European Policy Statement

The Heythrop College European Policy Statement

Heythrop College’s European Policy Statement is the document submitted to the European Union as part of our application to be recognised as a participant in the ERASMUS Scheme. It shows our commitment to links across Europe and how we plan to develop our activities.

a) Please describe briefly your institution’s strategy, objectives and priorities for its Erasmus activities (mobility, multilateral projects and thematic networks etc) and any other actions in the context of the Lifelong Learning Programme
The College’s Mission and its Strategic Plan, identifies internationalism as underpinning aims to develop programmes, research, reputation and increased involvement in mainstream higher education activities. Engagement with Erasmus activities will support this. Priorities, in order, are undergraduate and masters student mobility to support academic development and the enhancement of transferable skills, including language development, staff mobility for teaching, research and other activities, research student mobility, and developing thematic networks. Involvement in multilateral projects may be a later focus.

b) What specific actions are planned to give visibility to Erasmus activities and what type of publicity will be given to the Erasmus University Charter and the EPS
Web based and printed information on Erasmus opportunities and their benefits will be provided at all stages of the student lifecycle, including pre application. Pre application Open Days and post application Visit Days will highlight Erasmus opportunities. Students will receive information at induction, and a member of academic staff will offer support for applicants for study abroad, and to students who visit Heythrop.

Web pages will contain information for Heythrop students and staff wishing to spend time elsewhere and for external students and staff who wish to visit the College. This will include the EUS and EPS, information on study opportunities at Heythrop, guidance on study elsewhere for Heythrop students, information on procedures, case studies of students who have participated in exchange schemes, and links to other websites. Heythrop students studying elsewhere will receive a handbook, containing procedures, safety information, contact details etc, also available on the web. Students visiting Heythrop will receive a guidance handbook which will be available on the College’s web pages.  
 
What kind of arrangements, if any, does the institution ensure to comply with non discrimination objectives (e.g. actions related to gender equality, integration of disabled students and staff, enhancement of social and economic cohesion and combating of xenophobia and racism)
Policies and procedures to support equality are published on the College’s website. Responsibilities and rights of staff and students are publicised through induction, printed and web based information and other sessions, including staff development. The College’s Disability Coordinator offers guidance to students with specific needs. The College’s HR Manager ensures that College policies and procedures meet requirements of legislation and sector wide practice, including the precepts of section 3 of the QAA Code of Practice relating to students with disabilities

II Quality of mobility activities:
What kind of specific measures are implemented in the institution to ensure high quality in academic mobility activities?
Details should be provided on recognition and credit systems, the provision of information on curricula, information and counselling of outgoing students, tutoring and integration of incoming students, provision of students services (in particular accommodation), preparatory and refresher language courses, support and acknowledgement of staff mobility
The College has staff responsible for liaising with partners to ensure proposed student study is appropriate, prior to the start of any visit. Students receive written and verbal information and counselling prior to departure, and are given contact details of staff at the host and at the College in case of problems. Assessed work undertaken at partner will be credited by the College using an agreed credit framework.

Incoming students will receive help in finding accommodation. They will be required to provide evidence of language competence, and may attend English language classes while at the college. Induction will be provided on arrival. Each student will have a personal tutor for guidance. Students can use all collage facilities, and the social and guidance resources of the College Students Union and the University of London’s Students Union. A transcript of study will be provided on completion.

Mobility for academic and non academic staff is encouraged and plans should be discussed with the Head of Department or line manager at an early stage. Staff may apply for research leave, a sabbatical or study leave and get support with applications to Erasmus. Staff provide a short report on their return and may be asked to provide a staff development session.

III Quality of work placement activities:
What kind of specific measures are implemented to ensure high quality in student placements? Give details on how the work programme and the placement agreements are prepared and implemented. Please describe the practical arrangements agreed between the parties. Please specify also the monitoring and evaluation of the placement(s) period as well as its recognition in the curriculum.
Procedures meet the precepts of Section 9 of the QAA Code of Practice on placement learning. Student placements are discussed with a tutor and aims set out in writing. This is shared with the placement provider. A location may be visited in advance if not known to staff. Students may be visited while on a placement and will keep in contact with a named tutor. A member of staff at the placement will be allocated to give guidance.  A work log may be kept and assessed for credit or an assessed essay may be the outcome. The student and placement provider give evaluations at the end of the placement which are read by the tutor and the Quality and Research Coordinator. An annual report on issues from placements will be made to the Academic Standards Committee.