European Policy Statement

A key element of the University’s approach to Internationalisation, both in Europe and worldwide, is a commitment to partnership development. The University has developed an array of international collaborations ranging from founding membership of consortia such as Universitas 21 (U21) and the International Research Universities Network (IRUN), to bi-lateral and multi-lateral alliances at all levels - institution, faculty, department and individual project - and reflecting the diverse and complementary international interest and expertise that there is across the University.

The University’s strategic commitment to European engagement is reflected in the appointment of a Regional Champion for Europe, a Vice-Principal, to lead the development of the European strategy and to foster collaborative activity with both EU and non-EU partner organisations and institutions.  

Examples of strategic initiatives include:

1. A European Regional Working Group, comprising representatives from all faculties and key services as well as student representatives, has been established to co-ordinate the University’s approach to European relations, spanning research and knowledge transfer, the student experience and related activities.  Key strategic objectives include:
   • Development and the full implementation of the Bologna Process including the capture of all international activity on the Diploma Supplement of all students.
   • Development of closer links with the EU and Brussels and EU networks.
   • Addressing the language barriers by enhancing the foreign language provision, by offering more courses and using visiting students’ abilities.
   • Working with the Senate Office to ensure that university regulations do not impede international collaboration in research or student exchanges.
   • Encouraging and facilitating double and joint degrees, including the development of potential new Erasmus Mundus programmes and Tempus activity.
   • Embedding Internationalisation in general, and ‘Europeanisation’ in particular in the curriculum, and creating casebook studies of good practice to demonstrate the value of the international study experience.
   • Collaborating with the Student Representative Council and the Recruitment and International Office on marketing activities, with more vigorous marketing from the earliest stage of student applications through to careers and alumni.
   • Supporting and promoting non-traditional, short-term student mobility placements and volunteering activity.
2. An ad hoc working party, with Faculty, student and services’ representation, to discuss one of the key strategic themes of the Internationalisation Strategy, the Student Experience.  This identifies and addresses barriers to exchanges, and has led to the development of closer connections between home and visiting students.
3. A dedicated Equality and Diversity Unit is responsible for promoting and embedding all aspects of equality and diversity with the University community.
4. Research links are strongly encouraged and promoted, and information on European funding opportunities widely disseminated.  Active membership of IRUN, whose aim is to improve the quality of research and teaching in the Universities involved, and encourage the exchange of researchers, lecturers and students. 
5. Continued development of joint programmes, such as the interdisciplinary Masters Programme in the Department of Central and East European Studies, the International Masters in Russian Central and East European Studies, which involves collaboration with the Universities of Corvinus (Hungary), Jagiellonian (Poland), Tartu (Estonia) and Turku (Finland).