The Erasmus Programme and the School of Chemistry
The School of Chemistry at Bristol has been involved in the Erasmus European exchange programme for many years now. Many Bristol Chemistry students have enriched their learning experience and their language skills by spending a year abroad studying in one of our partner universities. At the same time, the School has received many visitors coming here to spend anything between a few months and a full academic year following courses and/or carrying out a research project.
Bristol students take part in the exchange as a part of the four year Chemistry with Study in Continental Europe (F104) programme. Since 2003, Jeremy Harvey is the course coordinator of this degree course, and also coordinates the studies of incoming students.
Information for Bristol Students
Access to the Erasmus exchange programme for Bristol students is through the Chemistry with Study in Continental Europe MSci course (F104). Over the first two years, this course involves almost the same Chemistry studies as those followed by other Bristol Chemistry MSci students. Students also get specially designed language courses, organised by the Language Centre, to prepare for studying in a foreign language. These courses are called 'Applied Foreign Languages', as the aim is not so much the academic study of the language, as the practical aspects needed to live and study abroad. Students practice speaking, listening, watching films, but also reading scientific articles, and writing, including a large project on a scientific subject. Courses are available in French, German, Italian, and Spanish.
The third year is spent in one of our partner universities in Continental Europe, specifically in France, Switzerland, Germany, Italy, and Spain. Students already in Bristol studying Chemistry may transfer to the F104 course during the first year (or at the beginning of the second) provided they have some language skills. Useful information about the year abroad can be found on the website of the University of Bristol European Office.
Information for Students from Continental Europe
Every year, several students from our partner universities in Continental Europe come to spend part of the academic year in Bristol as part of their studies. The following web pages can provide some help concerning academic and other matters for prospective students and Socrates coordinators in other universities.
- The website of the University of Bristol International Centre is a mine of useful information: For incoming students, there is lots of information on these webpages, including information concerning e.g. accommodation in Bristol.
- For incoming students and partner university Socrates coordinators, the Unit Catalogue, and especially the pages relating to chemistry, will prove very valuable in choosing which courses to take. Note that the "conversion factor" between Bristol "Credits" for a given course, and the ECTS credits, is 2:1. In other words, 20 Bristol Credits = 10 ECTS. Course synopses are unfortunately not available online as yet - please contact Dr Harvey if you wish to have more information.
- As well as applying for an Erasmus exchange through the International Centre (this can be done through this page), students wishing to carry out a Research Project are encouraged to consult the webpages describing research topics in the research groups of the academic staff in the department and to send an email to Dr Harvey (jeremy.harvey@bristol.ac.uk) informing him of their preferred research topics.
- Note that incoming students are expected to have a good knowledge of English, so as to be able to follow lectures and practical exercises. They will typically also be able to follow advanced English courses at the Language Centre.
Useful Contact Details
- F104 Course Coordinator: Dr. Jeremy Harvey.
You can reach him by: email at Jeremy.Harvey@bris.ac.uk
By phone: +44 117 9546991 (internal #46991), by fax: +44 117 9251295,
or in person in room W231. - Deputy Course Coordinator: Dr. David Lindsay.
- Course Secretary: Mrs. Sue Williams.
Mrs. Williams can be found in the Physical and Theoretical Chemistry Section Office, S311,
by email to sue.williams@bris.ac.uk,
or by telephone on +44 117 9288313 (internal: #8313).
