*MSU students only

Fall – 15 weeks (early September to late December) closed
Spring – 19 weeks (mid-January to late May)
Academic Year (early September to late May) closed

Sponsored by the College of Engineering

Arranged through the Office of Study Abroad (OSA)

What's this program about?

The University of Surrey offers a unique combination of quality education, research excellence, and a beautiful countryside location.  It also boasts the highest graduate employment level of any UK university.

The university, situated on the outskirts of Guildford, England, has a colorful historic past as evidenced by its castle, timbered buildings and famous cobblestone High Street.  You'll find the city well worth exploring, from the castle, to the boutiques, concert hall, pubs and restaurants.  It also hosts the Spectrum Leisure Center offering swimming, ice-skating, athletics, health and fitness, basketball and bowling, all in one site.  The River Wey, which runs through Guildford, also provides opportunities for canoeing.  London is within easy reach by train or car, for a day or an evening out exploring its theaters, historical sties, museums and cosmopolitan society.  It provides a vast array of social, cultural and professional opportunities.

The University of Surrey is one of Britain’s newer universities. Academic study is backed by an excellent library and computer and laboratory facilities.  It also has outstanding sports facilities, with a full-equipped sports hall and game fields.

Students majoring in engineering and hospitality business may find this program particularly appealing!

What can I study?

Surrey is oriented toward natural science, social science, engineering and business - offerings in the humanities (except languages, theatre, and dance) are limited. In general, students are required to select courses from one of the following degree programs listed below. 

• Biomedical and Life Sciences
• Business Management
• Chemical Engineering
• Chemistry
• Civil Engineering
• Computing
• Criminology
• Cultural studies
• Dietetics
• Economics
• Electronic Engineering
• English Literature
• Food Science
• Humanities
• International Hospitality and Tourism Management
• Languages
• Law in a European Context
• Mathematics and Statistics
• Mechanical and Materials Engineering
• Music
• Nutrition
• Physics
• Political studies
• Psychology
• Retail Management
• Sociology

Students may enroll in any of Surrey's courses, subject to the approval of their MSU department for the transfer of credit upon return to the United States. 

MSU students will follow regular courses at Surrey with British students. Teaching methods include lectures, tutorials and seminars.  Students must enroll for a minimum of 12 credits per semester, while most enroll for 12-16.

Surrey has traditionally accepted study abroad students for two consecutive semesters; however, the university is in the process of adapting to a semester format in order to allow more students to attend.  Nevertheless, the course offerings will be more limited, so be sure to review the course listings carefully to make sure you choose from the appropriate semester.  The academic year option (2 consecutive semesters) still offers more course and housing choices.

For a complete list of Surrey course offerings, visit http://www.surrey.ac.uk, click on “Current Students” then on “Module Catalogue.” 100-level courses at Surrey are equal to 200-level courses at MSU; 200-level courses at Surrey are equal to 300-level courses at MSU and so on.

NOTE: 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 http://studyabroad.msu.edu/people/students.html.

Contact the study abroad program coordinator listed below to learn more about available courses. To find out what courses other students have taken on the program and what MSU courses they might replace, visit http://transfer.msu.edu/Institution.asp and http://www.reg.msu.edu/ROINFO/CSSAP/CSSAPmain.asp . 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 have completed two semesters of college and be in good academic standing, with a grade point average of at least 2.5 at the time of application.  Meeting this minimum grade point average does not, however, guarantee admission. 

Additionally, students must also submit an essay with their application stating why they wish to participate in this program.

Due to course offering restrictions at Surrey, preference will be given to applicants who will be abroad their Junior or Senior year.

Academic performance, progress in major and adaptability to the British environment and educational system will be part of the selection criteria.  Candidates will have their applications reviewed by their academic units and they will need to meet with a staff member of the Office of Study Abroad.  Applications will then be forwarded to the University of Surrey for final selection.

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?

