Learning Agreement
Once you have been selected to participate in a Study Abroad programme, it is important that you spend time reseraching modules/ courses at your host institution, and agreeing a programme of study with your Study Abroad Co-ordinator(s). In consultation with your Co-ordinator, you will complete a Learning Agreement. This is an extremely important document as it details the overseas modules for which you will receive credit on your return to St Andrews.
Please note that the Learning Agreement is a vital academic document. Failure to return it to St Andrews within four weeks of commencing a Study Abroad placement will have the following consequences:
- Any credits awarded overseas would not be recognised by St Andrews. Students would be required to make up the shortfall in credits on return to St Andrews.
- Students would remain liable for tuition fees for the semester of Study Abroad.
- Permission to study abroad in Semester Two would be withdrawn and students would be expected to return to St Andrews.
- Erasmus students would be required to return their Erasmus Mobility Grant to the University.
Your Responsibilities
- Before you go abroad, familiarise yourself with the 9.2 Credits and grade conversions for study abroad, especially the sections: Number of Credits and Choice of Modules and Levels. Ask your Study Abroad Co-ordinator before you go abroad if you have any questions.
- Ensure you attend the compulsory pre-departure meeting in April, where one of the Deans will present on credit and grade conversion and answer any questions you may have.
- Discuss any circumstances likely to affect your academic performance with your Study Abroad Co-ordinator before you go abroad.
- Complete a provisional Learning Agreement (PDF, 207 KB) in consultation with your Study Abroad Co-ordinator. To do this, you will need to research modules available at your host institution and discuss options with your Study Abroad Co-ordinator.
- Your final, signed Learning Agreement must be submitted to CSA no later than four weeks after arrival at your host institution. You may find on arrival at your host institution that some of the courses you had planned to take are not running, so you should have back up options. If a course seems full, it is worth speaking to the course tutor as some institutions will make allowances for exchange students.
- Should you agree any changes to your Learning Agreement with your Study Abroad Co-ordinator, you should complete and return an amended Learning Agreement as soon as possible.
- Signal any academic problems you encounter while you are away to your Study Abroad Co-ordinator in St Andrews immediately.
- Some partner institutions require students to sign a transcript release form to enable a transcript to be sent directly to St Andrews; please don't forget to do this before you leave your host institution.
- Bring back copies of your work, together with grades and tutors' comments where possible.
- Submit any evidence you wish your School to consider in the grade conversion process to your Study Abroad Co-ordinator by the end of Week 2 in the semester immediately following your Study Abroad period(s).
Choosing Modules
Please see the 9.2 Credits and grade conversions for study abroad, especially Number of Credits and Choice of Modules and Levels for full details.
When choosing your modules overseas, remember to make sure that modules are:
- A good match for your St Andrews degree programme;
- Adequate preparation for the next level at St Andrews
- No repetition of material already studied
- The correct academic level;
- No allowance will be made in grade conversion for unauthorised over-reaching. Authorisation to take a module at a higher level may only be made by Schools in exceptional circumstances.
- The correct workload
- Each semester should contain a normal credit load at the host institution. No allowance will be made in grade conversion for overloading; any shortfall in credits will have to be made up on return.
Credit Loads on St Andrews Abroad Programmes
Credit Loads at St Andrews Abroad Partners (PDF, 197 KB)
The above document lists standard credit loads at St Andrews Abroad partner institutions. Please consult this document when you plan your academic programme.