In year three, students will study at our partner universities in China. This will result in the student being awarded a BA (International).
Students express their interest in February/March of their second year at Maynooth University. A pre-departure orientation session will be hosted to exchange views on practical and academic matters associated with studying abroad under the programme, e.g., finances, VISA, accommodation and scholarship.
Students spending a year in China have to aspire to accumulate 60 credits during the year. It is up to your host university to determine whether you have passed the year or not, based on their own assessment criteria. All students are required to register at Maynooth University and pay the registration fee. You will also be required to register with your host university but you will not be expected to pay any registration fees.
Spending a Year in China:
The benefits of a year spent in China are enormous, both in terms of exam success and in terms of employability after graduating.
Students may, in exceptional circumstances and with strong, verified reasons, be granted permission to graduate without residency abroad. If you feel that you are unable to spend a year abroad, you have to seek permission to "opt out" of the year abroad from the Year Abroad Coordinator Dr Lu at the beginning of the second year (no later than the end of the 1st semester of Second Year). Dr Lu will advise you of the procedure and of what documentation must be submitted.
When you return from your year abroad or your three-month residence you will be required to submit the Residence Abroad Log. This must be handed in no later than the 1st of November of your final year at Maynooth University. Details are available in the School Handbook.
Our Partner Universities:
East China Normal
University (ECNU) |
East China Normal University (ECNU) was founded in October 1951. It is one of China’s
key universities under the direct auspices of the Ministry of Education. It was also
supported by the prestigious national program “Project 211” and “Project 985”. It has
19 schools and colleges and 5 research institutes. In 2011, ECNU ranked 27 among the
top 50 Chinese universities. |
Shanghai University |
Shanghai University was founded in 1922. It is one of China's top 50 Universities. The
University has 28 schools and 2 independent departments, with 68 undergraduate
programs, 131 master programs, 17 engineering master programs, 35 PhD programs
and 1 MBA program. Shanghai University has established close links with more than
20 foreign universities. Currently over 2,400 international students from Asia, Australia,
Europe and North America are studing in Shanghai University. |
Beihang University |
Beihang University is a member of China's Project 211 and Project 985 group of key
state universities. The university was founded in 1952. It is regarded as one of the best
engineering universities in China and has a great influence on China's aeronautical and
astronautical industry. It also covers diverse fields including liberal arts, law, economics,
management, philosophy, foreign languages and education. |
Beijing Foreign Studies
University |
As a major university under the direct leadership of the Chinese Ministry of Education,
BFSU is not only the oldest, but also the one that offers more foreign language programs
than any other universities in China. It serves as a national centre for teaching and
research on foreign languages, literature, cultures and international studies, and as a
major training centre for foreign language personnel, especially senior interpreters
and translators. |
Beijing Normal
University |
Beijing Normal University is a renowned institution of higher education known for
teacher education, education science and basic learning in both the arts and the
sciences. The school has 22,000 full-time students, including 8,900 undergraduates,
11,300 graduates and 1,800 long-term international students. The campus has 1
education faculty, 22 schools and colleges, 2 departments and 36 research institutes
(centers). |
Southwestern
University of Finance
and Economics
(SWUFE) |
Located in the city of Chengdu, SWUFE has two campuses, the Guanghua Campus
and the Liulin Campus. With an overall area of about 380 acres, SWUFE is also
known for its picturesque campus scenery. As a key training base for senior level
management personnel in the financial and economic sectors and key research base
for the development of the financial industry as well as the socio-economic
development of western China, SWUFE has become favorably known as “China’s
financial talent pool” and “the think-tank for addressing financial and economic
issues in western China”. |
Huaqiao University
(HQU) |
Huaqiao University (HQU) was established by the Chinese central government in 1960
in Quanzhou, a coastal city in Fujian Province in the Southeast of China, for the education
of overseas Chinese. The first president of HQU was Mr. LIAO Chengzhi, an outstanding
social activist and senior state leader of China. In 2004, a landmark decision was made to
build a second ampus in Xiamen city, one of China’s four earliest special economic zones,
and that campus was inaugurated in 2006. The Quanzhou campus hosts most of the
humanities, social sciences, and management programs, while most of the engineering
programs are situated in the Xiamen campus. |
Sichuan University |
Sichuan University is located in Chengdu, a famous historic and cultural city known as
“the land of abundance”. It consists of three campuses of Wangjiang, Huaxi and Jiangan,
covering an area of 7,050 Chinese mu (or 470 hectares) and boasting 254 hectares of
floor space. The university campuses, with their favorable environment and beautiful
landscape, make a wonderful place for learning and doing research. Sichuan University
is an institution that has had a series of mergers involving three national universities:
the former Sichuan University, the former Chengdu University of Science and Technology,
and the former West China University of Medical Sciences. The current student body
includes over 40,000 undergraduate students, over 20,000 master and PhD candidates
and more than 2,500 international students and students from Hong Kong, Macau
and Taiwan. |
During your second year of study of French, the focus on organizing a year abroad in a French-speaking country will increase. The benefits are enormous, both in terms of your own confidence in language use, for success in exams and in terms of employability after graduating
ERASMUS+ Programme : How it works
This programme allows students to study for a year in a university in France, Belgium or French-speaking Canada, in the year following their second year at University. Applicants for Erasmus+/Socrates must be registered in Maynooth for the academic year they spend abroad. An EU subsidy is available via the university to help defray the cost of travel and accommodation at a university abroad. You can continue to receive a SUSI grant while studying abroad under the programme. Students are normally eligible for rental allowance in France, Aide Personnalisée au Logement (APL), paid by the Caisse des Allocations Familiales, (CAF). So there is a maximum of three possible sources of financial support for those studying in France.
