What to consider when choosing modules

There are a number of things to consider when you are using choosing which modules you want to study during your exchange or study abroad programme. These are:

Level of the module

In our module catalogue, the first number in the module code refers to the level of study at Leeds: 1, 2 or 3. Undergraduate degrees usually last three years in England, so even if you will be in your third year of study while you are at Leeds, this does not mean you will automatically be accepted for level 3 modules.

Level 5 refers to postgraduate level modules. If your home university’s exchange agreement with the University of Leeds is at postgraduate level, visit our taught postgraduate module catalogue and search by ‘incoming study abroad’ to find a list of modules available for taught postgraduate study abroad students.

Pre-requisite modules

Level 2 or 3 modules in the module catalogue may state that you need to have studied a ‘pre-requisite’ module and list one of our Level 1 or 2 modules.

If it is not clear from your transcript that you have studied the content of the listed pre-requisite module, you can upload a statement about this with your supporting documents. The statement should explain your previous studies and how these cover the content of the pre-requisite module.

When the module is taught

At Leeds, a module can be taught for one semester only, or it can be taught over the full academic year. If you are at Leeds for one semester only, you cannot take modules that run over the full year.

You will see these descriptions in the module catalogue:

• Taught semester 1 – this module runs from September to January.
• Taught semester 2 – this module runs from January to June.
• Taught semester 1 and 2 – this module runs from September to June (this will show as Semester 3 on the application form) and is not available to single semester students.
• Taught semester 1; semester 2 – this module is taught from September to January, and then again from January to June.

The following schools teach the majority of their modules across the full academic year (semester 1 and 2) so unfortunately you cannot apply to take modules in these subject areas if you are applying for a single semester, although you will have the opportunity to apply for modules in other subjects if your home university allows this:

• Chemical and Process Engineering (CAPE)
• Design (Fashion Design and Fashion Marketing modules)
• Mechanical Engineering (MECH) 

Fine Art studio modules are only taught in semester 1 or across the full academic year.

Subject-specific requirements

Many academic schools or departments have specific requirements or guidance for study abroad and exchange students who want to enrol on their modules.

You should check the academic requirements for the subject areas you would like to study before you apply. 

Number of modules to select

A full-time workload at Leeds is 50 to 60 credits per semester. You should apply for 50 to 100 credits per semester of study in case some of your choices are not available.

Please note: our module catalogue does not use ECTS credits. A 20 credit Leeds module is worth 10 ECTS credits.

Subject area of the module

If your home university’s exchange agreement with the University of Leeds is a subject-specific agreement, we expect you to take around 50% of your credits in that subject area.

If you are applying through a non-subject-specific agreement then you can apply for any module that is marked as being suitable for incoming study abroad students (‘isa’ in the module catalogue), so long as your home university also approves this.

Your home university will be able to tell you if your agreement with the University of Leeds is subject-specific. 

English language modules and the Language Centre

Our Language Centre offers several modules each semester to help you extend your English vocabulary, improve your pronunciation and develop communication strategies.

These modules are specifically designed for international students whose first language is not English, so they are well suited for many study abroad and exchange students.

Search for ‘Language Centre’ in the module catalogue for more information about these modules.

The Language Centre also runs free skills workshops on campus to help you develop your confidence in using academic language.

Elective modules 

If you choose to study your elective modules with us, you may wish to consider a less traditional subject or topic as part of your credit load. The following subject areas allow you to broaden your learning, skills and development in areas that interest you outside of your degree subject: