GAINING INTERNATIONAL EXPERIENCE

1. Directorate of Corporate Affairs GAINING INTERNATIONAL EXPERIENCE An overview of Oxford Brookes exchanges for staff and students 1st May 2009 Oxford Brookes International

2. Exchanges at Oxford Brookes The University has signed up a total of 124 International and Erasmus exchanges as well as the Study Abroad partners. Currently, there are 81 Erasmus exchanges in place as well as 24 international institutional links and 19 School international exchange links in Australia, Canada, Hong Kong, Japan, Thailand (from Jan 2010) and the USA. Through International exchanges, we welcome approximately 90 students per year and send out an average of 80 students. On the Erasmus programme, we welcome an average of 130 exchange Students and our outgoing mobility averages 60 students. The Study Abroad programme (fee paying) attracts students from Japan who mainly enrol on English courses (Pathways) prior to joining the Study Abroad programme. The remainder of the students come from the USA. Our annual intake is of approximately 30 students. The Exchanges Office does not hold information on non Erasmus European links/Study Abroad agreements for the University. Directorate of Corporate Affairs

3. Erasmus Staff opportunities Erasmus Teaching Mobility Eligibility criteria;  employed by an HEI holding an EUC or employed by an eligible enterprise and  a national of a participating country or recognised by their country of residence as a refugee, stateless person or permanent resident Teaching staff mobility can be undertaken;  to an HEI which holds a standard EUC and with which a valid Inter-institutional Agreement is in place  by staff of an enterprise invited to an HEI to undertake teaching activities. In these cases the mobility is managed by the HEI. Directorate of Corporate Affairs

4. Erasmus Teaching Mobility The selection of teachers is based on a short "Teaching programme" submitted by the teacher and which has been endorsed by both sending and receiving institutions.The essential elements of this should be: objectives and added value of the mobility, content of the teaching programme, expected results.  Duration of teaching period At least 5 hours of teaching (i.e. at least one day). A minimum duration of 5 days is strongly recommended to provide a meaningful contribution to the teaching programme and international academic life at the host institution. Shorter periods should be exceptional. The maximum duration is 6 weeks.  Mobility grants for staff are provided as contributions towards subsistence and travel and are calculated on the basis of receipted expenditure. Directorate of Corporate Affairs

5. The maximum travel grant is €450. • A week, for these purposes, is considered to be five working days. Weekends or holidays falling in the period of the stay abroad are not considered for support, unless they are used as working or travel days. In such cases the teaching programme should demonstrate that teaching activities have been undertaken for the period reported.  All payments, for both travel and subsistence, will be made on the basis of receipted expenditure. Directorate of Corporate Affairs

6. Erasmus Staff Training Eligibility criteria • To be employed by an HEI holding an EUC and • To be a national of a participating country or recognised by their country of residence as a refugee, stateless person or permanent resident Staff training is an option for all staff and can involve staff:  going to another HEI which holds a standard EUC  going to an enterprise Within the broad objective of staff training this action encompasses three types of mobility:  Mobility of staff of a higher education institution going to an enterprise. To allow staff to learn by transfer of knowledge or know-how and to acquire practical skills (i.e. seminars, workshops, courses and conferences, periods of practical Training etc…) Directorate of Corporate Affairs

7. Erasmus Staff Training  Mobility of administrative and other non-teaching staff from a higher education institution going to a partner higher education institution. To allow staff to learn from the experiences and good practices of a partner institution and to improve the skills required for their current job. The main activity is a short stay in the partner institution that may include a short secondment period, job-shadowing scheme, study visit, etc…  Mobility of teaching staff in a higher education institution going to a partner institution for the purpose of receiving training. Selection of staff This will be done by the sending institution on the basis of a "work plan" submitted by the applicant, which has been endorsed by both the sending and host institution or enterprise. The essential elements of the work plan should cover overall aims and objectives, expected results in terms of training or learning, activities to be carried out and, where possible, a detailed programme for the period abroad. Directorate of Corporate Affairs

