BSc Social Policy & Sociology Exchange and Erasmus

Students can apply to study abroad on Erasmus or Exchange  with Social Policy's or Sociology's exchange partners  during stage 2 of their degree programme, and if successful, will spend their third year studying abroad, and then return to UCD to complete their final fourth year of study. If you successfully complete the academic programme (both while abroad and at UCD), you will graduate with a BSc (International) in Sociology Policy and Sociology after four years of study.

Eligibility to study abroad: In order to be considered eligible for exchange, you will need to have achieved an average  GPA of 3.0 or higher, and have successfully completed 60 credits in stage 1, and be on track to earn 50 credits in stage 2. Please also see ‘Application Process’ separately for the specific application eligibility criteria.

Note: It is strongly advised that any student who does not pass all stage 2 modules, does not take up an opportunity to study abroad for a full year as it will be very difficult to remediate your outstanding modules and successfully complete stage 4 on your return. Should you wish to discuss this further please contact your Programme Director

How many and what modules do I need to take?

Students must have their modules approved in advance of their exchange by the relevant International Exchange Coordinator. While studying at the host university , where possible, students should study modules in both of their subject areas covered of the BSocSc Social Policy and Sociology, and an even balance of subjects is not required and   if only one of your subjects is on offer, students are permitted to only focus on one of these, during your exchange.

Exchange Programme Credit  Requirements:  While away, it is recommended that students attempt up to 60 ECTS for the full year (two trimesters).  The requirement is to pass at least 45 ECTS (or non-EU courseload equivalent) while at your host institution, to be awarded a full year of UCD equivalent academic credit. Academic advice in advance of travel is provided by your International Exchange Coordinator.

Students on the the BSocSc Social Policy and Sociology programme have the opportunity study abroad in Stage 3 of their degree programme. You can apply to go to pre-approved destinations in Europe (Erasmus Exchange) that are subject-specific or to one of UCD Partner universities worldwide (non-EU Exchange).

Students who are successful in their application and get nominated to go on exchange will be moved to the international version of the BSocSc Social Policy and Sociology degree.

To take up your place on exchange, you will need to have a GPA of 3.0 or higher, and have successfully completed 60 credits in stage 1, and 50 credits in stage 2.

The information provided below will help you decide whether and where to apply, to study abroad in Stage 3 of your degree. 

You can apply to go either on an Erasmus Exchange (within Europe) or a Non-EU Exchange, at one of UCD’s partner institutions.

Erasmus+

For a list of destinations you can apply to  go inside Europe, that are specific to the School of Social Policy, Social Work and Social Justice, & School of Sociology see here.

University Wide Agreements (UWA): Non-Eu Exchanges

Please see Where Can I Go? to see a list of  possible college-approved destinations that you can apply to outside Europe, subject to subject area availability and suitable curriculum choices specific to your degree programme.

• Complete the online application form, under the Application menu on SISweb, once the system opens (mid to late November).
• Applications are primarily assessed on academic merit. By time of application review (end-January approx.), students will need to have earned an average GPA of 3.0 or higher and be stage 1 complete. Generally, for students going on exchange in stage 3, the average GPA is calculated as follows: Stage 1 GPA x 2 + Stage 2 trimester 1 GPA /3.
• Students will also need to complete 50 credits in stage 2, prior to taking up their place on exchange*.
• Students are expected to research modules available at partner institutions in advance. For Non-EU destinations, not all partner universities will offer your subjects, which is why it is important you seek guidance from your Exchange Coordinator when applying, if you are unsure of suitability.

*Any offer that is made is conditional on this basis.

Choosing to study abroad means you will move to a new 4-year degree programme.  One of the changes resulting from this move is a change to how your final degree GPA will be calculated.  4-year degree programmes count Stages 2, 3 & 4 for GPA Calculation purposes.  However, as your study abroad year is GPA Neutral, this means Stage 3/year abroad does not count towards your GPA directly but does alter how your GPA will be calculated.

Academic Guidance on modules for Social Policy & Sociology students interested in studying abroad is provided by:

• Dr Dorota Szelewa (Social Policy), Lecturer. Assistant Professor, Social Justice, School of Social Policy, Social Work and Social Justice, Hannah Sheehy-Skeffington Building (opens in a new window)szelewa@ucd.ie
• Dr Pablo Lucas (Sociology)  Lecturer /Assistant Professor in Sociology, School of Sociology, D413 Newman Building (opens in a new window)pablo.lucas@ucd.ie

For any general programme-related queries please email:

Ronan Gough, (opens in a new window)outgoing.socialsciences@ucd.ie  (Programme & Credit Queries)

For all other queries, please email UCD Global Exchanges team.

Studying abroad during your university studies is a fantastic opportunity to study at leading universities in Europe and beyond. Studying abroad builds on your own life experiences to date, giving you fresh perspectives and new directions. It is not just about seeing and visiting new places, it is about living in that place, forming friendships there, experiencing a different university system and their expectations, learning the local language, and discovering the culture, history and politics of the country.  The experience of studying abroad enables you to enhance understanding of how different people can be and yet how similar in their common human concerns. Studying abroad can present challenges, testing and developing your resourcefulness and resilience but in a way that further supports your development and preparation for the next stage of life after your degree.  The Erasmus programme has been running successfully for many years across Europe, providing a reliable structure for your study abroad. It allows you to see something of what 'Europe' really means, and to understand European issues better. UCD also has exchange agreements outside Europe: with North and South America, with East Asia, and with Oceania.