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Support for International Exchange students

The extensive support on offer to international exchange students is just one of the reasons that they choose to spend a semester or a year at Royal Holloway.  Students have access to a variety of academic and welfare support that is easily accessible due to Royal Holloway's campus setting.

Academic support

Most formal classroom teaching is undertaken by permanent members of academic staff who are often leading authorities in their areas of research.

Each department has a study abroad coordinator, who is a faculty member able to give advice and guide students in their studies. In many cases, the coordinators have themselves studied or worked overseas and have first-hand knowledge of the kinds of experiences which international exchange students might encounter.

Learning environment and facilities

Royal Holloway provides excellent facilities across all faculties: there are two well-equipped libraries, a Computer Centre, several IT laboratories for teaching and for 24-hour independent internet access as well as a wireless network, theatre spaces, and specialist science laboratories including an MRI scanner and an Electron Microscopy Unit.

Teaching methods vary across subjects, and include seminars, lectures, workshops, fieldwork and laboratory work. The style of university-level teaching in the UK places special emphasis on the role of independent study. This approach encourages self-discipline and self-reliance, showing that education is not just about acquiring specific knowledge but is designed to develop lifelong transferable skills. For example students may spend time preparing coursework and researching for assignments, either individually or in small groups, in addition to their formal lectures and seminars.

Orientation and ongoing support

At the start of their studies, our students attend a special Orientation Programme which takes place over a number of days. The programme includes a wide variety of information sessions on various aspects of academic and social life at Royal Holloway and also introduces them to many of the members of staff who are closely involved with international exchange at Royal Holloway. These sessions aim to ensure that students settle quickly and easily into their new routine and have a clear sense of what is expected of them.

Our Study Abroad team also work closely with colleagues across the college to ensure that pre- and post-arrival arrangements are coordinated smoothly and that International Exchange students are looked after well whilst studying at Royal Holloway.

We have recently introduced our Peer Guide scheme for International Exchange students, so that they are supported throughout their stay by a Royal Holloway student who has just returned from a year abroad and who understands the challenges that they may be facing.

Welfare support

In the tradition of British higher education, our students enjoy a great deal of personal freedom. However, we realise that students who are a long way from home may require additional support, and this is provided by a wide-ranging student support system.

Our International Student Support office provides dedicated support to international students on campus.  This can range from helping with immigration issues to arranging social excursions.

There is a Health Centre on campus which deals with all aspects of student health. Qualified nursing staff provide a comprehensive service during term-time, and doctors attend daily for consultation. A psychiatrist and a physiotherapist are also available.

Students can also seek help from the Student Counselling Service for any matters of concern, be they personal, emotional, psychological or academic-related.

 

Students with specific learning needs

Students can get support from the Educational Support Office (ESO). The ESO coordinates the support for students with special educational requirements including specific learning difficulties such as dyslexia and dispraxia; mobility difficulties; special psychological needs; medical conditions or sensory impairments such as hearing or visual impairment. 

Support can be academic, personal or financial. If you feel you will require special needs support during your period of study at Royal Holloway, please indicate this when applying.

Accommodation

College accommodation is normally guaranteed to all International Exchange students who apply before the specified deadlines.  Further details of which halls of residence are available to International Exchange students can be found on the Accommodation webpages.

 

Social Events and Trips

International Exchange students are invited to social events organised by the Study Abroad team.  They are also able to join in a variety of day trips throughout the year at additional cost, to sites of historical and cultural interest, such as Hampton Court Palace, the Tower of London, Stonehenge and Bath, or theatre and museum trips to London.

Catering

All students benefit from the range of food outlets on campus. There is no need to sign up to a meal plan, you can eat in any of the on-campus food outlets, on a ‘pay-as-you-go’ basis. There are special discounts if you have a Royal Holloway Residence & Catering Service (RCS) Account. 

You can also eat out in the local area, which offers a range of opportunities from fast food, pizzas and kebabs to local pubs or Indian, Italian and Thai restaurants.

   
 
 
 

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