Studies abroad normally involve studying both subjects for which you are registered in Maynooth University for the year, through the medium of French where possible. Further information is available from the International Coordinator and from the International Office in Humanity House. Information sessions will be held during class time during Second Year.
Application should be made in the first term of Second-Year through the International Office. This involves choosing a partner university and informing the international coordinators of both subjects. Students then submit an Expression of Interest/Academic Department Consent form to the International Office, which must be signed by the Department’s International Coordinator. It is advisable to prepare this in good time, as places are allocated on a first come first served basis.
During the second semester of Second Year, you will choose your programme of modules and draw up a Learning Agreement (contrat d’études), for which the form is available on the International Office website. In most cases you will also have to fill a form for your proposed host university at a later stage. The Department has specific requirements for the modules which students must take when abroad. These include French language, French civilisation, translation and literature.
NOTE: To qualify for study on the Erasmus programme between Second and Final year, you must have passed all modules in Second Year. This is a stipulation of the programme. Therefore it is not possible to go abroad to study and return at the end of that year to complete Second Year, in the event of not passing some modules in that year. This applies in particular to the required modules in language, FR201 and FR221. In order to avoid uncertainty and stress, students who intend to study abroad for a year should aim to pass all modules in the May session of examinations. Repeating modules in August means that you will not know whether you are qualified for ERASMUS before it is time to arrive in your chosen university abroad. If you have to repeat modules in August, you are advised not to enter into any financial or other arrangement abroad which you cannot unwind in the event of not passing the repeat examinations.
English Language Assistantship Programme: how it works
You can apply for a position as an assistant teacher of English in a French school during the course of Second Year. This involves filling an application on forms which are usually circulated by the French Cultural Service towards the end of Semester 1.
References, transcripts of previous results, a personal statement and Garda clearance are required for the application. You choose three regions of France in order of preference as to where you would like to go. You can indicate your preference for teaching in collège (junior secondary) or lycée (upper secondary) or primary school.
This work is paid (roughly 800 euro/month). In some cases, accommodation is provided by the school. The contract usually runs from 1 October to the end of April of the following year. More information is available on the website of CIEP, the French organisation for teaching exchanges. This programme is jointly managed by the Irish and French governments, via the French Embassy, Dublin.
You can either work as an Assistant and pay registration fees for the BA International qualification or choose not to register for a year in Maynooth and teach. If you register for the year, you are eligible to apply for a subsidy from the MU Placement Office. This is awarded on a competitive basis by application form. In the latter case, you continue into final year as normal. In addition, your work experience will be registered on your degree transcript in the period abroad section.
This experience is useful for your CV, especially if you are thinking of teaching as a career. It may also give you a chance to see if teaching is for you (whether you intend to pursue a career in teaching or not). In terms of language acquisition, you will be working in the French-speaking environment of a school, which is an advantage.
If you intend to teach as an assistant and register for BA (International), please familiarise yourself with the information at 'Registration for Teaching Assistantship/Approved Placement Abroad' on the Student Records and Registration Office website.
Summer Work: Help in finding ways of getting to France during the summer is available from the following sources within the College:
- The French Studies Language Section
- The French Student Society and fellow students who have worked there
External bodies which are sometimes able to help include the National Youth Council (you may belong to a member organisation such as An Óige, USI etc.), the Service Culturel de l’Ambassade de France in Kildare Street, Dublin and Léargas.
Other possibilities for the summer include voluntary work with organisations such as ‘Les Petits Frères des Pauvres’ and au pair work.
Valuable help can also be had from someone – a teacher, neighbour or relative, perhaps – who has close links with France and can find you a job or an exchange through personal contacts.
Another useful channel for contact is through the twinning of your local town with a French town.
