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Suggested Programs for Global Arts

Studio

With limited arts coursework at UC Merced, study abroad is an excellent way to supplement your global arts major with unique coursework from around the world. Experience the business of Art at Sotheby’s in London, learn traditional African dance in Ghana, music and art in Jerusalem, or study ethnomusicology in beautiful Mexico City. Take advantage of study abroad to find those opportunities you cannot find at UC Merced alone.

Programs Suggested for Global Arts Studies Majors

United Kingdom: Sotheby's Institute of Art, London

Turn your passion for art into an exciting career at the Sotheby's Institute of Art in London and gain an inside view of the business behind the art. Train with historians, curators, lawyers, marketers, and faculty while taking classes steps away from the British Museum and National Gallery. You'll have access to pre-sale art viewings at Sotheby’s auction house and talks by art experts. Each experience builds creative and professional skills. Pitch an idea to a panel of art dealers or intern at the mayor's office on a public art installation.

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Hong Kong: Chinese Univ. of Hong Kong (CUHK)

The curriculum of the Department of Fine Arts includes coursework on both Chinese and Western art with an emphasis on both studio art and art history. The Music Department provides the practical and scholarly study of music with many opportunities to perform and practice in the electronic music studio. Consider coursework in art theory & criticism, ceramics, design, drawing, music performance, music composition & theory, painting, photography, sculpture.

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United Kingdom: Univ. of Edinburgh

Develop your knowledge and skills through a mixture of one-on-one and group seminars, workshops, and studio critiques at the Edinburgh College of Art-- an internationally recognized institution with a vibrant and creative community of students and academics. Opportunities exist in both the School of Art and the School of Design. You will have the freedom to work in your own studio space for the entire semester or year. Consider courses in art theory & criticism, design, digital media, drawing, painting, photography, sculpture.

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New Zealand: Massey Univ.

The College of Creative Arts at Massey University is a world-class art and design school based in Wellington, New Zealand. The College also includes a new School of Music and Creative Media Production. Courses equip you with the knowledge and skills that enable you to flourish in creative industries and to hold key positions that define creative thinking in businesses around the world. Consider courses in art theory & criticism, design, digital media, drawing, painting, photography, printmaking, sculpture.

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Immersion & Exchange Programs Suggested for MAJOR

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Internship Opportunities for MAJOR Majors

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Research Opportunities for MAJOR Majors

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Global & International Opportunities

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Summer Physics Abroad

One potential route to study abroad for STEM students is to tackle a full year of introductory physics over the summer. Typically, this is the summer between students’ first and second year at UC Merced. Consider these options:

Australia: Sydney Summer Physics

Earn a full year of calculus-based physics credit in just eight weeks. Fulfill math requirements for the life sciences or get a jump on pre-med coursework and experience life in Sydney, Australia.

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Cyprus: Nicosia Summer Physics

Study intensive physics for the life sciences in beautiful Cyprus. Note that this program is better suited to biological sciences students than other STEM students.

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Ireland: Cork Summer Physics

In just eight weeks at the University College Cork, you can earn a full year of calculus-based physics credit, get a jump on math coursework, or prepare for a pre-med track. Lab experiments and group workshops expand your science knowledge with students from around the world.

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Spain: Madrid Summer Physics

Add some sizzle to your summer—study in Madrid and return with a full year of physics credit. This intense 8-week program is ideal for life sciences majors who want to get a quick boost in academics.

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United Kingdom: Glasgow Science & Engineering

As the home to the James Watt School of Engineering and the School of Life Sciences, the University of Glasgow offers the perfect environment for this intensive physics summer program.

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United Kingdom: Summer in Sussex

Minutes from the sparkling seafront, Sussex is quintessentially English, with spectacular castles, greenery, and attractions fit for royals. Pre-med and life sciences majors can earn up to a year of physics credit in two months!

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Ecology & Evolutionary Biology Opportunities

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Human Bio Opportunities

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Engineering-Specific Opportunities

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Suggested Arts Programs in Spanish

Mexico: National Autonomous Univ. of Mexico (UNAM)

A top-ranked university in Latin America set in the intoxicating urban atmosphere of southern Mexico City, UNAM offers art criticism, ceramics, drawing, ethnomusicology, painting, photography, and sculpture. What better place to study the fine arts than a university whose main campus is designated a World Heritage Site, is home to one of the best concert halls in the world, as well as a number of theaters and museums? The National School of Plastic Arts offers studies in visual arts, design, and visual communication. The National School of Music offers courses in composition, musical education, ethnomusicology, and instrumental studies. Theater and dramatic literature courses can also be found in the Facultad de Filosofia y Letras.

