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)
  • Provide an Internationalisation change programme
  • Share discipline-specific resources relating to internationalised curricula
  • Fund teaching development grants dedicated to the theme of Internationalisation - the next call for grants opens on 3rd January 2012.
  • Produce guidance material on enhancing academic mobility opportunities overseas for students. 

Funding Opportunities

Connections: pilot projects supporting internationalisation – call for funding

The Higher Education Academy, in partnership with the UK Council for International Student Affairs (UKCISA), invites institutions to submit applications for funding to support projects which will:

  • enhance the teaching and learning experiences both for international students studying in the UK and home students in the context of internationalisation;
  • promote intercultural understanding to prepare students for employment in a global context.

This call has now closed.

Full details of the criteria for awards are provided in the funding document (DOC, 262 kB).

Awardees are expected to attend an event to be held in York on 17 April 2012 where plans and progress will be discussed with other participants. The work is expected to be substantially completed by 31 July 2012 and a final report and financial statement detailing how the funds were spent is required by 1 September 2012.