Information for Departmental Study Abroad Officers

At least one Departmental Study Abroad Officer (DSAO) is appointed by each Head of Department. The DSAO is the departmental lead for student mobility activities, and has both academic and administrative responsibilities. DSAOs play a vital role in the inbound and outbound study abroad programmes delivered by Essex Abroad.

DSAO role and responsibilities

Making academic decisions relating to outgoing study abroad students, whilst liaising with relevant staff, for example; with a student’s Language Coordinator if they are a dual honours language student.
Providing academic advice to incoming and outgoing students, ensuring modules studied are appropriate to their level and area of study.
Providing administrative support through approving modules and signing documentation. For example; approval and signing of learning agreements and approval of changes to modules during study abroad period.
Acting as departmental contact for consultation on new and existing study abroad agreements.
Working with Essex Abroad to enhance engagement between department, students and Essex Abroad.
Attending exam boards as invited.
Promote international experiences, including YUFE and short term programmes available through Essex Abroad to departments and students.

Language Coordinator role and responsibilities

Language coordinators from the Department of Languages & Linguistics are responsible for Modern Language and Joint Honours language degree students. Language coordinators have no responsibility for incoming students. Language coordinators have the following administrative responsibilities:

Making academic decisions relating to outgoing language students, whilst liaising with relevant staff (DSAO if joint honours student).
Advising students of language requirements regarding international mobility and progression, ensuring the Rules of Assessment for language progression are followed.
Ensuring students select a host institution that allows the appropriate progression in all of the languages studied.
Providing academic advice to outgoing students, ensuring modules studied are appropriate to their level and area of study.
Providing administrative support through approving modules and documentation. For example; approval and signing of learning agreements, approval of changes to modules during study abroad period.
Attending exam boards as invited.
Promote international experiences available through Essex Abroad to departments and students.