Internationalisation
Internationalisation takes many different forms in the context of UK higher education. Over the next year we are focussing on: teaching international students; internationalisation of the curriculum; and students’ academic mobility with a view to improving their employability.
Higher education in the UK benefits from a diverse staff and student population and international students are an important part of the picture. This brings particular challenges and opportunities for pedagogic practice – developing the way we teach and support those students. We know that teaching practice and learner support that works for international students also works for the benefit of all students.
An internationalised student experience is a key aspiration for many UK universities and colleges. We recognise that this must include a curriculum that is robustly informed by a broader world view and is taught in a range of ways. Another key element is students’ uptake of opportunities to study and work in different environments and countries, learning about themselves, their disciplines and their future professions in a global context.
We are committed to the development of these practices and the understandings and evidence that underpins them. To achieve this we :
- Develop guidance and information on how to meet the diverse learning needs of international students (e.g. through the international student lifecycle resources bank)
- Connections: pilot projects supporting internationalisation (in partnership with the UK Council for International Student Affairs (UKCISA)). Details will be available here soon.
- Provide an Internationalisation change programme
- Provide an Internationalisation seminar series between May and October 2012.
- Share discipline-specific resources relating to internationalised curricula
- Fund teaching development grants dedicated to the theme of Internationalisation.
- Produce guidance material on enhancing academic mobility opportunities overseas for students.
