Developing Successful Articulation Programmes

www.northumbria.ac.uk/international

Developing Successful Articulation Programmes

Neil SlaterInternational OfficeNorthumbria University


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


Newcastle upon Tyne


International Collaborations


Forms of Collaboration

• Franchise• Validated Delivery • Dual Awards• Distance Delivery • Articulated Advanced Entry• Student Exchange


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


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)


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


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


Shanghai Nursing Link

“3 + 1” Nursing Programme with Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine

3 year Nursing DiplomaDirect entry to 1-year top-up programme – BSc (Hons) Nursing Science

Staff development visits to ShanghaiWork-shadowing visits by Shanghai lecturers


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


Initial Discussions

Institution SelectionTake into account:• Mutual Compatibility• Academic standing• Relevance to international strategy and activities • Status of awards – eg self-validated / national

Identify potential course match


Initial Discussions

Viability and Timescales

•Viable Demand ?

• Target numbers- minimum number limit- maximum cap

• Finances- funding of fees- funding of support / visit costs

• 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



Gathering Course Documentation

• Syllabus (matching content)• Learning outcomes• Contact hours• Coursework• Examination papers• Student attainments• Portfolios / work based experience



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


Professional Body Requirements

• UK Professional body regulations must be strictly observed where the proposed articulation is with a programme which they accredit.


Next Steps

•Evaluation Evidence in proposal considered by Departmental and University Academic Committees

•Approval

•Signing of memorandum of agreement

•Admission


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


Life-Cycle


Challenges

Quick & Effective CommunicationDesignated 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


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


Thank you!

Neil Slater International OfficeNorthumbria [email protected]

Documents

Developing Successful Articulation Programmes