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Chile: Pontifical Catholic Univ. of Chile and Univ. of Chile

Offering coursework in all majors at either of two top Chilean universities in cosmopolitan Santiago, these may be a good fit for students looking into art criticism, ceramics, dance, drawing, painting, photography, or sculpture. Experience vibrant South American art while you study at one of the top education institutions in Chile. At the Juan Gomez Millas Campus of the University of Chile, you have the opportunity to study virtually all types of visual and performing arts including art studio, theater, dance, and music. You will receive on-site pre-registration advising to help guide you with course choices. At Pontifical Catholic University the Campus Oriente, the Instituto de Estetica is a better fit for cultural studies, art history, and aesthetics. You also have the opportunity to study all types of studio and performing arts, although course offerings in dance are limited. In both Universities, there are ample internship opportunities which can be secured once in Chile.

Learn more about deadlines, details, and the application for the Pontifical Catholic Univ. of Chile

Learn more about deadlines, details, and the application for the Univ. of Chile

Completing Other SSHA Requirements Abroad

SSHA students, in general, can take advantage of the requirement to complete four (4) non-major upper-division general education courses—or equivalent—from SSHA areas as varied as English literature to economics. Most SSHA students complete one or more of these required courses while studying abroad. These courses must be reviewed through the   SSHA course approval form.

SSHA students must also complete a total of 60.0 semester units in order to graduate. SSHA students complete many of these units within their major but often need more and can complete these requirements abroad.

Course Approval and Course Approval Forms

With a few exceptions of previously approved courses (ask your academic advisor), courses will need to be approved to meet individual degree requirements. In these cases, students will use the Course Approval Form for the school that would typically offer such a course at UC Merced:

 

The school will often require a syllabus or equivalent in order to do a review. Keep in mind that syllabi may be protected intellectual property of certain professors or universities and may not be publicly posted online. If it is a UC Center program, you may be able to acquire syllabi through your study abroad advisor. If the program is with a local host university and the course is not posted online, you may be able to inquire with the instructor or host university in some cases.

Academic Planning

No matter your academic intentions while studying abroad, you should consult your academic advisor and your MyDegreePath report to plan out your study abroad academic goals. Once you narrow your search to 1-3 study abroad programs consult your program page or ask your study abroad advisor about resources for researching courses in your program.

 

Start planning for study abroad with your academic advisor as soon as you can. One of the keys to maximizing academic success abroad is early planning and scheduling course loads before, during, and after study abroad. This includes strategies such as targeting a study abroad term to exploit areas of flexibility in your academic plan.

Be sure to make use of UCEAP course credit resources below, too.

 

UC Merced Campus Credit through UCEAP

How to Explore Database of Courses Previously Taken

 

Campus Credit Abroad

Planning the courses you’ll take on study abroad is as important as figuring out when and where to go. All courses taken on the University of California Education Abroad Program (UCEAP) are guaranteed UC credit, but understanding how each class may fit into your academic plan is a critical part of the planning process.

UCEAP Database of Courses Previously Taken

How to Find Courses for UCEAP

One of the challenges with academic planning and completing the Academic Planning Form is finding courses. While there is never any certainty with course offerings and study abroad always requires a little calculated academic risk, there are some techniques to minimize the risk and exploit unique educational opportunities through study abroad.

Courses & Credit Tab

For nearly every UCEAP program page, there will be a tab labeled “Courses & Credit.” Within this tab you will find information and links in the “Course Opportunities” area. The course resources are listed in order of relevance. Depending on the program, you might find any of the following resources:

  1. Course syllabi
  2. Links to academic majors or programs with courses
  3. A bulleted list of courses

UCEAP Course Catalog

All UCEAP coursework taken in the last five (5) years is listed in the UCEAP Course Catalog. There are a few things you should consider when using the UCEAP Course Catalog:

  1. The list of courses is not comprehensive.
  2. Course units are listed in quarter units (to convert to semester units, divide by 1.5).
  3. Syllabi are not included.
  4. You may need to search less intuitive subject areas to find coursework (e.g. health sciences for public health, "engineering" for bioengineering, business for management and business economics).

Check Previously Approved Courses

There are a few resources available showing coursework previously approved for study abroad online. The resources are limited but they do represent some of the more recent course approvals:

A Note on Course Syllabi

Your academic advisor or school may insist that you need syllabi in order to determine whether a course abroad will substitute a particular degree requirement. While this is generally true, this does not prevent you from planning out your academic schedule abroad and determining what type of degree requirements a course may fulfill.

Sometimes your study abroad advisor or UCEAP can acquire a syllabus on your behalf; however, this is not always the case. Please understand that syllabi are often considered intellectual property and may not be shared until the course begins. Previously approved courses (see above) are often your first go-to resource to select courses.