1. University of LeedsCurriculum Enhancement ProjectEnhancement Themes conference8 March 2012Caroline Letherland and Chris Warrington curriculum.leeds.ac.uk

2. 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

3. 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

4. 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

5. 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

6. 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

7. 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

8. Questions • Caroline Letherland c.letherland@adm.leeds.ac.uk • Chris Warrington c.j.warrington@adm.leeds.ac.uk