All students enrolled in this program must live on-campus.  Students may apply for university accommodations in a single room for the full academic year, which includes the Christmas and Easter vacations, or if you travel light and are willing to pack up your things during the breaks, you can pay for seasonal accommodations, but this means you will not have access to your room during the breaks.  Housing fees cover the room, heating/lighting and the provisions and laundering of bed linen.  Prices range from approximately $91 per week for shared accommodations and $162 for a single room with a private bathroom.  More information can be obtained at http://portal.surrey.ac.uk/accommodations.

Surrey has no meal plan, but students usually share cooking facilities or meals can be purchased in restaurants in the central part of the university.  All the residences have community kitchens where students can prepare their own meals.

Who can tell me more about this program?

Beth Laux
Office of Study Abroad
109 International Center
Phone:  (517) 432-2686
E-mail: lauxbeth@msu.edu

Dan King
College of Engineering
Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering
3579 Engineering Bldg.
Phone: (517) 355-3274
E-mail: kingd@msu.edu

Carl P. Borchgrevink
The School of Hospitality Business
233 Eppley Center
Phone:  (517) 353-9211
E-mail:  carlb@msu.edu

You can also log-on to http://www.surrey.ac.uk for additional details about the University of Surrey.

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 eight to ten 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 following Web page:
http://studyabroad.msu.edu/passports.html

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.  If you are not a U.S. citizen, consult the embassy or consulate of the countries you will visit to learn their document requirements.

For more information about visas visit the following Web page:
http://studyabroad.msu.edu/visas.html

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.

For further health information and recommendations, visit the following Web page: http://studyabroad.msu.edu/health.html

How much does it cost?

Funds paid directly by the student include:

• transportation to England
• meals
• accommodations
• books
• MSU tuition and fees*
• passport application fee
• visa application fee (if applicable)
• pre-departure doctor visit
• pre-departure immunizations (if applicable)
• personal spending money

Excluding tuition and fees*, these additional costs are estimated at $8,411 for spring 2009.  Students may request a cost sheet which lists both the program fee and an estimate of additional expenses by contacting the Office of Study Abroad at (517) 353-8920.

A program fee of $120 (Spring 2009) is required and includes pre-departure orientation and requisite accident and sickness insurance.

*For current MSU tuition, fees, and taxes, check http://ctlr.msu.edu/COStudentAccounts/Tuition_Fees.aspx.  MSU students pay the same amount they would pay to study at MSU; non-MSU students pay the Lifelong Education rate, regardless of state of residence.

Approximately two months before the program’s departure date, students will receive an e-bill from the MSU Student Accounts Office for the study abroad program fee.  Students will also be e-billed for tuition and fees, based on the number of credits taken, once they have enrolled in courses.  (Both amounts may be billed at the same time.)

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.

For further information about financial aid, visit the following Web page:
http://studyabroad.msu.edu/finaid/index.html

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 deadlines to apply for these scholarships are March 1st for academic year and fall semester programs and October 15th for spring semester 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 following Web page: http://studyabroad.msu.edu/scholarships/index.html

How do I apply?

You can apply online or download an application form by visiting the following Web page: http://studyabroad.msu.edu/applications/index.html

Applications must be received in the Office of Study Abroad by October 15th for spring semester participation and by March 1st for fall or academic year participation.  We strongly recommend that you apply early as this program may fill to capacity prior to these deadlines. 

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 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.

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 in your acceptance packet.  You can also read the handbook online at http://studyabroad.msu.edu/abcs/index.html.

What's next?
Come to a study abroad fair
Talk with a Peer Adviser
Read program evaluations
Attend an info meeting
Apply online
Additional Resources...
Office of Financial Aid	252 Student Services http://www.finaid.msu.edu
MSU Travel Clinic	East Circle Drive http://travelclinic.msu.edu
Academic Advisers	http://www.msu.edu/common/academic/units.html
Resource Center for Persons with Disabilities	120 Bessey Hall http://www.rcpd.msu.edu
Area Studies Centers	International Center http://www.isp.msu.edu
MSU Global Access	Information about the world -- its regions and peoples and important international issues International Center http://www.msuglobalaccess.net/
OSA contact info:	Office of Study Abroad Michigan State University 109 International Center East Lansing, MI 48824-1035 Phone: (517) 353-8920 Fax: (517) 432-2082 Email: studyabroad@osa.msu.edu