Developing Successful Articulation Programmes Neil Slater International Office

Developing Successful Articulation Programmes Neil Slater International Office Northumbria University www. northumbria. ac. uk/international

International Education • 20, 000 full time students on campus • Including 3, 000+ international students from more than 100 countries. One third are recruited via partnerships and articulations • 4, 000+ enrolled on Northumbria programmes overseas – Malaysia, Hong Kong, Singapore, Germany, Sri Lanka www. northumbria. ac. uk/international

Newcastle upon Tyne www. northumbria. ac. uk/international

International Collaborations www. northumbria. ac. uk/international

Forms of Collaboration • • • Franchise Validated Delivery Dual Awards Distance Delivery Articulated Advanced Entry Student Exchange www. northumbria. ac. uk/international

Principles of Articulations • Start studies in the home country • Transfer to UK university to complete degree course • Must have option of completing home course • Advanced entry with transfer of academic credit • Ensure academic performance is comparable with other students and students enter programme at same level of ability • Students thoroughly prepared for UK programme www. northumbria. ac. uk/international

Principles of Articulations • UK university recognises credits (minimum 60) which form part of the overseas institution’s award • Formal arrangement required for advanced entry of large numbers of students (10+ per year) or • Entry from a non-end point qualification • Northumbria does not provide substantial input to the design or delivery of the other institution’s programme (this may be possible under Augmented Articulation) www. northumbria. ac. uk/international

Quality Assurance Requirements • Programmes must meet the regulations and requirements of both parties. • UK institutions set their own procedures to comply with the requirements of the QAA (Quality Assurance Agency) for collaborative programmes • Overseas institution sets its own Procedures to comply with its own national/ local regulatory framework www. northumbria. ac. uk/international

Nanjing Engineering Links “ 2+2 in Electrical and Electronic Engineering Nanjing Institute of Technology & Nanjing Normal University, China Students study 2 years of 4 year Bachelors in Nanjing - awarded 120 credits Then join the second year of 3 year BEng (Hons) in Electrical & Electronic Engineering - 2 years of study in UK = 240 credits www. northumbria. ac. uk/international

Shanghai Nursing Link “ 3 + 1” Nursing Programme with Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine 3 year Nursing Diploma Direct entry to 1 -year top-up programme – BSc (Hons) Nursing Science Staff development visits to Shanghai Work-shadowing visits by Shanghai lecturers www. northumbria. ac. uk/international

Zhengzhou University “ 1 + 1 Masters” Zhengzhou University, China • 1 year Postgraduate Course in Management – including language preparation (60 credits) • 1 year study on Northumbria MBA / MSc in Management (120 credits or 2/3 of full academic credit) • Masters degree awarded • Annual lecture and seminar visit by Northumbria staff www. northumbria. ac. uk/international

Initial Discussions Institution Selection Take into account: • Mutual Compatibility • Academic standing • Relevance to international strategy and activities • Status of awards – eg self-validated / national Identify potential course match www. northumbria. ac. uk/international

Initial Discussions Viability and Timescales • Viable Demand ? • Target numbers - minimum number limit - maximum cap • Finances - funding of fees - funding of support / visit costs www. northumbria. ac. uk/international • Plan Timescales including Start Date

Developing a Proposal • Assessing students’ capability to perform successfully on a UK programme when they join with advanced entry • Have they covered prerequisites in their home course ? • Not assessing the teaching of the overseas institution www. northumbria. ac. uk/international

Developing a Proposal Gathering Course Documentation • Syllabus (matching content) • Learning outcomes • Contact hours • Coursework • Examination papers • Student attainments • Portfolios / work based experience www. northumbria. ac. uk/international

Developing a Proposal Identify any skills gaps which need to be addressed for successful UK study experience Study Skills - eg • IT literacy • Correct referencing Course-specific needs, eg experience of using specific equipment www. northumbria. ac. uk/international

Professional Body Requirements • UK Professional body regulations must be strictly observed where the proposed articulation is with a programme which they accredit. www. northumbria. ac. uk/international

Next Steps • Evaluation Evidence in proposal considered by Departmental and University Academic Committees • Approval • Signing of memorandum of agreement • Admission www. northumbria. ac. uk/international

Support and Feedback • Visits to overseas institution to meet staff and students • Pre-departure preparation for studies in the UK • Feedback to partner institution on Student Performance during UK studies www. northumbria. ac. uk/international

Life-Cycle Initial Discussions Support & Feedback Evaluate Performance Preparation of Students Compatibility Viability & Timescale Prepare Documentation Assess Capability Identify Skills Gaps Develop Proposal Admission www. northumbria. ac. uk/international Evaluation & Approval

Challenges Quick & Effective Communication Designated contacts, eg • Development and approval – eg Dean • Link Tutor for ongoing liaison and support Advance Planning and Realistic Timescales Adjusting to Differences in Learning Environment and Culture www. northumbria. ac. uk/international

What are the Benefits ? For Students • Opportunity to study in both the home country and period of study in the UK • Reduced length of study in the UK For the Universities • Reliable source of recruitment • Confidence in quality of intake • Mutual reputational benefits • Staff involvement in international work www. northumbria. ac. uk/international

Thank you! Neil Slater International Office Northumbria University Neil. Slater@northumbria. ac. uk www. northumbria. ac. uk/international