A seminar is usually held in February, organized by the Department and the French Society, to provide information about different things to do in France, but it is up to you to decide what to do and make your own arrangements.
When you return from your year abroad or your three-month residence you will be required to submit the Residence Abroad Log. This must be handed in no later than the 1st of November of your final year at Maynooth University. Details are available in the School Handbook.
Visiting Students: Erasmus & Study Abroad
German Studies is keen to encourage internationalisation and diversity in its teaching and research, and one way that we do this is by opening up our courses to visiting international students. The following should give Erasmus and Year Abroad students some idea of the broad range of courses currently available to them in the German Studies area.
Language Courses
The following courses are suitable for non-native speakers of German:
- GN260 German for non-specialists (Beginners 1)
- GN261 German for non-specialists (Beginners 2)
- GN210 Grundkurs Sprache 3 (Intermediate)
- GN220 Grundkurs Sprache 4 (Intermediate)
- GN310 Grundkurs Sprache 5 (Advanced)
- GN320 Grundkurs Sprache 6 (Advanced)
Students who wish to enrol for these courses should attend the introductory meeting at the beginning of the year and fill out a departmental Registration Form.
Translation
The following courses are particularly suitable for visiting Erasmus students:
- GN333 Translation for Erasmus Students (Semester 1)
- GN335 Translation for Erasmus Students (Semester 2)
Visiting students may be permitted to attend the following modules subject to availability:
- GN327A Literary Translation (German-English)
Literature & Culture
Visiting students may also be permitted to attend the following modules subject to availability:
- GN213A Dutch for Beginners
- GN217A Language Awareness
- GN223A Dutch for Improvers
- GN226A German for Business
- GN319A Deutschsprachiger Film der Gegenwart
- GN311B Engaging with German language culture (S1)
- GN321B Engaging with German language culture (S2)
Prospective students should note that since substantial parts of these modules will be delivered in German and parts of the Continuous Assessment and final exams will also test German language skills, a very good knowledge of German is required.
Masters-level courses
Students who have successfully completed at least six semesters of study of German may be permitted to attend the following Masters-level modules subject to availability:
- GN611 Translation German-English
- GN612A Introduction to Intercultural Studies
- GN616A New Trends in German Literature
- GN621 Translation English-German
- GN622A Methodologies of Teaching and Learning German as a Foreign Language
- GN627 Narratives of Conflict in German Culture
- ML622 Contemporary European Women’s Writing
Visiting Students will have the opportunity to sign up for these courses during Orientation Week.
Opportunities for Spending a Year Abroad:
- Erasmus Student Exchange Programme:
Students who intend to spend one academic year at a university in a German-speaking country usually do so after completing their second year at Maynooth University. The existing Erasmus links with a variety of German and Austrian universities are used for these exchanges. Students express their interest in February/March of their second year at Maynooth University. All relevant information will then be given by the German Studies Erasmus Coordinator (Dr Böcking) and the Maynooth University International Office.
Information on finances and on conditions for availing of this unique opportunity will be given at information meetings and are always available from the International Office (Humanity House, first floor).
According to international practice and to the regulations adopted at Maynooth University, students spending a year at a university abroad aspire to accumulate 60 ECTS during the year. Of these credits, we expect all students of German to take 30 ECTS of courses in German or courses taught through the medium of German. Aside from this stipulation, students have considerable flexibility in choosing courses they would like to take during their Erasmus year abroad.
- English Language Assistant Programme (ELA)
The ELA programme offers students the opportunity to work as an English Language Assistant at a German/Austrian secondary school for one school year. Working at a German/Austrian/Swiss school is amongst the most beneficial ways to immerse yourself in the foreign culture. Student teachers also receive a small monthly stipend for their work, which makes the scheme a good option for those who are concerned about the cost of spending an undergraduate year abroad.
The ELA scheme is particularly appropriate for students who hope to go on to a career in teaching, as it offers a very valuable opportunity to acquire teaching experience.
Information on the ELA schemes is available on the website of the Department of Education and Skills.
German Studies at Maynooth University has an agreement with the Sprachcenter Mouroum in Berlin whereby three students ever year are offered the opportunity to undertake an Erasmus internship with the school. The Sprachcenter Mouroum offers English language classes to young children in “Kitas” (kindergartens) and primary schools around Berlin. The interns receive training in class preparation and delivery during the summer months, and they spend their year in Berlin giving classes in English.
They work approx. 30 hours a week (taking into account travel between classes); in return, they receive a monthly allowance from the school and a reduced-price travel card for Berlin. The school can also offer the interns reasonably priced accommodation in a central Berlin location. Students may also apply to Erasmus+ for funding in support of their internship.
