Boulder	12 credits per semester (4 credits per module)
University of Florida	12 credits per semester (4 credits per module)
University of Illinois at Urbana Champaign	12 credits per semester (4 credits per module)
University of Kentucky	12 credits per semester (4 credits per module)
University of Maryland, College Park	12 credits per semester (4 credits per module)
University of Massachusetts Amherst	12 credits per semester (4 credits per module)
University of Missouri at Columbia	12 credits per semester (4 credits per module)
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill	12 credits per semester (4 credits per module)
University of Tennessee, Knoxville	12 credits per semester (4 credits per module)
University of Vermont	12 credits per semester (4 credits per module)
University of Wisconsin-Madison	12 credits per semester (4 credits per module)
Wellesley College (women only)	4 units per semester (1 unit per module)

AMBS students at US partners (AMBS partners also include Babson College, Emory University, New York University, Ohio State University, University of Southern California, and University of Washington) are required to take 12 credits per semester.