8. Erasmus Staff Training  Duration of training period From 1 (5 working days) to 6 weeks. Shorter stays abroad are allowed in exceptional cases where the other commitments of a member of staff make a longer stay impossible. The institution must be able to provide full justification in such cases with specific attention to the content and relevance for the staff concerned. Staff mobility grants Mobility grants for staff are provided as contributions towards subsistence and travel and are calculated on the basis of receipted expenditure. Table as above for teaching mobility. Directorate of Corporate Affairs

9. Organising Mobility visits and Preparatory visits  Eligible OM activities includes: • Preparation, monitoring and evaluation of outgoing and incoming student and staff mobility • Specific arrangements to ensure the quality of student placements in enterprises • Selection and support of mobility of individuals • Linguistic preparation of Erasmus students and staff • Production and distribution of information material linked to Erasmus mobility • Activities related to the implementation of European Credit Transfer System ECTS) • Activities related to the implementation of the Diploma Supplement • OM and insurance: Insurance costs for students cannot be covered by OM.  Funding is also available for Preparatory visits (= visit to potential exchange partners to discuss curriculum, facilities etc…) Directorate of Corporate Affairs

10. ERASMUS STAFF MOBILITY OPPORTUNITIES For more information on Erasmus staff mobility, please contact: Rosa Eadle LLP/Erasmus Manager Headington Hill Hall, G.37 T: 01865 48 43 94 E: rmeadle@brookes.ac.uk Directorate of Corporate Affairs

11. Erasmus and International Exchanges for students –An overview Why go on exchange? • experience a different educational and cultural environment • gain a new perspective in the subject area • increase students’ employability within an international market • gain credits which will count towards Brookes degree • develop independence and confidence • have an enjoyable and rewarding experience • travel and make new friends and professional contacts Directorate of Corporate Affairs

12. Erasmus and International Exchanges for students –An overview Who can go? • Most undergraduate students can apply to go on exchange on their Field Chair(s)‘/Erasmus School co-ordinator‘s approval. • International exchanges are open to all nationalities whereas Erasmus exchanegs are only open to UK and EU students. When? • Students are advised to go on exchange during their 2nd year of studies to meet their course requirements and graduate by their expected completion date. How long? • Up to two semesters • Full year exchanges can be undertaken in different countries (i.e. 1 semester in Europe + 1 semester outside Europe) Directorate of Corporate Affairs

13. Erasmus and International Exchanges for students –An overview Costs to take into consideration: • Flights or other travel costs • Accommodation (in Halls of Residence or in the private sector) • Visa fees • Travel and health insurance • Living expenses Directorate of Corporate Affairs

14. Erasmus and International Exchanges for students –An overview Are there any sources of funding? • European exchanges receive funding from the European Commission. Grant amounts vary from year to year (i.e. 385 euros per month 2008/09). • Full academic year Erasmus exchanges benefit from tuition fee waivers. • UK students on maximum bursary are eligible for £750 per semester for International (non-Erasmus) exchange. More details on http://www.brookes.ac.uk/studying/finance/support/exchanges Directorate of Corporate Affairs

15. Erasmus and International Exchanges for students –An overview How are programmes of study abroad agreed for students? • Students should meet with either their Erasmus School co-ordinator or Field Chair(s) to agree and approve suitable programmes of studies. • On arrival at the exchange university and on enrolment, students may have to make changes to their original programme of study programme due to timetable clashes etc. • HOWEVER, any changes to the students’ programme must be recorded and documented in their learning agreement form and approved by their Erasmus School co-ordinator/Field Chair(s). • Students are advised to register on modules equivalent to the ones at Brookes, however in some cases, Field Chairs are happy for students to enrol on modules not available at Brookes but highly beneficial to their course. Directorate of Corporate Affairs

16. Erasmus and International Exchanges for students –An overview Credits abroad: • Students must enrol for the equivalent of 30 ECTS credits (European Credit Transfer System) for one semester or 60 ECTS for a whole academic year. • The Exchanges Office advises students on the credit equivalence in Australia, Canada, Hong Kong, Thailand and the USA. • Specific rules apply to Japanese Studies students spending the whole academic year in Japan. How to register students’ exchanges on the system? • Students must add module U99996 “On Exchange” to their programme using the M100 form available from the Academic Management Office. Adding U99996 will delete any existing modules for the semester(s) students are on exchange. Directorate of Corporate Affairs

