University of Cambridge International Summer School in England (UK)

Summer 2008 closed

July 7 – August 1, 2008

Sponsored by James Madison College

Arranged through the Office of Study Abroad (OSA)

What's this program about?

The University of Cambridge is one of the oldest universities in the world with a deep history and home for great intellectual and academic endeavors. Cambridge was rated the best university in the United Kingdom by the London Times in 2002.

The Summer Schools have been providing the opportunity for international students to study at the University of Cambridge on short courses since 1923. Renowned for the breadth of courses, the summer school attracts up to 1,000 students each year, creating a strong international community with opportunities such as special lectures and events. Courses are taught by a mixture of leading Cambridge lecturers and specialists from beyond the University.

Sponsored by Michigan State University’s residential college in the social sciences, James Madison College, this program will offer direct enrollment for the first time in 2008.

In addition to courses, a program of optional weekend excursions is available. Full details and booking forms will be sent to you once the arrangements have been finalized. In 2008 the excursions will probably include trips to Stratford-upon-Avon to visit Shakespeare’s birthplace and see plays performed by the Royal Shakespeare Company and visits to historical sites and places of interest, including some of the regions’ cathedrals, castles, stately homes and gardens.

Where does it take place?

Established in the 13 th century, Cambridge University comprises about 30 residential colleges. Cambridge’s origins go back to Roman times, so there is a mixture of medieval to Georgian to modern-day buildings. Living in Cambridge, you are surrounded by history and will see evidence everywhere of the centuries of change. There are a great many museums, galleries and historic sites to visit.

As a cosmopolitan university city, Cambridge has everything you would expect – coffee bars, shops, restaurants, pubs, clubs and internet cafes. There are always all kinds of activities and events taking place in Cambridge during the summer: music and film festivals, a season of Shakespeare plays performed in college gardens and a whole series of public events through the city.

What can I study?

The Summer School offers over thirty different courses, including archaeology, politics, philosophy, economics, literature, history, international relations, art, education, social anthropology, history of medicine and of science. Classroom instruction is combined with subject-related plenary lectures, and optional evening lectures on a wide variety of topics. Each course is limited to a maximum of 25 students so that you can get the most out of the interaction with your course director and other students. All courses involve an element of participation – you will be encouraged to discuss, debate and develop your own understanding of the issues raised in class with the guidance of your lecturer.

You may take two or three courses from a complete list of the thirty-five Term I course offerings (refer to the “Special Subject Courses (I)). All course materials, such as lecture schedules and reading lists, can be downloaded from this site before you come to Cambridge.

James Madison College students should contact Dr. Norman Graham to determine how courses can be used to satisfy course and elective requirements or to substitute for the field experience requirement. JMC students will earn four credits for successfully completed courses that are considered equivalent to JMC courses. Students from other MSU colleges or from other institutions should consult with their academic advisors about how these courses can fulfill requirements. In most cases, such students will earn three credits per course.

This is a co-sponsored program. Credit may be awarded for certain courses as regular MSU credit rather than transfer credit.  These courses will be listed on your official MSU transcript and will include the title of the course abroad, the number of credits and the grade earned. For further details about this policy, visit the student webpage.

To find out what courses other students have taken on the program and what MSU courses they might replace, visit Transfer MSU and Office of the Reigistrar - Co-Sponsored Study Abroad Programs. Courses listed may not be offered every semester, and additional courses may be available during the semester you plan to participate.

What are the requirements?

Students must be in good academic standing, with a grade point average of at least 2.4 (upperclassmen) or 3.0 (freshman) at the time of application. Meeting this minimum grade point average does not, however, guarantee admission.

Applicants’ participation may be denied or their participation approval may be revoked if their conduct before departure raises doubts as to their suitability for program participation.

Where will I live?

You will have the opportunity to stay in the historic colleges of Cambridge, with a range of facilities available in different colleges. Accommodation is normally in basic, single bedrooms with sinks: the rooms used are those normally occupied by Cambridge undergraduates during the academic year. Some colleges have suite facilities available at an extra cost. Your accommodation fee pays for a single college room, breakfasts and evening meals, unless otherwise stated. Couple or friends can request adjacent rooms.

You will be supported by Resident Tutors. These are University of Cambridge students who live alongside you and assist with any questions you may have. They will be your first contact point in case of any difficulties.

You will have access to a variety of faculty libraries, including a library set up for the exclusive use of Summer School students, and the main University Library. All students are also given a University computer account so you can access e-mail and write papers. Depending on which accommodation you choose, you may also have the option to connect your own laptop to the University network from your room.

Who can tell me more about this program?

Norman Graham
James Madison College
358 S. Case Hall
Phone: (517) 355-3277 or (517) 353-3372

Cindy Felbeck Chalou
Office of Study Abroad
109 International Center
Phone: (517) 432-4345

Do I need a passport or visa?

