BComm (International Experience) Advisory Session
October 2013
Eilis O’Regan, Angela Teahan & Cian Twomey
J.E. Cairnes School of Business & Economics
Global Learning Opportunity
• Internationalisation is now a key priority for the School of Business &
Economics
• B. Comm. International Experience
– Study abroad
– Possible to combine with work placement/internship
• Other International Business Study Opportunities
– Summer School Programmes in other countries
– (Watch out for information on these).
• Important opportunity to gain a competitive edge
• Your chance to be involved!
BComm (International Experience) degree
There are two models available for B. Comm. students.
• Model 1
– Study abroad in Europe for both semester one and semester two at one of
our partner universities (see attached list)
• Model 2
– Apply to seek an internship in one of the final year commerce specialisms (in
accounting, HR, Economics, marketing, or management information systems)
for semester one
and
– Pursue international study in the USA, Hong Kong (or possibly Europe in
semester two at one of our partner universities (see attached list).
BComm (International Experience) - Eligibility
• Students require a minimum average of 55% in their first
year commerce and second year semester one commerce
examination results to apply
• Students must pass all modules on first attempt in second
year commerce.
Internships & International Study
• Currently 20 students are registered are participating in the International
Experience year; 18 are currently on placement & 2 students are studying
abroad yearlong.
• We plan to accommodate up to 30 students in 2014/15
• We plan to expand our international study and internship programme to
accommodate 50 students by 2015/16
• When you go to work as an intern in a business environment in Ireland
and/or travel to study at a university in another country, you will act as
an ambassador for the Bachelor of Commerce programme, the School of
Business and Economics, the National University of Ireland, Galway and
for your country
Placement Opportunities
• Students apply for a place as an intern in accounting, marketing,
human resource management, IT, economics or related area
• Most internships are paid, but some are unpaid
• This is an opportunity for you to work in the area that you intend
to specialise in your final year and see if you really like this type of
work
• It gives you an opportunity to develop and expand your skills
• It is a CV building opportunity to differentiate yourself in the
competitive graduate market place
Placement Opportunities – Host Companies
J.E. Cairnes School of Business & Economics
Placement Opportunities – Host Companies
J.E. Cairnes School of Business & Economics
Assessment – Work Placement
1. Complete a weekly work-place learning journal
2. CV
3. Skills assessment
4. Attend a debriefing session towards the end of your
placement & present to your peers and Business School
staff
5. Complete an evaluation
6. Must pass to progress to final year
J.E. Cairnes School of Business & Economics
International Study
– choice of courses to take and study abroad
• Study business courses through English in one of our partner academic
institutions
• This is an additional year of study so there are no prescribed or required
courses that you must take
• We advise you to choose courses that are of interest to you but make sure not
to take courses that will be part of your final year specialism when you return
to NUI Galway to complete your degree studies
• Choose courses that might attract many international students such as Global
marketing, Global employee relations, Global IT strategies….. Part of the
experience is gaining insights into how students from other cultures think,
work, and approach the solving of problems/case studies - This is the critical
learning that you will take with you for your working life
• You must have your list of courses approved by Dr. Murray Scott
International Study
- our policy and practice
• Where possible we endeavour to send a minimum of two
students to the same international study destination so that
they can support each other
• We try to send no more than three commerce students to
the same destination, to encourage you to interface more
with local and other international students and to get the
most from the cultural experience
Opportunity to Study Abroad
BIS & B. Comm.
• University of Maryland, Baltimore County, USA
• Lehigh University College of Business & Economics, Bethlehem, PA,
USA
• Kogod School of Business, American University, Washington DC,
USA
• Clarkson University, Potsdam, NY, USA
• Montana State University, Bozeman, MT, USA
• University of Hertfordshire, England (new)
Opportunity to Study Abroad
B. Comm.
• Hong Kong University of Science and Technology
• Villanova University, Villanova, PA, USA
• Uppsala Universitet, Sweden
• University of Groningen, Faculty of Economics and Business,
Netherlands
• Katholieke Universiteit Leuven, Belgium
• University of Applied Sciences, Steyr, Austria (Summer School)
Opportunity to Study Abroad
B. Comm. Accounting & B. Comm.
• SUNY (State University New York), Albany, NY, USA
• Canisius College, Buffalo, New York, USA
• Concordia College, Minnesota, USA (new)
• ESC Dijon, Burgondy, France (new)
• EBS Business School, Rheingau, Wiesbaden, Germany (new)
• HKBU, Hong Kong (new 2014)
• University of Technology, Sydney, Australia (new 2014)
Other Opportunity to Study Abroad Business Summer School 2013
in University of Applied Sciences in Steyr, Austria
• Three week summer school (5-6 places available for NUI Galway, Second Year
Commerce Students).