This Erasmus Internship would be particularly appropriate for students who hope to go on to a career in primary teaching, as it offers them the opportunity to acquire teaching experience.
See here for further information on the Sprachcenter Mouroum.
News from our Students Abroad: -
Three of our student ambassadors have started their year abroad, you can read them here
Information on the year abroad will be provided by the Language Areas International Coordinator, Dr. Mercedes Carbayo-Abengózar, and by the International Office.
Spanish and Latin American Studies International Coordinator:
Dr. Mercedes Carbayo-Abengózar
[email protected]
Room 2.108, Callan Building, North Campus
+353 1 474 7120
International Office Website:
International | Maynooth University
Study Abroad with Maynooth Information
Spanish and Latin American Studies Guidelines:
Students who wish to spend a year abroad must complete second year successfully.
All European Studies students must spend their third year in a foreign university.
Students may be directed to study in certain universities depending on their subjects.
- In Semester I, students interested in studying abroad should contact the International Co-ordinator (Dr. Mercedes Carbayo-Abengózar) to register their expression of interest.
- In Semester II, the Spanish and Latin American Studies will invite a representative from the International Office to give a talk in the Department on the procedures to be followed for those interested in studying abroad.
- In Semester II, the Co-ordinator will meet with interested students in order to discuss their study abroad options.
Students should familiarise themselves with website of the university they wish to go to.
Students must ensure that they register for modules equivalent to 60 credits at the host University.
Students are required to pass modules worth 30 ECTS in Spanish language or cultural courses in order to satisfy the requirements of the Dept for the BA International and to progress into the final year of study.
The credits for Spanish-language courses are assigned by your host university.
Students should liaise with the International Coordinator at Maynooth University to choose subjects to study, as these must be approved by the Dept and entered on a Learning Agreement Form.
Any changes to courses must be approved by the coordinator in the Spanish Department at Maynooth University by sending a revised learning agreement to Spanish and Latin American Studies Coordinator Dr. Mercedes Carbayo-Abengózar and to the International Office.
Students should keep in contact with the International Office and the Coordinator throughout the year.
Please complete the Expression of interest Form and submit it to Dr. Mercedes Carbayo-Abengózar.
Spanish and Latin American Studies Partner Universities:
- Spanish Universities:
- Universidad de Alcalá de Henares
- Universidad de Alicante
- Universidad de La Laguna (Tenerife)
- Universidad de Murcia
- Universidad de Oviedo
- Universidad de Valladolid
- Universidad de Pompeu Fabra Portuguese Universities:
- Universidade de Coimbra
- Universidade de Lisboa
- Latin American Universities
- Universidad de Guadalajara (Mexico)
- Universidad de Montevideo (Uruguay)
The University has links with other universities also, and you may, with the approval of the School, avail of these.
Teaching Assistantships in Spain:
The Irish Department of Education, in conjunction with the Spanish Government, offers a limited number of teaching assistantships in Spain to suitably qualified Irish candidates. Students might consider applying for an assistantship after completing the degree or, alternatively, taking a year out after the second year to work as an English language assistant in the Spanish secondary school system. If it is done in the third year of study and students meet certain academic requirements, they may qualify for a BA International. These assistantships are advertised near the end of the second semester. A notice will be put on the notice board and on the website to advise people of the assistantships. Application forms will be available from the Administration Office; they can also be obtained directly from the Department of Education. Completed application forms must be returned to the Department of Education & Science, Marlborough Street, Dublin 1, and not to the Spanish and Latin American Studies office.
To allow students to teach Spanish at Post-Primary level in Ireland the Teaching Council requires residential experience of a minimum of three months in Spain or other country where Spain is the vernacular. Documentary evidence of this will be required.
Irish College at Alcala Academic Exchange Programme:
Under the Agreement for Academic Exchange and Cooperation between the National University of Ireland, Maynooth University and the University of Alcalá, Spain under the Banner of the Irish College at Alcala, the university offers an annual Spanish language scholarship: Scholarship for a Spanish Language Course in the University of Alcalá (Spain)
Important Note:
Students who intend their teaching assistantship to form part of their final qualification should note that they must register for their year abroad via the Student Web. Students should notify the Student Records and Registration Office ([email protected]) well in advance of their teaching assistantship year abroad to ensure that it is made available to them when they register online. Registration is normally in the September at the beginning of the year abroad. As with students who go on Erasmus, teaching assistantship students are liable for university fees and are required to meet academic requirements for satisfactory progress.
English for Academic Purposes (EAP) is a fast-growing specialisation in the world of English language teaching and learning, primarily aimed at the increasing numbers of international students seeking to study at English-speaking institutes of higher education.
You can find out all about our EAP programmes by vising the webpage at: SMLLC EAP