Computing Science and Mathematics supports a variety of opportunities for study abroad. This represents a valuable opportunity to build up your expertise learning in different contexts, to expand your cultural horizons by coming in contact with different cultures, to add an international dimension to your career.
Opportunities are offered through two main channels, the Study Abroad Programme, a set of agreements that Stirling University has put in place with other universities, and the Erasmus programme, supervised by the European Union and the British Council. Select the relevant tabs below to find out more.
Students should be expecting to undertake an Honours degree in Computing or Mathematics. Study abroad is possible for Combined Honours students (e.g. Computing Science and Management Science), but the need to satisfy two subjects makes selection of an overseas University more restrictive.
By the time of application, students should fulfill some grade constraints in order to be eligible (e.g., having grades of 2C or better in their main subject(s)). Other selection criteria include a strong motivation to study abroad and the ability to cope with another University system and culture. Although many Universities offer courses in English, courses may be in a foreign language (though sometimes examination in English is possible).
Study abroad can be very rewarding, but also can be challenging. Students need to be academically strong enough to cope with a different University system (and possibly also with another language). Although the aim is to find courses at an overseas University that are broadly equivalent to Stirling ones, only an approximate match may be possible. On completion of study, the overseas University returns grades that are then translated into their Stirling equivalents (as far as possible). These grades contribute to the student's final Honours classification.
The University has exchange agreements with a number of international Universities. The University's Study Abroad pages describe the arrangements and the range of Universities that can be selected. Sometimes an overseas University does not have appropriate Computing or Mathematics courses and is not available for students taking these subjects.
Students do not receive financial support on the standard Study Abroad programme, but would hopefully find the costs comparable to staying at Stirling.
Application for Study Abroad is usually made during semester 3, with arrangements being finalised early in semester 4. Students can apply to study for one or two semesters in third year at a University outside the UK. The University has exchange agreements with a number of international Universities. Application, interview and selection are handled by the University.
Computing Science students often go to the US or Canada, but students in recent years have also gone to Australia and Europe. It is usually possible to find overseas courses that are similar to third-year Computing Science modules at Stirling.
Mathematics students usually apply to the US or Australia. It is usually not difficult to find appropriate mathematics courses at the host institution. Students however should be aware that some of the courses (especially the pure mathematics ones) offered by the foreign institutions may be challenging.
The University participates in a number of Erasmus Programme agreements that support study at European Universities. The University's Erasmus Programme pages describe the arrangements and the range of Universities that can be selected.
Erasmus is supported financially and administratively by the European Union and the British Council. Students continue to pay Stirling fees, but receive a grant (not a loan) to support the extra cost of their studies in Europe. This does not conflict with any grant a student may be receiving for study at Stirling.
Application for Erasmus study is usually made early in semester 4, with arrangements being finalised late in semester 4. Students can apply to study for one or two semesters in third year at specific European Universities. Application, interview and selection are handled by Computing Science and Mathematics (not the University).
For Erasmus, Computing Science can currently be studied at the
University
of Bamberg (Germany) and at the University of Pisa (Italy). Both of
these offer Computing courses in English (and examination in English).
Further information for study at Bamberg and Pisa:
Note: Mathematics does not currently participate in the Erasmus programme.