• July 2013
• Wide range of courses taught through English
– Entrepreneurial Finance and Strategic Management – Business Simulation,
Intercultural Management, International Key Account Management, Web,
Enterprise and Marketing in a Globalised World, Market Entrance in Europe and
many more.
• No Tuition payable
• Accommodation is guaranteed and arranged by the International Office
• Strong Erasmus Student Network – trips and social events
• Over 100 visiting international exchange students.
• A wonderful opportunity to study abroad for a short time if you decide not to take to
transfer to the B. Comm. (International Experience) Degree
Application Process –
Business Summer School 2013
University of Applied Sciences in Steyr, Austria
• This differs from applications for transfer to the B. Comm.
(International Experience) Degree
• The applicant must have an average of 55% in first and
second year, first semester commerce examinations.
• Application closing date to be advised.
• For further information please see: www.fh-ooe.at/campussteyr
Progression to Final Year of your Commerce
Degree
• You must pass your Internship placement
• You must take and pass a minimum number of courses during your period of
study abroad (to be agreed with the international study co-ordinator Dr.
Murray Scott)
• You will NOT be allowed to progress to your final year of commerce studies
until you have successfully completed both semesters of the International
Experience year
International Study – Fees and Funding
• Fees: the normal university registration fee is payable
• There is a tuition waiver with our partner host institutions abroad;
i.e. No tuition is payable abroad.
• For studying in Europe, there has been and it is expected there will
continue to be some payment to support international study under
the Erasmus Programme. This has been in the region of €800 per
semester in the past. However, this could change based on
budgetary positions. More information will be provided on this at
the February International Study Advisory Session.
BComm (International Experience)
Application Process
• Application closing date: 21st February 5 pm.
• Applications will be reviewed and a short list of eligible applicants will be drawn
up.
• Eligible candidates will be interviewed to assess their suitability for
internship/international study. Interviews will take place 3 – 7th March.
• Provisional offers of acceptance to transfer to the B. Comm. (International
Experience) Degree will be made 10 – 16th March, acceptance due by the 21rd
March. This will be conditional on passing all second year commerce
examinations at the first sitting and achieving an overall average grade of 55%
in second year commerce.
• Those who apply and are accepted for the internship/international study model
will need to make themselves available for interviews to secure an internship
place.
Application process for Placement
Opportunities
1. Acceptance of offers: 21st March 2104.
2. Work closely with the Placement Officer.
3. Placement opportunities will then be circulated as they
become available.
4. Indicate expression of interest and send on CV/application
form.
5. Applications/CVs forwarded to employers.
6. Employers shortlist for interview.
7. Attend for interview.
8. If offered the placement position, you must accept.
J.E. Cairnes School of Business & Economics
International Study: Funding & Scholarship
• Funding for international study in the USA or Kong Hong in
2014/15
• Villanova Scholarship
• Students who are eligible for grant support for third level
education will continue to receive those grants. The NUI
Galway Fees Office will help facilitate you in the processing
of grant payments where the student is abroad and cannot
sign for the grant if you made contact with them once you
have been accepted for transfer to the four year B. Comm.
(International Experience) Degree Programme
J.E. Cairnes School of Business & Economics
How do I find out more?
• Information Session – February 2014
• Applications/Interviews – Feb/March 2014
• Discuss with the B. Comm. International Experience team:
•
Eilis O’Regan: eilis.oregan@nuigalway.ie
• Angela Teahan: angela.teahan@nuigalway.ie
• Ger Turley: gerard.turley@nuigalway.ie
• Cian Twomey: cian.twomey@nuigalway.ie
• Murray Scott: murray.scott@nuigalway.ie
• International Office: international@nuigalway.ie