BiM - Step 2 - The University Selection Process

Key Considerations Before Selecting a University

Selecting universities for your exchange program is a significant decision that requires careful planning. This guide aims to simplify the process and provide clear steps to help you make well-informed choices.

BUDGET PLANNING

Studying abroad involves various expenses, including transportation, accommodation, visas, potential trips for administrative purposes, daily living costs, and insurance. It's essential to estimate these costs for your chosen destination and plan your budget accordingly. Average budget information for each university can be found in the 👉 Partner University Fact Sheets 👈.

COURSES AVAILABILITY

Not all universities offer the same specializations. Ensure that the universities you consider align with your academic and career goals. Detailed course information is available in the 👉 Partner University Fact Sheets 👈. and on the respective university websites.​

LOGISTICAL ARRANGEMENTS

Managing logistics such as obtaining a visa, securing accommodation, and arranging transportation is primarily your responsibility. Early planning is crucial to prevent any issues during your exchange. Additional guidance on these aspects will be provided in 👉 Step 3 👈 of the exchange process.

NETWORKING AND STUDENT FEEDBACK

Hearing firsthand experiences can provide valuable insights into academic expectations, campus life, and cultural adaptation. You can reach out to students who have previously studied at your preferred universities through the list of former exchange students here.

TUITION FEES

During your exchange, you will continue to pay your regular tuition fees to Rennes School of Business. No tuition fees are required by the host university. However, some institutions may have additional costs like student union fees, student cards, or insurance. These details are outlined in the University Fact Sheets These details are outlined in the University Fact Sheets or will be transmitted by the host university during the application process.

CLIMATE AND LIFESTYLE CONSIDERATIONS

Each destination has its own climate, cultural norms, and lifestyle. Consider factors such as weather conditions, local customs, and the pace of life in each country. Choosing a university where you feel comfortable can enhance your overall exchange experience.

RELIABLE INFORMATION SOURCES

Only trust official communications from Rennes SB for accurate information about the exchange program. Unverified sources, such as social media, may provide misleading or incorrect details.

PREPARING NECESSARY DOCUMENTS

Before selecting universities, ensure all required documents are submitted through the RISE platform. This includes a valid passport and, if applicable, language proficiency test results. Detailed instructions are available in 👉 Step 1 - Gather the necessary documents for university selection 👈

University Selection Process

WHEN SHOULD I SELECT MY UNIVERSITIES?

University selection typically occurs in January of your BiM2 year. Specific dates will be communicated via email. Selections are made through the Online Training Offer (OFL) on your RISE account.

Click here to quickly understand the timeline of the University Selection process.​

HOW DO I MAKE MY SELECTION?

Access the OFL via your RISE account to select your preferred universities. You can modify your choices as long as the OFL is open. Once it closes, your selections are final, so avoid waiting until the last minute. After confirming your choices, you will receive a confirmation email. Review this email to ensure your selections are accurately recorded.

HOW MANY UNIVERSITIES SHOULD I CHOOSE? 

You are required to list 12 universities in order of preference. International students must select universities outside their home country.​

Allocation System

The university allocation system is based on academic performance. Students are ranked according to their GPA, and selections occur in waves:

• Wave 1: students ranked in the first half of the ranking make their selection first
• Wave 2: students ranked in the second half of the ranking make their selection afterward

Specific details about the allocation waves will be provided via email in early December.

HOW WILL I BE RANKED AND WHEN WILL I FIND OUT MY RANKING?

Your ranking for the exchange program will be published at the end of October, and you will receive an email notification. This ranking is based on your GPA before any BiM1 re-sit examinations.

HOW CAN I CHOOSE MY EXCHANGE SEMESTER?

When selecting your university preferences in the OFL on RISE, you will see different options indicating the available semesters:

• University_X_S5 → You wish to go to University X for semester 5.

• University_X_S6 → You wish to go to University X for semester 6.

• University_X_1 year double degree → You wish to complete a full-year exchange (S5+S6) at University X for a Double Degree.

CAN I SELECT BOTH PERIODS "UNIVERSITY_S5" AND "UNIVERSITY_S6" TO INCREASE MY CHANCES OF GETTING THIS UNIVERSITY? 

If the Exchange Places Offer states "Choose between S5 and S6", it means that the university offers exchange semesters, independently of the S5 and S6 periods.

Therefore, if you select a university for S5 and no spots remain, this means the university has no available exchange semesters. In that case, selecting the same university again for S6 would not increase your chances.

HOW DOES THE ALLOCATIONS SYSTEM WORK? 

The allocation process considers the order of your chosen preferences. If your first choice is available, then you are assigned to the corresponding university. If your first choice is not available, the system will move to your next preferred option, and so on. Thoughtfully rank your choices, as you may be placed in any of the universities you list.

If none of your selected universities are available, you will be contacted to choose from the remaining options within 24 hours. Failure to make a selection may result in Rennes SB assigning a university arbitrarily.

WHEN WILL I KNOW WHICH UNIVERSITY I AM ASSIGNED TO?

The university allocation results will be communicated within three days after the OFL closes.

I AM NOT IN WAVE 1, HOW WILL I KNOW WHICH SLOTS IN WHICH UNIVERSITIES ARE STILL AVAILABLE? 

After Wave 1, an updated Exchange Places Offer will be published, listing the remaining available slots. You will be able to select your universities based on this updated list.

CAN I CHANGE MY ASSIGNED UNIVERSITY AFTER ALLOCATION?

No, once your university allocation is confirmed and published, it is final. The number of places available at each university is fixed, and additional spots cannot be requested. Similarly, any remaining places at the end of the allocation process cannot be used to switch destinations.

LAST BUT NOT LEAST

DO NOT contact the partner universities directly during this process. At this stage, all communications should be handled through Rennes School of Business to ensure accuracy and consistency.

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