Developing
Successful
Articulation
Programmes
Neil Slater
International Office
Northumbria
University
www.northumbria.ac.uk/international
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
www.northumbria.ac.uk/international
Newcastle upon Tyne
www.northumbria.ac.uk/international
International Collaborations
www.northumbria.ac.uk/international
Forms of Collaboration
•
•
•
•
•
•
Franchise
Validated Delivery
Dual Awards
Distance Delivery
Articulated Advanced Entry
Student Exchange
www.northumbria.ac.uk/international
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
www.northumbria.ac.uk/international
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)
www.northumbria.ac.uk/international
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
www.northumbria.ac.uk/international
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
www.northumbria.ac.uk/international
Shanghai Nursing Link
“3 + 1” Nursing Programme with Shanghai
University of Traditional Chinese Medicine
3 year Nursing Diploma
Direct entry to 1-year top-up programme –
BSc (Hons) Nursing Science
Staff development visits to Shanghai
Work-shadowing visits by Shanghai
lecturers
www.northumbria.ac.uk/international
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
www.northumbria.ac.uk/international
Initial Discussions
Institution Selection
Take into account:
• Mutual Compatibility
• Academic standing
• Relevance to international strategy and
activities
• Status of awards – eg self-validated /
national
Identify potential course match
www.northumbria.ac.uk/international
Initial Discussions
Viability and Timescales
•Viable Demand ?
• Target numbers
- minimum number limit
- maximum cap
• Finances
- funding of fees
- funding of support / visit costs
www.northumbria.ac.uk/international
• 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
www.northumbria.ac.uk/international
Developing a Proposal
Gathering Course Documentation
• Syllabus (matching content)
• Learning outcomes
• Contact hours
• Coursework
• Examination papers
• Student attainments
• Portfolios / work based experience
www.northumbria.ac.uk/international
Developing a Proposal
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
www.northumbria.ac.uk/international
Professional Body Requirements
• UK Professional body regulations must be
strictly observed where the proposed
articulation is with a programme which they
accredit.
www.northumbria.ac.uk/international
Next Steps
•Evaluation
Evidence in proposal considered by
Departmental and University Academic
Committees
•Approval
•Signing of memorandum of agreement
•Admission
www.northumbria.ac.uk/international
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
www.northumbria.ac.uk/international
Life-Cycle
Initial Discussions
Compatibility
Viability & Timescale
Support &
Feedback
Evaluate
Performance
Preparation of
Students
Admission
Prepare
Documentation
Assess Capability
Identify Skills Gaps
Develop Proposal
Evaluation &
Approval
www.northumbria.ac.uk/international
Challenges
Quick & Effective Communication
Designated 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
www.northumbria.ac.uk/international
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
www.northumbria.ac.uk/international
Thank you!
Neil Slater
International Office
Northumbria University
Neil.Slater@northumbria.ac.uk
www.northumbria.ac.uk/international