Computer Science (Study Abroad) BSc Hons G402
Why study Computer Science abroad?
Why study Computer Science abroad?
G402 is for students who want to include an international experience in their degree. It allows students to spend their second year abroad at one of Lancaster's partner institutions in North America, Australasia and Europe. The unique feature of these courses is that the year abroad forms an integral part of your degree, replacing the conventional second year so that you can still complete your degree in three years.
The scheme builds upon the highly successful exchange programme that the University of Lancaster has operated over 20 years with Universities all over the world. Students who have used this opportunity often say that their year abroad has been a unique life-changing experience that has considerably increased their employment prospects in a world-market economy. It is also an incredible opportunity to discover a foreign culture, broaden one's personal horizons, meet new friends, and better understand the very rich world we live in.
Applying
Applications for undergraduate degrees are handled by UCAS. You can
- Apply online now using the UCAS website
- Call UCAS to apply by phone on 0870 1122211
- Get more information from the main University pages
Overseas students have more flexibility in when they can choose to apply.
Contact Admissions
- email: admissions@comp.lancs.ac.uk
- phone: +44 (0)1524 510311
- mail: The Admissions Secretary, Computing Department, InfoLab21, South Drive, Lancaster University, Lancaster, LA1 4WA, UK
Open days
The Department holds regular Open Days for prospective students and their families. All successful UCAS applicants are invited to an Open Day. More details...
Course Details
At Lancaster, we have designed our international B.Sc. in Computer Science with simplicity in mind. Part I is identical to the G400.
During your first year you apply at the particular institution you would like to spend your second year abroad at. Whilst abroad, you study courses that are compatible with those you would have studied in Lancaster during your second year.
All partner universities of Lancaster are world-class institutions offering courses of extremely high standards. Your year abroad is thus an opportunity to choose subjects you possibly would have not been able to study at Lancaster, as long as they remain compatible with our general B.Sc. requirements.
When you come back the results you obtained abroad are converted into Lancaster grades and count towards your degree's classification. You then spend your third and final year here at Lancaster.
Entry Requirements
- A/AS-level: AAB at A-level
- One of the A-levels must be Maths or Computer Science.
- General Studies: not included in the offer
- UCAS Tariff: 340 UCAS tariff points from the above permitted combinations of A-level grades
- AVCEs/Applied A-levels: not included in the offer
- Key Skills: Not included in the offer.
- GCSE: Maths and English Language grade C or better.
- IB Diploma: 31 points overall with 17 points from best three HL courses.
- Scottish Highers: AAABB
- BTEC National Diploma: DDM grades overall
- HNC/D in Computing: not included in the offer
- Mature students: not included in the offer
Because study abroad places are limited (25 per year), competition is high and thus placements are conditional upon getting good grades in both your entry qualifications and within the first year of study at Lancaster.
Our current typical offer is AAB with Math for our international schemes. If, at any time during your first year, you decide that you no longer want to study abroad, you can simply switch to the 'standard' degree scheme.
What will it cost?
The year abroad does not cost as much as you think. We normally recommend students to budget for an extra £600-£2,000 over their standard annual expenses depending on where they travel. There is financial help available in the form of (i) reduced fees to Lancaster University, (ii) an enhanced student loan, (iii) an Erasmus bursary for students going to Europe (£1800/year in 2006), and (iv) your Local Education Authority (LEA) might provide you with additional funding, although this is worth checking now as different LEAs have different policies. In Europe, you are also entitled to use public health services if you are enrolled on the NHS, thus making any additional medical insurance particularly affordable.
There are also opportunities to earn extra money whilst abroad. In North America, the student visa allows you to work on campus only, but there are many positions available. In
Australasia, the student visa allows you to work anywhere, and you have a three-month summer break (November February), in between the two semesters, in which to do this and/or travel. In Europe, you are also entitled to work anywhere in the European Union if you are a British national. In fact, travelling around your host country is the most significant 'extra expense' incurred by students during their year abroad… but it has to be done! You can find out more about the help available to finance the additional costs of year abroad on the web pages of the University Student Support Services
Scholarships and Bursaries
A number of scholarships and bursaries are available to help with financing your degree course if you meet the requirements of an Academic Scholarship (expressed in terms of A-level grades, or equivalent).
For details see the University Undergraduate Prospectus.
Additional information about
- bursaries to help low income families
- academic scholarships
Still undecided?
Here are some examples of typical answers from students when asked about their year abroad…
“Wonderful, the best year of my life. I discovered new interests, met loads of incredible people, and took part in activities and events that I would never have had the opportunity to do in England"
“Absolutely brilliant! Worth every dollar!”
Profiles:
If you require further information about the year abroad, then please feel free to contact:
Dr François Taïani
Study Abroad Adviser
Dept. of Computer Science
Lancaster University
Lancaster LA1 4WA
Email: taiani add @comp.lancs.ac.uk
Tel: 01524 510338