Kent Staff - Internationalise your work life

The University enters into partnerships that are conducive to meeting its strategic objectives and the fulfilment of its mission, particularly in the areas of widening participation and internationalisation. Partnerships, which allow for the provision of a higher education experience for a wide diversity of students, present opportunities for the University to serve as an intellectual and cultural focus for the region, for supporting national and regional economic success, and for building on existing close ties within Europe and in the wider international arena.    

Policy requirements

In order to ensure that international partnerships and collaborations are appropriately strategic, high quality, and enhance the reputation of the University, internal policy requires all Kent faculty and staff to adhere to a series of internal approval processes and guidelines prior to any binding discussions or negotiations with an external partner. 

This applies to both proposed new arrangements and the monitoring and renewal of existing arrangements.  

International Partnerships is responsible for undertaking the pre-collaborative checks on all proposed new international partnerships and the renewal of arrangements, with the oversight of the Quality Assurance and Compliance Office.  

Non-collaborative provision

International Partnerships is responsible for the monitoring of the following types of non-collaborative international agreements   ( i.e. those that do not entail a University award):

• Non-Erasmus European and International Exchange
• Incoming only Study Abroad Agreements
• Erasmus+ Inter-institutional Agreements
• Progression Agreements not involving advanced standing
• Formal Overseas Staff Exchange Agreements (Non-Erasmus)
• Memoranda of Understanding.

Collaborative provision

The Quality Assurance and Compliance Office oversees international agreements that lead to a University award or to specific credit towards a University award (as follows):

• Dual/joint awards  
• Articulation arrangements 
• Course delivery support partner  
• Standalone module delivery provider  
• Course delivery provider  
• Co-supervision of research degrees  
• Joint research awards.  

Full policies and procedures relating to collaborative provision approval can be accessed on the Quality Assurance and Compliance Office pages.

Postgraduate collaborative provision

Kent Graduate and Researcher College (GRC) is responsible for the strategy and policy relating to international postgraduate collaboration provision. The GRC works closely with International Partnerships and the Quality Assurance and Compliance Office in this area. 

The GRC oversees the agreement of individual student contracts for the co-supervision of PhDs with international partners.

Quick-Reference Guide

Guidance for Kent staff who wish to set up an international partnership.

Download our Quick-Reference Guide .pdf

Each year around 30-40 members of Kent staff teach or receive training at universities across Europe, funded by the European Union’s Erasmus+ Programme. 

Activities include job shadowing, workshops, language courses, professional training programmes and much more, and visits typically last from two days to two weeks.

Colleagues have been hosted by a wide range of universities and organisations throughout Europe, from Tallinn to Turkey, Malta to Madeira, in fact any EU member states plus Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, Republic of North Macedonia, Serbia and Turkey. 

So if you fancy teaching in Toulouse, networking in Nicosia, studying Spanish in Seville, or learning about libraries in Ljubljana, do contact our team. All Kent staff are invited to apply!

Current opportunities:

• Job shadowing at one of our Erasmus partner universities or another university or organisation
• Teaching at one of our Erasmus partner universities
• Attending an Erasmus staff training week advertised through the IMOTION website
• Attending a professional training course or a language course (please note such opportunities are not advertised through this site but should be sourced by the staff member)

Funding process:

• Funding is available for visits taking place up to 31 May 2022.  
• Funding is for actual, receipted travel and subsistence costs at rates set by the European Commission.
• Travel rates range from €180 to €1500 according to distance travelled.
• Subsistence rates (to cover accommodation and meals) range from €140 to €180 per day, depending on the country you visit.

Eligibility criteria:

• Applicants must hold a University of Kent employment contract. 
• Applications must show clear objectives, added value and expected outcomes and impact of the mobility.
• Line Manager/Head of School approval required.
• Minimum duration: training: 2 days at host institution; teaching: 2 days at host institution plus minimum 8 hours’ teaching per week.

How to apply:

Please email erasmus@kent.ac.uk to request an application form or register your interest.