PROPOSAL FOR A NEW STUDENT EXCHANGE AGREEMENT

1.  General

Proposed partner institution: / University of Applied Sciences Mannheim
Department of Design
Location: / Mannheim
Country: / Germany
Is the link intended to be
departmental or institutional? / Departmental
If the link is with a European partner
is it intended to be part of the Socrates/ Erasmus programme? / Erasmus
How many students per year is it
anticipated will be exchanged in each
direction? / Max 4
What level of student (i.e. ug or pg) is the
Link intended for? / Undergraduates

2. Choice of partner

What is the standing of the proposed
partner institution?
What are its particular strengths and
standing in the academic community?
If possible, provide evidence of the status
of the institution or faculty/ school where
students are to be placed. / The Department of Design offers the widest
range disciplines of Communication
Design in Germany. It provides the
undergraduates with all the necessary tools to
solve any communicational problem in design management, brand management
and also production design. The structure of
the studies is orientated on real and
experimental projects.
History of linkages
Please give details of any existing
interaction that you are aware of
between Leeds and the proposed partner / Both institutions are members of the
European Foundation for Commercial Communications in Education. The foundation strives to promote excellence in commercial communications education and research and to further exchanges between the European commercial communications sector and academic partners.
Has a site visit been conducted?
Site visits are not compulsory prior to the
establishment of a new agreement but
should be undertaken where possible / Prof. J-C. Hamilius and
Prof. K. Beiderwellen visited Leeds in
November 2010
Mr Mike Sheedy from the School of Design
is due to visit Hochschule Mannheim for
1 week in June 2011.

3. Learning and Teaching arrangements

Which degree programme/s at Leeds will
the outgoing students be registered on?
It is essential that all the programmes
listed above allow for a period of Study
Abroad. A copy of the relevant section of
the programme specification(s) should be
attached.
/ BA Hons Graphic & Communication Design
Outline how the partner institution
will contribute to the learning outcomes
of the Study Abroad programme(s) listed
above (and attached)
/ It is hoped that undergoing an exchange at The University of Applied Sciences Mannheim will
enhance the students’ academic studies and
also provide experience of living and studying
within a different social and cultural
environment. This corresponds to the
learning outcomes of the Study Abroad
programme for BA Hons Graphic &
Communication Design.
Provide information about the kind of
modules that will be available to Leeds
students at the proposed partner / See attached document.
Will marks from the partner institution form part of part of the Leeds award? / No our students will receive a pass or fail for the
entire year.
If marks form part of the Leeds award have
mark translation tables been drawn
up and approved by the School? If so,
these should be attached. / NA
How will students be prepared linguistically for their study abroad experience. Please refer to the University’s Guidelines on Language Attainment (attached) / Students should have existingGerman
language skills or be willing to take an appropriate
language course at Leeds prior to the their
departure for Mannheim. Once they arrive at the University, they will be offered free German
language courses, these will be available to them
for the entirety of their stay in Mannheim.
In addition all lecturers speak fluent English and
will hold tutorials for Leeds students in English if
they would prefer.

1.  Contacts at proposed partner institution

International Office
Name: / Ms Gela Wittenberg
Position: / ERASMUS Coordinator
Email: /
Other contacts
Name: / Ms Edith Krauth
Position: / ERASMUS Incoming Assistance
Email: /

2.  Proposer

Name: / Mike Sheedy
School/ Dept / Design
Email: /
Tel: / 0113 3433 719

3.  Approval

Head of School
Name: / Steve Westland
Approved / Yes
Signature:
Date: / 28.01.11
Date proposal considered by the School Learning and Teaching
Committee
D Date proposal considered by the Faculty Learning and Teaching Committee

The University of Leeds

Standing Group on Study Abroad

Revised Language Attainment Guidelines for Schools wishing to offer students the opportunity to undertake a period of study or a work placement abroad

Background

1.  In line with the aspirations of the University’s Strategy Map to ‘inspire our students to develop their full potential’ and ‘to produce graduates who will have a major impact on global society’, the University wishes to encourage as many of its students as possible to undertake a period of study or a work placement abroad.

2.  The University has a wide variety of opportunities open to students to spend a period of time abroad. The University has a duty to take reasonable care for the health and safety of all those undertaking a period of study or work placement abroad and ensure students are properly prepared and supported in advance of this period. The question of a student’s linguistic competence is an important element to be considered as part of the preparation process. Following requests from Year Abroad tutors, this paper is designed to offer guidance to Schools as to the level of linguist preparation that might be necessary. Reflection on this issue will be a requirement on all new study abroad agreements.

3.  It is recognised that the decisions taken by Schools on the level of linguistic competence required can be complex and Schools need to demonstrate that they have considered the academic learning context of the study/placement, the country to be visited and risks involved. Schools also need to ensure that language requirements are communicated to students prior to departure. If there is no possibility of language learning in the student's programme of study, a School should consider how a student will access language training if necessary. It is suggested that where appropriate Schools include requirements within learning agreements.

Level of Language Competence

4.  The level of language competence required will vary according to the learning context. The highest level would be required for those students taking academic modules involving the precise use of language where students will be assessed along side native speakers in the country of study (for example some placements organised by the School of Law). The Council of Europe’s ‘European Common Reference Framework for Languages’ suggests that the level required is ‘C1 (Effective Operational Proficiency). This corresponds to an IELTS score of 6.5 and would typically be achievable only after a period of study of 1000 hours (this might also be represented by successful completion of an A-level or FLTU module at upper intermediate/advanced level).

The minimum level required for everyday communication abroad is set at B1 (Threshold level), a level that allows students to cope with common situations and to make themselves understood. In some learning contexts it might be judged that this is a level that could still allow students to gain a substantial benefit from such a learning experience while also allowing them to cope with life in a foreign country. Students would normally be expected to meet this minimum standard before they begin their placement. This may require students to be made aware of the opportunities for a period abroad very early in their programme, ideally during induction, though it may not be possible for students to take electives due to the structure of their programme. In such cases it may be possible for students to show that they had made other suitable provision. For example, they could prove that they had registered on a pre-sessional intensive course in the host country (within the EU this can often be supported by Erasmus framework funding for students to take advantage of language training in-country before starting their course). In some cases students may have prior language experience which might be equivalent to B1 competence, through family background, previous residence in the country, AS/A-level qualification, or successful completion of a lower intermediate level module in the Language Centre (post–GCSE study).

5.  There may be situations when a student is taking practical modules, for example in studio art or music, with little or no written work or lectures, or where they are studying in English and their chosen country is one where English is widely spoken (Holland, Norway for instance). In some cases students may have elected to have a short-term observational or supernumerary experience abroad but are not assessed in-country as part of that experience. In these situations the School would be expected to make an informed decision on the level of language competence required.

6.  The group recognised that there might be a need to consider the level of language competence with particular care in cases where a student is undertaking a work placement abroad. There might be additional responsibilities or requirements due to the nature of their workplace which would necessitate specialist training or induction.