Exchange – BA Arts 2023/24 (DN520 and DN500)

As a BA Arts student, you have the opportunity to apply for exchange for an academic year. Once accepted for an exchange place, you will be switched to the four-year BA International Programme. You will then go on exchange at Stage 3 for the academic year and return to UCD to complete Stage 4. It is not possible for BA Arts students to go on exchange for a trimester.

You can apply to go on exchange outside of Europe or within Europe. A list of partner universities outside of Europe for students in the College of Arts & Humanities can be found here.

A list of partner universities within Europe for students in the College of Arts & Humanities can be found here. It is worth noting that many European partners are subject specific and you need to apply through one of the Schools within which you are studying. For example, if you are studying English and History, and you go on exchange to a School of History exchange partner, you will be concentrating on History modules while on exchange.

Social Sciences Subjects

If you are studying a Social Sciences subject, a list of exchange partners for Schools in Social Sciences can be found here.

Eligibility Criteria

In order to be eligible to go on exchange, students should note the following: 

1. Students must have completed Stage One and have earned a minimum of 50 credits at Stage 2 in order to go on exchange.
2. Only students who are in Stage Two at the time of application are eligible to apply for exchange.
3. Students must have earned a minimum GPA of 2.8 at Stage 1 and Stage 2 in order to participate in an exchange programme. Please note that certain partner universities may have higher GPA criteria.
4. The exchange year (Stage 3) of the BA Arts International Programme is GPA neutral and does not contribute towards a student’s final degree GPA.
5. In order to pass the year abroad (Stage 3) of the BA Arts International Programme a student must successfully complete the required modules at the host university. The number and type of modules to be completed must be agreed with and approved by the relevant academic coordinator in the student’s School(s) in UCD.

Application

If you are currently in Stage 2 of the BA Arts Programme, you can apply through your UCD SIS Web account for an exchange place at one of UCD’s partner universities in Europe or outside of Europe for an academic year at Stage 3. UCD Global will consider your application and will notify your Programme Manager of where you have been nominated to go on exchange.

Information on how to apply, eligibility and deadlines can be found here.

Courses

Not all partner universities offer classes through English. If you do not speak the language of the country the university is in, please check the course catalogue of the university to see if any classes are offered through English before applying.

If you are nominated for an exchange place, you will be given information on the number of credits you need to take at your host university. You will be given a course approval form and you will need to get academic approval for the courses you take at your host university from your School’s Exchange Coordinator.

Finances

When you go on exchange, you pay whatever tuition fees you pay to UCD (for most students this is the student contribution fee and Student Centre Levy) and no tuition fees at the host university. However you are liable for all other costs associated with your exchange and it is important that you budget for it.

Information on the finances involved in going on exchange and any available grants can be found here.

Further Information

The UCD Global website has detailed information on how to apply for exchange, partner universities and practical information.

UCD Global runs a series of talks about exchange opportunities during the autumn trimester. You will be emailed a schedule of their talks and it will also be available on their website.

For further information regarding  exchange on the BA Humanities Programme, please contact:

Ruth Redahan

International Programme Manager

UCD College of Arts & Humanities Office

(opens in a new window)outgoing.artshumanities@ucd.ie