Students Without Borders Megan McHaney - President for Education & Employability Jenny Batty - President for Welfare & Equal Opportunities Internationalising the Student Experience

NUS believes that a global university will have a truly mobile student population What do you think stops international students coming to study in the UK? What do you think stops home students studying abroad?

Barriers to studying in the UK Finance Culture Language Ability Academic Ability Visas

Barriers to studying abroad Finance Language Ability Increasing length of degree Cultural Barriers Time away from home Dependants Not relevant to course

Why haven’t you, or why aren’t you planning, to study abroad? Not relevant/applicable to my course Concern about financial implications Lack/uncertain of language ability Worried about having to study for another year Wasn’t aware of opportunity Don’t want to Family commitments/have a child Base: All domestic students who haven’t, or aren’t planning to, study abroad 2009 (591); All domestic students who haven’t, or aren’t planning to, study abroad 2010 (2138)

Students Studying Abroad Recent estimates suggest 33,000 UK students are studying abroad, while 370,000 foreign students are studying in the UK. The students who studied abroad were more likely to be from higher socio-economic classes. They were less likely to be from an ethnic minority.

Benefits of Study Abroad... Greater confidence/ independence Broaden horizons –New friends –New culture Language skills Better profile of degree results Improved employment prospects

Bologna Target A global university is marked by having a significant number of its students studying or doing work placements overseas as part of their course. Institutions should aim to meet the Bologna Target of providing at least 20 per cent of their students with these opportunities by 2020.

How can we address these barriers? Barriers to individuals Finance Language Ability Increasing length of degree Cultural Barriers Time away from home Dependants Not relevant to course Barriers to certain groups in society Lower socio-economic groups Students of ethnic minorities

Possible Solutions Embed this into courses –Recognition –Integration –Credit Finances available – grants/loans Visas Language courses Cultural awareness – AUSA, societies, academic staff

Thinking outside of the box Study abroad Volunteer abroad Work abroad Representation – AUSA, NUS and ESU Targeting specific groups –Connecting with schools –Projects e.g. Students Without Borders/Wish you Were There Student, graduate and staff mobility

Becoming a Global University NUS Global University Charter 1. Every university should have an international strategy 2. Students' unions should engage students to develop a global university 3. Institutions should provide accurate and accessible information when recruiting international students 4. Universities should have a transparent process for recognising qualifications and credit obtained in other countries 5. Universities should have a well-planned induction and academic transition for international students 6. Institutions should consider income from fees as a by-product, not an aim 7. Universities should support international students effectively 8. Institutions should be fully integrated in the Bologna Process 9. A global university will have a truly mobile student population 10. Institutions should have an internationally-focussed team of staff

A Global Learning Experience... Concerns –Finances –Visas Hopes Dreams

Megan McHaney Jenny Batty NUS Scotland - Students Without Borders Heather McKnight (inward) Helen O’Shea (outward)