Study in Europe

Department of Probability and Statistics

MMath with French/German/Spanish Language
& BSc/MMath with Study in Europe

The four-year MMath degrees with French/German/Spanish Language and BSc/MMath with Study in Europe allow students to spend the third of their four years studying mathematics and statistics in a University in Europe. Approximately one third of the time in the first two years is spent taking language courses in the Modern Languages Teaching Centre (MLTC) and two thirds taking Pure Mathematics and Statistics (in approximately equal proportions). Year three is spent abroad taking courses in mathematics and statistics (lectured in the local language) as well as further language courses and year four is back in Sheffield. Examinations are taken abroad and credits and grades are transferred back to Sheffield. It is not possible to take Applied Mathematics courses as part of the MMath with French/German/Spanish Language degrees nor with the BSc/MMath with Study in Europe degrees. Information about the degree schemes and a list of FAQs is given here.

It is possible to spend either one or two semesters abroad at one of the European partner institutions (provided you have adequate knowledge of the language) as part of the four-year MMath degree (but not as part of the three-year BSc degree), click here to find out a little more. If you are interested in spending a year abroad in Australia, Canada or the USA then click here for some more information. It is also possible for postgraduates (MSc and PhD) to participate in the Erasmus programme and visit one of our European partner institutions for a period of between 3 and 9 months with the agreement of your supervisor.

The year abroad is spent in one of the Mathematics and Statistics Departments' partner universities under the Erasmus Programme. This ensures that details such as tuition fees and additional grants are handled under funded EU programmes. A full list of the partner universities covering a selection of Universities in the EU countries is given here and a summary guide to which subjects they offer and which of the three Mathematics and Statistics Departments look after the link is given in the pdf document outlining the scheme. Click here to view this. Links direct to statistics departments in some of these universities are given on the links page. It is not possible to spend the year abroad in any University other than one of our partners. A general guide to starting at Universities in France and Germany is available here and a pdf version of a presentation about the degree scheme is available here.

Entrance Requirements

The standard entry requirements for MMath with French/German/Spanish are A, B and C in three academic subjects at A-level, with an A in Mathematics and at least a C in the relevant language. The standard entry requirements for MMath with Study in Europe are A, B and C in three academic subjects at A-level, with an A in Mathematics and at least a C at AS-Level in a language which must be one of French, German, Spanish or Italian. However, it is recommended that candidates should have at least grade C at A-level in their language.
Candidates with only the minimum grade C at AS-Level in their language maybe recommended to undertake some further study during the summer prior to entry or during their first year. Candidates with this minimium level should contact either Dr Eleanor Stillman (who is the tutor for these degree programmes) or the Modern Languages Teaching Centre (MLTC) as soon as possible after final results are known.

Language Study

The Modern Languages Teaching Centre (MLTC) offers courses in French, German, Italian and Spanish at a variety of stages (1, 2, 3, 4 and, in the case of French and German at stage 5). In addition to these courses which concentrate on language skills at increasing levels it offers various project, tandem learning, placement preparation and year abroad diary modules at these levels.
Candidates are assessed to determine the appropriate stage to start study in the MLTC. Generally, candidates with an A or B at A-level would start at stage 3, those with lower grades would start at stage 2. It is usually a requirement that candidates should take a placement preparation module in the Spring semester of their second year. This module provides the social, cultural and practical preparation for study in the particular host partner University for the year abroad. It includes researching the social and cultural background of the city and region as well as practical tasks of registration, arranging accommodation and residence permits etc.
It is a requirement of the degree programme that language study should continue in year three at the host institution if suitable courses are available. If such courses are not provided by the host institution then candidates should instead take the MLTC year abroad modules. These involve keeping a Year Abroad Diary in Autumn Semester and either a further Diary in Spring Semester or a Project which can involve analysis of data relating to some aspect of the city or region. Further details of these courses are available from the MLTC home page.

Available Languages and Destinations

Generally candidates spend two years taking the same language to level three or four to prepare for studying in the corresponding country (or countries): i.e. French for study in France; German for Germany and Austria; Italian for Italy and Spanish (Castilian) for Spain. However, for those who complete Stage 3 in year 1 with good results (II(i) or better) it is possible to arrange intensive instruction in Dutch or Swedish (after German) for study in Holland or Belgium or Sweden and Catalan or Portuguese (after either Spanish or French Stage 3, preferably with previous A-level or grade A GCSE in the other language). Catalan is needed for Barcelona and Portugese for Lisbon. (Barcelona provides an excellent one month intensive immersion course in Catalan immediately before the start of the semester. This caters for those with knowledge of Spanish and French but no Catalan).
Not all partner Universities offer Probability or Statistics (most offer Pure Mathematics). A guide to which partner Universities offer which subjects and which Department looks after the link is given here.

Assessment of Period Abroad

A document describing the transfer of credits from your year abroad to Sheffield is available here.

Registering for Year 4

Choice of modules and registration for the fourth year normally takes place in May of your third year. You may already have given an indication of your choice of modules following a meeting in May of your second year but we need to have more up to date information, especially if you are taking SOM300 or one of the project courses (which you will have to do if you are taking the MMath course). A copy of the up-to-date level 3/4 booklet giving details of modules and regulations is available here (550KB). Details of which courses are blocked together are given in the booklet and are available separately in the timetable here.

In common with all other students, you must complete on-line module choice by a specified date in May. The univeristy will contact you by email with the relevant information and instructions.

Further queries can be resolved by contacting Dr Eleanor Stillman who is the tutor for these degree programmes.