Teaching & Learning

Our Vision for Teaching & Learning

To educate students who will be valued for their academic excellence, their distinctiveness, and their world-readiness

We Will

Teaching and Learning Environment

• Provide an outstanding teaching and learning environment that enables our students to articulate and achieve their ambitions, and benefit from optimal learning facilities and supports
• Ensure that those who teach and design our programmes are provided with professional training and development opportunities
• Develop a range of appropriate learning communities to support students in their academic progress, providing more opportunities for small-group teaching, placements, and pastoral and professional support, with an emphasis on the transition through First Year and the support of students from non-traditional backgrounds
• Develop our ICT systems further to support flexible modes of learning
• Review and revise our admissions requirements and entry routes for undergraduate programmes in line with national developments

Programme Content

• Continue to promote research-led learning as an informing principle, aligning taught programmes with our areas of research strength, and providing opportunities for student participation in research
• Seek to establish clear national leadership and build an international reputation in our areas of teaching and research strength
• Complement our teaching and learning activities through external engagement with employers, alumni, mentors, practitioners, and community partners
• Review, revise and develop new curricula to ensure that our portfolio of programmes is innovative, responsive to local, national and international demands, and attractive to high-achieving students
• Develop greater opportunities for part-time, flexible and blended learning, further enhancing our national leadership in the provision of online learning
• Advance  lifelong learning and  provide for the continuing professional development needs of employees in our region and beyond

Measures of Success

• Embedded graduate attributes at both undergraduate and postgraduate levels, clearly articulating the qualities and skills that our students will acquire
• Employers, professional bodies or community partners on at least 75% of programme and/or advisory boards
• 80% of undergraduates receiving a work-based learning experience
• 30% of the student body studying for postgraduate degrees, increased from 22%
• 20% of student cohort on part-time, flexible and blended learning programmes, increased from 15%
• 24% of students from traditionally under-represented groups entering full-time undergraduate study, increased from 19%
• Administrative structures and processes simplified in all programmes, supported by investment in ICT systems
• Very high rate of student retention maintained at 84%
• Maintained position as ‘University of Choice’ for prospective undergraduate students in our catchment area, and nationally for our priority areas
• 10% increase in the recruitment of students from outside our traditional catchment area
• 10% rise in the number of undergraduate programmes with 400 or more CAO entry points; 20% rise in the number of undergraduate programmes with 450 or more CAO entry points
• Centralised student feedback system that informs the design and delivery of teaching, learning and support service activities
• Revised admissions requirements for students applying from Northern Ireland and Great Britain