International Exchanges – England: Essex

Open to Pitzer students only. Program options subject to change.

Program Title: Pitzer Exchange with the University of Essex

england-essexLocation: Colchester, England

Host Website: www.essex.ac.uk/international/

Eligibility
Students must be in good standing at Pitzer College and have a 2.0 or higher GPA. Preference given to juniors and first semester seniors but sophomores are eligible if space is available.

Preparation
At least one European area studies course in literature or film, history, or political studies is strongly recommended. Suggested additional general preparation options include: Comparative Politics; Intercultural Communications; Language Culture and Society; Introduction to International/Intercultural Studies; Introduction to Sociocultural Anthropology.

Application
Students must first apply through Pitzer’s Office of Study Abroad and International Programs. If accepted by Pitzer, students will then be asked to complete the Essex application.

Program Dates – This exchange is only offered in the spring or for full-year. Fall semester is not available.
Spring semester: Late January to June
Full year: Late September to June

Required Courses

University of Essex

Participants are expected to take one course while abroad that includes content on British history, politics, literature or culture, and the Pitzer course MLLC110 Intercultural Learning: Portfolio Writing via Sakai.

Independent Study
See a Study Abroad Adviser.

Course Options
Students are accepted across the full range of subject areas at the Colchester Campus of the University. Essex’s particular strengths are Politics (20th Century British political demographics and European integration), Sociology (anything from Criminology to Media/Cultural Studies), Art History (with an emphasis on Italian Renaissance and Latin American Art), Gallery/Museum Studies, Literature and Theatre and Acting, and Film Studies (focusing on World Cinema). There are also options to study Law, with numerous courses in the field of Human Rights.

To browse available classes at the University of Essex, search the Module Directory.  Be sure to choose modules open to exchange students at the Colchester (CO) Campus.

Credit Possible
Students must take a course load of 4 modules to equal 60 Essex credits in order to earn four course credits at Pitzer. In addition, students will earn 0.5 Pitzer course credits for the writing course via Sakai. (See above under Required Courses.)

Housing Options
Students are guaranteed University accommodation within walking distance of the Colchester Campus.

Additional Notes

Colchester, Essex

Essex is a relatively small British University at 9,000 students and has a good reputation in both teaching and research. Nearly 40% of all students on campus are from outside the UK and so the student body is very diverse. Essex is located close to London (just under an hour by train). However, while close to London, it is not as expensive as living directly in the capital. The campus is set in Colchester, ‘Britain’s oldest recorded town’, once the first Roman capital of Britain.