17. Erasmus and International Exchanges for students –An overview Credit Transfer – How does it work? • On their return, students will receive a transcript from the host institution. • Credits (or marks) will be transferred to the Brookes programme of study by the Field Chair(s) using appropriate forms. • Credits (or marks) will be available on PIP. Degree classification Degree classifications will be based on the average marks obtained ‘on the best 14 acceptable modules which carry the highest marks' (Regulation 6 (v) and Regulation 13 (vii)). If students are awarded the equivalent of 4 Brookes modules for courses taken on exchange, their degree classification will be calculated over the best 14 modules minus 4* = 10 - therefore the average will be calculated over the best 10 modules studied at Oxford Brookes. * The four credits must be acceptable credits as indicated above. Directorate of Corporate Affairs

18. Paper written by the Exchanges team in response to the impact of the Academic Progression Initiative (API) for Brookes exchanges Although necessary to break away from Stage I and Stage II to bring much needed progression to our programmes, the API structure based on a 3 staged model will have a direct impact on 1) Embedding exchange programmes in each field • Increased number of pre-requisites and double modules in year 2 to ensure progression in preparation for year 3 level Honours Modules making it very difficult for year 2 exchanges. • An increase of double Honours Modules, which makes exchanges during semester 1 of year 3 impossible. • More compulsory modules, which makes it more complicated for Field Chairs to find equivalent modules at partner institutions. Directorate of Corporate Affairs

19. The Academic Progression Initiative (API) and its impact on Exchanges Paper written by the Exchanges team in response to the impact of the Academic Progression Initiative (API) for Brookes exchanges 2) Internationalisation of the curriculum • Benefit for home and international students in preparing them for the global employment market. • Exchange programmes play a crucial role and provide a unique opportunity for Brookes to add value to their programmes and student experience. • Enhancing the international dimension into our courses as highlighted in the International Strategy. • Preparing students for the future requires new skills, new approaches and new attitudes, none of which will be as complete without an international dimension. Directorate of Corporate Affairs

20. Paper written by the Exchanges team in response to the impact of the Academic Progression Initiative (API) for Brookes exchanges 3) Exchange partnerships • The difficulty highlighted above in delivering flexibility for our exchanges in most of the fields will inevitably put us in a position to terminate some of our agreements. • Setting up new partnerships, which is necessary to develop mobility (not only for students but also for staff), will get more complicated due to the inflexibility from Brookes’ side. 4) Student employability Global businesses are increasingly seeking graduates with global awareness. Are we hindering our students’ work employability by reducing flexibility of exchanges? Directorate of Corporate Affairs

21. Paper written by the Exchanges team in response to the impact of the Academic Progression Initiative (API) for Brookes exchanges 5) UK and international recruitment • One of the key decision factors when choosing Brookes is the opportunity to go abroad as part of the degree (Brookes Student Barometer Survey). • The Exchanges Office receives numerous emails/visits from potential future Brookes students enquiring about the exchange studies. • The Exchanges Team attends the Open Days and Visit Days and has observed an enormous increase on potential students and their parents, who base their decisions on the flexible study options – and expect exchange studies to be part of the Oxford Brookes student experience. Directorate of Corporate Affairs

22. Paper written by the Exchanges team in response to the impact of the Academic Progression Initiative (API) for Brookes exchanges- PROPOSAL To increase flexibility of Exchanges by: • Allowing for Year 2 pre-requisites for Year 3 Honours Modules to be taken abroad and be transferable. • Allowing a change in the transfer of credit rules, enabling students to transfer a proportion of the Honours credits which would free up at least one final year semester for exchanges in some cases. Directorate of Corporate Affairs

23. Oxford Brookes International, Exchanges Team Room G37, Headington Hill Hall • Andrew Bird, International Strategic Development Manager a.bird@brookes.ac.uk x 4885 • Rosa Eadle, LLP Erasmus Manager (European Exchanges) rmeadle@brookes.ac.uk x 4394 • Laura Ryhänen, International Exchanges Officer (Int. Exchanges & Study Abroad) lryhanen@brookes.ac.uk x 4955 • Gloria Bengochea, International Administrative Assistant gbengochea@brookes.ac.uk x 4949 Directorate of Corporate Affairs