A presentation to BHQFHE visitors regarding UK Universities

1. A presentation to BHQFHE visitors regarding UK Universities

2. UK Universities: • In the UK there are 116 universities. • Some are new and some very old. • In general they fall into the following categories . . .

3. UK Universities: • Very Old such as Oxford (1167), Cambridge (1209) St Andrews (1410), Edinburgh (1582) • Nineteenth Century universities, Durham (1832) London (1836), London School of Economics (1895) • ‘Red Brick Universities’ – Manchester, Birmingham, Liverpool, Bristol, Leeds (all around 1900) • New civic universities such as Nottingham, Hull, Exeter • ‘Plate glass Universities’ - Sussex, Warwick, Aston (1960s) • ‘1992 Universities’ Coventry, Lincoln, Middlesex • Second wave new universities – Cardiff, Northampton, Chester

4. The University of Northampton • Higher Education since 1975 • Large yet friendly – 14,000 students • Over 1300 international students for 120 countries • Two Campuses in Northampton • Over 100 different degree and diploma courses • High quality teaching • High quality environment • Turnover of £90m last year, with impact on local economy of £200m

5. The University of Northampton • The University is divided into six Schools: • Northampton Business School • School of Education • School of Social Science • School of Art • School of Science and Technology • School of Health • Regional offices in China, India, Malaysia, Pakistan

6. Our Programmes • Programmes running from Levels 4 to 8 which align with “The framework for higher education qualifications in England, Wales and Northern Ireland (FHEQ)” (see www.qaa.ac.uk) which in turn aligns with the FQ - EHEA • Levels 4-6: Undergraduate Courses (First Cycle) • - HND (Diploma) (Short Cycle) • - 3 year BA/BSc/LLB Single Honours • or Joint/ Honours. • - 1 year ‘top-up’ courses (usually at Level 6) • Level 7: Postgraduate Taught Courses (Second Cycle) • - 1 year MA/MSc/LLM • Level 8 : Research degrees in a wide range of fields – MPhil/PhD (Third Cycle). • - UoN has recently invested over £1 million in PhD Studentships.

7. Typical Undergraduate programmes • Foundation degrees: FdSc • Undergraduate diplomas • Bachelors degrees: BA/BSc, these can be single or Joint Honours • Top-up degrees. Typical Postgraduate programmes • Diploma • MA and MSc degrees • MBA degree (for applicants with two years work experience)

8. The University of Northampton • £65 million spent on campus - new halls, library, IT suite • £11 million on re-development of Newton Building • £4 million on development of School of Education

9. The University of Northampton • £25 million development of town centre halls of residence

10. The University of Northampton • New ‘Waterside’ campus, £330m • Global alumni network of 60,000 graduates living in over 150 different countries • Continuous support • Global ambassadors • International groups, associations, network

11. Typical Undergraduate programmes • Single or Joint Honours degree are over three years • Degrees can often be taken over four years as international experience or professional experience placement programme Year 1 Year 1 Year 1 Year 2 Year 2 Year 2 Professional Experience Placement Final Year International Experience Final Year Final Year

12. Types of Assessed work • Time constrained exams • Multi choice test • Essay type assignments • Individual presentation • Group presentation • Portfolio, poster fairs • Student lead seminars • Reflective submissions • Research project

13. Quality • This covers two major activities: • Setting and maintaining threshold academic standards • Assuring and enhancing learning outcomes.

14. Quality Setting and maintaining threshold academic standards • The national level • The subject and qualification • The programme • Approval and review • Assessment of achieved learning outcomes.

15. Assessing and enhancing academic quality • Programme design and approval • Admissions • Learning and Teaching • Student support and Engagement • Assessment of students, External examining • Programme monitoring and review • Complaints and appeals • Management of collaborative arrangements • Post Graduate research programmes

16. Objectives and Standards Quality Student Voice QAA Student Learning Experience Accountability External Examiners Self Appraisal University Quality Assessment Individual Tutor Institution Course Staff Appraisal Management Resources Review Review Review Training and Resources Curriculum development Allocation development Quality Assurance system Quality Audit

17. Studying in the UK Weekly lectures, large group teaching Weekly tutorials, small groups Three Semesters for PG and two terms for UG Students Semesters are 14 weeks duration Terms are 12 weeks Plus time for revision and exams Attendance and Engagement (miss out on interaction) Additional learning support, (dyslexia, disability etc) Note taking and provision of course materials Part time work

18. Studying in the UK • 9-12 hours a week in the classroom with tutors, a mix of formal lectures and tutorials • UG: 120 credits per year for three years (20 or 40 credit modules) • PG: 180 credits per year (10, 20 and 60 credit modules) • Reading and preparation outside the classroom, working alone or with other students • Regular formal assessment such as presentations, group work, exams, tests, essays and multiple choice questions • Regular feedback from tutors about formal work, and student contribution in class • Learning not just from tutors but from the contributions of others.

19. Student life Many students will have, as part of their degree course, the opportunity of: • Choice of modules within programmes • International focus • Visiting Speakers • Links to professional bodies • Career focussed modules

20. Wider skills . . . Collaborative and flexible approach Commercial and professional awareness Lifelong learner Digitally Literate Effective and articulate communicator Graduate Social / Global citizen Adaptive transformative approach Independent motivated and confident Research skilled Creative and entrepreneurial

21. Thank You