Senate

Subject: English Language Entry Requirements

Origin: Unconfirmed Minutes of the Meeting of Learning and Teaching Committee on 8 November 2007

The Committee considered amendments to English Language requirements for entry to postgraduate taught programmes.

It was noted that the paper came forward against a background of increasing concern amongst staff about standards of English amongst international students, and in discussion the Committee identified a number of issues requiring further consideration in relation to students who were admitted subject to attending a pre-sessional English language programme or who on paper met the English language requirements for entry to the University but were subsequently found to require further language support.

It was reported that the Director of the Graduate School had queried why the proposals in the agenda paper were not being extended to postgraduate research students, as it would seem desirable to keep all PGs in step. It was suggested he should pursue this issue with the Research Team. It was noted that that there would need to be a mechanism for dealing with exceptional cases in the case of PGR students, which in the case of PGT students involved the approval of the ADTs.

It was RESOLVED to RECOMMEND the proposed amendments to Senate, with the addition of an appropriate amendment to the Appendix to Regulation XXI.

Author – Robert Bowyer

Date – November 2007