Oxford Brookes University, United Kingdom

Oxford - the name is nearly mythical.
Study in one of England's most vibrant economic and educational areas. The history of Oxford Brookes University dates back to 1865, but it has only been a university since 1992, when the Sunday Times University Guide voted it Britain's best new university 10 times, and with 19,000 students it is one of the country's top 50 universities. We point out that the OBU is a larger university; administrative processes can take longer and are more complex; this is sometimes seen in the availability of contacts and services.

The academic year at OBU is divided into two semesters. 

First semester:
September 23rd - December 19th 2019 (classes and exams)
September 16th - 20th 2019: Introductory week

Second semester:
January 27th - April 3rd 2020 (lessons)
Easter holidays: April 6th - April 17th 2020 

April 20th - April 17th 2020 (second teaching phase and examinations) 

January 20th - 24th 2020: Introductory week

The exact evaluation of the individual courses can be found in the respective course descriptions or will be specified at the beginning of the semester. These can be, for example, homework, cooperation, attendance, oral or written examinations. 

As an international student from the EU you will participate in the European Study Abroad Programme. The choice of courses is wide and diverse. You will have to be prepared for considerably less compulsory attendance than usual, but with considerably more reading lists and course preparations. When applying, you have to pay attention to your course selection, as a later change is almost impossible.
At the OBU you have to choose four modules per semester. You can choose a fifth module if it is a language module. When applying, however, you should specify up to six modules in order to have alternatives, e.g. if courses overlap or if other problems arise.
You can choose between "single modules" and "double modules". A single module has 7.5 ECTS, a double module has 15 ECTS. A semester workload as described above is expected to have 30 ECTS. It is recommended that you choose modules from the "basic level".
Under the following link you can search for suitable modules.

Deadlines for submitting application documents to the International Office:

31/01 for the winter semester

31/05 for the summer semester

Please note that the deadlines vary for each partner university - it can take a while before you hear from the partner university.

Good knowledge of English, which you can prove as shown below:

• • IELTS level: total 5.5, with 5.5 in each category
  • Cambridge: total 170-180, with 170-179 in reading and writing and 160-169 in speaking and understanding.

The following documents are required for your application to the OBU:

• Application form

• • English certificate (see prerequisites)
  • Transcript of Records of the EBC Hochschule
  • References

Please be sure to read the annex to the application form. It contains important information on how to complete the form. 

Please send the complete documents to studyabroadbrookes.ac.uk.

Please submit the following documents to the IO:

• Learning Agreement

Learning Agreement
Along with your application, you submit an LA on which you enter courses or modules of at least 20 ECTS that you would like to take. The International Office and the Dean's Office will confirm your selection and ask for corrections if necessary. The LA is the basis for the recognition of courses at the EBC University and is therefore binding.

Transcript of Records
Your Transcript of Records, the semester abroad, proves that you have successfully completed the course. The average of your achievements is converted according to the modified Bavarian formula. 20 ECTS are hereby recognised and are included accordingly in the overall grade of your studies. If you have a certificate confirming that you have successfully completed the courses agreed in the LA and that you have fulfilled the requirement of 20 ECTS, the international module is assumed to have been completed. At least 20 ECTS must be successfully completed during the semester abroad for recognition at the EBC Hochschule.

Students who are nationals of one of the EU countries do not need a visa for the UK, but check with the UK Council for International Student Affairs as there are special regulations for Romanian and Bulgarian nationals. 

All other applicants without EU citizenship must apply for a visa, even if they live in one of the EU countries. If you are staying in the UK for less than six months and do not want to work there, apply for a student visitor visa using the VAF1D form. You should then ask your host university for a "student visitor visa letter", which you should enclose with your visa application; this letter is usually sent automatically by the university.

Please check the OBU's information on this subject. 

On-Campus
An overview of the various dormitories can be found here. Please note that some of the listed residences have a minimum duration of more than 40 weeks and are therefore unsuitable for you. You can usually pay in one, three or six payments. 
Application
The application documents for accommodation in a student dormitory will be sent to you by email after your confirmation of acceptance.

University managed houses

The OBU has also rented some houses where you can live with other students. However, most contracts run for longer periods of time.

Private market
If you want to find your own accommodation, check the local newspapers or websites.

• This is Oxfordshire
• Daily Info
• If you are looking for guesthouses, please click on the links for the area you would like to move to - Wheatley, Harcourt Hill, Marston Road or Gipsy Lane. 

As you will be studying in the UK for less than 6 months, you should get the free EHIC from your statutory health insurance company. This is a card that entitles you to medically necessary public health services during a temporary stay under the same conditions and at the same cost as the insured in the country concerned.

But: the European Health Insurance Card...

• • is not a substitute for travel insurance. It does not include private healthcare or any other costs you may incur (e.g. return flight to your home country, reacquisition of lost or stolen property).
  • does not cover your expenses if you travel specifically for the purpose of medical treatment.
  • does not guarantee free treatment. Health systems vary between countries. It is therefore possible that services that you do not have to pay for domestically may be subject to charges in other countries.