TWO new exchange schemes are providing opportunities for York University students to study in the United States.

A new agreement with Denver University means one York undergraduate student will spend the academic year 2013/14 in Colorado. Meanwhile, a new International Study Centre in summer 2013 will give both undergraduates and postgraduates an opportunity to gain three weeks' valuable international experience in the States.

The initiatives are in addition to a number of long-standing links with the USA and Canada which already provide an opportunity to spend a year at a partner institution.

Under the new Denver exchange, the year in the States will replace the second year at York for students on three-year degree courses, or the third year for those on four-year courses.

Similar programmes are already run with universities including California University, Columbia University in New York, Illinois University and York University in Ontario, Canada.

For those unable to spend a full-year abroad, the new International Study Centre offers a chance to gain some valuable short-term international experience.

Professor John Robinson, York Universitys pro-vice-chancellor for teaching, learning and information, said: "We are committed to offering as many students as possible the opportunity to spend time overseas during the course of their degrees. For varying reasons, not all students wish to spend a year or semester abroad. For this reason, we have developed a short summer programme offering students an alternative international experience.

"We know that employers value proven international experience in their employees. The new programme will improve students' employability, leadership and advocacy skills, as well as provide a rewarding international experience."

The first International Study Centre (ISC) will run from June 20 to July 7, 2013 with 25 places for undergraduates or postgraduates, including final year students.

It includes a three-day cultural experience in New Year followed by an intensive cross discipline academic programme in Leadership and Social Change based at Mount Holyoke College in Massachusetts.