U.S. and non-U.S. citizens need a valid passport both to enter other countries and to return to the United States. If you already have a passport, make sure it is valid until at least six months after your return date. If you must apply for or renew a passport, APPLY EARLY, since a minimum of twelve weeks is usually required for processing. During peak travel seasons, more processing time is required. Passport forms are available at many federal and state courts, probate courts, some county/municipal offices and some post offices. They can also be downloaded from the Web.

For more information about passports visit the web page.

A visa is official permission granted by the authorities of a country where you will study or travel that allows you to enter and remain in that country for a specific purpose. The visa itself is frequently a stamp in your passport, not a separate document. You will need a passport before applying for a visa and the passport plus visa process may take several months, so start early. It is your responsibility to inquire about visa requirements for all countries you plan to visit while abroad; this includes countries that you plan to visit before or after your study abroad program.

For more information about visas visit the web page.

Are there special health issues?

As part of your acceptance you will complete a Student Health/Emergency Treatment Authorization. It is your responsibility to ensure that your routine immunizations are up-to-date; inquire whether there are recommended and/or required immunizations or medications for the country/countries you will visit (including any countries you will visit that are not part of the study abroad program’s itinerary); and review educational issues relevant to your personal health and safety.

See the "Health Issues" section of the Student Handbook for further health information and recommendations.

How much does it cost?

Funds paid directly by the student include:

• Airfare to the UK
• ground transportation to Cambridge
• accommodations
• meals
• books and supplies
• MSU tuition and fees*
• passport application fee ($100)
• visa application fees (if applicable)
• pre-departure doctor visit
• pre-departure immunizations (if applicable)
• personal spending money

Excluding tuition and fees, a total for these costs is approximately $8,105.

A program fee of $100 is required and includes pre-departure orientation and requisite accident and sickness insurance

Students may request a cost sheet which estimates these additional expenses not included in the program fee by contacting the Office of Study Abroad at (517) 353-8920.

*Check Student Accounts for current tuition, fees and taxes. MSU students pay the same amount they would pay to study at MSU.

Program fees, dates, and arrangements may be subject to change due to unexpected circumstances.

How can I get help to pay for it?

Financial assistance is available to students who make appropriate arrangements with the Office of Study Abroad (OSA) and MSU’s Office of Financial Aid.

If you are an MSU student and indicate on your application that you plan to use financial aid to pay for your study abroad experience, OSA will forward an estimated cost sheet to the MSU Office of Financial Aid for processing. This form will include all anticipated costs associated with the program, including airfare.

If you are a non-MSU student, please request financial aid from your home university. If your university is unable to award you financial aid, contact the MSU Office of Study Abroad to apply for loans only and you will be provided with instructions on how to proceed.

For further information about financial aid, visit the Web page.

Additionally, MSU students applying to any credit-bearing study abroad program are eligible for OSA scholarships. Some scholarships are based exclusively on academic performance; others are based on a combination of academic performance and financial need. Requirements are listed in the scholarship application. The deadline to apply for these scholarships is March 1st for summer programs.

A generous endowment from the MSU Federal Credit Union, as well as additional resources provided through the Forest Akers Endowment, MSU Alumni Association, the Australia-Pacific Council, Eleanor and Charles Greenleaf Sr., Brigitte and Thomas Huff, the Georges Jules Joyaux Memorial Fund, the Kellogg Foundation, Charles and Marjorie Gliozzo, and contributors to the Overseas Study Endowment provide funding for these OSA scholarships.

For even more MSU scholarship opportunities through individual colleges or external scholarship possibilities (including funding for Multicultural students) visit the web page.

How do I apply?

You can apply online or download an application form.

In addition to the MSU application, you will be required to complete a University of Cambridge International Summer School Application Form. It is not possible to apply on-line, so you need to complete a hard copy of the application. You can download an application. Follow the instructions carefully and turn in your completed applications to the MSU Office of Study Abroad.

Applications must be received in the Office of Study Abroad by March 1st for summer programs. We strongly recommend that you apply early as this program may fill to capacity prior to this deadline. Since course selections are allocated on a first come first served basis, the courses can fill up very quickly; therefore, it is advised that you complete the University of Cambridge application as early as possible.

Selection of applicants is done on a rolling admission basis - that is, applications are accepted and students are evaluated and considered for admission throughout the academic year. Please remember that applying early and meeting the minimum eligibility requirements does not guarantee admission.

A $100 application fee is required. Students will receive an e-bill for the application fee that is applied to the cost of the program and is non-refundable once a student has accepted admission into the program. Students who have accepted admission may also be billed for a non-refundable and non-transferable $200 deposit, also applied to the cost of the program.

Students who wish to withdraw their application are required to notify the Office of Study Abroad, in writing, that they no longer intend to participate.

Acceptance to all programs is based, minimally, on a faculty review of your transcript and a review of the Judicial Affairs Office records (MSU students) or Dean of Students Reference (non-MSU students).

Details about the admissions process, pre-departure information, what to know while you’re abroad, and information about returning home can be found in the Study Abroad Student Handbook that will be sent to you with your acceptance letter.

Program fees, dates, and arrangements may be subject to change due to unexpected circumstances.