Transcript Document

Learning from Complaints
OIA Policy Seminar
Postgraduate Study &
International Students
21 January 2010
Susanna Reece
Deputy Adjudicator
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OIA approach
 The OIA’s approach to complaints
from postgraduate and/or
international students is not
fundamentally different to that taken
in other complaints
 However, there are a number of
distinguishing features that may have
an impact on our review, findings and
recommendations.
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Annual Report 2008 –
some statistics
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900 student complaints received
355 (39%) postgraduates
69 of those PhD students
Nationally, 23% postgraduate
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322 (36%) international students
201 Non-EU students
72 EU students
Institutionally, range from <3% to 49.3%
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Underlying causes?
 Postgraduate students more likely to
be older, self-funding or sponsored,
part-time, international
 International students in addition
may have a range of cultural
expectations about life and study
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Key Themes – PG students
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Professional diplomas and FTP
Taught Master’s courses
Research degrees at Master’s level
PhD programmes
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Key Themes – PG students
 Progression and exit awards
 Supervision
 Examiners and the viva
 Plagiarism and fair procedures
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OIA examples – PG complaints
 Levels of study
 Expectations about independent study
 Taught master’s programme where tutor
went to another institution and e-mailed
 Progression
 Failure of systems to monitor progress
 PhD student with examiners appointed
but who had written no work
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OIA examples – PG complaints
 Supervision
 Qualifications of supervisors
 Inadequate supervision
 Internal or external evidence of failure?
 PhD Examiners and the viva
 Qualifications of examiners
 Issues of bias and fair process
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Key Themes – International
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Language skills
Expectations from self and others
Progression and exit awards
Communication
Cultural issues
Higher duty of care?
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OIA examples - International
 Language skill - an admissions issue?
 Previous experience – how evaluated?
 IELTS scores
 What if language requirements change?
 Funding and sponsorship
 High levels of financial commitment
 Government support based on outcome
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OIA examples - International
 Clarity of communication
 Handbooks/online resources
 Face to face communication
 Procedural fairness
 Cultural issues
 Assumptions and expectations
 Additional responsibilities
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International students –
the OIA challenge
 Case studies/digest for more
 Consider a number of scenarios:
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A Rwandan war refugee – student nurse
An Iraqi Kurd – international law
A government-sponsored PhD
A Chinese engineering student
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International students –
the OIA challenge
 Treatment of international students
 A serious issue for HEIs and students
 Even not justified OIA decisions can raise
questions about admission and support
 New PBS for student visas
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