Study Abroad
Going Abroad
Spending time in English-speaking countries is recommended for everyone who studies English; for those working towards the degree of the Lehrdiplom, it is mandatory. You can either plan your stay on your own, or you can compete for one of the exchange positions offered by the ES every year.
Please note that as of the academic year 2012/2013 (i.e. if you go abroad in the autumn term 2012 or later), ALL students interested in having the course work that they have done abroad accredited will be required to complete a so-called Anrechnungsvereinbarung. This form must be signed by the Study Abroad Coordinators of all the departments concerned, i.e. by the Study Abroad Coordinator of the English Department for courses potentially being accredited to your English studies. This means that also students who organize their stay abroad independently are required to complete this form if they would like to have their course work accredited. You can find more information as well as the link to the form on the website of the Studiendekanat.
Contact: Outgoing and Incoming Students
Postal Address:
Christiane Schlote
Plattenstrasse 47
8032 Zürich
Office Phone: +41-44-63 43673
Office Fax: +41-44-63 44908
Office hours: by arrangement
E-mail: cschlote@es.uzh.ch
Information for Exchange Students Who Intend to Study at the English Department
Going Abroad
Contact: Outgoing and Incoming Students
Standard of Language Proficiency
Learning Agreement
Enrolment
Transcript
Late Arrival
Any Questions?
Students from outside Switzerland who would like to study in our department should check the website of the International Office of the University of Zurich to find out which exchange programme would be suitable for them. Visiting students, i.e. students who organize their stay in Zurich independently, are kindly requested to consult the website of the Admissions Office. Those who have already applied for a place and been nominated by their home university to study with us, and visiting students who have been admitted to study at the UZH will find the following information helpful.
Standard of Language Proficiency
If you intend to take courses in the English Department and if English is not your native language, you are expected to have a standard of proficiency in English at the level C1 of the Common European Framework (CEFR). Please cf. the following table for corresponding test results (cf. table issued by the Admissions Office):
For Incoming Students:
| Certificate | Required Points or Title |
| IELTS | 7 |
| TOEFL - Paperbased | 600 |
| TOEFL - Computerbased | 250 |
| TOEFL - Internetbased | 100 |
| Cambridge Proficiency (CPE) | CPE |
| Cambridge Advanced Certificate (CAE) | CAE |
Certification of English skills can also be provided by the language center of your home university. In addition, students may be required to sit the internal language test of the English Department at the beginning of term in order to be admitted to courses offered by the department. If students do not demonstrate the required level of English, they may be excluded from some courses.
Choice of Courses
Before you arrive, you should familiarize yourself with our course programme to get an idea of what courses to sign up for. Please check the online university course programme. Make sure the button at the top right of the page states the term you are coming for, HS = “autumn term” (Herbstsemester), FS = “spring term” (Frühjahrssemester).
Before you choose your courses please note:
- If you have not yet completed your Bachelor degree, you cannot sign up for a Master course.
- If you stay for one term, you usually cannot take part in a course that runs for two terms.
- If you successfully complete a lecture course, you will be awarded credit points but usually not a grade. Check with your home university beforehand to determine whether or not they accept credit points without a grade.
- The course “Guided Reading” is intended for advanced students already studying for a Master degree.
- The course “Reading List” is intended for advanced students nearing the end of their Bachelor studies.
You may discuss your course options with the study abroad coordinator of our department, Christiane Schlote (cschlote@es.uzh.ch), via e-mail. Visit her office as soon as possible after your arrival or at the latest in the first week of term to finalize your decision and sign a learning agreement. Only after she has approved your choice and signed your learning agreement are you allowed to go to the teachers and ask to participate in the chosen course.
Learning Agreement
The learning agreement is a kind of contract which states which courses you are allowed to take, how many credit points you will be awarded upon successful completion of these courses, and what manner of assessment will be employed for each course. Once your study abroad coordinator in Zurich has agreed on your choice and signed the agreement you can take part in the courses. Please show the agreement to the teachers if they ask to see it. Check with your home university that they also approve of your choice of courses for your time with us and how many credit points you will be awarded for these courses when you return. Different universities award different numbers of credit points if they use different credit point systems. Your home university will convert our points into their system. Do NOT go to our teachers and try to negotiate a different number of points! Everyone gets the same number. You will receive the necessary form from your study abroad coordinator after your arrival.
Enrolment
Once your choices have been finalized and approved by the study abroad coordinator, you must officially enroll in your courses. She will help you with the enrolment.
Transcript
After your stay with us, a transcript will automatically be sent to you, once all of your exams and term papers are corrected. Please note that all of your results, including any failed and unfinished courses, will be listed. Do not forget to leave the address to which your transcript is to be sent with the Kanzlei when you leave Zurich. This will either be your home address or (especially for most British students) the address of the study abroad coordinator. It is the student's responsibility to make sure that the appropriate address (i.e. whether home or university) is provided. Usually, the transcripts will be sent out at the beginning of the following term.
Late Arrival
We expect you to be with us from the first day of term and to have contacted the study abroad coordinator in the first week of term at the latest. If you are prevented from being here for the beginning of term for whatever reason, you should contact the coordinator in advance to let her know. If you arrive after week two, it may be impossible for you to get a place in your chosen courses.
Any Questions?
We are looking forward to having you with us and hope you will have an enjoyable and inspiring stay!