University officials have presented plans to launch a new summer school programme abroad, starting in 2013, possibly as a replacement to current study abroad programmes.
The plans, in their tentative stages, would see the University renting out spaces in unoccupied buildings on campuses abroad over the summer period and converting them into ‘international study centres’ occupied by York. The centres would be temporary spaces, as Heslington Hall has repeatedly dismissed suggestions of building a ‘second campus’ abroad, similar to Nottingham’s Ningbo campus founded in 2004.
The centres would offer summer programmes of between four and six weeks, to allow students to boost their personal academic standing and the position of York as a ‘global’ university, to gain the experience of living in a world city and integrate more with another culture.
David Duncan, University of York Registrar, spoke to Vision, confirming; “York is looking seriously at setting up international study centres overseas.”
Market research with students found New York City and Hong Kong were the favoured locations, with the universities considered for the initial 2013 start being Colombia University and the Chinese University (Hong Kong).
However, due to the costs and organisation involved, the planned scheme puts the current popular year or term abroad system at York under threat.
Both Duncan and Jane Grenville, Pro Vice-Chancellor for Students, expressed concerns to Vision about the year abroad programme, blaming differences in marking – particularly between the US and UK university system – for causing academic stress and welfare concerns.
International marking is generally more generous than the UK system, often giving results in the eighties that are very rarely given at York – causing problems for returning students who complain their grades are declining.
Duncan also claimed that the year abroad programme often led to difficulties readjusting after taking a break from structured degree programmes, leading to problems both with adapting to the English university system again, and even finding a house and readapting to English life.
One second year student who participated in the term abroad, said, “I received a hundred per cent on my final work when abroad. Yet, I’m concerned whether the University will even accept the mark. It is nearly two months later and it hasn’t appeared on e-Vision.”
Yet, despite qualms from some students, the year abroad scheme has received student support.
Jack Knight, a third year History student, was shocked at the possibility the programme might be replaced and defended its flaws.
“It would be wrong to deny that there is no room for improvement within the current study abroad system. However, the need for small scale improvements should not be interpreted as a case for unnecessarily overhauling the whole system.”
“Parts of the process have already been extensively streamlined and successfully simplified by some academic departments. With greater communication and further development a complete overhaul of the system would be unnecessary.”
Yet even the summer programme is up in the air, as no final decision has been made in light of the inherent staffing problems.
Duncan suggested drawing on PhD students to help teach at the summer study centres, but no concrete plans have emerged. The University will also contact its strong Alumni Associations, particularly in the US, to search for staff, spaces and funding.
In the midst of these concerns however, Duncan attested that, “The advantages for participating students could be very considerable. We will have to work hard to make sure that all students who want to take part can afford it, and that the programmes of study are top quality.”
The centres will form part of the University’s wider ‘internationalisation’ attempts, alongside York’s LFA programme, with up to a quarter of students that are ‘international’. Both Duncan and Grenville expressed hope that that the centres will be vital in boosting the University’s international profile.
These plans will continue to be discussed over the coming year.