University of Chester Application

If you're new, please read this post first: Initial Steps to Studying Abroad and/or watch this video: How to Study Abroad: Introduction and Options.

Before applying to ISEP or Bilateral, you must submit your Chester Study Abroad form to the Study Abroad Office. This is a new procedure that I did not have to go through but here is my understanding of it, and I hope it helps you in your application.

Are you ready to get your head wrapped around this?

As a University of Chester student, you have two options; you can either study abroad as your second year or in an additional third year. You must decide this before applying to anything at all, so if you are unsure, watch this video or re-read this post. Once you have, follow the below subheadings to help you with your individual application process:

WB5007 - Study Abroad as your Second Year
(or the International Exchange Module - Full Academic Year)

If you choose this option, you will have two forms to fill out.

The first will ask you for your personal details (as seen on your passport), a photograph of yourself (used later for recognition at things like the airport for pick up) and for you to write 300-500 words on yourself and why you want the "International Exchange Module - Full Academic Year" experience.

Your personal profile should tell your potential host institution a little about who you are; where are you from? What do you study? What made you interested in the Study Abroad Experience? What do you hope to gain from this experience? For this particular route, you should also explain how studying abroad will impact on your future career goals and especially how it will help (and not hinder) you in your final year at the University of Chester.

Think of it as a little bit of an interview on paper, so try to sell yourself as a perfect candidate for this travel opportunity. Will you make a good international ambassador for the University of Chester? Why? What could you bring to the table?

The second form is very specific to the WB5007 route choice. This form is called a Mapping Document and you need to fill it out with the modules you would normally take at the University of Chester in your second year compared to those that you wish to undertake in your year abroad. They obviously need to be as similar as possible and this form is there to help you to establish that.

Before submitting the Mapping Document, you also need to have each mapped module approved by your Personal Academic Tutor (PAT) and your Head of Department (HoD). There is space on the sheet for both your PAT and your HoD to sign their approval. On top of both signing the sheet, you must acquire a general reference from each and attach it to your application in order to progress.

Your only option now is to complete the Bilateral Application process, here.

And that's the end of that.

WB5008 - Study Abroad in an Additional Third Year
(or the Study Abroad Experience)

If you choose this option, you only have one form to fill out.

The form will ask you for your personal details (as seen on your passport), a photograph of yourself (used later for recognition at things like the airport for pick up) and for you to write 300-500 words on yourself and why you want the Study Abroad Experience.

Your personal profile should tell your potential host institution a little about who you are; where are you from? What do you study? What made you interested in the Study Abroad Experience? What do you hope to gain from this experience? For this particular route, you should also explain how studying abroad will impact on your future career goals and especially how you intend to come back to the University of Chester for your fourth year. How will an extra year of studying affect your degree?

Think of it as a little bit of an interview on paper, so try to sell yourself as a perfect candidate for this travel opportunity. Will you make a good international ambassador for the University of Chester? Why? What could you bring to the table?

To complete your form, you must also attach a reference from your Personal Academic Tutor (PAT) and your Head of Department in order to progress onto the next stage. Through this option, you can now either apply to an ISEP Exchange, here, or a Bilateral Exchange, here.

Now go have a snack - you've earned it!

I hope that helps,

Lucy xxo