Exchange Studies in the Academic Year 2009-2010

Application period 27 October– 17 November 2008

The degree students of the University of Tampere currently enrolled as present may apply for exchange studies in the following bilateral partner universities of the University of Tampere:

• BENEMÉRITA UNIVERSIDAD AUTÓNOMA DE PUEBLA , Puebla, Mexico (3 places for a semester or an academic year)

• CARLETON UNIVERSITY , Ottawa, Canada (4 places for a semester or 2 places for an academic year of which 2 places for a semester or 1 place for an academic year reserved primarily for students of the Faculty of Social Sciences)

• INSTITUTO TECNOLÓGICO Y DE ESTUDIOS SUPERIORES DE MONTERREY , campus Ciudad Juárez, Mexico (4 places for a semester or 2 places for an academic year)

• MICHIGAN TECHNOLOGICAL UNIVERSITY , Houghton, USA (2 places for a semester or 1 place for an academic year)

• UNIVERSITY OF NORTH CAROLINA EXCHANGE PROGRAM , North Carolina, USA (1 place for the autumn semester)

• UNIVERSITY OF OREGON , Eugene, USA (6 places for a semester or 3 places for an academic year)

• VIRGINIA POLYTECHNIC INSTITUTE AND STATE UNIVERSITY , Blacksburg, USA (2 places for a semester or 1 place for an academic year)

The applicants must have studied at the University of Tampere for at least one year. Students cannot apply to study abroad for a period for which they do not have the right to study at the University of Tampere (N.B. Students studying in the master's degree programmes organized by the ISSS have a time limit for their studies, i.e. the right to study covers two years. The Dean of the Faculty can prolong the right to study upon application.) The places are confirmed finally when the host universities accept the students.

A good command of English is expected of all applicants to Canada and USA. Michigan Technological University, University of North Carolina Exchange Program and Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University require all applicants who are non-native speakers of English to successfully complete a TOEFL test. Depending on the applicant's field of study, a GRE or GMAT test may also be required. The University of Oregon and Carleton University usually do not require a TOEFL test from students of the University of Tampere if the applicants can otherwise demonstrate good command of English. A GRE or GMAT test may however be required depending on the field and level of study. A good command of Spanish is expected of all applicants to Mexico. In addition, applicants to Instituto Tecnológico y de Estudios Superiores de Monterrey are expected to have a good command of English. Test scores are not yet required during this application period but those nominated for an exchange may return them later.

Successful applicants are exempted from paying tuition fees at the host university but are responsible for covering their own accommodation and living costs. Students selected to the exchange programmes receive a travel grant from the University of Tampere.

Applicants fill in an application form which is also available from 27 October onwards at the International Office A129 (Main Building).

Please return the application form and its enclosures (a transcript of academic records as a pdf file from NettiOpsu, a motivation letter, study plan and curriculum vitae all written in the host university's language of study) to the International Office A129 (Main Building), by 3 pm on Monday 17 November. In addition, Master's degree programme students (only those students taking a separate two-year Master's programme; not those students studying towards an ‘ordinary' Master's degree) are required to submit a statement from the supervisor of their Master's thesis in which the supervisor supports their application to a given host university (how the exchange period would contribute to writing the Master's thesis or how the student would otherwise benefit from this period, e.g. which qualifications required for her/his degree the student would be able to acquire while studying abroad).

To see the descriptions of the exchange universities, please refer to the "Ulkomaille opiskelemaan? Perusasiat pähkinänkuoressa" guide (in Finnish) or the website http://www.uta.fi/opiskelu/opiskelu_ulkomailla/vaihtopaikat.html (in Finnish). You can also find more information on the universities and their curricula on the exchange university websites.

More information
Terhi Kipinä, room A113 (Main Building)
email terhi.kipina@uta.fi
tel. (03) 3551 8353