university of leeds curriculum enhancement project enhancement themes conference 8 march 2012...

University of LeedsCurriculum Enhancement Project

Enhancement Themes conference8 March 2012

Caroline Letherland and Chris Warrington

Curriculum Enhancement Project

Working in partnership with staff, students and employers to ensure the academic excellence and contemporary relevance of our undergraduate programmes; leading to graduates who are capable of articulating the benefits of a Leeds research-based education and understand how this prepares them to compete successfully in the employment market.

curriculum.leeds.ac.uk

Context

• Research intensive institution• Large scale: 30,000 students;

7,500 staff• Key strategic project for

Student Education, sponsored by PVC Student Education, Prof. Vivien Jones

• Academically driven and led by Pro-Deans Student Education, but with administrative input

• Working in partnership with LUU to bring academic and student perspective together

UG curriculum:What are the drivers?

• HE landscape is changing• Shift in student motivation for coming to

university• Improved articulation of our ‘value

proposition’ in an increasingly competitive market

• Employers are looking for more rounded graduates with flexible skills and attributes

• Is assessment fit for purpose to measure our graduate attributes?

• Greater clarity around information and guidance to support student choice

Where do we want to get to?

Within all UG programmes:

• Students understand the value of a research-based education

• We are clear about the themes that are distinctive to all programmes, regardless of the discipline

• Deeper learning and less ‘pocketed knowledge’

• Equity of experience - all students have exposure to broadening opportunities

• An opportunity for placement learning/study abroad exists

Progress and achievements

• Communication: project website; use of existing committee structures and academic fora; facilitation of discussions to get consensus at an institutional level

•Agreed & defined the Core Programme Threads (CPT) Employability, Global and Cultural Insight & Ethics and Responsibility

• Gained support for the principle of broadening ‘strands’ linked to elective modules

• Discussions held on the structure of the academic year

Challenges

• Sometimes feels like herding cats!

• Getting beyond the silo mentality

• Maintaining momentum

• Minimising duplication or conflict with other activities

• Getting ‘non engaged’ student interest and input

Questions

• Caroline Letherland c.letherland@adm.leeds.ac.uk

• Chris Warrington c.j.warrington@adm.leeds.ac.uk